Ram 1500 Extended Warranty: Cost, Coverage and Plans
Plans are affordable for these trucks with below-average reliability
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Ram trucks can be hit or miss when it comes to reliability, which is why many owners consider an extended warranty to protect their investment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through your coverage options, what they typically cost and whether an extended warranty makes sense for your Ram in the long run.
Ram 1500 trucks come with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty from the factory.
Jump to insightThe lowest quote we got for a three-year bumper-to-bumper plan on a 2023 Ram 1500 was $1,353, which is significantly lower than average.
Jump to insightRam ranks below average for reliability, and many consumer reviews mention major issues with 1500-series trucks.
Jump to insightAn affordable Ram 1500 extended warranty could add peace of mind and insurance against repair bills once the factory warranty runs out.
Jump to insightRam 1500 extended warranty coverage
Extended auto warranties are an optional, paid “extension” of the factory warranty your Ram 1500 comes with. For context, all Ram trucks come with the following warranties from the factory:
- A 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers the vast majority of parts on the truck that aren’t regular wear-and-tear items (like brake pads and wiper blades)
- A 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty that covers your engine, transmission and drive axle(s)
These factory warranties follow the truck, not the owner. So, if you buy a 2-year-old truck with 21,000 miles on it, you should still have one year or 15,000 miles worth of the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty left.
Ram’s extended warranty, like all auto warranties, only covers defects, not damage. If your exhaust manifold or cam sensor fails — both common issues on the 1500, according to RepairPal — your warranty would likely cover the repair bill since those parts failed on their own.
But, if you damage your suspension going off-road or overwork your transmission by towing beyond the truck’s rated capacity, the repairs wouldn’t be covered under warranty since the parts failed due to an outside cause.
Ram 1500 extended warranty plans
When it comes to where you can buy an extended warranty, you typically have two options:
- You can buy the “official” Ram-backed extended warranty from a company called Mopar. With the Maximum Care plan, you can get 8 years or 125,000 miles of coverage.
- You can buy a plan from a third-party warranty company, with the added benefit of being able to take your truck to any ASE-certified mechanic (not just the dealership).
Mopar plans offer deductible options of $0, $100, and $200. The deductible is paid per repair visit.
Mopar’s extended warranty options include the following (you can visit Mopar’s official extended warranty website for a full list of covered items):
- Maximum Care: Covers 5,000-plus components, including emissions, body mechanisms and navigation
- Added Care Plus: Covers 850-plus components, including engine cooling and fuel, air conditioning and brakes
- Powertrain Care Plus: Covers 400-plus components, including the engine, transmission and drivetrain
If you opt for a third-party plan, you’ll generally get the most value by purchasing whichever plan offers comprehensive, exclusionary protection (often called bumper-to-bumper or Platinum plans). That’s because Platinum plans cover 90% or more of the parts on your truck. Less comprehensive Gold, Silver and Powertrain plans may be cheaper, but they tend to cover fewer parts per dollar.
Factory vs. Mopar vs. third-party warranties
When comparing coverage options for your Ram 1500, it helps to understand how the factory warranty stacks up against a Mopar-backed extended warranty and a third-party plan. Each option differs in when you can buy it, where repairs are performed and how comprehensive the coverage is.
| Factory warranty | Mopar | Third-party extended warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bumper-to-bumper coverage | 3 years/36,000 miles | Up to 8 years/125,000 miles | Often available as exclusionary or Platinum plans that cover most components |
| Powertrain coverage | 5 years/60,000 miles | Included in all Mopar extended plans | Included in most plans, including basic powertrain options |
| Purchase timing | Included | Must be purchased before factory warranty expires | Can often be purchased before or after factory warranty expires, depending on vehicle age and mileage |
| Repair location | Ram dealer | Ram dealer | Any ASE-certified mechanic or approved repair facility |
A ConsumerAffairs investigation found that most drivers surveyed couldn’t afford to pay cash for a $1,000 repair bill, and 13% of respondents simply had no way to handle a bill that large — even with credit.
» LEARN: What to know about manufacturers’ extended warranties
How much does a Ram 1500 extended warranty cost?
To help you set expectations for what a Ram 1500 warranty might cost you, we collected a few quotes for a 2023 Ram 1500 that was just out of its factory warranty. The lowest quote we collected was $1,353, and the highest was $3,717.
If you opt to buy an extended warranty for your Ram, shop around to know you’re getting a good deal.
These quotes were for 6-year/75,000 miles plans that effectively added 3 years/39,000 extra miles to the end of our sample truck’s factory bumper-to-bumper warranty. All plans had a $100 deductible.
In general, quotes for extended auto warranties vary based on the coverage offered, your vehicle, your deductible and other factors. For example, a base 2023 Ram 1500 with zero miles will typically have cheaper extended warranty options than a 2020 Laramie Longhorn or Limited with 50,000 miles.
For context, the average cost of an extended warranty is around $1,000 per year of coverage, so some of the quotes we collected for our hypothetical 2023 Ram 1500 were very affordable by comparison. That doesn’t always mean they’re a good value, though.
Ram 1500 extended warranty pros and cons
On the plus side, we found Ram’s quotes for extended coverage to be very reasonable compared to the industry average. However, any prior issues may fall under the “preexisting conditions” designation, preventing coverage.
