Jeep extended warranty: cost, coverage and plans
Great prices and robust coverage — just be careful in where you buy your plan
Eighty years after helping the U.S. win WWII, Jeeps are a staple of American roads. But, considering the brand’s mixed reputation for reliability these days, Jeep owners might want to consider protecting their wallets with extended warranties.
So, how does Jeep’s official extended warranty program stack up against the other options on the market? Does it cover off-road use? What does it cost? Is it worth it? Keep reading to find out.
Key insights
- Jeep’s official extended warranty plans are sold by Mopar, the parts and service provider for all Stellantis-owned vehicle brands (Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, FIAT, etc.).
- Mopar Vehicle Protection plans are available for both new and pre-owned Jeeps and cost well below the average price for extended auto warranties.
- Just be careful where you buy these plans — an online wholesale vendor quoted us 40% lower prices than our local dealerships, and third-party warranty companies can offer comparable coverage and savings.
- While Jeeps rank below average for reliability, repairs are relatively cheap — so pick a $0 or $100 deductible if you get an extended warranty.
Jeep extended warranty coverage
Jeep’s official extended warranty program requires a little explaining.
Technically, Jeep does not offer its own extended warranty program. Instead, the official extended warranties for Jeeps come from a company called Mopar.
Mopar (whose name is a combination of “motor” and “parts”) is the official parts, service and customer care provider for Stellantis, the company that owns Jeep.
That’s why the official Jeep extended warranty program, called Mopar Vehicle Protection, also covers models from Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, FIAT, Alfa Romeo and Wagoneer (Jeep’s high-end sub-brand). In some cases, it can even cover competitors’ cars, but for now, we’ll focus on Jeep.
New vehicle plans are available for any vehicle still inside the Stellantis 3-year/36,000-mile limited factory warranty period. Pre-owned vehicle plans are available for any Stellantis vehicle under 10 years old that passes an inspection by a dealership.
As for terms, new vehicle plans can last anywhere from five to eight years or 60,000 to unlimited miles. For pre-owned plans, terms last one to five years and 12,000 to unlimited miles.
» LEARN: What does a car warranty cover?
Jeep extended warranty benefits
All Mopar Vehicle Protection plans include the following benefits:
- Car rental allowances of up to $45 per day (up to a maximum of $225 or five days) to help cover the cost of a rental car, taxi rides, etc., while your Jeep is in the shop for a covered repair.
- 24/7 roadside assistance of up to $100 per occurrence, including towing, flat-tire change (if you have a spare), jump-starts, fuel delivery (up to two gallons) and locksmith services.
- Trip interruption protection of up to $1,000 to help cover meals and lodging if your Jeep breaks down over 100 miles from home and the repairs are covered by your warranty.
(Mopar used to restrict roadside assistance and trip interruption protection to plans for new vehicles, but they now come with plans for used vehicles too. You may still see references to the benefits being unequal, but a representative from a Jeep dealership confirmed the policy change for us.)
Overall, these are above-average benefits for a factory-backed extended warranty. While $45 probably still isn’t enough to cover the cost of a rental in 2023, it’s still more than the paltry $35 most competitors offer. Plus, $1,000 in trip interruption is double what other brands offer and should lend extra peace of mind on road trips.
Jeep extended warranty plans
Mopar Vehicle Protection comes in seven tiers: three for new vehicles and four for pre-owned vehicles. However, the plan options for pre-owned vehicles are functionally identical to the plan options for new vehicles, except for the addition of Added Care for pre-owned vehicles.
Mopar Vehicle Protection plans
Check the table below for a breakdown of all seven plans, and take note of the slight differences in term options for the new vehicle warranties. Curiously, the Added Care Plus warranty for new vehicles is the only Mopar Vehicle Protection plan that doesn’t offer coverage without a mileage cap.
| Plan | Vehicle type | Components covered | Component groups included | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain Care Plus | New | 400+ | Engine, transmission, driveline, steering and air conditioning | Up to 7 years (unlimited miles) |
| Added Care Plus | New | 850+ | All major systems | Up to 8 years or 150,000 miles |
| Maximum Care | New | 5,000+ | All major systems | Up to 8 years (unlimited miles) |
| Pre-owned Powertrain Care Plus | Pre-owned | 400+ | Engine, transmission, driveline, steering and air conditioning | Up to 5 years (unlimited miles) |
| Pre-Owned Added Care | Pre-owned | 650+ | Engine, transmission, FWD, RWD, 4WD, steering, air conditioning, engine cooling and fuel, front suspension, brakes, electrical and power group* | Up to 5 years (unlimited miles) |
| Pre-Owned Added Care Plus | Pre-owned | 850+ | All major systems | Up to 5 years (unlimited miles) |
| Pre-Owned Maximum Care | Pre-owned | 5,000+ | All major systems | Up to 5 years (unlimited miles) |
The key differences between plans are pretty self-explanatory:
- Maximum Care is like a direct extension of your factory 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty.
