Who Still has a Life-Time Warranty in Effect?

[Adamj12]

Just to let anyone know that has a Mopar Lifetime Maxcare service contract and high mileage, they denied my last two repairs of covered items due to my 2013 Ram 1500 high mileage (since my truck was over 166k).) Even though my front end upper control arms (denied August 2020) and lower control arms (denied Oct 2021) are both specifically listed as covered in the contract. They denied both repairs as wear since the truck was over 150k miles. Nowhere in the service contract does it say that a cover item changes to a wear item at a certain mileage or days in service. I sent the service contract people a letter requesting reimbursement for the lower control arms, so I have to wait and see how that goes. Just beware.

When my lower control arms were denied (October 2021 denied (see above quote) due wear above 150k miles) with my lifetime maxcare warranty, I submitted a claim to be reimburse for the $2050 repair, well after 14 months just got a check for the full amount. No note or letter just the check. Can't complain except for how long it took, wish I submitted the upper control arms denial.

 

[LOFSFIRE]

I have a 2013 I bought new with the Mopar Lifetime Maxcare service contract. I have not had a claim for a few years now (truck would have been under 100,000 miles at that time) but the claims I did have where exhaust bolts and a O2 sensor. No issues with either.

I just picked up a 2011 for my son and the guy that had it before us had the Mopar Lifetime Maxcare service contract too. long story short part of our deal was he would take it in and have a few things fixed and I would pay. This was due to us waiting till the car he ordered came in. Which was almost a month after our deal. Dealer even found one item I missed and fixed it no question asked the Truck has 124,000 miles on it. most were typical used car stuff but figure I ended up with a very sound truck for my son. I'm very happy with what I got him, and so is he!

 

[Docwagon1776]

I still do on the 2012 I gave my son, since it's still registered to me. Still haven't remotely broke even. $350 repair was covered for a $100 deductible (coil pack).

The lifetime is the most likely to pay off, but it's still just better odds at the same slot machine. I haven't bought a warranty since, and only bought that one because lifetime. Wife's car, my current truck, my current car, no warranty other than original one and no repairs needed.

 

[mtofell]

Tranny rebuild - $4-5K??
Exhaust manifold bolts (both sides) - $1500?
Thermostat - $200?
Emissions system leak - $500?
Radio - $1100

Guess I should update my list. Add on a new engine at 120K miles. Doing some basic research online it looks like a new 6.4 Hemi is around $8500 + shipping and installation. So, 12K? 13K?

 

[NICK YAEGER]

I’ve got a 2015 Ram 1500 Crew Express and purchased the warranty for $2300. I’ve had the computer that controls the cruise control replaced, front drivers wheel assembly replaced, and front drivers ball joint replaced. 142k miles and going strong. I do have a question, I have a spot on the bottom of my drivers quarter panel rusting through, right behind the mud flap. Is that covered under the Maxcare warranty too?

 

[lpennock]

Only mechanical is covered. Rust is a cosmetic issue.

 

[slickracer]

Have it on my 2018 Big Horn crew cab....bought it right before they stopped selling them.

 

[mtofell]

Was going to start a new thread but figured this old one I started a few years ago is relevant enough so I'll revive it. Just a friendly reminder from my OP:

PLEASE, NO WARRANTY BASHING OR FEASABILITY TALK - Go fight it out on one of 1000 other threads on the subject. We've all read it before - warranty companies are in it to make money, put the money in your IRA, warranties are a bad deal, etc, etc, etc.

Sooooo, my main question is about the end of the Lifetime Warranty. The contract says when a needed repair exceeds the NADA value, they'll pay me the value and it's over (almost makes me cry to think of such a day). It turns out JD Power bought NADA but still largely does their values so is it safe for a reasonable person to assume it would just be the JD Power value now? I imagine there's no concrete answer to this so I guess I'm wondering if anyone has ever had the end of one of these glorious warranties come up? As in, have you ever been, "cashed out" due to a repair exceeding your truck's value?

At first a "Lifetime" warranty seems ludicrous but when you factor in how often people trade or wreck their trucks it's probably not a bad thing from the manufacturer's standpoint. As I type this I ironically just realized that yesterday was 10 years to the day since I drove my truck off the lot (St. *****'s Day so I always remember).

As a quick recap, I had one tranny failure under factory warranty at 38K and a second at 90K that was covered under Maxcare Lifetime. Other new goodies I've received include exhaust manifold bolts, a new 8.4 Uconnect screen/brain and an entire new crate engine. So, needless to say, they are sorry they sold me the warranty.