Pros
- Some plans are very affordable compared to industry averages
- Covers common issues like cam sensor or exhaust manifold failures
- Provides peace of mind for owners worried about reliability
Cons
- Factory warranty already provides some coverage for several years
- Some issues may recur even after warranty-covered repairs
- May not be worth the cost if your truck doesn’t experience major problems
Is a Ram 1500 extended warranty worth it?
So, is an extended warranty even worth it on a Ram 1500? Very possibly, and we can explain why.
Most of the time, an extended auto warranty is more likely to be worth it if either:
- Your vehicle has a bad reputation for reliability.
- The cost of your warranty is less than you expect to spend on repairs.
- A big repair bill could really hurt you financially.
- You don’t mind paying a few thousand dollars for some peace of mind.
Since points three and four are up to you, we’ll focus on the first two.
While the data suggests that Ram 1500s are only slightly below average in terms of reliability, the volume of stories from our readers mentioning serious issues with newer Ram trucks could be a sign that extended warranty protection is a good idea. The likelihood of needing repairs, combined with the low prices we encountered for Ram 1500 extended warranties, means you might wind up ahead by purchasing a protection plan.
Ram 1500 reliability
In terms of reliability, Rams tend to rank average to below average. In its vehicle dependability study, J.D. Power ranked Ram No. 21 out of 30 car brands for overall dependability. As for the Ram 1500 specifically, RepairPal gave it a 3.5 out of 5.
What Ram 1500 drivers say
Many ConsumerAffairs reviewers have reported having multiple issues with their Ram 1500s, some of which were allegedly fixed under warranty, only to fail again a short time later.
“It was my dream truck. Well that quickly turned into a nightmare,” wrote Joshua, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Colorado. “The PCM went out. Still under warranty. The mechanic has had my truck for over 2 months. Gets a new pcm and that one is bad. Now saying he has no idea if or when he will get a new computer. … So now I have a paper weight that is costing me a ton of money!”
It was my dream truck. Well that quickly turned into a nightmare.”
Robin, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer in North Carolina, wrote: “I decided on a 2022 Ram 1500 quad cab. 7 miles on it when I went to the dealership. I was so excited when they handed me those keys after I signed the papers! I drove off the lot Saturday evening, took my wife to dinner, drove the truck to work. On Sunday I started the truck and the check engine light came on.
“They told me it was a cylinder 4 misfire due to an injector being stuck in the open position so they replaced it. I got the truck back Tuesday. I drove to the grocery store and home. Wednesday, I got up and went to run an errand. I started the truck and the check engine light was on once again.”
Who should buy an extended warranty?
Drivers who:
- Plan to tow frequently
- Own post-2020 models with tech-heavy systems
- Plan to keep truck beyond 60k miles
- Cannot absorb $2,000+ repair
FAQ
How much does a Ram 1500 extended warranty cost?
The lowest quote we collected for a 2023 Ram 1500 was $1,353, and the highest was $3,717. The cost will vary based on your vehicle’s model year, the coverage level you choose and a few other factors.
Can I purchase an extended warranty for a Ram 1500 online?
Yes, you can buy a Mopar extended warranty for a Ram 1500 online or at a Dodge dealership. You can also purchase a third-party extended warranty from brands like Endurance or olive online.
How long is the Ram 1500’s factory warranty?
Ram’s factory bumper-to-bumper warranty period is 3 years/36,000 miles, and its powertrain coverage is 5 years/60,000 miles, which is standard for the industry.
Is the Ram 1500’s extended warranty transferable?
Yes, Ram’s extended warranties are transferable to a new owner. To transfer the warranty, you must contact Mopar and pay a transfer fee, which is typically around $75 to $150, depending on the plan. The new owner must also provide proof of ownership, and the transfer usually must be completed within a certain time frame after the sale, often within 30 to 90 days.
Where can I get my Ram 1500 repaired?
If your Ram 1500 is covered by an extended warranty, repairs typically need to be done at authorized Ram dealerships or at repair shops approved by your warranty provider to ensure the work is covered. Always check your warranty terms before scheduling service.
What is the most frequent problem with the Ram 1500?
Common issues with the Ram 1500 include transmission problems, electrical glitches and suspension or steering component wear, depending on the model year. Regular maintenance can help reduce these risks.
Does a Ram 1500 extended warranty cover towing and off-road use?
Extended warranties generally cover mechanical breakdowns caused by defects, not damage from misuse. If you use your Ram 1500 for towing within its rated capacity, most warranties will still apply. However, damage caused by exceeding towing limits, aggressive off-road driving or aftermarket modifications is typically excluded. Always review your contract for specific exclusions related to commercial use, lift kits or oversized tires.
Can I cancel a Mopar extended warranty?
Yes, Mopar extended warranties can typically be canceled. If you cancel within a specified 60 days and you haven’t filed a claim, you will receive a full refund. After that window, refunds are usually prorated based on time or mileage used.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- RepairPal, “Ram 1500 Problems.” Accessed Feb. 24, 2026.
- J.D. Power, “Vehicle Dependability Still Suffering Due to Pandemic Aftershocks, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed Feb. 24, 2026.
- RepairPal, “Ram 1500 Reliability Rating.” Accessed Feb. 24, 2026.
- Granger Motors, “Mopar-backed Extended Warranties for Any Budget.” Accessed Feb. 24, 2026.
