Ford likes to market itself as a tough, durable automaker. While some Ford fans will back this up, Fords can still have problems. That’s where a Ford extended protection plan, also known as an extended warranty, comes into play. These types of plans provide added coverage for your vehicle. But are they worth it? Find out in our Ford extended warranty review!

We’re about to examine the Ford extended warranty program. We’ll discuss the different tiers of coverage that they offer, other conditions that apply to their warranty, and compare their plan to third-party options.

The Highlights:

• Warranties are managed by the Ford Motor Service Company, not the Ford Motor Company, but the warranty is “backed by Ford.”
• Four levels of plans are available with a wide selection of mileage limitations.
• All the plans in the Ford extended warranty program have a $100 deductible.

Is It Worth Getting a Ford Extended Warranty?

Before deciding whether a Ford extended warranty is worth your hard-earned cash, let’s examine what is included in their warranty.

A Ford extended warranty is technically managed by the Ford Motor Service Company, although they say the warranty is “100% backed by Ford.”

Ford offer four different types of plans to choose from:

1. PowetrainCARE:  As the lowest level of coverage available, this warranty includes most drivetrain components, including the engine and transmission.
2. BaseCARE:  This plan includes everything in the above plan, with the addition of coverage for brakes, some electrical systems, and the front suspension.
3. ExtraCARE:  This mid-tier plan covers everything in the above two plans, in addition to the instrument panel, power seat motors, and speed control.
4. PremiumCARE:  As the top tier plan, this warranty covers everything in the above plans and adds coverage for the rear suspension, safety systems, and audio systems.

Mileage coverage starts at 12,000 and goes up to 15,0000 miles or 25,000 miles. Term lengths range from three years to eight years. It’s all up to you what kind of coverage you’d like.

All of the plans discussed above carry a $100 deductible for covered repairs. This differs from policies offered by other automakers, which don’t tend to have deductibles.

All warranties are transferable with a $75 fee. While it might seem unpleasant to have to pay additional fees, it will likely boost the resale value of your vehicle if you can transfer over your warranty to the next owner when you go to sell the car.

Notice that we’re not discussing prices in our Ford extended warranty review. As we’ve covered in earlier posts, prices for extended warranties always vary from vehicle to vehicle. The price given will be based on your VIN and mileage. We always suggest that you obtain quotes from several companies before you make a purchase so that you can compare prices and coverage.

The Ford Motor Service Company offers a handful of perks to try to persuade you into becoming a customer, including:

• 24/7 roadside assistance, covering lockouts, fuel delivery, and battery jump-start services
• Travel interruption coverage up to $1,000 within the first 5 days of a trip that is interrupted due to a covered breakdown
• PremiumCARE includes key services, as well, meaning that any lost or damaged keys will be replaced at no cost

While these things are nice, we don’t think that perks should sway you one way or another. Perks should be thought of as an added bonus, not a major factor in your decision.

Ford Factory Extended Warranty vs. Third-Party Extended Warranty

Most third-party extended warranties try to mimic the automaker’s coverage. This means that you’ll likely find similar coverage available from other companies. The big difference between an automaker’s warranty and a true third-party warranty is where you can take the car for repairs.

With the Ford extended protection program, all repairs must be done at a Ford or Lincoln dealership. The benefit to this policy is that you’ll use technicians who trained to work on Ford vehicles and all repairs will be completed using genuine Ford parts.

On the other hand, third-party extended warranties will support repairs done through a much wider network of auto repair facilities. Many third-party warranties will allow you to have your car repaired at any shop that is licensed by a reputable association, such as ASE or AAA.

It comes down to your preferences. If you live near a Ford dealership, then it might not be an issue to take your car into the dealership for repairs. If the nearest Ford dealership is far away, it might be well worth having the option to take your car anywhere you’d like for repairs. You don’t have to buy the warranty when you’re buying a car, so take your time to compare your different options.

What is Covered Under a Pre-Owned Ford Extended Warranty?

Ford does not make any special mention of a specific Ford certified pre-owned extended warranty. We scoured their sales pages, brochures, and sample contracts.  We assume that this means that a certified pre-owned vehicle can be covered with a Ford vehicle service contract. However, we can’t say that with any certainty.

You’ll need to ask the dealership or the Ford Motor Service Company about coverage for a certified pre-owned vehicle before signing any contracts. Doing this makes sure that you don’t miss out on any additional coverage that might be available.  

Do We Recommend a Ford Vehicle Service Contract?

What’s our final verdict from our Ford extended warranty review? We recommend buying a Ford vehicle service contract. It’s managed by a company that we assume is a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company, and the warranties are said to be “backed by Ford.” We like the coverage options that they offer and the flexibility in mileage and term lengths. Ultimately, depending on your financial situation and coverage needs, the Ford warranty program might be a great choice for you.

If you’re looking for some additional options, we offer vehicle service contracts through our reputable vendors. We have clearly stated coverage and transparent pricing. We can even jump on a consultation call with you to review all of your options for warranty coverage. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.