Is A Kia Extended Warranty Worth It?

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An extended auto warranty is a protection plan you can buy from an automaker or dealership to cover mechanical breakdowns. Third-party providers offer similar coverage in the form of vehicle service contracts. We use these terms interchangeably in this article for simplicity.

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Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.4/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Affordability: 4.5/5.0
Transparency: 5.0/5.0
Customer Service: 4.4/5.0
idée We recommend Endurance as the best warranty provider
  • Best Overall
  • Coverage Plans: 6 options plus maintenance plan
  • Odometer Limit: Unlimited mileage
  • Free Cancellation: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Factory-level bumper-to-bumper plan Free membership for first year
Multiple powertrain/mid-level choices $500 collision discount
Scheduled maintenance coverage Tire repair or replacement
24/7 emergency roadside assistance Total loss protection up to $1,000
Trip interruption reimbursement Key fob replacement and repair
Rental vehicle coverage Endurance mobile app
Towing allowance $250 credit with shopping or dining partners

Crash Course:

  • The cost of a 10-year extended Kia warranty ranges from $1,200 to $2,900.
  • The Kia extended warranty comes in 5 coverage levels with varying term lengths.
  • Kia vehicles hold high reliability ratings, so some drivers may skip the extra coverage.
  • Comparing the Kia extended warranty with free quotes from reputable third-party companies will ensure you get the best deal on coverage.

A Kia extended warranty protects your car for 10 years or 120,000 miles and has five coverage levels: Powertrain, Silver, Gold, Gold Plus, and Platinum. You can avoid paying for repairs after a mechanical breakdown with a vehicle protection plan, which extends the coverage typically offered in factory car warranties.

In this review, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of the Kia extended warranty, including coverage options, costs, and added benefits. We’ll also review Kia’s overall reliability and which factors you should consider when purchasing an extended car warranty.

After thoroughly examining providers in the industry, our research team ranked the best extended car warranty plans available in 2024. We’ll help you compare Kia’s Protection Plans for new and used cars to extended warranty plans from two of our top providers. 

Kia Extended Warranty Overview

The Kia extended warranty is an optional vehicle protection plan designed to keep you from paying for unexpected car repairs after your factory Kia warranty expires. As Kia Protection Plans are sold through dealerships, the coverage details and availability may vary based on your location and vehicle. Below are high-level details common to every extended warranty contract from Kia:

  • Coverage terms: Kia’s protection plans provide coverage for up to 10 years or 120,000 miles – whichever comes first.
  • Transferability: The manufacturer’s vehicle service contracts are transferable to any subsequent owners if you sell your Kia before coverage expires. 
  • Covered repairs: Each Kia extended warranty plan guarantees the use of genuine Kia parts and factory-trained technicians for covered repair work.
  • Cancelation: Kia’s extended warranty cancellation policy is not available online. Many providers give drivers prorated warranty refunds, but it’s best to check with your dealership about this option.
  • Financing: Kia’s extended warranty plans can be financed with your vehicle, but we typically don’t recommend doing this as you’ll end up paying interest on your protection plan.

Below, you can check out how our research team rated Kia’s extended warranty coverage:

Rating CategoryScore
Coverage4.6
Cost4.5
Accessibility/Usability4.2
Benefits4.5
Overall Rating4.4

Kia Protection Plan Coverage

With a Kia extended warranty, your vehicle can be covered for up to 120,000 miles in the event of a mechanical breakdown caused by defective factory parts or bad workmanship. You can review the coverage terms for the five Kia extended warranty options below:

Kia Extended WarrantyCoverage Terms
Powertrainup to 120,000 miles
Silverup to 120,000 miles
Goldup to 120,000 miles
Gold Plusup to 120,000 miles
Platinumup to 120,000 miles

Note that some Kia Protection Plans list coverage for similar vehicle systems. For example, Silver and Gold plans both list coverage for electrical systems, but the Gold plan will cover more components of that system.

Kia Extended Warranty Plans

Below, we break down what each level of Kia extended warranty covers:

Kia
Extended Warranty
Details
PlatinumThe Platinum plan provides almost the same level of coverage as Kia’s factory bumper-to-bumper warranty. This exclusionary plan protects every part of your vehicle minus a small list of excluded parts.
Gold PlusThe Gold Plus plan adds coverage for the cooling system and rear suspension.
GoldThe Gold plan provides more comprehensive coverage for all the parts protected by the Powertrain and Silver plans.
SilverThis plan protects the same components as the Powertrain plan plus steering, brakes, electrical, and front suspension.
PowertrainBasic warranty coverage for the engine, transmission, and drive axle.

Kia Powertrain Extended Warranty

Kia’s extended powertrain coverage handles only the most essential components of your vehicle. This plan provides coverage for the following parts:

  • Engine
  • Transmission
  • Drive axle
  • Trans axle
  • Hybrid/plug-in electric compressed natural gas components 

Kia Silver Extended Warranty

Kia’s Silver plan covers the same components as the powertrain warranty plus a few additional systems including:

  • Steering
  • Brakes
  • Air conditioning
  • Front suspension
  • Electrical

Kia Gold Extended Warranty

The Gold extended protection plan protects most of your vehicle’s major components. In addition to the coverage under the Powertrain and Silver plans, this plan adds protection for your rear suspension and electrical systems.

