Why You Need An Extended Ram Warranty
- The increased luxury, comfort, and capability of Ram trucks could mean higher repair costs, which are only covered by a factory warranty for a limited time.
- Planning for the long-term life of your Ram truck now can avoid frustration in the future.
- CARCHEX offers a variety of extended Ram warranty options to continue protection.
Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.
Ram fans know the Cummins inline-six power plant is one of the most reliable engines ever built. Nonetheless, even with a robust engine and drivetrain, Rams are subject to wear and tear, unexpected breakdowns, and expensive repair costs. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about standard Ram warranty coverage and how it compares to extended warranties, including Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans and third-party options through the extended warranty provider CARCHEX.
Why Does Your Ram Need Protection?
Advancing technologies make Ram trucks more luxurious, efficient, and capable than ever. The 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel is considered by automotive journalists and industry experts to offer a near perfect blend of comfort and off-road capability. In order to achieve this balance for a truck like the Rebel, a number of advanced electronics and components are needed throughout the vehicle. As a result, the need for extended coverage also increases.
“These new technologies can add features and improve fuel efficiency, but are more prone to have issues,” explained Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports Director of Auto Testing.
Consider the East German Cold War era Trabant, a car with a two-stroke engine mounted on a steel frame covered by a plastic body. It was always unreliable, but lasted for decades because it was the essence of minimalism. The car could be disassembled and rebuilt using common hand tools. It’s not as easy to do that with vehicles today, especially expensive trucks. The economic minimalism of the Trabant is jarring compared to the power, luxury, and capabilities of American-built Ram trucks, but with power comes responsibility. Responsibility for Ram owners might come in the form of an extended warranty, or a high repair bill if there is no warranty coverage.
As an example, the Uconnect 8.6 navigation head units found in the 2018 Ram 1500 Big Horn can’t be fixed with a wrench and a hammer, and parts alone cost $1,530. Peace of mind comes from knowing your Ram will crush interstate miles for years to come with the coverage of an extended warranty.
What Is Covered by Ram’s Factory Warranty?
New 2020 Ram 1500s come with a powertrain warranty for drive systems and a basic limited warranty, or bumper-to-bumper warranty. Ram’s factory warranty is also transferable.
Covered components under FCA US LLC’s basic limited warranty last for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. It includes virtually, but not literally, everything between the bumpers. The standard Ram warranty comes with a few exceptions, including a 24-month limit for windshields. Other exceptions include:
- Mufflers
- Water pumps
- Drained batteries
- Shocks and struts
- Gaskets and seals
- Catalytic converters
The Uconnect head unit is covered under the basic limited warranty, regardless if the truck is new or used. Ram’s limited powertrain warranty varies by engine type: 5 years and 60,000 miles for gas engines and an increase to 100,000 miles for diesel ones.
A corrosion warranty of 3 years and unlimited mileage guarantees coverage for cost of repairs for rust or corrosion. Outer panels are covered for 5 years and unlimited miles.
Finally, roadside assistance, including flat tire service, gas delivery, battery jumpstart, and towing to the nearest dealer, is also part of the Ram warranty.
Ram Warranty Summary:
- Basic Limited Warranty: 3 years, 36,000 miles
- Powertrain Limited Warranty: 5 years, 60,000 miles (gas) or 100,000 miles (diesel)
- Anti-Corrosion Perforation Limited Warranty: 3 years, unlimited miles (all panels) or 5 years, unlimited miles (outer panels)
- Federal Emissions Warranty: 2 years, 24,000 miles or 8 years, 80,000 miles (specific components)
- Roadside Assistance: 5 years, 60,000 miles
How Does Ram’s Warranty Compare?
Within the automotive industry, Ram warranties are a bit below average, with many manufacturers offering five-year or longer bumper-to-bumper warranties. Volvo and Mini are among the most confident in their rust-proofing, offering 12-year corrosion guarantees. But, FCA US LLC warranty coverages equal or surpass America’s perennial reliability favorites, Honda and Toyota.
What About Ram’s Lifetime Warranty, CPO Warranties & Mopar Extended Warranties?
The bad news for Ram owners who want lifetime coverage is Ram’s legendary Lifetime Mopar Vehicle Protection Plan was discontinued last year.
