Fiat Chrysler reducing powertrain warranties to 60,000 miles for 2016 models

Fiat Chrysler will abandon its 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty in the United States for the 2016 model year in favor of a 5-year/60,000-mile guarantee.

The move follows a similar change in March by General Motors, which reduced the 5-year powertrain warranties on its Chevrolet and GMC vehicles from 100,000 to 60,000 miles.

“Following changes already made by competitors, FCA US is adjusting powertrain warranty coverage for 2016 model year vehicles to be more consistent with industry practices,” FCA said in a statement to Automotive News. “For 2016MY, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck vehicles with gasoline engines will be covered by a 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty.”

An FCA spokeswoman said that the automaker’s basic bumper-to-bumper warranty will remain at 3 years/36,000 miles. Fiat vehicles come with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty.

Before Chrysler’s 2009 bankruptcy, the automaker tried to boost faith in its products by offering a lifetime limited powertrain warranty on its vehicles. That warranty only applied to the vehicle’s original owner, however.

In 2009, after emerging from bankruptcy, the automaker dialed back its powertrain warranty to 5 years/100,000 miles, which was largely in line with other automakers’ offerings at the time.

The change does not apply to Fiat, Alfa Romeo or diesel powered vehicles.

Lindsay Chappell contributed to this report.