Ford Extended Warranty Overview

Motor1 Reviews Team Take:

• A Ford Protect extended warranty contract costs around $1,314 on average, which is affordable compared to other providers.
• J.D. Power studies give Ford vehicles a low dependability ranking and RepairPal indicates Ford vehicles have a 15% chance of needing a severe repair.
• In our 2023 survey, 63% of Ford customers indicated they would consider warranty coverage from a third-party provider.
• Before buying a Ford Protect plan, compare the company’s coverage and costs with quotes from Endurance.

Whether you plan to hang onto your Ford through thick and thin or you’re someone who’d rather invest more now for peace of mind later, a Ford extended warranty can be appealing. Below, we’ll explain Ford Protect^® Extended Service Plans (ESPs) and compare them to the best extended auto warranty companies.

---

Ford Extended Warranty

Ford offers four plans through its Ford Protect program that can cover up to 10 years from the in-service date or 175,000 miles on the odometer for cars within the factory warranty period. Ford recently increased the time and mileage limits on its plans, which used to max out at 8 years/150,000 miles.

Ford Extended Warranty Plans

Ford’s four plan options are PremiumCare, ExtraCare, BaseCare, and PowertrainCare. They differ mainly in the components that are covered. Below, you can compare covered systems at a glance:

What’s Not Covered by the Ford Extended Warranty?

As with most extended warranty plans, extended warranty coverage from Ford won’t cover routine maintenance items like oil changes, windshield wiper replacements or brake pad upkeep. You also won’t get coverage for aftermarket parts, wheels, headlights, or cosmetic damage.

Ford Extended Warranty Benefits

Like many manufacturer warranties, Ford’s extended service program offers a few benefits:

• Rental car reimbursement at a maximum of $60 per day for up to 10 days
• 24-hour roadside assistance (tire changes, tows, fuel deliveries, jump-starts)
• Emergency travel expense coverage of up to $1,000 over 5 days
• Towing reimbursement of up to $100 per occurrence

Ford Extended Warranty Terms and Conditions

Compare Ford’s extended service terms and conditions against those of any third-party contract you consider:

• Eligibility: If you want extended warranty coverage from Ford, you’ll need to purchase it before your factory or CPO warranty expires.
• Finance: If you purchase your coverage when you buy your Ford, you can finance the cost of your coverage along with your car and make one monthly payment.
• Repairs: Repairs must be completed at a certified Ford repair facility.
• Benefits: Plans include 24-hour roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption protection.
• Deductible: Deductibles for Ford extended coverage range from $40 to $200. Remember, you may pay more overall for a plan with a lower deductible.
• Transferability: Ford extended warranty coverage can be transferred an unlimited number of times with certain restrictions regarding vehicle tampering and salvage condition.
• Cancellation: You can cancel your Ford extended warranty coverage at any time for a prorated refund.

Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plans

For owners who don’t want to pay for routine scheduled maintenance and wear-and-tear items on their own, Ford also offers the Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plan. This plan differs from Ford’s extended warranties in that it covers routine inspections, preventative care, and the replacement of items that require periodic attention.

Here are some things that are covered:

• Tire rotations and balancing
• Wiper blades
• Clutch discs
• Engine belts
• Spark plugs
• Brake pads and linings
• Oil changes
• Multi-point inspections

The Premium Maintenance plan is transferable to a new owner, which may help your resale value. Similar to Ford’s Extended Warranty, repairs and services must be performed at a Ford or Lincoln dealership or authorized service shop.

More Ford Protection Products

Ford offers owners a variety of ways to protect their vehicular investments, including:

• TireCare Plus: This coverage handles repairs and replacements if your tires are damaged by road hazards like metal, nails, debris, or potholes.
• Gap Insurance: GapCoverage and GapAdvantage are plans that help protect your budget if your financed vehicle is deemed a total loss.
• WindshieldCare: Minor damages to your windshield will be covered for up to eight years, including cracks less than six inches in diameter.
• SurfaceCare: This protection keeps your interior and exterior surfaces looking new with protection from fading, stains, and etching repair.
• TripleCare Plus: This coverage combines TireCare, DentCare, and WindshieldCare into one plan.
• DentCare: This plan covers dents and dings no larger than four inches in diameter.
• TheftCare: You can get reimbursed up to $5,000 for any stolen goods with TheftCare, but this plan marks your vehicle with traceable identification codes to identify the owner. 

---

Ford Extended Warranty Vs. Factory Warranty

An extended warranty is a plan designed to extend some of all of the coverage offered by a factory warranty. The primary difference between these two types of coverage is that a factory or CPO warranty comes standard with the purchase of each type of vehicle. Extended warranty coverage, on the other hand, is an optional type of coverage that must be purchased before the New Vehicle or CPO Limited Warranty on your Ford vehicle expires.

