Chrysler, parent company of Dodge, just announced it is offering a LIFETIME powertrain warranty on all of its cars and trucks. The owner merely needs to bring the vehicle in once every six years for a free "inspection." And the warranty is non-transferrable to a second owner. But that is true even of the 10 year warranty Hyundai/Kia offers.

Why do I think this is automotive suicide on an epic scale? As an ex-Dodge/Jeep service advisor I know the average life expectancy of Chrysler drivetrain parts. Let me put it this way, it made me appreciate the durability of Ford components when I worked at a Ford dealer. The worst culprit was the transmission for the minivans. If they made it past 80,000 I thought the customer must have been living a charmed life. I am sure SOME people see better than that, but I rarely did. None of the other transmission were that durable, even those on the Ram and Dakota pickup. This warranty will be a costly mistake on their part. But from another perspective, it's a great day if you are a Chrysler customer.  

Well, if they're that confident (or cocky) about their powertrains, I say let 'em. I'll say this, I owned a Volkswagen a few years ago when they were offering a 10-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, and I took advantage of it many times. A few years later, VW discontinued that, and offered a shorter, transferable warranty.  The OEs are constantly coming up with gimmicks to entice buyers. I've heard Hyundai wants to stop offering the 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty, but that customers have gotten so used to it, and associate it with Hyundai so closely, they're pretty much committed to it for the long haul.

I know you rave about the F-150, but in my opinion, it's an overweight, underpowered brick. I'm not saying I hate it, but every vehicle has its shortcomings, and the obvious ones with the F-150 is that it's too heavy, and the 5.4 Triton just can't compete with the other top powertrain offerings out there.  

Balboa, maybe they want to silence the Kool-Aid drinking Blue Oval fanatics like you that keep talking smack about their products! I'd take a 3/4-ton Cummins over a Power Stroke anything, anyday. Honestly, I'd get an LLY or newer Duramax over any of 'em, but there's nothing wrong with the later Cummins Rams.  

I must have given out the wrong impression. I am so NOT an advocate for purchasing an F-150.  Given their weak engines, weak brake systems and predilection for breakdown I would never put my money into an F-150. As a service advisor I could have at any time gotten a wonderful deal on one. Let me just say, I do not drive a Ford. I really do love the way a Ram drives with the Hemi engine but would have to put my money into a Chevy or GMC truck. The new ones look great, have a wide number of powertrain options and the interior doesn't look like it was put together by a drunk rheesus monkey. It makes me feel dirty somehow that my words made people believe I was in any way advocating Ford products!  

truckmod, first of all, the powertrain warranty doesn't apply to diesel models, if you cared to read the fine print. And even though the F-150 might not be the class-leader in all areas, it's hard to argue with its sales success. I'm sure with Mulally in charge now, he's keenly aware of the truck's competitive shortcomings, and I'm sure they're going to be addressed shortly.

As far as ChryCo making this bold move, I say more power to 'em. Who knows, maybe they've started putting in a lot stouter components now. I'm sure a warranty this sweeping must have a lot of loopholes and restrictions. I'll have to do some research on it.  

Well, it doesn't apply to the diesel or SRT models, which, if I were going to buy a ChryCo product, would probably be one of those two. So it's a non-issue as far as I'm concerned. I think it might end up being somewhat effective for getting customers in the showroom. But at the end of the day, it's product. And they still need to get beyond many people's perceptions of ChryCo products being plasticky and poorly-executed. The new Sebring and Avenger were a huge disappointment, and even with the '08 refresh and more power from the V-8, the Dakota still leaves something to be desired with its interior materials and styling.  

Incentives are incentives, so what if they add lifetime powertrain coverage to a Dodge, or a 6 year 100K to a Ford or Chevy.   The average retail trade cycle is only 39 mos or so, making the non-transfer of the warranty a "no cost" incentive to the majority of vehicles.  There's less cost to the manufacturer to offer a $3000 rebate and the warranty, than to offer $5000 in rebates.  There will be the few that keep 'em forever, but usually these types take extremely good care of there vehicles, and probably won't need too many expensive warranty repairs.  It's nothing more than an attempt to create results now, through marketing and calculated risk.... kind of like a wedding.  

The lifetime warranty is only good on the powertrain. The Hemi engines have been pretty reliable so far, and the revamp of the trans has really done a good job. As for the axles, well, they are just as durable as any others. The interior may be plasticy, but so are most of the other American brands out there. No American brand has a very nice interior. They haven't have that in a LONG while.  

I don't think the warranty is transferable, and I'll bet you anything the bean-counters and actuaries figured out the average customer only keeps their car for 5 years or so, and after that, they're off the hook for warranty work. Let's face it, car companies are in it to MAKE money, not to run a charity. Although a lot of companies end up losing money on campaigns and initiatives, nobody launches them with the intention of losing money.