What Is Ram Certified Pre-Owned?

Ram trucks’ CPO protection isn't quite as extensive as that of their rivals.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Mar 30, 2023 | 3 min read

Ram

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs are popular with automakers seeking to sell used cars and trucks to customers accustomed to the warranty coverage found on a brand-new vehicle. By extending warranty protections to certain used vehicles, buyers may feel more comfortable opt for a secondhand model and dealers can charge a little more.

Not all CPO programs are alike when it comes to what is covered, and for how long. Here's how the Ram CPO program organizes its used vehicle protections.

What Ram Vehicles Are Eligible?

The Ram CPO program is open to every vehicle manufactured by the company — including pickups like the 2500 Heavy Duty, chassis cab trucks, and ProMaster vans — that are 5 years old or less. This means Ram CPO is currently offered on models dating back to the 2018 model year. Ram also requires fewer than 75,000 miles on the odometer in order for a truck or van to be covered as a Ram CPO.

What Warranty Coverage Does the Ram Certified Pre-Owned Program Offer?

Surprisingly, the Ram CPO program doesn't provide the same kind of bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage found with some other CPO programs. It's typical to see a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty, while the new truck warranty that comes with a Ram pickup or van lasts three years or 36,000 miles. Ram CPO purchases are also only covered by a 3,000-mile/three-month bumper-to-bumper warranty past the date of purchase, which stands in stark contrast to the longer protections provided by the competition.

Where Ram CPO does step up to the plate is with its drivetrain warranty. The program extends the factory coverage for seven years/100,000 miles from the date the truck or van was first sold, which works out to a minimum of two extra years and 40,000 additional miles of protection, depending on the age and mileage of the CPO vehicle. Diesel models are covered up to 100,000 miles.

It's possible to pay extra for CPO upgrade plans offered by Ram through Mopar. Added Care Plus and Maximum Care both extend the length of the bumper-to-bumper warranty to varying degrees, and pricing depends on how many more years and what level of protection the owner desires. Again, this is asking CPO buyers to pay for warranty coverage that is usually included with most competitive CPO programs.

Each Ram sold through the CPO program undergoes a Carfax vehicle history check, as well as a 125-point inspection that includes refurbishment and replacement of any components that are deemed to be out of spec.

Ram Is Also Covered by the CPO Go Program

Ram trucks qualify for the general Stellantis (Ram's parent company) CPO program, which features identical terms and protections. Over and above both Ram CPO and Stellantis CPO, however, is the CPO Go Program, which is open to vehicles that are up to twice as old as either of those offerings allow: the limits allow for 10-year-old autos with up to 120,000 miles on the odometer.

CPO Go is similar to Ram CPO in that it provides a three-month/3,000 mile coverage window, but it’s not quite as comprehensive, as some components are excluded. It may be worth considering it as a safety net for any issues that might crop up immediately after a purchase, rather than as a long-term protection.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.