Kia is well-known for offering one of the most comprehensive warranties on the market. The South Korean manufacturer states that it has confidence in the outstanding quality and durability of every new Kia, which is why it’s willing to provide such long warranties. All Kia vehicles come with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty that includes comprehensive coverage for engines. To find out more about what a Kia engine warranty, or rather, a Kia powertrain warranty covers, read on.
What Does a Kia Warranty Program Include?
A Kia 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program consists of four separate warranties:
- A 10-year/100,00-mile limited powertrain warranty
- A 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty
- A 5-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty
- A 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan
Most other manufacturers provide vehicle factory warranties that last for three years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Often, the powertrain is covered with a separate powertrain warranty, which typically lasts for five years or 60,000 miles. In comparison, Kia’s powertrain warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles is outstanding.
What Is a Powertrain?
Kia defines a powertrain as all the components that thrust a vehicle into motion. It’s the powertrain’s job to create power and then deliver it to the wheels. Here’s a short overview of the key components of a powertrain:
- Engine: The engine is the unit that generates the power necessary to create motion. An engine consists of various parts, such as the intake and exhaust valves, gaskets, cylinder block, crankshaft, and pistons.
- Transmission: The transmission system is responsible for transmitting the proper amount of power to the wheels.
- Axles: An axle is a shaft that connects to the wheels. Axles support the weight of the vehicle and also control the power that rotates the wheels.
- Driveshaft: The driveshaft is responsible for transferring engine torque from the transmission to the differential.
- Differential: A differential is a set of gears that allow for wheels to rotate at a different speed. For instance, when the vehicle turns, the outside wheel travels further than the inside wheel, which means that it needs to rotate faster.
Sometimes, people use the terms powertrain and drivetrain interchangeably, but they refer to different things. While the drivetrain is a system of components that transmits power to the wheels, such as the driveshaft, transmission, and differential, the powertrain also includes the engine, which actually generates the power.
Kia Powertrain Coverage
A powertrain warranty covers the cost of replacing or repairing the most important mechanical components of your vehicle’s powertrain. Since the components of the powertrain are often the most expensive to fix, knowing that you have coverage in the event of costly repairs will provide you with peace of mind.
With Kia, the powertrain coverage will kick in as soon as the basic limited warranty coverage — which lasts for five years/60,000 miles — has expired. Once the powertrain coverage kicks in, you’ll be covered for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
With a Kia powertrain limited warranty, you’ll receive the following coverage:
- Engine: The warranty covers a comprehensive list of engine parts, including the cylinder block, cylinder head, seals and gaskets, oil pump, water pump, timing gear, and turbocharger.
- Transaxle: The transmission case and all internal parts are covered by the warranty. You also receive coverage for the drive shafts, front hubs, torque converter, bearings, and seals and gaskets.
- Axles: The warranty covers the axle shafts, hub and wheel bearings, and CV joints.
- Transmission: Your whole transmission system is also covered, including the transmission case, transfer case, torque converter, and all internal parts.
- Differentials: You receive cover for the front and rear differential assemblies, cases, and all internal parts.
- Propeller shafts: In addition, drive shafts and universal joints are also covered.
When Is the Kia Powertrain Limited Warranty Not Valid?
It is important to note that a powertrain limited warranty is only valid if you’re the original owner of the vehicle. The warranty cannot be transferred to subsequent owners. The basic warranty coverage, however, will carry over, which means that the new owner will have coverage for a period of five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain coverage also falls away if you’re using your vehicle for commercial purposes, such as a taxi, rental, or delivery service.
Here are a few other scenarios in which Kia will not pay out:
- Misuse of your vehicle: If powertrain parts need to be replaced or repaired due to misuse, such as racing your vehicle, your warranty coverage will not apply.
- Accidents: In the event that your powertrain incurs damage due to an accident, you will not be covered. In such cases, you will need to file a claim with your auto insurer.
- Tampering or rewiring: If powertrain parts are failing due to tampering or rewiring, you will not receive coverage.
- The environment: In the event that your powertrain is damaged due to an environmental cause such as lightning, a flood, a hailstorm, or road salt, your coverage will not apply. In such cases, you will need to file a claim with your auto insurance.
- An inferior part: If damage to your powertrain is due to the installation of an inferior part, your coverage will not apply.
- Improper maintenance: Your powertrain warranty coverage will only be valid if you’ve taken your Kia for the required service checks and maintained the vehicle properly in general.
- Wear and tear: The powertrain warranty doesn’t cover parts that need replacement due to wear and tear.
Lifetime Warranty for Certain Engines
Kia provides a lifetime warranty for some engines. This lifetime warranty will be valid for the original and subsequent owners of the vehicle. The following vehicles that are equipped with a 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engine receive a lifetime warranty:
- Optima, 2011–2018 models and certain 2019 models
- Sorento, 2012–2018 models and certain 2019 models
- Sportage, 2011–2019 models
One of the major perks of buying a Kia vehicle is that it comes with an excellent powertrain warranty. While most other manufacturers offer a powertrain warranty of up to five years/60,000 miles, Kia’s warranty is valid for twice as long and nearly twice the number of miles. Knowing that some of the most expensive parts in your vehicle are covered for a period of 10 years/100,000 miles provides peace of mind.
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