Dodge Extended Warranty Review
The Dodge extended warranty is only available before 4 years/48,000 miles. Learn what an extended warranty from Dodge covers and if you should get one.
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Dodge is known for quick muscle cars and powerful SUVs that people love to drive, so it’s no surprise the Dodge extended warranty can help drivers keep their vehicles running years into the future. We’ll cover the warranty’s specifics and compare it to third-party options.
If you’re thinking of an extended warranty for your Dodge, you should know that you have many options besides a factory-backed Mopar® Vehicle Protection Plan. We’ve reviewed a number of the best extended car warranty companies to help you in your research.
Before you settle on a provider, be sure to call around and get multiple quotes to find the best deal. Below are the three third-party providers we recommend getting a free quote from. Otherwise, keep reading for the full details on the Dodge extended warranty plan.
An extended car warranty refers to mechanical breakdown coverage offered by a vehicle manufacturer. However, this term is often mistakenly used to describe coverage from third-party companies. Independent providers offer similar protection through vehicle service contracts, but we’ve used the terms interchangeably in this article for convenience.
Dodge Extended Warranty Coverage
The main reason to consider an extended warranty is because the factory warranty on your Dodge won’t last forever. Dodge’s bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts for 3 years/36,000 miles and covers most of the mechanical parts on the vehicle. The powertrain warranty lasts 5 years/60,000 miles and covers the guts of the car – the engine, drivetrain and transmission.
| Dodge Extended Warranty | Coverage Terms |
|---|---|
| Mopar Maximum Care | up to 8 years/125,000 miles |
| Mopar Added Care Plus | 5 years/60,000 miles to 8 years/150,000 miles |
This coverage is on the shorter end compared to other brands. An extended warranty can provide comparable coverage for many more years. When you have an extended warranty, your monthly budget is protected against major repair costs especially as your Dodge vehicle gets older.
That can give you some peace of mind as you put more miles on your engine. And if you want to sell your car, an extended protection plan can boost your car’s value in the eyes of a buyer since many contracts are transferable.
Dodge Reliability
As a whole, Dodge is ranked below average for its reliability of three-year-old vehicles according to J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM. The Dodge Grand Caravan stood out from the pack and was ranked as the second best minivan overall.
Data from RepairPal shows that Dodge owners pay about $634 per year to maintain and repair their vehicles. That cost is about average compared to all other brands. Looking at single repairs, Dodge owners may encounter the following, according to RepairPal:
| Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Oil pan gasket replacement | $615 to $779 |
| Window regulator replacement | $466 to $517 |
| Brake master cylinder replacement | $213 to $389 |
| Radiator fan motor replacement | $432 to $452 |
So, is a Dodge extended warranty worth it? It is if you don’t want to worry about repair costs or if you don’t have an emergency fund set up to cover repairs.
Dodge Extended Warranty Details
Mopar is the parts manufacturer for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, which are all part of the Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) corporation (along with Fiat and Alfa Romeo). Mopar offers two types of extended warranties: Maximum Care and Added Care Plus. Each of these warranty plans requires a deductible for repairs – either $0, $100 or $200.
Since these brands are part of the same family, an extended Chrysler warranty, Jeep Compass extended warranty and Dodge Durango extended warranty will all have similar terms.
Mopar Maximum Care
This plan offers the highest level of coverage and includes over 5,000 parts. According to the Mopar website:
“If it’s mechanical, it’s covered.”
This contract is comparable to the Dodge factory warranty and excludes the following items:
- Maintenance services
- Wear and tear items
- Body paint and soft trim
- Glass
The Mopar Maximum Care plan is the one you would choose if you want coverage for as many Mopar parts as possible.
Mopar Added Care Plus
The other choice for a Dodge extended warranty is Added Care Plus. This plan covers over 800 parts on the major systems of the vehicle. Added Care Plus is a high-level plan and covers many essential parts in the following systems:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Drivetrain
- Steering
- Cooling
- Fuel
- Air conditioning
- Brakes
- Front and rear suspension
- Electrical
- Luxury items
- Accessories
While these are the two main choices for a Mopar protection plan, the company’s website does say that other genuine Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans may be available through a Dodge dealership. Also, be aware that Mopar coverage plans require you to go to a Dodge, Chrysler, Ram or Jeep dealership for repairs.
Dodge Extended Warranty Perks
No matter which plan you choose, your Dodge extended warranty comes with the following perks:
| Perk | Terms |
|---|---|
| First-day rental | Get $35 toward a rental car any time your car is brought into the dealer for a repair or maintenance service (excludes bodywork). |
| Car rental allowance | Mopar will pay $35 per day (up to $175 per occurrence) for a rental car when a covered component fails. |
| Towing and roadside assistance | Mopar provides a $100 allowance per occurrence for towing, spare tire installation, jump-start, fuel delivery and lockout services. |
| Key fob repair/replacement | This coverage will repair or replace up to three key fobs with a maximum limit of $600. |
| Trip interruption | If a covered part fails and causes a breakdown while you are more than 100 miles from home, Mopar will pay up to $1,000 for lodging and meals. |
When Can You Get the Plan?
