Ford Warranty Review

Stephen Kenney
by Stephen Kenney

To learn more about our editorial integrity policy and how we make money through affiliate partnerships, read our full disclosure here.


If you’ve recently purchased or are planning to purchase a Ford vehicle, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Ford warranty. Warranty protection is offered by most manufacturers and guarantees that certain parts are free from defects in materials or workmanship.


It’s important to know how your Ford warranty works and what parts are protected in order to save on repair costs. This article takes a closer look at the Ford factory warranty, explaining what is covered and for how long. We’ll also help you decide if extended warranty protection is a good idea for your Ford.

Ford Warranty Highlights

The Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty covers most Ford-manufactured or installed parts for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. If any covered component needs to be repaired or replaced because of a defect in material or workmanship, Ford will cover the cost.


The New Vehicle Limited warranty isn’t the only protection that Ford owners have. Let's look at an overview of the Ford factory warranty coverage:

Ford Warranty

Term Length

What It Covers

Bumper-to-Bumper

3 years/36,000 miles

Components that need repair as a result of a defect in material or workmanship

Powertrain

Limited Warranty

5 years/60,000 miles

Powertrain components such as the engine,

transmission, drive axle, and wheels

Diesel Engine Coverage

5 years/100,000 miles

Components of direct-injection diesel engines

Corrosion Warranty

5 years/unlimited miles

Corrosion damage to exterior sheet metal parts

Safety Restraint Warranty

5 years/60,000 miles

Airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) and safety belts

Emissions Defect Warranty

Up to 8 years/80,000 miles

Any component that may cause the vehicle

to fail an emissions test

Hybrid and Electric

Vehicle Unique

Component Coverage

8 years/100,000 miles

High-voltage battery, related connectors and switches, transmission, and on-board charger

All Ford warranties are transferable to new owners. Compared to other manufacturer warranties, Ford offers standard coverage. Most manufacturers offer warranty protection that is similar to Ford’s warranty: a three-year new vehicle warranty and a five-year powertrain warranty, along with a corrosion and emissions warranty. However, the best new car warranties offer much longer coverage.

Ford Warranty Exclusions

An important thing to understand about any vehicle protection plan, including the Ford warranty, is that coverage only applies to breakdowns that occur as the result of normal use. Damage that is the result of a collision, neglect, or lack of maintenance is not covered.


Certain non-mechanical parts and wear-and-tear components are excluded from warranty coverage, too. Examples of items that aren’t covered under the Ford warranty are:

  • Brake pads and shoes
  • Glass
  • Lightbulbs
  • Upholstery
  • Wiper blades
  • Paint chips, cracks, or dents

Certified Pre-Owned Ford Warranty

All certified pre-owned (CPO) Ford vehicles are covered by Ford warranty protection as well. If your CPO Ford’s factory warranty is still valid, you’ll receive the remainder of that coverage, as well as these additional warranties:

CPO Ford Warranty

CPO Ford Warranty

Length

What It Covers

Limited Warranty

1 year/12,000 miles

More than 1,000 components including the engine, transmission, drive systems, steering, brakes, suspension, electrical, air conditioning, heating, technology, emissions components, factory-installed audio system, and safety systems

Powertrain

Limited Warranty

7 years/100,000 miles

Powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, drive axle, and wheels

Ford CPO warranties are transferable and include 24-hour roadside assistance for the duration of the Powertrain Limited Warranty. This Ford warranty coverage also includes rental car reimbursement, destination assistance, and travel expense reimbursement if your vehicle breaks down more than 100 miles from your home.

How to Find Out If Your Ford is Still Under Warranty

The easiest way to find out if your Ford is still under warranty is to log into the FordPassâ„¢ App or Ford online portal. You can also check the warranty booklet that came with your vehicle. If you happen to have lost this booklet, contact a Ford dealership. By providing your vehicle identification number (VIN) and vehicle mileage, any dealership should be able to look up your particular vehicle and tell you what (if any) Ford factory warranty coverage remains.


If your Ford is less than three years old, it is likely still covered by the Ford warranty.

Should You Get Extended Warranty Coverage?

Once the Ford factory warranty expires, many drivers benefit from an extended warranty. The Ford dealership will likely try to sell you extended coverage the day you buy your new vehicle. But is a Ford Extended Service Plan worth it?

For some customers, the peace of mind provided by a warranty makes the purchase worthwhile. Before deciding whether to purchase an extended warranty, consider your vehicle’s reliability. A car that isn’t liable to break down may not need warranty coverage.


