Leaky car AC? A California program may coverup to 90% of your repair

August 6, 2025

Nathan Perrine, the executive director of the Car Care Council, says the Cool Air Rebate Program, or CAR Program, hit the roads last July in Fresno before branching statewide this May, covering up to 90% of repair costs for vehicle air conditioning leaks for eligible drivers.

“The Cool Air Rebate Program is a financial assistance program for low-income Californians to help them get their leaking vehicle air conditioning systems repaired,” said Perrine.

*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.