Does a car warranty cover the air conditioning system?

All car manufacturers’ warranties include the air conditioning system. However, warranties differ somewhat in what they cover. Warranties also differ in what they do not cover, and for how long they cover different parts and components. Warranties also require that all required air con service and repairs have been performed according to the car service schedule.

While we cannot provide the full details of each manufacturer’s warranty there, we can provide a broad overview of air conditioning system warranties. Here are some details on-

What is usually covered

All manufacturers will usually cover any air con issue or fault that is caused by a manufacturing defect. This could include-

• Defective or unsuitable materials
• Faults caused by sloppy or incorrect assembly procedures in the factory
• Faults caused by faulty, defective, or unsuitable parts that were installed by the factory

The above usually include parts like-

• Computers or control switches
• Condenser cooling fan motor(s)
• Defective or corrupted climate control software
• Hoses, gaskets, and seals
• Compressors, fans, or condensers

Sadly, most air conditioning system warranties specifically do NOT cover many things. Here is a list of the most common items-

• Damage caused by blocked drains and filters due to poor maintenance or servicing
• Damage caused by flooding, fire, lightning strikes, or accidents
• Damage caused by rodents, ants, or other insect infestations
• Damage caused by abnormally high or low car battery voltages
• Damage caused by system modifications of any kind
• Damaged caused by service and repair procedures done by un-certified mechanics
• Damage caused by using the wrong refrigerant, lubricating oil, or dye
• Damage caused by overcharging or undercharging the system with refrigerant- even with the correct refrigerant
• Damage caused by the build-up of dirt on the condenser, evaporator, or compressor

If you are concerned about what is covered and what is excluded from your car's air conditioning system, we suggest you discuss your concerns with the dealership directly. This is always the best way to avoid surprises when your car’s ac system stops working unexpectedly.