If you buy a new Chrysler or a pre-owned model that is less than five year old with fewer than 100,000 miles, it is covered with a Chrysler corrosion warranty. This limited warranty protects your vehicle from rust buildup that eventually leads to corrosion, and it offers coverage for certain parts of the vehicle. Find out what the Chrysler corrosion warranty covers and how you can prevent rust from corroding your vehicle.
What is a Chrysler Corrosion Warranty?
A Chrysler corrosion warranty is a special inclusion available through Chrysler manufacturer’s basic limited warranty. Anyone who has coverage under the Chrysler Warranty also has corrosion coverage. The Chrysler corrosion warranty begins when the basic limited warranty begins, and it is good for three years and unlimited mileage for all panels and extends to five years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) for the outer panels.
In addition to corrosion warranty, the Chrysler warranty coverage also includes bumper-to-bumper for three years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty for five years or 60,000 miles. The warranties cover the cost of labor and parts for any repairs necessary due to defective materials or workmanship.
What Does the Chrysler Corrosion Warranty Cover?
The Chrysler corrosion warranty covers all costs related to the repair or replacement of panels or metal that is worn out due to corrosion. The warranty specifically covers sheet metal panels for up to 36 months with no time limit on mileage. It also covers painted sheet metal panels that are visible from the exterior of the vehicle for five years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever is sooner.
What Else Does the Chrysler Warranty Cover?
Knowing what’s included in the Chrysler limited warranty, in addition to the Chrysler corrosion warranty, can help you decide if it’s right for you. The Chrysler limited warranty specifically includes defects or damage to your vehicle due to factory-installed parts, including things like repairs to the cylinder block or intake manifolds. It may also cover torque converters or speed sensors.
Some Chrysler warranties also come with roadside assistance. If roadside assistance is included with your Chrysler warranty, it will cover the cost of towing your vehicle to the nearest Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram dealership. Roadside assistance is included in the Chrysler warranty for five years or up to 100,000 miles.
What Doesn’t the Chrysler Corrosion Warranty Cover?
It’s also important to know what the Chrysler corrosion warranty doesn’t cover. The warranty doesn’t cover damages or holes that aren’t due to corrosion. It also doesn’t cover scratches in the paint or aftermarket parts. Additionally, if you disconnect your odometer, your warranty is void. The warranty also doesn’t cover damages caused by environmental factors, like airborne chemicals or tree sap. Finally, if the vehicle was in an accident that led to damage, it may also void the corrosion warranty.
In summary, the Chrysler corrosion warranty doesn’t cover corrosion from any of the following situations:
- Corrosion from an accident
- Industrial fallout, like salt or sand
- Transporting chemicals
- Special bodies or conversions to the vehicle
- Fire
- Abuse or negligence of the vehicle
- Misuse of the vehicle, including overloading
- Tampering with the emissions
- Installing used parts
The Chrysler corrosion warranty also won’t cover aftermarket air conditioning changes to certain vehicles, including the Plymouth or Dodge Neon. Chrysler Motors also has the right to void any corrosion warranties due to unapproved changes.
What Causes Vehicle Corrosion?
Rust forms from oxidation. When the iron of your vehicle interacts with water and moisture, it can turn it into rust. Cars are subject to a few different types of rust, including:
- Surface rust: Surface rust only affects the top layer of your vehicle. This is the easiest type of rust to remove, and if removed timely, it shouldn’t affect the lower layers of the vehicle.
- Scale rust: Scale rust occurs when rust is left untreated. Eventually, it corrodes into deeper layers of the vehicle’s steel and paint.
- Penetrating rust: Penetrating rust can be expensive and damaging to your vehicle. Over time, penetrating rust can affect your vehicle’s mechanical parts or the structure of the vehicle.
Some drivers may notice more rust on their vehicles. Rust is caused by high exposure to salt, rainy or snowy climates, and failure to maintain your vehicle. Routine car maintenance, which includes removing surface rust, is important in preventing the rust from affecting deeper layers. Corrosion is different from rust. Rusting is the oxidation that occurs when air and moisture combine. Corrosion is the process in which the materials exposed to oxidation begin deteriorating.
Should I Buy a Chrysler Corrosion Warranty?
Chrysler’s corrosion warranty is a part of the basic limited warranty. A limited warranty may come with the purchase of your new car. This means it automatically covers corrosion of inner panels for up to three years and outer panels for up to a total of five years.
Once your manufacturer warranty is over, you may decide to extend your coverage with an extended warranty. Not all extended warranties will cover corrosion, so if this is important to you, you’ll want to choose a policy that does. If you decide to invest in an extended warranty, you can buy one through your dealership. You can also buy an extended warranty through a third-party provider. Comparing prices and inclusions can help you choose the right warranty for your needs.
Tips to Avoid Corrosion
Preventing rust can help you avoid expensive repairs that the warranty may not cover. Here are a few tips to avoid corrosion:
- Wax regularly: Waxing your vehicle regularly can help to protect it from the elements, which can lead to rust and corrosion. Applying a layer of wax to your vehicle adds a barrier that helps to prevent oxidation from occurring.
- Wash your car regularly: Routine car washes can also help prevent rust and corrosion. Regular washes help remove salt and debris, which can speed up the rusting process.
- Use anti-rust sprays: A good anti-rust spray also adds another layer of protection to your vehicle to prevent rust.
- Protect your car’s undercarriage: Rust is common in the undercarriage because this is the part of the vehicle most exposed to the roads. Don’t forget to regularly clean and apply anti-rust to your vehicle’s undercarriage.
Preventing rust and corrosion can save you money, even if you have a corrosion warranty. The Chrysler corrosion warranty doesn’t cover all situations of rust or corrosion, so routine car washes and waxes can help to protect your vehicle.
Routine maintenance and repairs are the best way to keep your vehicle running good and looking good, too. Check out the FIXD sensor, which can help you stay on top of recommended maintenance items as well as pull common Chrysler codes.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
