The Chrysler lifetime warranty
Out of nowhere, Chrysler has suddenly established a lifetime powertrain warranty, the likes of which has never been seen before in the industry. This will almost certainly boost sales among those who like what Chrysler makes, but have been afraid of its transmissions and, perhaps, its four cylinder or 2.7 liter engines. The aftermarket may not be as happy, as repair parts will become mostly the province of the dealer (or Mopar, at the supplier level), and go-fast parts may not be as popular when people realize it will void their warranty. Of course none of this applies to those who drive used cars, and since the average car appears to be sold within five or six years anyway, chances are that the lifetime warranty will end up simply matching just about everyone else’s seven-year warranties.
Chrysler might just get a reputation boost from this - what company would start up a lifetime warranty, if they didn’t have darned good quality to begin with?
Here are some details from Chrysler:
At the expiration of the 3 year/36,000 mile Basic Limited Warranty, the original purchaser or retail lessee of each 2006 model year, 2007 model year and 2008 model year Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicle sold and delivered on or after July 26, 2007 will get a limited powertrain warranty for the lifetime of that original purchaser or retail lessee. Subsequent owners or lessees, even if they are within the same family or business, are not covered. Successor business entities or persons to whom the vehicle is transferred by operation of law are also not covered.
The Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty covers the cost of all parts and labor needed to repair a covered powertrain component that is defective in workmanship and materials. There is no coverage for towing.
SRT vehicles, Sprinters, diesel vehicles, Ram Cab/Chassis trucks, rental vehicles, and government vehicles are not covered. Vehicles used as a police vehicle, taxi, limousine, postal delivery vehicle or ambulance are not covered.
To maintain the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the person or entity covered by this Powertrain Limited Warranty must have a powertrain inspection performed by an authorized dealer once every 5 years. This inspection will be performed at no charge. The inspection must be made within sixty days of each 5 year anniversary of the in-service date of the vehicle.
Covered parts include:
(Gas engine) cylinder block and all internal parts; cylinder head assemblies; timing case, timing chain, timing belt, gears and sprockets; vibration damper; oil pump; water pump and housing; intake and exhaust manifolds; flywheel with starter ring gear; core plugs; valve covers; oil pan; turbocharger housing and internal parts; turbocharger wastegate actuator; supercharger; serpentine belt tensioner; seals and gaskets for listed components only.
Transmission: transmission case and all internal parts; torque converter; drive/flex plate; transmission range switch; transmission control module; bell housing; oil pan; seals and gaskets for listed components only. Manual transmission clutch parts are NEVER covered.
Front Wheel Drive: transaxle case and all internal parts; axle shaft assemblies; constant velocity joints and boots; differential cover; oil pan; transaxle speed sensors; transaxle solenoid assembly; PRNDL position switch; transaxle electronic controller; torque converter; seals and gaskets for listed components only. Again, manual transmission clutch parts are NOT covered.
All Wheel Drive (AWD): power transfer unit and all internal parts; viscous coupler; axle housing and all internal parts; constant velocity joints and boots; driveshaft and axle shaft assemblies; differential carrier assembly and all internal parts; output ball bearing; output flange; end cover; overrunning clutch; vacuum motor; torque tube; pinion spacer and shim, seals and gaskets for listed components only.
Rear Wheel Drive: rear axle housing and all internal parts; axle shafts; axle shaft bearings; drive shaft assemblies; drive shaft center bearings; universal joints and yokes; seals and gaskets for listed components only.
Four-Wheel Drive (4X4): transfer case and all internal parts; transfer case control module and shift mode motor assembly; axle housing and all internal parts; axle shafts; axle shaft bearings; drive shafts assemblies (front and rear); drive shaft center bearings; universal joints and yokes; disconnect housing assembly; seals and gaskets for the listed components only.
Canada is not covered due to laws in some provinces, according to Chrysler. Mexico is covered but may have different terms.