Extended Warranty and FCA "Customer First Award for Excellence"

[Markh1254]

As a fairly recent RAM owner (2017 2500 with 41K miles) I have been looking into the factory extended warranty and also have a question about the FCA "Customer First Award for Excellence program."

The factory warranty is very affordable (~$3,200K) until I was told by the local dealer here in Cleveland that I MUST have them do all the maintenance on the vehicle to keep the warranty in effect to the established maintenance schedule. They quoted me $230 plus tax for an oil change (not even synthetic oil!) that must be performed every six months, regardless of the vehicle mileage. At nearly $500 a year that adds $2,500 in todays dollars to the cost of the extended warranty just for oil changes.

Using the Cummins preferred Valvoline Premium Blue Oil (non-synthetic) , I can buy 3 gallons at Tractor Supply for $13.99/gallon. The MOPAR/Cummins oil filter I can buy for ~$11.99 at Walmart. Total cost ~$60 with tax for an oil change and I'll grease the double-cardan joint at the same time, something the dealer did NOT do - fitting was dry!

I'm inquiring with them to see if I perform some of the maintenance myself; i.e., oil changes, as I have done on ALL my vehicles over the years, if I can document maintenance has been performed by producing receipts for the oil/oil filters/ fuel filters etc.

Anyone in the forum have experience with self-performed maintenance and had any interaction with the FCA extended warranty?

Also, I have been reading about a program that FCA initiated several years ago their "Customer First Award for Excellence". Is this program still in existence and how do I find the status of the local dealers?

Thank you in advance - I really appreciate all the expertise from a great group!

 

[RammerJam]

It comes with a 5 year power train warranty.

The things you gotta worry about is mostly the DEF system. And that can get spendy.

IMO, if there's something wrong with an engine or transmission, it's gonna show up relatively soon.

But since it's your money and you seem to be leaning in the direction getting it, you might as well do or you'll end up worrying about it.

I've never bought one. You ever wonder what the commissiion is on those things? You don't wanna know. I've bought 10 new cars in my life and I've never bought one. My wife got one on her car back in 2013 but that was mostly because the F&I man (hate those guys) wore her down.

Now, when I buy a new vehicle, I tell the Salesman up front, "Your F&I man annoys me about the extended warranty and I'll walk. Not kidding, I'll walk out the door." And I did one time. On my F-150. They about had a coronary. Got the truck and a free bedliner out of it. And they delivered it to my house.

 

[Markh1254]

Y

It comes with a 5 year power train warranty.

The things you gotta worry about is mostly the DEF system. And that can get spendy.

IMO, if there's something wrong with an engine or transmission, it's gonna show up relatively soon.

But since it's your money and you seem to be leaning in the direction getting it, you might as well do or you'll end up worrying about it.

I've never bought one. You ever wonder what the commissiion is on those things? You don't wanna know. I've bought 10 new cars in my life and I've never bought one. My wife got one on her car back in 2013 but that was mostly because the F&I man (hate those guys) wore her down.

Now, when I buy a new vehicle, I tell the Salesman up front, "Your F&I man annoys me about the extended warranty and I'll walk. Not kidding, I'll walk out the door." And I did one time. On my F-150. They about had a coronary. Got the truck and a free bedliner out of it. And they delivered it to my house.

You bring up some good points. Because I plan on towing a trailer, I'm concerned about the transmission. Like you I have never purchased a vehicle extended warranty. You are right, the F&I guys are annoying and yes, I'm sure the commission is quite a bit.


I

 

[lpennock]

You can have the services done anywhere including doing it yourself. You need to keep all receipts and logs of when you did them to be able to prove the required maintenance was done. Make the dealer show you in the contract where it states the dealer must do the services. He won't be able to. That dealer will also try an cram services you don't need such as a EGR cooler cleaning so keep an eye on them or better yet find a better dealer.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Cleveland that I MUST have them do all the maintenance on the vehicle to keep the warranty in effect to the established maintenance schedule."

Complete LIE!!!

 

[Cummins12V98]

"That dealer will also try an cram services you don't need such as a EGR cooler cleaning so keep an eye on them or better yet find a better dealer."

YEP a friend just got bent over on that one at $1,400. Went in with check engine light, his mileage had decreased. This is what they said was NEEDED. He is at 140k.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

The MOPAR warranties DO NOT require the dealer to do all maintenance.
If they are telling you that then they are trying to screw you over.
But, if they are selling you an aftermarket warranty, then they may be able to make you let them do the maintenance to keep that warranty, you just need to research that more.
What warranty term, time/miles, are you looking at getting???

Also, you don't have to buy the warranty from your selling dealer.
Google "Ziegler Warranty" they sell warranties from all major car manufacturers, and at a discount.

 

[Markh1254]

I went to Chrysler direct (www.moparservicecontract.com) and the warranty is the Added Care Plus Warranty. They gave me several options, but the one I was looking at was the 5 year 60,000 warranty from the date of issuance. My reason for contacting the dealer was to inquire about the charge for an inspection. To initiate the warranty I have to go to the dealer and have it inspected to see if the vehicle qualifies. The dealer quoted me $175 for the inspection fee. I have no reason to believe it will not qualify. Chrysler direct will reimburse me the inspection cost. That was when they told me that I must have them do all maintenance to keep the warranty in effect.

