Why Ram's 10-Year Warranty Matters for High-Kilometre New Brunswick Trucks
October 22 2025,
New Brunswick's forestry, construction, and trades professionals depend on their trucks for income. Equipment failure means lost productivity, missed deadlines, and unexpected costs. Ram announced on August 27, 2025, that the 2026 Ram 1500 now comes with Canada's longest truck limited powertrain warranty: 10 years or 160,000 kilometres, covering both the returning 5.7L HEMI V8 and the Hurricane twin-turbo I-6 engines.
This warranty extends well beyond typical coverage limits, protecting the most expensive components in your truck during the years you're most likely to need them. For contractors in the Woodstock area who put serious kilometres on their work trucks, this coverage provides measurable financial protection and operational security.
Ram 1500 Powertrains: Full Warranty Coverage
|
Powertrain Coverage at a Glance |
2026 Ram 1500 |
|---|---|
|
Warranty Duration |
10 years / 160,000 km |
|
Components Covered |
Engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, differentials, axles |
|
Transferability |
Non-transferable (original purchaser/lessee only) |
|
Eligible Vehicles |
Ram 1500 (all trims including RHO) |
|
Coverage Type |
Limited powertrain warranty |
All three 2026 Ram 1500 engine options receive identical 10-year/160,000 km coverage:
5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque: 395 horsepower, 410 lb-ft torque. Maximum towing capacity of 5,203 kg (11,470 lbs). Proven V8 architecture with hybrid technology.
3.0L Hurricane Standard Output: 420 horsepower, 469 lb-ft torque. Twin-turbo inline-six delivering more power than the HEMI with improved fuel efficiency.
3.0L Hurricane High Output: 540 horsepower, 521 lb-ft torque. Available in Limited, Longhorn, and Tungsten trims. Highest output in the light-duty segment.
The warranty covers the complete powertrain system including the engine block, transmission assembly, transfer case (4x4 models), driveshafts, differentials, and axles. These are the components most likely to require expensive repair work as kilometre counts climb.
Why Ram Extended the Warranty Period
Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram brand, addressed the warranty extension directly: "Everything is more expensive, and trucks are certainly no exception. Truck buyers are financing purchases for longer periods of time, with nearly 80% of new truck loans exceeding five years. Our customers are making a long-term investment in Ram, and with Canada's best full-size truck limited powertrain warranty, Ram is making a stronger and longer commitment to our customers."
The warranty responds to market reality. Most truck buyers now finance vehicles for 72-84 months. A 5-year/100,000 km warranty often expired before the loan was paid off, leaving buyers exposed during the final years of payments. The 10-year/160,000 km coverage extends protection through the entire ownership period for most buyers.
For contractors who accumulate kilometres quickly, the 160,000 km limit provides substantial coverage. A contractor driving 25,000 km annually remains covered for the full decade. At 30,000 km per year, coverage extends past five years—significantly longer than previous powertrain warranties.
What the Warranty Covers (and What It Doesn't)
The 10-year/160,000 km limited powertrain warranty specifically covers:
Engine: Internal engine components including block, heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshaft, timing chain, and oil pump.
Transmission: Complete transmission assembly including torque converter, valve body, and all internal components.
Transfer Case (4x4 models): All internal transfer case components and electronic shift mechanisms.
Driveshafts: Front and rear driveshafts including universal joints and constant velocity joints.
Differentials: Front and rear differential assemblies including all internal gears and bearings.
Axles: Front and rear axle shafts and related components.
The warranty does not cover:
- Normal wear items (brake pads, wiper blades, light bulbs)
- Fluid changes and routine maintenance
- Damage from accidents or misuse
- Modifications or aftermarket parts
- Body components or interior trim
- Suspension components (springs, shocks, control arms)
- Electrical systems beyond powertrain-specific wiring
Warranty eligibility requires following the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. Skipped oil changes or deferred maintenance can void coverage.
How This Protects Heavy-Duty Users
Contractors face operating conditions that accelerate wear on truck powertrains:
Heavy loads: Trucks routinely operating near maximum payload capacity stress the transmission, differential, and axle components.
Frequent towing: Regular trailer towing increases heat and stress on the transmission, differential, and engine cooling systems.
Cold starts: Winter temperatures in New Brunswick create additional wear during cold starts, particularly on engine bearings and cylinder walls.
Idling: Job site idling accumulates engine hours without adding kilometres, accelerating internal wear on engine components.
Harsh terrain: Construction sites and logging roads subject driveshafts, differentials, and axles to impacts and stress not seen in highway driving.
The 10-year/160,000 km warranty protects against failures that emerge from this type of use. A transmission replacement typically costs $4,000-$8,000. A differential rebuild runs $2,000-$4,000. Engine repairs vary widely but often exceed $5,000 for major work. The warranty eliminates these potential expenses for a decade or 160,000 km.
