Mopar Vehicle Protection vs. Fidelity extended warranty

[Tuesdak]

I hope this helps other fellow TDR members out.

The MOPAR Vehicle Protection contract is attached to compare. I don't know if it's generic or specific to the RAM 2500 3500 pickups. Point of fact it will cover "dealer installed MOPAR accessories". Like that expensive "dealer installed MOPAR accessories" 5th wheel hitch that drops into the factory 5th Wheel / Gooseneck Towing Prep Group. Yes, one pays a $100 deductible for repairs it covers as explained in the contract.
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Fidelity has wasted many hours of my time on hold, random independent shop's time on hold, and days sitting in the shop for repairs while Fidelity denies coverage until you prove it is, in fact, covered by them. Time is money and the Fidelity Circus has no problem wasting your and the shop's time.

Had a radiator crack on another brand ride that is known to fail around X miles and/or age. More or less a big bunch of steam coming out from under the hood, puddle, and call the hook to go to the Dealer Service Department. We had to prove to Fidelity that the side tank on the radiator was:
1) Not a separate part number from a "Radiator".
2) Not the "specifically excluded from coverage" Expansion tank.
3) Provide the part number for the radiator via a picture and parts diagram included the end tanks (DUH!).

This Fidelity Circus took days for a simple R&R of a radiator and wasted many hours of the Dealer's busy service advisor's time. Could have had the vehicle back the next day. No, all risk of tow bill and vehicle rental is 100% mine if Fidelity weasels out coverage for the repair. The vehicle rental cost for a week "risk" would have been cheaper to simply pay the dealer to R&R vehicle with the $100+ tow bill.

Independent shop attempted to cover a wheel speed sensor "open" problem. Fidelity only covers an ABS module once. The repair flowchart doesn't exactly cover a random short in a connector that is blowing wheel sensors "open" and taking the ABS module out. Bluntly told by the shop owner they are no longer doing warranty contract repairs after this one because it's not worth their time to fight Fidelity. We purchased one expensive ABS module at the dealer that finally tracked it down. After they replaced the wheel speed sensor on our dime to make sure it was a Factory part, because, who knows what the independent shop used and you "start over" with a new to you problem as a technician/mechanic/electrical engineer.

Déjà vu :

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/fidelity-extended-warranty.260196/​

 

[Wiredawg]

not part of question you asked, but my opinion anyway. I dont like extended warranties unless free or close to it. Put the funds in a money market and use it if ever needed. 6 Ram trucks and no failures but one and it was covered under basic warranty. These trucks pretty reliable with regular maint.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Tuesdak]

not part of question you asked, but my opinion anyway. I dont like extended warranties unless free or close to it. Put the funds in a money market and use it if ever needed. 6 Ram trucks and no failures but one and it was covered under basic warranty. These trucks pretty reliable with regular maint.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Ron

Good advice. And I hope the warranty is a pure waste of money. Some warranties have paid for repairs as noted above.

It's a gamble, however, I look at it as no longer being "my own warranty station." The aftermarket has stepped up to address some of the "weak" areas on the 3rd gen's like HeaterTreater doors that are a big labor bill to get too. Not saying I know enough about the 4th gens at this time to say if the HVAC doors are cured or not, but, I am buying hope that I no longer have to foot the bill for repairs while the truck is financed. Wear items yes. Busted HVAC door ... no. Radio touchscreen, even the small one, I don't want to have to care what the repair cost for it is.

Window doesn't roll up: "Rental or loaner: Yes! Here is the warranty card above the factory warranty. Call me when it's done." The only question will be if I need to pay $100.00 when I pick it up.