Anyway, back to my main question.... anyone actually get cashed out/kicked out of a glorious Maxcare Lifetime plan?

Edit: I just noticed the dirty word spell checker blocked out P a d d y.... as in St. Patrick's Day.... Did I miss a "woke" moment? Is that now offensive?

 

[LOFSFIRE]

Was going to start a new thread but figured this old one I started a few years ago is relevant enough so I'll revive it. Just a friendly reminder from my OP:

PLEASE, NO WARRANTY BASHING OR FEASABILITY TALK - Go fight it out on one of 1000 other threads on the subject. We've all read it before - warranty companies are in it to make money, put the money in your IRA, warranties are a bad deal, etc, etc, etc.

Sooooo, my main question is about the end of the Lifetime Warranty. The contract says when a needed repair exceeds the NADA value, they'll pay me the value and it's over (almost makes me cry to think of such a day). It turns out JD Power bought NADA but still largely does their values so is it safe for a reasonable person to assume it would just be the JD Power value now? I imagine there's no concrete answer to this so I guess I'm wondering if anyone has ever had the end of one of these glorious warranties come up? As in, have you ever been, "cashed out" due to a repair exceeding your truck's value?

At first a "Lifetime" warranty seems ludicrous but when you factor in how often people trade or wreck their trucks it's probably not a bad thing from the manufacturer's standpoint. As I type this I ironically just realized that yesterday was 10 years to the day since I drove my truck off the lot (St. *****'s Day so I always remember).

As a quick recap, I had one tranny failure under factory warranty at 38K and a second at 90K that was covered under Maxcare Lifetime. Other new goodies I've received include exhaust manifold bolts, a new 8.4 Uconnect screen/brain and an entire new crate engine. So, needless to say, they are sorry they sold me the warranty.

Anyway, back to my main question.... anyone actually get cashed out/kicked out of a glorious Maxcare Lifetime plan?

Edit: I just noticed the dirty word spell checker blocked out P a d d y.... as in St. Patrick's Day.... Did I miss a "woke" moment? Is that now offensive?

Exceed Repair value - I don't know the answer to this but I have seen more than one post over the year with people saying they where "cashed out" try searching the forum...

I’ve got a 2015 Ram 1500 Crew Express and purchased the warranty for $2300. I’ve had the computer that controls the cruise control replaced, front drivers wheel assembly replaced, and front drivers ball joint replaced. 142k miles and going strong. I do have a question, I have a spot on the bottom of my drivers quarter panel rusting through, right behind the mud flap. Is that covered under the Maxcare warranty too?

Only mechanical is covered. Rust is a cosmetic issue.

Unfortunately, that is true, cosmedic is not covered. Wear items are not covered either. However, I always assumed shocks are a wear item... If you read the warranty and look at the list of what is covered shocks are specifically called out as covered. I have not put this to the test but I do wonder how "bad" that would need to be to be covered? I also wonder if that only replace the "bad" one or all four or just a front or rear set?

 

[lpennock]

One my town & country they only covered shocks to 100k miles, after that they are considered a wear item.

 

[Scottly]

Said it once...said it twice...I'll say it again. THESE ARE SERVICE CONTRACTS, NOT WARRANTIES. I don't care how the dealers advertise them...These SERVICE CONTRACTS are not warranties, which means many things are not covered. There are two types of contracts: Stated Coverage and Exclusionary. As it sounds, Stated Coverage contracts cover only what is listed in the "Covered Items" section. Exclusionary contracts cover everything except what is listed in the "Exclusions" section. Most service contracts contain LOL (limit of liability) clauses, and those usually state one of two things...1) If the sum of all claims exceeds the current value of the vehicle (aggregate limit of liability) on the date of the most current loss, the difference between the value of the vehicle and the sum of all claims will be the amount paid and the contract is considered fulfilled and no further claims will be paid...or, 2) When the cost of a current claim exceeds the current value of the vehicle, blah blah blah and the contract will be fulfilled. "Lifetime" is a time value, not a claim paid value. The aggregate value of all claims paid is normally not unlimited. At some point, the value of that vehicle will decline to meet the aggregate of claims paid, and it's fulfilled.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Said it once...said it twice...I'll say it again. THESE ARE SERVICE CONTRACTS, NOT WARRANTIES.

I'll say it again as well, as someone who worked in the industry for years. Extended Warranty is a well accepted industry and legal term for these products. In the US the FTC uses the terms interchangeably, for example. See: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/extended-warranties-service-contracts

In the automotive world, service contract is generally reserved for an agreement for proactive maintenance activities, like oil changes and tire rotations, not reactive replacement of broken parts.