Comparing Coverage Across the Segment
|
Manufacturer |
Powertrain Warranty |
Basic Warranty |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ram (2026) |
10 years / 160,000 km |
3 years / 60,000 km |
Non-transferable, retail only |
|
Ford (2025) |
5 years / 100,000 km |
3 years / 60,000 km |
Transferable |
|
Chevrolet (2025) |
5 years / 100,000 km |
3 years / 60,000 km |
Transferable |
|
GMC (2025) |
5 years / 100,000 km |
3 years / 60,000 km |
Transferable |
Ram's warranty provides twice the time coverage and 60,000 km more distance protection than Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC. The trade-off is non-transferability. If you sell the truck before the warranty expires, the new owner does not receive the remaining coverage. Competitor warranties typically transfer to subsequent owners.
For contractors planning to keep their trucks long-term, the non-transferability limitation is irrelevant. The extended coverage provides protection during the ownership period that matters most—the years when major powertrain components are most likely to fail.
Fleet vs. Retail Coverage Differences
The 10-year/160,000 km warranty applies only to retail purchases and leases by individuals and businesses. Fleet purchases receive different coverage:
Fleet Coverage (2026 Ram): 5 years / 160,000 km powertrain warranty. Same distance coverage as retail but half the time period.
Ram defines fleet vehicles as those sold for "certain commercial uses." The distinction matters primarily for large operators purchasing multiple trucks under fleet agreements. Individual contractors buying trucks under their business name typically qualify for retail warranty coverage.
If you're purchasing trucks in quantity or through a fleet program, verify warranty terms with your dealer before finalizing the purchase.
Eligibility and Claim Requirements
The warranty is available exclusively to customers who purchase or lease new, unregistered 2026 Ram vehicles from an authorized Ram dealership in Canada. The warranty is non-transferable and applies only to the original retail purchaser or lessee.
To maintain warranty coverage:
- Follow the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner's manual
- Keep records of all service work, including receipts
- Use manufacturer-specified fluids and parts for maintenance
- Report any powertrain issues promptly to an authorized Ram dealer
- Do not modify powertrain components or use aftermarket performance parts
Modifications to the engine, transmission, or drivetrain void the warranty. Common modifications that cause warranty issues include engine tuners, aftermarket exhaust systems affecting emissions equipment, lift kits altering driveline angles, and oversized tires changing gear ratios.
Cost-Benefit Analysis for Contractors
The warranty value depends on your annual usage and ownership timeline. Here's how the math works:
Scenario 1: Medium-Use Contractor
- Annual kilometres: 25,000 km
- Ownership period: 10 years
- Total kilometres: 250,000 km
- Warranty coverage: Full 10 years (expires at 160,000 km or year 10)
- Protected kilometres: 160,000 km (64% of total kilometres driven)
Scenario 2: High-Use Contractor
- Annual kilometres: 35,000 km
- Ownership period: 10 years
- Total kilometres: 350,000 km
- Warranty coverage: 4.6 years (expires at 160,000 km)
- Protected kilometres: 160,000 km (46% of total kilometres driven)
Scenario 3: Light-Use Contractor
- Annual kilometres: 15,000 km
- Ownership period: 10 years
- Total kilometres: 150,000 km
- Warranty coverage: Full 10 years (never reaches 160,000 km)
- Protected kilometres: 150,000 km (100% of total kilometres driven)
Even high-use contractors receive nearly five years of coverage, substantially longer than the previous 5-year/100,000 km standard that expired after less than three years at 35,000 km annually.
Beyond the Powertrain: Basic Warranty Coverage
The 2026 Ram 1500 includes a 3-year/60,000 km basic warranty covering most vehicle components outside the powertrain. This includes:
- Body panels and paint
- Interior components and trim
- Electrical systems
- HVAC systems
- Suspension components
- Brakes (components, not pads)
- Steering system
- Windows and mirrors
Rust-through coverage on body sheet metal extends for 3 years with no kilometre limit.
The basic warranty provides comprehensive coverage during the critical early years of ownership when manufacturing defects typically surface. The extended powertrain warranty takes over after the basic coverage expires, protecting the most expensive systems as the truck ages.
Experience the 2026 Ram 1500 Lineup
The 10-year/160,000 km warranty backs the entire 2026 Ram 1500 range, from work-focused Tradesman models to luxury-equipped Tungsten trims. Woodstock-area contractors have access to proven HEMI V8 power or advanced Hurricane twin-turbo technology, all protected by Canada's longest truck powertrain coverage.
Book your test drive at Connell Chrysler Ltd. in Woodstock to see how the 2026 Ram 1500's combination of powertrain choice and warranty protection supports your work requirements.