- Powertrain Care is like an extension of your factory 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain warranty.
- Added Care Plus offers something in between.
As for regular Added Care, it’s essentially Added Care Plus but without coverage for 200 components in the following component groups:
- Instrument panel
- Rear suspension
- Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
- Accessories
- Electrical
- Luxury group (like the sunroof motor and keyless entry system)
According to a representative with Zeigler Auto Group, a dealership chain and wholesale online vendor for Mopar warranties, customers rarely request Added Care or Added Care Plus plans. Most go straight for Maximum Care since it covers over 80% more parts.
However, when customers do end up choosing between Added Care or Added Care Plus, it’s typically because they only want a handful of specific parts covered, and they end up choosing whichever plan covers that part for the lowest price.
Jeep extended warranty cost
We collected quotes from Zeigler Auto Group to see what Mopar Vehicle Protection plans for Jeeps cost and how they stack up against the competition. For context, extended auto warranties cost around $2,500 on average.
| Vehicle | Coverage | Term | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Jeep Renegade AWD with 0 miles | Added Care Plus | 6 years or 75,000 miles | $550 |
| 2023 Jeep Renegade AWD with 0 miles | Added Care Plus | 8 years or 100,000 miles | $1,000 |
| 2023 Jeep Renegade AWD with 0 miles | Maximum Care | 6 years or 75,000 miles | $870 |
| 2023 Jeep Renegade AWD with 0 miles | Maximum Care | 8 years or 100,000 miles | $1,550 |
| 2022 Jeep Gladiator AWD with 20,000 miles | Added Care Plus | 6 years or 75,000 miles | $825 |
| 2022 Jeep Gladiator AWD with 20,000 miles | Added Care Plus | 8 years or 100,000 miles | $1,395 |
| 2022 Jeep Gladiator AWD with 20,000 miles | Maximum Care | 6 years or 100,000 miles | $1,085 |
| 2022 Jeep Gladiator AWD with 20,000 miles | Maximum Care | 8 years or 100,000 miles | $2,080 |
| 2020 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door AWD with 40,000 miles | Added Care | 3 years or 36,000 miles | $810 |
| 2020 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door AWD with 40,000 miles | Added Care | 5 years or 60,000 miles | $1,460 |
| 2020 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door AWD with 40,000 miles | Added Care | 4 years or unlimited miles | $1,925 |
| 2020 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door AWD with 40,000 miles | Maximum Care | 3 years or 36,000 miles | $1,625 |
| 2020 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door AWD with 40,000 miles | Maximum Care | 5 years or 60,000 miles | $2,600 |
| 2020 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door AWD with 40,000 miles | Maximum Care | 4 years or unlimited miles | $3,820 |
Mopar Vehicle Protection plan cost by source
You can also purchase Mopar Vehicle Protection plans from your local dealership. However, the quotes we received from dealerships were, on average, 40% higher than quotes from Zeigler Auto Group for the same vehicles. A representative with Zeigler told us that their higher sales volume enables them to sell at lower prices than some other dealerships.
| Provider | Coverage | Term | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeigler Auto Group | Maximum Care | 8 years or 100,000 miles | $1,550 |
| Dealership | Maximum Care | 8 years or 100,000 miles | $2,400 |
| Zeigler Auto Group | Pre-Owned Maximum Care | 5 years or 60,000 miles | $2,600 |
| Dealership | Pre-Owned Maximum Care | 5 years or 60,000 miles | $3,800 |
All things considered, Mopar Vehicle Protection plans still cost well below average for an extended auto warranty. Granted, there are a few caveats:
- All plans were quoted with a $200 deductible (a $100 deductible may raise rates by 5% to 10%)
- All pre-owned vehicle plans require you to have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Mopar dealer within 30 days of when you purchase the warranty. According to Zeigler Auto Group, dealerships can charge anywhere from $50 to $250 for an inspection, so be sure to call around.
Does that mean these extended warranties are a strong buy? Well, let’s look at terms and conditions to ensure there aren’t any hidden strings attached.
Jeep extended warranty terms and conditions
Most of the terms and conditions in the Mopar Vehicle Protection sample contract we read are pretty standard for an extended auto warranty. So there aren’t any hidden “gotchas” that would explain their surprisingly low prices.
We broke down some of the key things you should be aware of below, but it’s always a good idea to read your contract before you sign.
- Maintenance
- To keep your warranty valid, you must complete — and keep records of — all recommended maintenance as listed in your Jeep owners manual, like oil changes, alignments, etc.
- Exclusions
- Typical exclusions for an extended auto warranty apply: Negligence, misuse and missed maintenance intervals can all result in claim denial.
Your Vehicle Protection plan also doesn’t cover normal wear and tear (e.g., worn-out brakes or clutches), weather- or accident-related damage, and unauthorized modifications or repairs.