One authoritative source to check vehicle reliability is RepairPal. RepairPal collects user data to determine annual reliability ratings for 32 different car brands. These ratings are based on brands’ average annual repair costs, frequency of unscheduled repairs, and the probability of a needed repair being severe (costing more than three times the average annual repair cost across all models).


RepairPal gives Ford a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 and ranks the automaker 21st out of the 32 brands rated. A complete breakdown of Ford’s reliability score is provided in the table below.

Ford Average

Industry-Wide Average

Average Annual Repair Cost

$775

$652

Frequency of Unscheduled Repairs

0.3 times per year

0.4 times per year

Probability of a Needed Repair Being Severe

15 percent

12 percent

Fords have a relatively high annual repair cost and are less reliable than the average car, according to RepairPal. However, individual models may have different scores, so be sure to check the reliability of your particular Ford model.

Given Fords’ high average annual repair costs, it may be worth investing in an extended Ford warranty, especially if you can find one that costs less than $775 per year of coverage.


Another thing to consider when deciding if you should buy an extended warranty is common Ford repairs. In the long term, it is typically more economical to save for the cost of repairs yourself and pay out of pocket as they arise. However, this may not be possible for all customers, and an extended warranty can guard against potentially costly fixes.


The chart below shows some common Ford repairs and their estimated costs, as reported by RepairPal users. Consider whether you would be comfortable paying for these repairs out of pocket or if you would prefer paying a monthly premium for an extended warranty.

Common Ford Repair

Estimated Repair Cost

Brake booster replacement

$496 to $567

Cylinder head replacement

$4,021 to $4,492

Ignition coil replacement

$98 to $164

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve replacement

$217 to $273

Ford Extended Warranty Overview

Only vehicles still covered under their original 3-year/36,000-mile Ford warranty are eligible for the manufacturer’s extended warranty coverage. In some cases, coverage may need to be purchased when you buy your vehicle.

Drivers looking to extend their Ford factory warranty protection can choose from four levels of Ford extended coverage:

  • PremiumCARE: Includes more than 1,000 covered components
  • ExtraCARE: Includes 113 covered components such as the steering and braking systems, engine, transmission, drive axle, front suspension, air conditioning, and select electrical components
  • BaseCARE: Includes 84 covered parts such as major engine components, transmission, rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, steering, brakes, front suspension, air conditioning, heating, and select electrical components
  • PowertrainCARE: Includes 29 covered parts such as the engine, transmission, rear-wheel drive, and front-wheel drive

The Ford extended warranty cost also covers rental car reimbursement and 24-hour roadside assistance. As with the Ford factory warranty, drivers with a Ford extended warranty must bring their vehicle to a licensed Ford dealership for repairs.

Benefits of a Third-Party Ford Warranty

As mentioned above, only newer vehicles covered by their original Ford warranty are eligible for the manufacturer’s extended warranty coverage. However, owners of older Fords need not despair. Quality extended warranty protection can be purchased from third-party providers as well.


In addition to offering coverage for older vehicles, aftermarket car warranty plans have a number of advantages over manufacturer warranties, such as:

  • Can be purchased at any time
  • More coverage options
  • More comprehensive coverage benefits
  • Often less expensive

Our review team has taken a close look at some of the best extended auto warranty providers in the industry, rating them based on coverage, cost, customer reviews, and more. We have found Endurance and CARCHEX to be among the top reputable extended car warranty companies. To find out what a vehicle service contract from one these providers might cost you, click below for free, personalized quotes.



Methodology

Our review team prides itself on sharing accurate and unbiased information with consumers. We have accumulated data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate our rankings of the industry’s best providers. Companies receive a score out of 5.0 overall, as well as a rating in each of the following categories:
  • Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
  • Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
  • Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
  • Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
  • Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.

Q & A

How long is Ford’s warranty?

All new Ford vehicles come with a number of warranties. The two primary Ford warranties are the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which lasts for 3 years/36,000 miles, and the Powertrain Warranty, which lasts for 5 years/60,000 miles.


What is covered under the Ford warranty?

The Ford warranty covers all Ford manufactured and installed parts with some exclusions for items such as glass, bumpers, brake pads, brake shoes, wiper blades, and more. Ford’s warranty lasts for 3 years or 36,000 miles.


Does Ford have a 100,000-mile warranty?

Ford has two 100,000-mile warranties. Diesel engines are covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles, and hybrid and electric vehicle components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles.


How much is Ford’s extended warranty?

The cost of Ford’s extended warranty depends on which level of coverage you purchase, as well as your model. Ford customers have reported paying anywhere from $2,000 to $5,500 for Ford extended warranty coverage, but your offers may differ.

Stephen Kenney
Stephen Kenney

Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.

More by Stephen Kenney

Comments
Join the conversation
Next