Is your car’s AC leaking? California program pays 90% of repair cost

July 1, 2025

Does your car’s air conditioning need a fresh blast of cold?

The year-old Cool Air Rebate (CAR) Program offers financial assistance to qualifying, low-income Californians who need a particular coolant leak fixed in cars made between 1993 and 2019.

“Low-income families are often the most impacted by extreme heat, and this program makes it possible for them to fix their car A/C and avoid the heat-related risks that come with driving in extreme heat,” said Nathan Perrine, the executive director of the Car Care Council, which manages CAR.

*Terms and conditions apply. Must be an eligible customer and a participating repair shop. Applies only to qualifying repairs. Repair reimbursement: The Cool Air Rebate Program will pay participating repair shop 90% of the cost of qualifying repairs up to a maximum of $1,500 per vehicle ($1,666.70 repair cost). Program does not pay any portion of repair costs exceeding $1,666.70. If the diagnosis results in qualifying repairs and the consumer accepts the repairs, the program pays participating repair shop 100% of the diagnostic fee. If the diagnosis results in non-qualifying repairs or the consumer declines the repairs, program pays participating repair shop 90% of the diagnostic fee.