We asked a Mopar Vehicle Protection claims officer what the No. 1 reason for denied claims on Jeeps was, and they told us, “Aftermarket parts are the fastest way to void your warranty … especially lift kits. The driveline can’t handle it. It causes axle damage. If we find out you installed an aftermarket lift kit, we’ll void your warranty.”
That being said, he did clarify that lift kits installed by a certified Mopar dealer are covered under warranty.
- Preexisting conditions
- As previously mentioned, Mopar requires you to get a certified dealer inspection to activate your pre-owned vehicle warranty. That may seem like a hassle, but getting an inspection before your warranty coverage starts is generally a good idea anyway because it lets you prove that any new issue isn’t a preexisting condition (and, therefore, not covered).
The vast majority of extended auto warranty companies don’t require an inspection, but many will later deny claims on the basis that it’s impossible to prove a problem wasn’t a preexisting condition because an inspection was never performed. Basically, it’s in your and Mopar’s best interest to have an inspection done.
- Transfers
- If you sell your Jeep, you may transfer your remaining warranty coverage by contacting Mopar and paying a $75 fee. (This fee may be lower depending on your state, though.)
- Cancellations and refunds
- You may cancel your warranty within 60 days of purchase for a full refund, provided you haven’t submitted a claim yet. You can still cancel your warranty after 60 days or after a claim is filed for a prorated refund, though.
Is a Jeep extended warranty worth it?
Extended auto warranties are more likely to be worth the cost if any of the following are true for you:
- You drive an unreliable vehicle.
- You can’t afford an unexpected repair bill.
- The cost of the warranty is less than you expect to spend on repairs.
- You don’t mind paying for peace of mind, even if you never file a claim.
How much you value peace of mind is up to you, and only you know your finances well enough to decide if you can absorb a large repair bill with little notice. That means the best guidance we can give is whether Jeeps are unreliable enough to potentially save you money in the long run.
We’ve already established that Mopar Vehicle Protection plans for Jeeps cost well below the industry average, and, according to both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, Jeep isn’t the most dependable brand on the road. Both outlets ranked Jeeps below average for predicted reliability, with Consumer Reports listing it 23rd out of 24 carmakers in 2022 (Mercedes-Benz ranked dead last).
Jeep’s pervasive issues with reliability seem to be reflected in some consumer reviews.
“We recently bought a 2022 Jeep Gladiator, after four days of owning it problems started,” reported Katelyn, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from New Jersey. “It has been at [the dealership] numerous times and every time they tell us it's fixed it's not. They have replaced numerous parts and still having issues.”
Peter, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from California, wrote, “Consider yourself warned. At 47,000 miles my Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT ($70,000 vehicle) had the lifters fail which is a widely reported issue. As a result, the cam shaft deflected metal particles into the engine block which now requires me to put an entirely new motor into the vehicle. Roughly $10,000 in damages and repairs.”
Though troubling, these stories may not be the norm. Jeeps have build quality issues, yes, but some data suggests that they’re not always so expensive to fix. According to RepairPal, the average cost per year to repair and maintain a Jeep was just $634 — less than the $652-per-year average for all cars.
RepairPal also claims that many of the most common Jeep repairs (knock sensor and axle shaft seal replacements) can cost less than $200 to fix. Jeep repairs were considered “severe” 13% of the time, only a little above the average of 12% for all cars on RepairPal.
Given that Jeep owners seem to face a high frequency of relatively cheap repairs, if you do buy a warranty, it might be wise to lower your deductible to $0. Alternatively, you can save the $2,000 you’d spend on a warranty and simply pay for repairs out of pocket.
Jeep extended warranty alternatives
Mopar Vehicle Protection plans are already pretty robust, relatively affordable and, best of all, willing to cover your Jeep even if you take it off-road (check your plan to confirm). Still, it never hurts to see what other extended warranty companies can offer.
olive quoted us $27.30 per month (or $327.65 per year) for a Complete Care plan on our Jeep Gladiator. That’s around $1,638.25 for five years, assuming rates stay consistent. In comparison, Zeigler quoted us $1,550 for Maximum Care.
That’s not a drastic difference, but results for your vehicle may vary. (We’ve seen companies offer vastly different quotes for different vehicles from the same automaker.)
Ultimately, your best bet is to do your own research, compare quotes and read reviews for different companies to see where you can find the right deal. If you want to learn more about extended auto warranties, check out our extended car warranty hub.
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- Article sources
- ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. To learn more about the content on our site, visit our FAQ page. Specific sources for this article include:
- J.D. Power, “Vehicle Dependability Improves Despite Continued Problems with Technology, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed Feb. 28, 2023.
- Consumer Reports, “Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?” Accessed Feb. 28, 2023.
- RepairPal, “Jeep Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 16, 2023.
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