Ford New Car Warranty

Each new Ford vehicle comes with the Ford Factory Warranty, which includes the following protections:

• New Vehicle Limited Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
• Powertrain Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
• Corrosion Warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
• Safety Restraint System Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
• Emissions Defect and Performance Warranties: Maximum of 8 years/80,000 miles
• Diesel Engine Coverage: 5 years/100,000 miles
• Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Unique Component Coverage: 8 years/100,000 miles

Ford Certified Pre-Owned Warranty

Like most manufacturers, Ford offers coverage designed specifically for the company’s line of certified pre-owned vehicles. The Ford CPO Limited Warranty provides comprehensive bumper-to-bumper coverage for 1 year/12,000 miles and powertrain protection for 7 years/100,000 miles.

Perks included with the CPO Limited Warranty from Ford include roadside assistance, trip interruption reimbursement and rental car reimbursement.

---

Ford Extended Warranty Cost

Based on over 1,700 quotes we received from Ford, the company’s extended warranty coverage costs between $115 and $5,835, with an average rate of $1,314. Our quote pool includes contract terms ranging from 3 years or 48,000 miles to 10 years or 175,000 miles and coverage for vehicles ranging from the Ford Fusion to the F-150. 

Below, you can compare sample quotes we received from Ford for its most comprehensive level of extended warranty coverage: 

Vehicle Model	Term Length	Total Cost
2020 Fusion	5 years/60,000 miles	$820
2020 Fusion	8 years/175,000 miles	$4,395
2020 Escape	5 years/60,000 miles	$770
2020 Escape	10 years/175,000 miles	$5,130
2023 Escape	5 years/60,000 miles	$670
2023 Escape	10 years/175,000 miles	$5,030
2021 Explorer	5 years/60,000 miles	$770
2023 F-150	5 years/60,000 miles	$670

*Quotes reflect pricing for Ford PremiumCare coverage for vehicles with a variety of reported mileages.

---

What Our Survey Respondents Say about Ford Extended Warranties

Before you commit to any warranty contract, make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Customer reviews can give you a comprehensive picture of the reliability and affordability of different warranty providers.

In November 2023, we polled 1,000 extended warranty customers to ask about their experiences with a variety of coverage providers and contracts. Of those who responded, 167 reported purchasing Ford extended warranty coverage. Here’s what those customers had to say about their experience: 

About how much did you pay for your extended car warranty in total?

• 24% reported $2,000 to $3,000
• 23% reported $1,000 to $2,000
• 17% reported under $1,000
• 16% reported $3,000 to $4,000
• 11% reported $4,000 to $5,000

What type of coverage did you get?

• 46% reported comprehensive/bumper-to-bumper coverage
• 35% reported mid-level coverage
• 15% reported basic powertrain coverage

Would you purchase an extended car warranty from a third-party provider like Endurance, Carchex, or CarShield?

• 63% said, “Yes, I would consider coverage from a third-party provider.”
• 19% said, “No, I would only purchase coverage from the vehicle manufacturer.”

Quotes from Our Survey

Here are a few quotes from our survey respondents about their experience with a manufacturer warranty: 

• “I would [purchase the same level of coverage] ‘cause, as it turns out, it was badly needed. I got into that accident and ended up filing a claim.”
• “I would purchase the same coverage. It gives me peace of mind and covers everything that could possibly go wrong.”

---

Should You Buy a Ford Extended Warranty?

Ford vehicles have mixed dependability scores from industry authorities and have higher-than-average repair costs. Based on these factors, we think extended warranty coverage is a worthwhile investment for many Ford owners.

Reliability of Ford Vehicles

One way to determine the reliability of Ford vehicles is to look at the company’s performance in trusted industry dependability studies. J.D. Power and RepairPal each evaluate automakers based on reported mechanical problems among recent vehicle models. We take a look at Ford’s performance in these two studies below.

J.D. Power Reliability Ratings

Ford ranked 23rd out of 29 auto brands in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠, with 239 reported problems per 100 vehicles. This study ranks vehicle manufacturers based on the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles of model year 2021 after three years of ownership. Based on these results, Ford owners face a much higher number of repairs than average and may benefit from extra protection against repair costs.

RepairPal Reliability Ratings

While RepairPal gives Ford vehicles an above-average rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 stars, it also notes that Ford vehicles cost around $775 per year to repair and maintain. This is much higher than the industry average of $652, meaning repairs are more likely to be expensive for Ford vehicles. 

