Ram Extended Warranty Overview
A Ram extended warranty through Mopar® can last up to 8 years or 150,000 miles for new cars and 5 years or unlimited miles for pre-owned models.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Ram offers Maximum Care℠ and Added Care Plus extended warranty plans through Mopar for both pre-owned and new vehicles.
- Your vehicle must be within 3 years or 36,000 miles of the in-service date to be eligible for the Ram new vehicle extended warranty plans.
- Endurance and Carchex are a few excellent extended warranty options from third-party providers.
Extended auto warranties, also known as vehicle service contracts, help pay to repair mechanical issues your vehicle may experience after its factory warranty has expired. Most dealerships will offer you a Ram extended warranty when you initially buy your truck or van, but the dealer’s plan isn’t the only option available.
In this article, we’ll discuss the Ram extended warranty along with its coverage options, additional benefits, and exclusions. With over 1,475 hours of research backing our brand rankings, we’ll also discuss the best extended car warranty companies on the market and explain why it’s worth considering third-party providers.
What Does the Ram Extended Warranty Cover?
The Ram extended warranty, like Ram’s factory warranty, is offered through Mopar®.
Mopar is the parts and service division of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which merged with PSA Group in 2021. The merged company was then rebranded as Stellantis.
It provides the same levels of extended warranty coverage for all Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, and Fiat® models. You can purchase Mopar vehicle protection plans for both new and pre-owned Ram vehicles.
Ram Extended Warranty Plans
Here’s a closer look at each Mopar extended protection plan:
| Plan Name | Coverage Type | Term Length* | Mileage Limit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Care | New cars | Up to 8 years | Up to 125,000 miles | Covers all vehicle components, except for certain parts that are listed in your contract |
| Added Care Plus | New cars | 5 to 8 years | Mileage choices of: 60,000 75,000 85,000 100,000 125,000 150,000 | Covers 850 named components, including the engine, transmission, driveline, air conditioning, steering, and engine cooling |
| Pre-Owned Maximum Care℠ | Used cars | 1 to 5 years | Mileage choices of: 12,000 15,000 Unlimited | Covers 5,000+ components, meaning it covers nearly all car parts except for certain items listed in your contract |
| Pre-Owned Added Care and Added Care Plus | Used cars | 1 to 5 years | Mileage choices of: 12,000 15,000 Unlimited | Covers 850 named components, including the engine, transmission, driveline, air conditioning, front suspension, steering, and engine cooling |
*Coverage ends when either term limit hits (the car’s age or its mileage).
Powertrain Care Plus: Limited Availability
These plans are the ones primarily advertised by Mopar. However, you may find Powertrain Care Plus℠ and Added Care plans through certain dealerships. For dealerships that do offer Powertrain Care Plus, drivers can expect extended coverage for their engine, transmission, and 400+ components with term limits that range from 5 years/85,000 miles to 8 years/125,000 miles.
Ram Extended Warranty Qualifications
Qualifications for each type of Ram extended warranty plan are as follows:
- New vehicle plans: Vehicle must be within 3 years and 36,000 miles of the original in-service date. Expect to pay a surcharge after 1 year and 12,000 miles.
- Pre-owned plans: Vehicles must be no more than 10 model years old and have less than 150,000 miles on them. Vehicles with a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty from the manufacturer must have no more than 125,000 miles.
Ram Extended Warranty Perks
The Ram extended warranty includes some extras, such as:
- Limited rental car coverage
- Trip interruption reimbursement
- Roadside assistance
- Key fob replacement
- Genuine Mopar parts used for covered repairs
- Factory-backed technicians
You can also transfer your Ram extended warranty if you sell the vehicle before coverage expires. A $50 transfer fee often applies, depending on your location.
Ram Roadside Assistance
Every Ram extended warranty plan comes with free 24-hour roadside assistance. This includes:
- Towing services
- Battery jump-starts
- Flat-tire changes
- Lockout assistance
- Deliveries of fuel, oil, or other fluids
Ram Extended Warranty Limitations
One of the biggest limitations to Mopar’s extended coverage is the lack of plan options. Whether you have a new or used vehicle, choices are limited to an exclusionary plan, often called a bumper-to-bumper warranty, or a limited, basic plan.
Like most extended coverage plans, a Ram extended warranty has a deductible you’ll need to hit before coverage kicks in. With these contracts, you have the choice of $200, $100, or $0 deductible per repair. Generally, $0-deductible plans come with an increased overall price.
Other limitations of Ram extended warranty coverage include:
- High prices: Buying an extended warranty directly from a local dealer often increases the price due to steep markups by dealers. According to Edmunds.com, the dealership may tell you the price isn’t negotiable, but that’s almost never the case. You may also be asked to roll the cost of an extended warranty into your auto loan, so you’ll end up paying interest on the cost of the warranty.