Certified pre-owned (CPO) warranties come standard with certified low-mileage, late-model Rams purchased from FCA US LLC authorized dealers. The CPO Ram warranty extends the powertrain warranty to 7 years and 100,000 miles for all engines, and provides a three-month, 3,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. The $100 deductible and $150 transfer fee for CPO warranties is offset by a complimentary three-month satellite radio subscription and 24/7 roadside service coverage. Only vehicles that pass Ram’s 125-point inspection are certified.
For those interested in extending their Ram warranty from the manufacturer, Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans offer coverage up to 8 years or 150,000 miles. There are two options:
- Added Care Plus: Covers 800 components.
- Maximum Care: Covers over 5,000 components.
You must purchase the plan within 36 months or 36,000 miles of the in-service date.
Why Ram Owners Need An Extended Warranty
Ram owners might want to consider an extended warranty because increased component complexity means increased vulnerability. As we have pointed out, the Ram’s Uconnect head units are a luxury that can add significantly to the cost of repairs down the road.
On the mechanical side, for owners of 2016 or newer Ram 1500 trucks, the available air suspension is case in point. A cottage industry of converting Land Rovers from air suspension to steel coil suspension is driven by the inherent risk of leaks that come with air suspension. This is particularly true for trucks that will be driven in cold climates or over rough roads. The cost of a new compressor is over $2,000.
Air suspension today is more reliable than ever, and more capable. Back in 2004, Truck Trend gave its SUV of the Year award to the Land Rover LR3, proving decisively that air suspension can be a game changer. Ram’s class-exclusive Active-Level Four Corner air suspension has five settings. Raise it to the top setting for mudding or rock-crawling, or lower it all the way to gain that extra half-inch needed to slip your hitch under a trailer coupling without having to get out.
Ram owners are happy to take advantage of capability, convenience, and lower fuel costs, as the truck automatically crouches low at highway speeds to reduce drag in Aero mode. An extended warranty is the best way to protect an air suspension and all the benefits it brings for Ram owners.
What About Third-Party Extended Warranties for Ram Trucks?
In general, third-party extended warranties offer many of the benefits as FCA US LLC’s factory and extended warranties. However, there are three main advantages that make a third-party extended warranty a smart choice for peace of mind once a factory warranty expires.
#1: When you purchase a third-party extended warranty, you get to choose who works on your Ram vehicle. Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans require using an authorized FCA US LLC dealer. If you have a favorite mechanic, or just want the convenience of using a national chain like Pep Boys or Goodyear, you decide who works on your truck. You can also choose to use the dealership, if that’s your preference. The only requirement is that the repair facility is ASE certified. For example, CARCHEX, a popular extended warranty company, will pay any ASE certified shop directly for repairs, allowing you to choose your repair facility while CARCHEX pays the bill.
#2: Third-party providers like CARCHEX offer highly customizable extended warranty options. CARCHEX offers five levels of customization. The Bronze level would be a good fit for someone who wants to protect their Ram engine, transmission, and 4×4 system. The most comprehensive level, Titanium, covers virtually all systems, including factory-installed rear seat DVD players and integrated GPS units. All CARCHEX plans include robust roadside emergency service.
#3: You can buy a third-party extended warranty at almost any time. Ram extended warranties from Mopar are only available in the first 3 years or 36,000 miles of ownership. That doesn’t leave you much time to decide if and what you want to purchase. The cost of an extended warranty is lower if you buy during the warranty period, but if you decide to wait, you can choose protection from CARCHEX or almost any other third-party provider.
Why Consider CARCHEX for Your Extended Protection?
We like CARCHEX because the company is a marketplace of extended warranty providers, and they’ve done the research for you. Convenient customer service is their hallmark. Their customer service representatives are available 24/7/365 to chat with you about their extended coverage options. They have a strong commitment to customer service, which is demonstrated in their Better Business Bureau A+ rating and accreditation.
Other perks include:
- Transferable contracts.
- 30-day money back guarantee.
- Terms ranging from 5 to 10 years.
- Available for new or used cars over 100,000 miles.
- Affordable payment plans and $0 deductible options.
The flexibility, affordability, customization, and service of CARCHEX makes planning for the long-term life of your Ram simple. Head to their website or call 866-254-0205 for a customized quote for your Ram.
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