 

[TFucili]

When I was shopping, Chrysler Warranty Direct beat everyone on genuine Mopar warranty. Shop to be sure.

https://chryslerwarrantydirect.com/

 

[Ltngdrvr]

I went to Chrysler direct (www.moparservicecontract.com) and the warranty is the Added Care Plus Warranty. They gave me several options, but the one I was looking at was the 5 year 60,000 warranty from the date of issuance. My reason for contacting the dealer was to inquire about the charge for an inspection. To initiate the warranty I have to go to the dealer and have it inspected to see if the vehicle qualifies. The dealer quoted me $175 for the inspection fee. I have no reason to believe it will not qualify. Chrysler direct will reimburse me the inspection cost. That was when they told me that I must have them do all maintenance to keep the warranty in effect.

Well, you have almost two years and 59K left of the original warranty, why on earth would you pay 3200 for the warranty you are talking about???
And, then have to pay exorbitant maintenance costs to keep it up?!?!?!
No way is it worth that.
You'd be better off to put all your money into a maintenance and repair savings account than to do the warranty.

 

[nukegm]

comrade - might think about purchasing the warranty when the factory one is close to expiring. that way you arent paying or financing 2 warranties at the same time. i purchased mopar warranty at 35,000 - given the factory bumper to bumper warranty expired at 36k. and what others are saying - you can do your own maintenence as long as you record it - it will not void your warranty. cheers!

 

[Tuesdak]

The MOPAR warranty I got covers rental or loaner vehicles when my truck goes into the shop for FCA warranty work. Apparently the factory warranty doesn't cover loaners.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

The MOPAR warranty I got covers rental or loaner vehicles when my truck goes into the shop for FCA warranty work. Apparently the factory warranty doesn't cover loaners.

Loaner car on the original warranty is up to the dealer, and only if they have to keep your truck longer than a day. And, many dealers don't offer it at all.
I've gotten a loaner a couple of times, a couple of times I didn't because the dealer was out of loaner/rental cars.

 

[sag2]

Well, you have almost two years and 59K left of the original warranty, why on earth would you pay 3200 for the warranty you are talking about???
And, then have to pay exorbitant maintenance costs to keep it up?!?!?!
No way is it worth that.
You'd be better off to put all your money into a maintenance and repair savings account than to do the warranty.

He is already out of the basic warranty, so the Added Care Plus will cover many of the items that are currently not covered. Also by shopping you should be able to get a Max Care warranty for about the same price as you were quoted. Covers many more items.

 

[sag2]

I went to Chrysler direct (www.moparservicecontract.com) and the warranty is the Added Care Plus Warranty. They gave me several options, but the one I was looking at was the 5 year 60,000 warranty from the date of issuance. My reason for contacting the dealer was to inquire about the charge for an inspection. To initiate the warranty I have to go to the dealer and have it inspected to see if the vehicle qualifies. The dealer quoted me $175 for the inspection fee. I have no reason to believe it will not qualify. Chrysler direct will reimburse me the inspection cost. That was when they told me that I must have them do all maintenance to keep the warranty in effect.

FYI, all the service contracts are from day and miles one, so if you get a 5 year 60k you will only have coverage for another 20k miles.

 

[sag2]

This is the 3rd quarter Award for Excellence dealer list.

 

[Rodney S]

As a fairly recent RAM owner (2017 2500 with 41K miles) I have been looking into the factory extended warranty and also have a question about the FCA "Customer First Award for Excellence program."

The factory warranty is very affordable (~$3,200K) until I was told by the local dealer here in Cleveland that I MUST have them do all the maintenance on the vehicle to keep the warranty in effect to the established maintenance schedule. They quoted me $230 plus tax for an oil change (not even synthetic oil!) that must be performed every six months, regardless of the vehicle mileage. At nearly $500 a year that adds $2,500 in todays dollars to the cost of the extended warranty just for oil changes.

Using the Cummins preferred Valvoline Premium Blue Oil (non-synthetic) , I can buy 3 gallons at Tractor Supply for $13.99/gallon. The MOPAR/Cummins oil filter I can buy for ~$11.99 at Walmart. Total cost ~$60 with tax for an oil change and I'll grease the double-cardan joint at the same time, something the dealer did NOT do - fitting was dry!

I'm inquiring with them to see if I perform some of the maintenance myself; i.e., oil changes, as I have done on ALL my vehicles over the years, if I can document maintenance has been performed by producing receipts for the oil/oil filters/ fuel filters etc.

Anyone in the forum have experience with self-performed maintenance and had any interaction with the FCA extended warranty?

Also, I have been reading about a program that FCA initiated several years ago their "Customer First Award for Excellence". Is this program still in existence and how do I find the status of the local dealers?

Thank you in advance - I really appreciate all the expertise from a great group!

I Bought the 8 year 125,000 mile warranty for my 2016 Ram after 3 years and it has nearly paid for itself. A couple of Electronic issues that were not covered after my 3 year original warranty was up. I bought it when the offered me it at a reduced cost $3,500. I did not have to take it in for inspection and did this on the phone? And no you do not have to have it serviced at a Dodge dealer. I’ve done a mixture of service myself as well as taking to non dodge dealers for some oil changes. Just make sure you follow the the maintenance schedule and keep your records.

 

[JR]

Markh, Was this dealership in Chardon by chance?

 

[Markh1254]

Markh, Was this dealership in Chardon by chance?

No, it was in Cleveland.

 

[ScottRoberts]

For what it's worth, the Max Care warranty prices are somewhat negotiable, so check a few different places. I didn't buy the extended warranty at time of purchase, but within a few months (5000k miles) got a quote from moparserviceplans.com for $3320.00 for an 8yr/120k with $100 deductible. I reached out to the dealer I purchased the truck from and they quoted $2385 for the same plan. I reached advised the rep for moparserviceplans.com what the dealer was quoted, they countered with $2220. Dealer ended up matching that price.