There is no distinction on "if things are covered" between the two terms. Warranties come in two general flavors, inclusive and exclusionary. Inclusive warranties cover everything specifically listed. Exclusionary covers everything *except* what is listed.

 

[mtofell]

shocks are specifically called out as covered. I have not put this to the test but I do wonder how "bad" that would need to be to be covered? I also wonder if that only replace the "bad" one or all four or just a front or rear set?

I talked to my dealer once about this and I think they are only covered if leaking. I could see that being the line between wear and broken - just worn is not covered but leaking is failed and covered. I can't imagine them doing the whole set but that would drive me nuts to just do one so I'm sure I'd just pay to have them all done.... or just get them done elsewhere because I'm pretty sure buying three shocks at the dealer would be well more than four elsewhere.

 

[lpennock]

I talked to my dealer once about this and I think they are only covered if leaking. I could see that being the line between wear and broken - just worn is not covered but leaking is failed and covered. I can't imagine them doing the whole set but that would drive me nuts to just do one so I'm sure I'd just pay to have them all done.... or just get them done elsewhere because I'm pretty sure buying three shocks at the dealer would be well more than four elsewhere.

Mine were leaking but not covered because of the mileage on the van. My dealer has been pretty good about getting things covered so I tend to believe his explanation.

Shocks are easy enough to replace I would just do them myself if they aren't covered. The struts on the van are a bit harder to do.

 

[Scottly]

I'll say it again as well, as someone who worked in the industry for years. Extended Warranty is a well accepted industry and legal term for these products.

As a risk manager for a large insurance company that underwrites the largest market share of these programs, what the FTC says really doesn't matter. Service contracts are state regulated, not federally regulated. Warranties are federally regulated, with a lot of state oversight. 'Well accepted" by who? Use that term in a service contract and the individual state DOI's will crucify you, especially NY and CA. Look at the brochure, the contract...They use the term "Vehicle protection", "Service Contract"....Nowhere on any LEGAL document does the MOPAR Vehicle Protection use the term "warranty", because it isn't. The sellers call them that...the websites selling them call them that....Because nobody goes after them for doing it. I'm not sure what part of the Auto industry you ever worked in, nor do I care. I'm in the service contract business, have been in it for 20+years, deal with A LOT of OEM's, and a team of lawyers that will make your head spin...Put your ego aside....A "Limited Warranty" such as that offered on a powertrain, or that offered on a new product purchase, are mucho different than the service contracts that MOPAR is selling. That's an undisputed legal fact. Stay in your lane.

 

[Docwagon1776]

As a risk manager for a large insurance company that underwrites the largest market share of these programs, what the FTC says really doesn't matter. Service contracts are state regulated, not federally regulated. Warranties are federally regulated, with a lot of state oversight. 'Well accepted" by who? Use that term in a service contract and the individual state DOI's will crucify you, especially NY and CA. Look at the brochure, the contract...They use the term "Vehicle protection", "Service Contract"....Nowhere on any LEGAL document does the MOPAR Vehicle Protection use the term "warranty", because it isn't. The sellers call them that...the websites selling them call them that....Because nobody goes after them for doing it. I'm not sure what part of the Auto industry you ever worked in, nor do I care. I'm in the service contract business, have been in it for 20+years, deal with A LOT of OEM's, and a team of lawyers that will make your head spin...Put your ego aside....A "Limited Warranty" such as that offered on a powertrain, or that offered on a new product purchase, are mucho different than the service contracts that MOPAR is selling. That's an undisputed legal fact. Stay in your lane.

Well accepted by everybody but pedants like you. I worked for Kemper Insurance.

 

[LOFSFIRE]

I talked to my dealer once about this and I think they are only covered if leaking. I could see that being the line between wear and broken - just worn is not covered but leaking is failed and covered. I can't imagine them doing the whole set but that would drive me nuts to just do one so I'm sure I'd just pay to have them all done.... or just get them done elsewhere because I'm pretty sure buying three shocks at the dealer would be well more than four elsewhere.

Basically what I figured! and I would agree...

Mine were leaking but not covered because of the mileage on the van. My dealer has been pretty good about getting things covered so I tend to believe his explanation.

Shocks are easy enough to replace I would just do them myself if they aren't covered. The struts on the van are a bit harder to do.

And yes, you are correct about the ease of changing them.

Honestly, I was surprised to see a few things listed and assumed there were loopholes... The house always wins in the long run...