Ford vehicles also have a reported 15 percent chance of needing severe or critical repairs. See how Ford’s performance in RepairPal’s studies compares against industry averages below:

Category	Ford Ranking	Industry Average
Cost of ownership	$775	$652
Repair frequency	0.3 times per year	0.4 times per year
Repair severity	15%	12%
Overall reliability ranking	3.5 out of 5.0 (21st among 32 car brands)	3.4 out of 5.0

Cost of Ford Repairs

Many repairs for Ford vehicles can cost hundreds of dollars. See common repair costs across different Ford models below: 

Ford Model	Vehicle Component	Average Repair Cost
Ford Escort	Stabilizer bushing replacement	$157 – $194
Ford F-250 Super Duty	Glow plug replacement	$218 – $262
Ford Bronco	Distributor assembly replacement	$392 – $578
Ford E-150 Econoline	Muffler replacement	$408 – $659
Ford C-Max	Intake manifold gasket replacement	$537 – $620
Ford Explorer	Control arm replacement	$571 – $660
Ford Escape	Intake manifold gasket replacement	$629 – $717
Ford F-150	Suspension shock or strut replacement	$894 – $1,133
Ford Bronco	Turbocharger intercooler tube replacement	$1,022 – $1,043
Ford Focus	Rack and pinion replacement	$1,597 –  $1,775

---

Ford Extended Warranty Vs. a Third-Party Warranty

While Ford’s coverage has higher term limits than companies like Subaru or Mercedes, you may still find longer coverage terms from third-party warranty providers. Similarly, third-party providers often offer more coverage choices and more flexible pricing plans than many manufacturers do.

Our Experience Buying Third-Party Warranties

In 2023, our team purchased warranty coverage from five leading third-party providers. Here’s how each of these quotes compares:

Third-Party Company	Plan	Price	Coverage Terms	Our Buying Experience	Cancellation
autopom!	Exclusionary (comprehensive)	$135 for 15 months	5 years/unlimited miles	The salesperson was helpful and patient, though it took a few calls to reach a live person	Cancellation by phone was easy and we received email confirmation
Carchex	Titanium (comprehensive)	$140 per month	Month-to-month	The agent was helpful and not pushy about buying right away	Smooth cancellation process
Endurance	Secure Plus (mid-level)	$150 for 30 months	4 years/48,000 miles	Easy experience overall, though salesperson pushed Supreme plan at first	Cancellation within 30 days was quick with the policy number
Olive®	Powertrain	$35 for 36 months	3 years/185,000 maximum miles	100% online purchase was easy to do in under an hour	Canceled via email easily, though contracts say mailing cancellation is required
CarShield**	Silver (powertrain)	$159 per month	Month-to-month	Rep was helpful though they pushed the Diamond plan instead	Cancellation was easy within 30 days

*The Carchex plan applies to a 2019 Jeep Wrangler with 49,313 miles. All others apply to a 2021 BMW X5 with 26,000 miles.

**Editor’s Note: On July 31, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission announced that CarShield will pay $10 million to settle FTC charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for vehicle service contracts are deceptive and misleading, and that many purchasers found that repairs were not covered. In response, the Motor1 Reviews team reevaluated CarShield’s rating to better reflect its industry standing and transparency with consumers.

What Our Survey Data Says About Buying Third-Party Warranties

In our May 2024 survey of 1,000 warranty customers, respondents reported purchasing their coverage from the following companies:

Which provider did you purchase extended warranty coverage from?

• CarShield: 32.5%
• Endurance: 8%
• EasyCare Warranty: 7%
• CARCHEX: 6.5%
• American Dream Auto Protect: 4.1%
• Omega Auto Care: 3.7%

Here’s what these customers had to say about their experiences:

Which factor was most important when choosing your warranty provider?

• Coverage options: 32%
• Total cost: 20%
• Coverage benefits: 20%
• Payment options: 10%
• Company reputation: 8%

What level of extended warranty coverage did you purchase?

• Bumper-to-bumper: 34%
• Mid-level: 27%
• Powertrain: 26%
• Powertrain wrap: 13%

How satisfied were you overall with your warranty coverage?

• Very satisfied: 69%
• Slightly satisfied: 28%
• Slightly unsatisfied: 2%
• Very unsatisfied: >1%

---

Best Third-Party Vehicle Service Contract Options

While the Ford warranty has its perks, we recommend our top pick for warranty coverage, Endurance, which won our Best Coverage award in our 2024 industry review. See the tables below to learn more about the company and to see how the Ford warranty stacks up next to Endurance. 

Endurance vs. Ford Extended Warranty

See how Endurance compares to Ford warranty side by side: 

	Endurance	Ford
Plan Options	6	4
Maximum Mileage	Unlimited	175,000 miles
Maximum Age	20 years	10 years
When To Buy	Anytime	Before factory coverage expires
Choice of Repair Shop	Any mechanic certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®)	Ford-certified repair facility
Maintenance Coverage	Advantage™ plan covers oil changes, brake pads, cooling system maintenance and more	Available as add-on coverage
Benefits	Roadside assistance, trip interruption, rental car plus Elite Benefits like key fob replacement and tire repair for one year	Emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage

---

Ford Extended Warranty: Bottom Line

In this article, we researched Ford’s extended warranty coverage as well as the Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plan. While Ford offers multiple extended warranties, we found that third-party providers such as Endurance or Carchex offer better vehicle service contracts. Ultimately, we suggest gathering quotes from both Ford and our top-rated third-party providers to find the best coverage for your needs.

---

Ford Extended Warranty: FAQ

Below are commonly asked questions about the Ford extended warranty: 

---

Methodology

In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.

• Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
• Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
• Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
• Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
• Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

---