A 10-Year, 160,000 km Powertrain Warranty: What It Actually Covers on Your New Ram

October 10 2025,

A 10-Year, 160,000 km Powertrain Warranty: What It Actually Covers on Your New Ram

You've heard about Ram's new 10-year warranty. It sounds good. But what does "powertrain warranty" actually mean? What parts are covered, and what real-world scenarios does that translate to for drivers in Quebec?

This breakdown explains the warranty in practical terms. No jargon, no guesswork—just a clear picture of what Ram is covering for the next decade or 160,000 kilometres on every 2026 model-year Ram truck and van.

At a Glance: Ram's 10-Year Warranty Coverage

Aspect

Details

Duration

10 years or 160,000 kilometres (whichever comes first)

Covered Components

Engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, differentials, axles

Eligible Vehicles

2026 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chassis Cab, ProMaster (excludes full battery-electric vehicles)

Transferability

Non-transferable (original retail purchaser or lessee only)

Purchase/Lease

Available for retail purchases and leases to individuals and businesses (excludes fleet)

What "Powertrain" Means

The powertrain is the heart of your truck. It's the system responsible for generating power and delivering it to the wheels. Ram's 10-year/160,000-kilometre limited powertrain warranty covers six key components:

  • Engine: The power source. This includes all internal engine components that convert fuel into mechanical energy.
  • Transmission: The system that transfers power from the engine to the driveshaft. It controls gear shifting and ensures smooth power delivery.
  • Transfer Case: On 4x4 models, this component distributes power between the front and rear axles. It's what allows you to switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive.
  • Driveshafts: The rotating shafts that carry power from the transmission to the axles. They spin at high speeds and are critical for transferring torque.
  • Differentials: These allow the wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds, which is necessary when turning. Ram trucks often feature electronic-locking or anti-spin differentials for improved traction.
  • Axles: The final link in the power chain. Axles support the vehicle's weight and house the differential gears that turn the wheels.

These are the most expensive and mechanically complex parts of your truck. They're also the components that would cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace outside of warranty.

Real-World Coverage Scenarios

Here's how this warranty applies to common driving situations in the Montreal area and across Quebec:

Daily Commuting

If you're driving from Montreal-Est to downtown Montreal or commuting to Laval for work, your engine and transmission are working constantly. Over the course of 160,000 kilometres, that's years of starts, stops, and highway cruising. Ram's warranty ensures that if the engine develops a mechanical issue or the transmission starts slipping, you're covered.

Heavy-Duty Work Use

For contractors, landscapers, or anyone using a Ram 2500 or 3500 for work, the powertrain warranty covers the components that take the most abuse. Hauling materials, towing trailers, and operating in stop-and-go conditions put stress on the transmission, differentials, and axles. This warranty provides protection during the most demanding jobs.

Winter Driving Conditions

Quebec winters are hard on vehicles. Frequent use of four-wheel drive, cold starts, and fluctuating temperatures can strain the transfer case and differentials. Ram's warranty covers these components for a full decade, so you're protected through multiple winter seasons.

Long-Distance Towing


Towing a boat to the Laurentians or a camper to Gaspésie puts significant load on the engine, transmission, and driveshafts. The 10-year/160,000-kilometre warranty ensures that these high-stress components are covered even if you're regularly towing near maximum capacity.

What's Not Covered

This is a limited powertrain warranty, which means it doesn't cover everything. Here's what's excluded:

  • Wear Items: Brake pads, tires, wiper blades, and other consumables that wear down through normal use.
  • Body and Interior: Dents, scratches, upholstery damage, or paint issues.
  • Suspension Components: Shocks, struts, and springs (unless part of a powertrain-related failure).
  • Electrical Systems: Infotainment, lighting, or electronics not directly related to powertrain function.
  • Battery-Electric Vehicles: The warranty excludes full battery-electric Ram models.

For coverage on these items, Ram's standard basic warranty (3 years or 60,000 kilometres) applies, along with other available protection plans.

Eligibility and Fine Print

The 10-year/160,000-kilometre warranty is available exclusively to customers who purchase or lease a new, previously unregistered 2026 Ram vehicle from an authorized Ram dealership in Canada. It is non-transferable, meaning it applies only to the original retail purchaser or lessee, except where otherwise required by law.

The warranty includes retail purchases and leases to individuals and businesses but excludes fleet purchases. Fleet customers receive a separate 5-year/160,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.

Coverage lasts for 10 years or 160,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Ram trucks are built to last, but this warranty reflects the reality that most buyers now finance their trucks over five years or more.

How This Compares to Industry Standards

Most manufacturers offer 5-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranties. Ram is doubling that time and increasing the kilometre limit by 60%. For buyers holding onto their trucks longer or racking up high mileage, this is a tangible advantage.

According to Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, nearly 80% of new truck loans now exceed five years. That means many buyers are still making payments on their trucks long after a standard 5-year warranty expires. Ram's 10-year warranty aligns coverage with how people actually own and use trucks.

Which Ram Models Qualify

The warranty applies to all 2026 model-year Ram trucks and vans sold in Canada, excluding full battery-electric vehicles. Here's the full list:

  • Ram 1500 (including the high-performance Ram 1500 RHO)
  • Ram 2500 Heavy Duty
  • Ram 3500 Heavy Duty
  • Ram Chassis Cab (3500/4500/5500)
  • Ram ProMaster vans

Every configuration qualifies, from the base Tradesman to the luxury Limited Tungsten.

Experience the 2026 Ram Lineup at Grenier Chrysler Montreal-Est

Ram's 10-year powertrain warranty is one of the strongest commitments to quality in the truck market. It covers the components that matter most and protects your investment for the long haul.

Book your test drive at Grenier Chrysler Montreal-Est to see the 2026 Ram lineup and learn more about how this warranty applies to your specific needs.