You can purchase a Dodge extended warranty before 4 years or 48,000 miles has elapsed from the in-service date. Be aware that the plan will cost more if you buy it after 1 year/12,000 miles.
How Long Does the Plan Last?
The maximum term for a Mopar Vehicle Protection Plan is 8 years/125,000 miles. The term is measured from the vehicle in-service date, not when the factory warranty expires.
For example, say you bought a 2019 Dodge Durango. In 2020, you then buy a 6 year/100,000 mile plan. Your plan would expire in 2025 or when your odometer reads 100,000 miles.
While 8 years/125,000 is the maximum term, there are a variety of year and mileage limits to choose from.
Are There Any Downsides?
We think there are a few downsides to the Dodge extended warranty, including:
- Plan only accepted at dealerships
- Can’t purchase after 4 years/48,000 miles
- Surcharge after 1 year/12,000 miles
- Maximum coverage of 125,000 miles
- No online quote
At the end of the day, you don’t have a whole lot of freedom with Dodge’s extended warranty. The warranty limitations might work for some drivers, but others may want to consider third-party options.
What Third-Party Contracts Bring to the Table
Third-party extended warranty contracts come in many different types from basic powertrain to bumper-to-bumper exclusionary coverage. CARCHEX, one popular provider, offers these five plans from highest to lowest:
- Titanium
- Platinum
- Gold
- Silver
- Bronze
The Titanium plan is comparable to Mopar Maximum Care and the Platinum plan is comparable to Mopar Added Care Plus. So, why would you need the Gold, Silver or Bronze choices? Well, these just give you more ways to customize your coverage options. If you want to save some money and only cover the essential parts of your car, you could go with a Bronze or Silver plan. Mopar’s plans don’t let you do that.
A Mopar plan can only be added before 4 years/48,000 miles. That adds a bit of pressure to make up your mind on a Dodge extended warranty. In contrast, a third-party plan can be added almost anytime. By the time your car is old enough to be ineligible for a third-party plan, it might not be worth repairing, anyway.
Another big advantage of third-party plans is that you can go to any ASE-certified mechanic for repairs. Mopar plans are only valid at FCA dealerships, and that can make repairs inconvenient depending on your situation. The best extended car warranty providers will also pay the repair shop directly so you don’t have to cover the cost upfront and wait for reimbursement.
Comparing Mopar Vehicle Protection vs. Third-Party Warranties
Here’s how Mopar plans compare against a couple of popular third-party companies, CARCHEX and Endurance:
Coverage Tiers: 255
Maximum Mileage: 125,000 miles250,000 miles200,000 miles
Pricing Availability: See Dodge dealer for details
Repair Facilities: Only FCA dealerships. Up to 30,000 certified repair facilities ASE-Certified® repair facilities
Deductible: $0 to $200$0+Variable
Vehicle Eligibility Requirement: Under 4 years/48,000 miles. Under 25 years. Under 15 years
Additional Perks: Roadside assistance, rental car, key fob, trip interruption. Roadside assistance, rental car, trip interruption. Roadside assistance, rental car, ID theft, tire repair/replacement, key fob (free for first year)
Within each plan there can also be different contracts. For example, CARCHEX offers six different contracts within its Titanium coverage level. To find the best deal, call around and get quotes from multiple providers.
Dodge Extended Warranty: FAQ
How much does an extended warranty cost?
According to Endurance, extended warranties cost between $300 and $700 per year, but the cost can also be higher than that. Extended warranty costs depend on your vehicle’s age, condition and model.
Does Dodge still have a lifetime warranty?
No, Dodge does not have a lifetime warranty any longer. Mopar had offered a lifetime powertrain warranty for 2007 to 2009 model-year vehicles, which was discontinued in 2010. Vehicles purchased during that time still retain the lifetime warranty but only for the original owner.
Similarly, Mopar also offered a lifetime vehicle protection plan for Dodge, Chrystler, Fiat, Ram and Jeep models up until December 1, 2018. Original owners still have access to lifetime care if they had purchased one of these plans.
Is a Ram extended warranty worth it?
Yes, an extended warranty for your Ram could be a smart idea. Whether or not an extended warranty is worth it depends on your driving habits, maintenance and the reliability of your car. J.D. Power rates Ram below average for reliability, and drivers spend $858 per year on repairs (according to RepairPal). Those are higher-than-average repair costs.