This way I can use my time to work on other things that don't have to get me to work the next day, aka hobby/fun vehicles.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,
In perfect honesty, I bought the 5-year warranty on my 2017 Ram 5500 Laramie when I purchased the truck for $4,200. I figured all the technology I needed it. I read the contract a few weeks later and found FCA could use used and reconditioned parts instead of new in the box, at their discretion. I talked to the dealership, and truly believed them when they told me they use new parts. But as much as I travel I could be on the road and end up with used parts. And, I decided at that time to install a module on the truck to add 60HP to the detuned Cab and Chassis. So, I requested in writing to cancel the warranty and received a full refund. Emergency fund has that $4200 and a lot more, so I'll be my own warranty station, if needed.

While buying my wife's 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn 4x4 5.7L gasser, dealer started to sell us extended warranty, and we just about got in an argument about it until they mentioned unlimited mileage and unlimited time for original owner. This is likely our last new truck and we had made a good deal on that truck. We decided to get it. It the platinum that is bumper to bumper except for consumables. I'm likely to let dealer do all the maintenance on this truck as we received 5 years oil changes with it, which is likely a hook to bring it in, so I'm gonna take the hook and go with it. Dealer told us FCA wouldn't offer the unlimited warranty for long, and I believe it. BTW, it was $4K, include tire rotations and oil, filter changes for 5 years called Essential Care Plan and LIFTETIME MAXIMUM CARE warranty. Just checked online, and can't find it, so may not be offered any longer. Not avail on diesels. Of course, $100 deductible, but I think that keeps customers a little more honest about turning it in for BS after basic warranty ends.

Just thought I would expand on what I said above.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Timd32]

Agree don't need a whole lot of warranty.

But yet I have one...... hmmm how does that exactly work.

Right now bank rates are "good" so you can do well with $4,200 just hanging out collecting a little bit vs sitting in their hands.

I read the used parts also, so I also questioned that, their answer was similar "we don't do used parts." But I could see a computer being not brand new and how would we know the difference for somthing burried behind the dash. And if it was better to get a rebuilt unit vs a new unproven unit, who knows.

 

[Wiredawg]

Agree don't need a whole lot of warranty.

But yet I have one...... hmmm how does that exactly work.

Right now bank rates are "good" so you can do well with $4,200 just hanging out collecting a little bit vs sitting in their hands.

I read the used parts also, so I also questioned that, their answer was similar "we don't do used parts." But I could see a computer being not brand new and how would we know the difference for somthing burried behind the dash. And if it was better to get a rebuilt unit vs a new unproven unit, who knows.

I think the dealers use the technology hook to get folks to buy extended warranties. I imagine if my 8.4 Nav system crapped out on my 5500, it could cost near the price of the warranty to replace on your dime after 36 months 36K miles. The price I paid for my 2017 5500 paid for the CM bed and Laramie package. I couldn't quite get a 2018 SLT with CM bed for that price. Point being basic SLT doesn't have all that expensive geewhiz technology outside engine and transmission.

I got over it on the 5500, and lifetime unlimited miles on the 1500 was worth it. Only time in my life got extended warranty, and kept it.

Ron

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I got the Maxcare when I bought my ‘14 and I’m glad I did. It’s already paid for itself multiple times. You could never convince me to not get a warranty with a new vehicle. I’ve never had a new vehicle where the warranty did not pay for itself and more.

 

[Wiredawg]

I got the Maxcare when I bought my ‘14 and I’m glad I did. It’s already paid for itself multiple times. You could never convince me to not get a warranty with a new vehicle. I’ve never had a new vehicle where the warranty did not pay for itself and more.

I could end up regretting not keeping MaxCare on my 5500, because it does have a lot technology in it. I guess I freaked about the used and reconditioned parts. Time will tell.

I'm the opposite.... never had a vehicle that needed an extended warranty. no problems no failures. Knock on wood, I won't regret cancelling on my 5500.

P.S. finally got pain drugs out of my system from surgery. so full thinking ability is back. My 5500 is still eligible to buy the MaxCare again, but it's not eligible for lifetime, so still not going for it. I'll be honest about it, and if I have a failure I have to pay for, I'll come clean and report it here.

