What is Covered by the Ford CPO Warranty?

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All Ford certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles come with a Ford CPO warranty. Like a manufacturer’s new-car warranty, the Ford CPO warranty acts as a guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship, covering the majority of Ford manufactured and installed parts.

This article provides detailed information about the Ford CPO warranty such as term lengths, coverage specifics, and suggestions for extending your Ford CPO warranty after it expires.

Along with the peace of mind the Ford CPO warranty brings, drivers should feel confident on the road knowing that only vehicles less than six years old and with no more than 80,000 miles on the odometer are able to become CPO Fords. Eligible vehicles must also pass a 172-point inspection and have a satisfactory CARFAX® Vehicle History ReportTM. The certification process allows Ford to ensure CPO vehicles operate at the highest standards.

If an inspection reveals any parts that do not meet Ford standards, the part will be repaired or replaced using genuine Ford parts before the vehicle is made available for purchase. Then, when you purchase the vehicle, your Ford CPO warranty kicks in to cover any failed parts.

The Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage is most similar to Ford’s new car bumper-to-bumper warranty. Most vehicle components are covered under this warranty, including the:

The Powertrain Limited Warranty covers the essential vehicle components that make the car move. This primarily includes the engine, transmission, and drive axles.

Any component that is covered under warranty will be repaired or replaced free of charge. However, drivers should keep in mind that a warranty is a parts guarantee and not an insurance policy. Only breakdowns that occur as the result of normal use will be covered. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the Ford CPO warranty will not pay for repairs.

Drivers also need to make sure to properly maintain their vehicles in order to keep warranty coverage valid. You must have your vehicle maintained in accordance with Ford’s factory-recommended maintenance schedule, and you can only bring your vehicle to a licensed Ford dealership for repairs.

The Ford CPO warranty is transferable to future owners and includes complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance. Roadside assistance coverage provides a towing reimbursement, travel expense reimbursement, and rental car reimbursement.

Most manufacturers sell certified pre-owned vehicles. Specific eligibility requirements for becoming a CPO vehicle differ by manufacturer, but generally, only vehicles below a certain age and mileage are certified—after passing an inspection.

Nearly all certified pre-owned vehicles come with a CPO warranty. How does the Ford CPO warranty compare with coverage offered by other manufacturers? The chart below compares CPO warranty coverage offered by some of the most popular car brands in the US.

If you purchased your CPO Ford more than a year ago, the Comprehensive Limited Warranty is likely no longer in effect. However, if your CPO Ford is a model year 2014 or newer, it may still be covered by the Powertrain Limited Warranty.

One way to check for certain what remains of your Ford CPO warranty is to call a dealership. If you provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and odometer reading, a dealership representative should be able to check your vehicle in their system to let you know whether you’re still covered under the Ford CPO warranty.

Many drivers feel more confident with warranty protection and prefer to stay covered for the entire time that they own their vehicles. If you’re in this boat, you should look into buying an extended warranty to protect you after your Ford CPO warranty expires.

But is it really worth extending the Ford CPO warranty? While these vehicles do pass comprehensive inspections, and Ford guarantees they are in proper working order, no vehicle can be free of breakdowns indefinitely. An extended car warranty can be one way to plan for and guard against sudden, unexpected repairs.

However, in some cases, the cost of a vehicle service contract will exceed the cost of covered repairs. For this reason, it may be more economical in the long run to save for the cost of repairs yourself and pay for them out of pocket as they arise.

The chart below shows some common Ford issues and their costs, according to RepairPal. If you would be able to cover such expenses out of pocket, you may be better off skipping an extended service plan. If these costs are not affordable for you, an extended warranty could help protect you from having to pay them all at once.

If you decide to purchase an extended warranty for your CPO Ford, you will likely have to turn to a third-party provider. Ford Extended Service Plans are typically only sold for new vehicles and are not offered for any Ford that is already older than three years or has more than 36,000 miles on the odometer.

Third-party extended warranties can be purchased at any time and are typically cheaper than manufacturer warranties. We’ve reviewed the best extended auto warranty companies, comparing costs, coverage details, customer service, and more. To find out the cost of a Ford CPO warranty from one of our top recommended providers, click below for free quotes.