- Repairs by the dealer: Any covered repairs you need must be completed at a Ram or other FCA dealership. If you live far away from a dealership or are traveling, this may be inconvenient.
On the other hand, the use of genuine rather than aftermarket parts may be appealing enough for some buyers to deal with higher prices and slightly less convenience.
Additional Ram Protection Products
Both pre-owned and new Ram models can benefit from these optional protections:
| Ram Protection Product | Details |
|---|---|
| Road Hazard Tire and Wheel | This provides full repair or replacement of any tires that get damaged from curbs, potholes, and other road hazards. It also includes the cost of mounting, balancing, and tire stems regardless if they’re factory- or aftermarket-made. Towing and roadside assistance are included. |
| Auto Appearance | Auto Appearance and Auto Appearance Plus can provide you with paintless dent repair, windshield repair, carpet and floor mat coverage, and interior trim and upholstery coverage. |
| MultiCare | The ultimate package from Mopar, you’ll find tire and wheel, cosmetic wheel, paintless dent repair, windshield repair, and roadside assistance services bundled into this plan. However, it’s not available in all states. |
How Much Does a Ram Extended Warranty Cost?
The cost of a Ram extended warranty will vary from dealership to dealership and depends on your vehicle, coverage level, and chosen deductible. One online retailer, Chrysler Factory Warranty, provided the following quotes for a 2021 Ram 1500/2500 pickup truck with 12,000 to 36,000 miles on it:
| Ram Extended Warranty | Deductible | Term Length | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Care | $100 | 7 years/unlimited miles | $4,555 |
| Added Care Plus | $100 | 7 years/unlimited miles | $3,580 |
| Powertrain Care | 100 | 7 years/unlimited miles | $2,960 |
Your costs will vary based on factors such as your model year, chosen deductible, term lengths, and more. You may also find different costs going through a dealership versus Chrysler Factory Warranty’s website.
Is a Ram Extended Warranty Worth It?
Your Ram may look great and give you plenty of towing power, but the brand still tops the list of least-reliable trucks. That doesn’t mean you should get rid of your truck or that it’s guaranteed to break down soon. However, you may want to consider adding the extra protection of a Ram extended warranty to give yourself some peace of mind.
Are Ram Trucks Reliable?
According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠, Ram ranks 16th out of the 32 brands studied, with a reported 189 problems occurring per 100 vehicles. While not the worst, this is below the industry average. RepairPal ranks Ram models 23rd out of 32 total car brands with a reliability rating of 3.0 out of 5.0.
Ram Repair Costs
Ram models cost $858 to repair and maintain per year on average. This is almost 32 percent more than the industry average across all models. Below are some of the repairs you might face with Ram vehicles and what they cost on average according to RepairPal.
| Ram Model | Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 3500 | Clutch replacement | $1,970 to $2,085 |
| Ram 2500 | AC compressor replacement | $774 to $794 |
| Ram 1500 | Brake hose replacement | $110 to $125 |
| Ram 1500 Classic | Air bag clockspring replacement | $665 to $688 |
To decide if a Ram extended warranty is worth it, think about the likelihood that your truck may need repairs in the future and your ability to cover unexpected repair bills. If you can cover repair costs out of pocket with ease, it may not be worth it to get a Ram extended warranty. It may also not be worth it if your Ram is a reliable model that isn’t that old.
What Ram Owners Say
Our December 2023 extended warranty survey gathered responses from 1,000 participants who have or have had manufacturer warranties. Of course, we asked whether they were satisfied with their manufacturer-backed extended protection. Here’s what was said by several Ram drivers:
- “It was very easy to submit a claim and have it processed[.] [T]he process was easier compared to other car dealerships.”
- “I [have] full coverage in case something happens[.] [I]t will cover everything without money out of my pocket”
- “Took a month to get pre-authorization, when calling you could never get through to talk to claims.”
A total of 90 percent of the respondents who purchased a manufacturer extended warranty from Ram for their vehicle were satisfied on some level.
Ram Factory Warranty
When deciding on a Ram extended warranty, consider the coverage you already have. Even if the vehicle is still under its manufacturer’s warranty, you could run into mechanical problems that aren’t covered. Then, there’s also the expiration date of your factory coverage.
The factory Ram warranty includes a basic limited warranty and a powertrain limited warranty. The basic warranty provides comprehensive coverage for your vehicle for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Ram Powertrain Warranty
The powertrain limited warranty covers components like the engine, transmission, and drive system for 5 years or 60,000 miles (5 years or 100,000 miles for diesel).
Manufacturer or factory warranties cover defective parts and workmanship flaws. Unexpected mechanical breakdowns caused by improper use aren’t covered by a factory warranty, though.
Ram CPO Warranty
Ram also offers warranty protection for its certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. The Ram CPO warranty lasts 5 years or 100,000 miles and covers more than 5,000 components. There’s a $0 deductible for covered repair visits. You can customize Ram CPO warranty coverage at your local dealer.