Ron

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Friends,
In perfect honesty, I bought the 5-year warranty on my 2017 Ram 5500 Laramie when I purchased the truck for $4,200. I figured all the technology I needed it. I read the contract a few weeks later and found FCA could use used and reconditioned parts instead of new in the box, at their discretion. I talked to the dealership, and truly believed them when they told me they use new parts. But as much as I travel I could be on the road and end up with used parts. And, I decided at that time to install a module on the truck to add 60HP to the detuned Cab and Chassis. So, I requested in writing to cancel the warranty and received a full refund. Emergency fund has that $4200 and a lot more, so I'll be my own warranty station, if needed.

While buying my wife's 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn 4x4 5.7L gasser, dealer started to sell us extended warranty, and we just about got in an argument about it until they mentioned unlimited mileage and unlimited time for original owner. This is likely our last new truck and we had made a good deal on that truck. We decided to get it. It the platinum that is bumper to bumper except for consumables. I'm likely to let dealer do all the maintenance on this truck as we received 5 years oil changes with it, which is likely a hook to bring it in, so I'm gonna take the hook and go with it. Dealer told us FCA wouldn't offer the unlimited warranty for long, and I believe it. BTW, it was $4K, include tire rotations and oil, filter changes for 5 years called Essential Care Plan and LIFTETIME MAXIMUM CARE warranty. Just checked online, and can't find it, so may not be offered any longer. Not avail on diesels. Of course, $100 deductible, but I think that keeps customers a little more honest about turning it in for BS after basic warranty ends.

Just thought I would expand on what I said above.

Cheers, Ron

The thing with the used and reconditioned parts that "may" be used is that they are fully backed by FCA as well as any associated warranties, so we shouldn't have to place much concern there.
The Lifetime FCA warranty was stopped on December 01, 2018. We broke down and traded our 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie in on a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited on November 08, 2018. Initially we passed on the extended warranties offered. Figuring this may be our last new vehicle and weighing the results from the purchase the Lifetime warranty on our 2011 Jeep Patriot, where after 8 years we are close to breaking even, AND the technology alone on the new Ram Limited "may" create an undesirable expense on our retired income. Since we had the resources then, and we learned the Lifetime was soon to be ended, we went in and spoke with our service advisor, Aaron, for information. He was unaware of the Lifetime demise. I watched him look up information on his system direct to FCA; no indication. We went ahead and signed up anyway. Two days later Aaron called me and said, "Wow. You were correct, Bruce. We had no idea FCA was no longer going to offer the Lifetime warranty." So far this new Ram has been a gem. The only "warranty" issue was user operation related. If you lock the truck you can't "test" the tailgate for being locked if you have the key fob on your person...

 

[evldsl]

My last truck 2004.5 didn't need a extended warranty so I didn't purchase one for my new truck, should I?

 

[Wiredawg]

My last truck 2004.5 didn't need a extended warranty so I didn't purchase one for my new truck, should I?

My bottom line is how much technology does your truck have and how confident are you that it won't have problems over 5 to 7 years. As I said previously, I purchased FCA warranty on my 2017 Ram 5500 Laramie and then cancelled it a few weeks later. I then reported I purchased an FCA Lifetime MaxCare Warranty on my wife's 2019 Ram Laramie Longhorn 4x4. I would not have purchased it had it not been lifetime. And they don't offer the lifetime warranty on an diesels.

So, you see folks who buy extended warranties and they pay for themselves and others that doesn't. I'm a do it yourselfer and see the biggest risk in my 2017 Ram 5500 is the 8.4 Nav Infotainment system. I've seen YouTube on remove and replace and can buy one new $1,200 and do the work myself. Might have to spend another $200 for programming at the dealer. Next concern was motorized xfer case. Easy too. So, $4,200 added into emergency fund worth the risk to me.

If you're not a do it yourselfer, you may want the extended warranty. The sales guy hit it on the head...extended warranty pays for itself if you have Infotainment system failure.... I guess the dealer has lots of failures on these and parts and labor at the dealer is high $$$$$.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Ron