Kia Gold Plus Extended Warranty

Covers all components in the Gold plan, as well as the engine cooling system and additional parts in each component category including:

  • Cooling system
  • Fuel system
  • Air conditioning
  • Rear Suspension

Kia Platinum Extended Warranty

As an exclusionary warranty, the Kia Platinum plan covers most repairs and parts, except for routine maintenance and wear-and-tear items including:

  • Pressure plate
  • Airbags
  • Body parts
  • Trim
  • Tires and wheels
  • Non-hybrid/electric batteries
  • Lightbulbs
  • Upholstery
  • Safety restraint systems
  • Exhaust system
  • Brake linings, drums, rotors, and pads

Kia Extended Warranty Benefits

Each of the five Kia extended warranty plans comes with a few additional benefits, including:

  • Towing coverage: Provides $75 per incident for any towing expenses.
  • Rental car reimbursement: Covers up to $40 per day for a maximum of 10 days while your vehicle is in the shop. You may also use this coverage for alternative options like public transportation or ridesharing.
  • Travel coverage: Covers up to $100 per day, up to $500 total, for food and lodging if your vehicle breaks down far from your home and you have to stay overnight while it’s being repaired.
  • Fluids coverage: No-cost fluids replacement with any covered repair.

While these perks would be helpful in the event of a mechanical breakdown, they’re not as extensive as other manufacturers’ additional benefits, both in terms of coverage and cost limits. Kia extended warranties do not come standard with roadside assistance services such as fuel delivery, lockout assistance, or battery jumpstarts.

What’s Not Covered Under the Kia Extended Warranty?

Any extended car warranty comes with certain exclusions, and the Kia extended auto warranty is no different. The manufacturer’s vehicle service contracts will not cover:

  • Damage from misuse or abuse
  • Breakdowns caused by improper fluid use
  • Environmental damages
  • Negligence or improper maintenance leading to damage
  • Replacement of wear-and-tear parts like batteries and filters
  • Routine maintenance services like oil changes and tire rotations

Kia Appearance Protection

In addition to the company’s extended warranties, Kia offers owners appearance protection plans that cover their vehicle in the case of the cosmetic body or interior damage. These plans include coverage for:

  • Dents and dings
  • Windshield chips
  • Headlight brightening
  • Interior repair services
  • Road hazard tire and wheel protection

Kia Maintenance Plans

For owners who would like to budget for scheduled maintenance, Kia sells pre-paid maintenance plans, offering coverage up to six years. The Kia Maintenance PlanTM provides two vehicle services per year, based on the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. 

The highest level of coverage under Kia’s Maintenance Plan provides for regular oil changes, tire rotations, brake fluid exchange, cabin air filter replacement, and other maintenance services on electric vehicles. A less expensive tier, called Kia Maintenance Plan Select Services, pays for oil changes and tire rotations at manufacturer-specified intervals. 


Kia Extended Warranty Cost

Kia does not advertise the cost of its vehicle service contracts, but we were able to find customer reports of paying anywhere from $1,200 to $2,900 for a 10-year contract. The cost of your Kia extended warranty will depend on a few factors, including: 

  • Vehicle type: Certain models may be more expensive to cover.
  • Vehicle age and mileage: The sooner you purchase coverage, the cheaper it will be.
  • Deductible: Choosing a lower deductible usually leads to a higher overall coverage cost.
  • Coverage length and type: Longer, more comprehensive coverage plans tend to cost more.

For some Kia owners, purchasing an extended warranty directly from a Kia dealership may cost more than coverage from a third-party warranty provider.


Is a Kia Extended Warranty Worth It?

You may be wondering: Are extended car warranties worth it for Kias? The answer depends on a few factors, including your Kia’s reliability, your ability to pay out of pocket for unexpected vehicle repairs, how long you plan to own your Kia, and whether you have remaining new vehicle factory coverage.

If you do not plan on keeping your Kia past the original manufacturer’s warranty, an extended warranty is most likely not worth it. However, if you plan on driving your Kia for years to come, investing in an extended warranty can save you money in the long run. Instead of paying for costly repair bills out of pocket, extended warranty coverage allows you to pay a monthly premium, and in return, the provider will pay for the cost of repairs for protected parts.

Are Kias Reliable?

In the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM, Kia ranked eighth out of 29 automakers for how many issues per 100 vehicles had problems. The average in the study was 190 problems per 100 vehicles. Kia scored better than average, with 187 problems reported per 100 vehicles.   

To further determine a car brand’s reliability, we look to RepairPal, a site that analyzes customer reports to estimate common repairs and repair costs for 32 car brands. According to RepairPal, Kia scores 4.0 out of 5.0 stars for reliability and owners should expect an average annual repair cost of $474. That’s lower than the industry-wide annual repair cost average of $652.

