What to Expect with the Chrysler Extended Warranty | Autance

What IS Included

Like many factory extended warranties, Chrysler’s coverage comes with a number of different plans you can choose from before the original warranty plan expires on a once-new vehicle for extra peace of mind. The specific vehicle service contract you choose will determine what non-aftermarket and major components are covered, giving you the ability to choose options that are either more comprehensive or more affordable, depending on your needs.

Component Coverage

Chrysler’s extended warranty is primarily made up of vehicle service plans that differ in the amount and types of components they cover. Most of the plans offer a basic level of protection on important parts, like the drivetrain, but only the top tier options will give you more coverage on almost everything in a vehicle.

The two primary plans offered by Chrysler are:

• Added Care Plus: This is the primary inclusionary plan from Chrysler, meaning it lists the parts covered directly. Somewhat comparable to a bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty, this plan includes coverage for things like the engine, transmission, drive system, brakes, suspension, electrical, air conditioning, and more. The length can range from five to eight years and up to 60,000, 75,000, 85,000, 100,000, or 125,000 miles depending on which option you choose. 
• Maximum Care: The primarily exclusionary plan, this option lists out what’s not included in the coverage, making it more comprehensive than the Added Care Plus plan. Parts not covered include things like glass, brake pads, belts, trailer hitches, and other accessories or wear items. This plan can last for two to eight years and 60,000 or 125,000 miles.

Additional Perks 

In addition to the basic component coverage each plan offers, Chrysler’s extended warranty has a couple of extra perks the automaker throws in, regardless of the plan you choose. Primarily, there is a roadside assistance program that offers up to $100 per roadside issue in reimbursement. This money can be applied towards things like towing, battery jump-starts, fuel delivery, and tire or lockout services. 

A trip interruption plan kicks in when issues develop on vacation. Under certain circumstances (see more about what’s not included below), Chrysler will cover up to $1,000 of expenses for lodging, car rentals, food, etc. The breakdown, however, has to occur somewhere outside of a 100-mile radius around your home. 

What’s NOT Included

While the Chrysler warranty does offer more than the factory coverage (in terms of length and options), there are certain exclusions that reduce its overall value to most drivers. These exclusions are common with factory extended warranties, so they are usually a reason some drivers look for third-party providers instead.

Issue Exclusions

Chryser’s extended warranty has the same issue limitations as nearly every other factory standard and extended warranty around: factory defects. This means the coverage actually won’t apply unless the issue is caused by a fault from the factory.

If a part isn’t installed correctly or begins to wear down due to faulty materials, the warranty will kick in to foot the cost of repairs. For issues related to accidents, bad weather, or normal wear and tear, you’ll likely end up paying for the costs out-of-pocket instead.

Component Limitations

There are a few exceptions to the components covered by both plans offered by Chrysler. Normal wear items like brake pads and tires, for example, aren’t covered by the component protection. Tires are covered by roadside assistance, but this is limited to using your own spare tire.

Extra Perk Limitations

The additional perks offered by Chrysler also have a few notable limitations. All of these services stop after the car hits 100,000 miles, meaning you won’t have access to roadside assistance, towing reimbursements, trip interruption reimbursements, or car rental reimbursements. 

The Good

Extended warranties are often attractive because of the greater amount of options you have to choose from compared to the typical factory warranty. Chrysler’s Mopar-based vehicle protection plans (using genuine Mopar parts) are no exception. The basic plans the extended warranty program offers are both good enough to save you some money in many circumstances, albeit with obvious limitations. 

If it fits the budget, the Maximum Care plan is the more attractive option of the Chrysler extended warranty program. Since it’s exclusionary, it maxes out the amount of coverage you can get from the automaker, almost rivaling the company’s factory comprehensive warranty. 

While they last, the different extra perks also can make a difference when saving you money. Frequent road travelers, in particular, may appreciate the reduced or eliminated costs of roadside assistance when unforeseen issues come up during a road trip.

The Bad

Like all extended warranties, Chrysler’s coverage has its share of limitations, but there are two that particularly put it at a disadvantage compared to some competitors: dealership availability and vehicle eligibility.

When you go to get a vehicle repaired under the warranty, the automaker is fairly strict on where you can go. The dealership that sold you the plan is the first and primary choice (sometimes the only choice). To go to another certified dealer, you need to make a special request to get approval before repair services can begin.

The other issue is when you can actually get the extended warranty. Unlike some automakers that offer the extension after the factory coverage expires, Chrysler has designed its extended warranty program to overlap with the factory coverage. This means you won’t get as much use or value from the extended warranty while the factory coverage is still in effect.

Takeaway Value

The Chrysler extended warranty is a real contender you should consider when the factory warranty nears its expiration date, but that will need to happen before your vehicle is left without coverage. Otherwise, it may be better to check out third-party warranty and auto repair insurance options instead.