Best Extended Warranty for Ram
A Ram extended warranty offered by Mopar provides excellent coverage and extra perks like roadside assistance. However, the limitations discussed above may make a third-party warranty a better choice.
Luckily, there are a number of reputable extended car warranty companies to choose from that receive thousands of positive customer reviews and high ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is a trusted organization that studies and rates the business practices, licensing information, and customer service of thousands of companies.
Some of the things to look for in a great warranty company include:
- Positive customer reviews
- Endorsements from leading automotive and car repair companies
- Easy quotes and claims processes
- Money-back guarantees
- High number of available plans
- Customizable contracts
- Added perks with each plan
While a Mopar extended service plan is easy to purchase at the dealership, we like third-party extended warranties for their increased flexibility and lower costs. When asking participants in our latest manufacturer extended warranty survey whether or not they would consider purchasing a third-party extended warranty for their car, 50 percent of Ram owners said they would in comparison to almost 60 percent of all 1,000 participants.
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies
Because most third-party warranty companies are brokers, they can offer plans from a variety of warranty administrators, giving you more choices for your extended coverage. Almost all of the major providers offer roadside assistance and other benefits, too, just like Mopar service plans.
Our team has spent over 1,475 hours researching extended warranty providers. We’ve gathered hundreds of quotes, poured over countless customer reviews, and surveyed thousands of past and present extended warranty owners. This research has informed a comprehensive ratings methodology that considers the industry standing, coverage, cost, transparency, and customer service that third-party providers offer consumers like you.
Through our methodology, we’ve found that some of the most popular extended car warranty companies are Endurance, Carchex, and CarShield.
Editor’s Note: On July 31, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission announced that CarShield will pay $10 million to settle FTC charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for vehicle service contracts are deceptive and misleading, and that many purchasers found that repairs were not covered. In response, the Motor1 Reviews team reevaluated CarShield’s rating to better reflect its industry standing and transparency with consumers.
Ram Extended Warranties Vs. Third-Party Plans
See the table below for a side-by-side comparison of plans from Ram and these third-party providers.
| Ram Extended Warranty | Endurance | Carchex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Date | Upon expiration of factory warranty | Any time | Any time |
| Max. Length of Coverage | 8 years/150,000 miles | 8 years/200,000 miles+ | 10 years/250,000 miles |
| Number of Plan Options | 2* | 6 | 5 |
| Transferable | Sometimes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deductible | $0, $100, or $200 | $0+ | $0+ |
| Trip Interruption | ✓ (expires at 100,000 miles) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roadside Assistance | ✓ (expires at 100,000 miles) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repair Network | Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat dealers only | Repair facilities certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) | More than 30,000 facilities nationwide |
| Cancellation Policy | Refund if within 60 days | Refund if within 30 days | Refund if within 30 days |
| Availability | From local Ram dealer | Free, instant quote | Free, instant quote |
*Two plans are primarily advertised by Mopar, but the company also offers two plans designed for CPO vehicles. A powertrain warranty exists at some dealerships.
Ram Extended Warranties: Bottom Line
Mopar offers generous extended warranty protection for Ram trucks, but you’ll likely find more flexibility in terms of coverage and price with a third-party warranty provider. Take time to compare quotes from top-rated companies like Endurance and Carchex before you purchase a vehicle protection plan for your Ram truck.
FAQ: Ram Truck Extended Warranty
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Ram extended warranty.
Can you buy a Ram extended warranty after purchase?
Yes, you can buy an extended warranty from Ram after your purchase date. However, you have to buy the extended coverage from Ram before your truck’s factory warranty expires at 3 years/36,000 miles. If you miss this date, you can buy a Ram extended warranty from a third-party company like Carchex or Endurance.
Is an extended warranty worth it for Ram trucks?
Yes, an extended warranty can be worth it for Ram trucks. Ram is ranked below average in reliability—from both J.D. Power and RepairPal, which means Ram trucks are more likely to experience mechanical breakdowns than normal. The standard cost of annual repairs for Ram trucks is $858 on average, above the industry average for car repair costs. An extended warranty can help Ram drivers who can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket repair bills upfront.
How much is the Ram 1500 extended warranty?
Prices vary by dealership, but one quote we received put the cost of a seven-year Maximum Care plan for a 2021 model at around $4,500 total. This plan included a $100 deductible.
Can you buy an extended warranty on a Ram 1500?
Yes, you can purchase extended warranty coverage for your Ram 1500 from Mopar or from a third-party provider. You have until the end of your factory warranty period to buy from Mopar. There’s more purchase timing flexibility with independent warranty companies.
Does Ram have a 100,000-mile warranty?
The Ram CPO warranty lasts for 100,000 miles. Ram diesel models also feature 100,000 miles of powertrain protection.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