Below, we’ve outlined RepairPal’s findings on Kia’s reliability:

RepairPal FactorKia Average Across All Brands
Average Annual Repair Cost$474$652
Repair Frequency0.2 times per year0.4 times per year
Chance of a Severe Repair*10%12%
*A severe repair, in this case, means it will cost at least three times the average annual repair cost.

What Kia Coverage Do You Already Have?

Before deciding to buy an extended warranty, you’ll need to analyze the likelihood of future repair costs and the value of purchasing extra coverage. Consider the coverage you may already have for your car, like the Kia warranty for new cars and the certified pre-owned (CPO) Kia warranty. 

Kia Factory Warranty

The Kia factory warranty is one of the longest in the industry. New Kias come with a bumper-to-bumper warranty lasting five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. New vehicles also come with a 10 year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. In addition, new Kia vehicles come with:

  • Anti-perforation warranty: 5 years/100,000 miles
  • Hybrid and electric vehicle system warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
  • Roadside assistance: Towing services, with limits, for up to 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Audio, paint, and standard battery coverage: 3 years/36,000 miles

Kia CPO Warranty

Certified pre-owned Kias come with a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and one year of 12,000 miles of Kia Protection Plan Platinum coverage. Every CPO Kia also comes with a 10-year and unlimited miles roadside assistance service contract.


Kia Extended Warranty Review

Based on RepairPal’s data, an extended car warranty may not be necessary for Kia drivers. Most Kia models seem to be reliable, requiring few repairs. However, this doesn’t mean an unexpected mechanical or expensive repair is impossible. For covered repair work, Kia drivers can take their vehicle to a local Kia dealer or to one of Kia’s 6,000 authorized service centers in the U.S. and Canada. Keep in mind, you must buy the manufacturer’s extended warranty before the original factory warranty on your vehicle expires.

Aftermarket Warranty

Buying a Kia extended warranty from the dealership is just one way to get added peace of mind on the road after your factory warranty expires. You can also opt for a third-party vehicle service contract to protect your Kia. While there are pros and cons of extended car warranties, here are a few benefits of purchasing third-party coverage:

  • Longer coverage terms
  • Additional coverage options for older, higher-mileage vehicles
  • Purchase any time

Best Extended Car Warranty for Kia

Our review team determined Endurance and CARCHEX offer the best extended warranties for Kia vehicles. We recommend you gather quotes from several warranty companies and the manufacturer to compare costs, benefits, and coverage.

Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.4/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Affordability: 4.5/5.0
Transparency: 5.0/5.0
Customer Service: 4.4/5.0
idée We recommend Endurance as the best warranty provider
  • Best Overall
  • Coverage Plans: 6 options plus maintenance plan
  • Odometer Limit: Unlimited mileage
  • Free Cancellation: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Factory-level bumper-to-bumper plan Free membership for first year
Multiple powertrain/mid-level choices $500 collision discount
Scheduled maintenance coverage Tire repair or replacement
24/7 emergency roadside assistance Total loss protection up to $1,000
Trip interruption reimbursement Key fob replacement and repair
Rental vehicle coverage Endurance mobile app
Towing allowance $250 credit with shopping or dining partners

Endurance: Best Overall

Endurance works with customers directly, which makes the claims and quotes processes simple and efficient. This is one reason the company earned 4.6 out of 5.0 stars in our thorough review of extended warranty options. In business since 2006, Endurance offers six coverage plans with term limits up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles – almost double that of the Kia extended warranty. Endurance contracts are available in all U.S. states, except California.

For more information, read our full Endurance warranty review.

CARCHEX: Best Reputation

If you own an older, higher-mileage Kia vehicle, you may not be able to purchase an extended warranty from the manufacturer. For drivers in this situation, we recommend reaching out to CARCHEX. Backed by industry experts like CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds, CARCHEX has been a leader in the car warranty industry for over 20 years. The provider offers five coverage plans with term limits up to 10 years or 250,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Read our CARCHEX review for all the ins and outs of the provider’s coverage.


Extended Warranty Kia: Conclusion

A Kia extended warranty from the dealer provides comprehensive coverage at relatively low rates. Unlike a third-party provider, there is a guarantee that repairs will be made by Kia-trained technicians using genuine Kia parts. However, third-party providers offer more comprehensive plans and often at a lower price. We recommend you get several quotes from Kia and industry leading aftermarket warranty providers before making a final decision on purchasing extended warranty coverage for your Kia.


Kia Extended Warranty: FAQ

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Kia extended warranty plans:

How much does a Kia extended warranty cost?

The cost of a 10-year extended Kia warranty ranges from $1,200 to $2,900 based on our research.

Does Kia offer an extended warranty?

Kia offers five extended warranty plans – Platinum, Gold Plus, Gold, Silver, and Powertrain – whichever comes first. Each plan lasts up to 10 years or 120,000 miles.

What does a Kia extended warranty not cover?

Kia warranties have many standard exclusions, such as glass, vehicle body damage, trim, tires and wheels, batteries (except hybrid and electric batteries, which are covered), safety restraint systems, emissions systems, and brake linings, drums, rotors, and pads.

Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.

  • Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
  • Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
  • Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
  • Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.

*Data accurate at time of publication.