Ford Extended Warranty Overview
Ford offers PremiumCARE, ExtraCARE, BaseCARE, and PowertrainCARE as its four extended warranty plans, and plans can last up to 10 years or 175,000 miles.
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Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Ford Motor Company offers PremiumCARE, ExtraCARE, BaseCARE, and PowertrainCARE as its four extended warranty plans for gas and diesel vehicles.
- Perks included with a Ford extended warranty include roadside assistance, rental car benefits, emergency travel expense coverage, and more.
- Our latest extended warranty consumer survey found that 48 percent of Ford owners paid between $1,000 and $3,000 for their extended protection plan.
- More than 15 percent of survey respondents paid more than $4,000 for their plans.
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 Coverage
Like most automakers, Ford offers extended warranty coverage to protect owners from unexpected vehicle repair costs after the New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires. You can purchase a Ford extended warranty while the Ford factory warranty is in effect, and you’ll likely be offered the option to purchase extended coverage when buying a new Ford through a Ford dealership.
Ford Extended Warranty Plans
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’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:
| Component(s) | PremiumCARE | ExtraCARE | BaseCARE | PowertrainCARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear-wheel drive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front-wheel drive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Brakes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Front suspension | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| A/C and heating | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| High-tech | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Rear suspension | ✓ | |||
| Emissions | ✓ | |||
| Audio | ✓ | |||
| Safety | ✓ | |||
| Total components covered | 1,000+ | 113 | 84 | 29 |
You can expect covered repairs through these plans to be done using genuine Ford parts installed by Ford’s factory-trained auto technicians. You can also receive repairs through both Ford dealers and Lincoln dealers, as this Lincoln is Ford’s luxury brand.
You can choose the time and mileage limits with any plan – up to 10 years/175,000 miles. This lets you customize the coverage and price for your situation. The shortest term for the PowertrainCARE plan is 6 years/75,000 miles, because the factory powertrain warranty lasts for 5 years/60,000 miles.
Ford PremiumCARE Warranty
As the most extensive Ford extended warranty, Ford PremiumCARE is comprehensive coverage with more than 1,000 components covered. A car’s powertrain, air conditioning and heating, electrical, audio, and safety systems are covered, among many more. The Ford PremiumCARE warranty is the only Ford ESP to include the powertrain control module (PCM).
Ford ExtraCARE Warranty
This Ford extended service plan includes coverage for 113 components that impact drivability and vehicle performance. It includes complete coverage for steering and braking, plus partial coverage for the engine, transmission, and electrical components. Coverage for the rear suspension, safety systems, emissions, audio, and PCM is not included.
Ford BaseCARE Warranty
This plan partially covers the powertrain, brakes, front suspension, air conditioning and heating, and electrical systems. It only completely covers the steering system. A total of 84 components are covered, but BaseCARE doesn’t include the radiator or its fan, the fuel tank and lines, the flywheel ring gear, or gas fuel injectors and lines.
Ford PowertrainCARE Warranty
This plan is basic, partially covering the engine and transmission for the most critical issues, plus rear-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. A total of 29 components are covered, and several plan-term options are available.
Ford Extended Warranty Used Plans
Once the factory warranty has expired, your car is eligible for a Used Plan if it’s 14 model years old or newer. Terms vary from 1 year/10,000 miles to 6 years/75,000 miles from the warranty purchase date. The coverage options are the same as New Plans, though coverage and term availability depend on your car’s age.
Ford Electric Vehicle Extended Plans
Ford has several electric vehicle (EV) models in its lineup, so it makes sense that the automaker offers extended plans for these cars. You’ll find three levels of coverage to choose from that can last up to 10 years/175,000 miles. See the table below for a breakdown of offered plans:
| Ford EV Plan | Details |
|---|---|
| PremiumCARE EV | Covers 1000+ parts for electrical, high-tech, suspension, brakes, steering, air conditioning components, and more |
| ExtraCARE EV | Covers 113 parts that affect your EV’s drivetrain as well as some high-tech component coverage |
| BaseCARE EV | Covers 84 components that impact your Ford EV’s drivability and performance |
Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plan
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.
Ford Extended Warranty Benefits
Most extended warranty providers offer various perks, and Ford is no exception to the norm. Benefits included with a Ford protection plan include:
- Ford authorized parts and service
- 100 percent transferable coverage
- Destination assistance (up to $75)
- Interest-free financing (for up to 30 months)
- Rental vehicle benefits ($60 per day for 10 days)
- 24-hour roadside assistance (tire changes, tows, fuel deliveries, jump-starts)
- Emergency travel expense coverage (up to $1,000 within the first 5 days)
- Service at every Ford and Lincoln location in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Ford Extended Warranty Cost
Ford offers what many auto manufacturers don’t: online pricing. In other words, you can go to Ford’s extended warranty website, add your address and vehicle details, and then see what you’d pay for each plan depending on the time and mileage you select. This makes it easy to shop for a warranty.
Our team pulled sample quotes for two Ford vehicles with two time/mileage selections on all four plans. All the costs below include a $100 deductible, but Ford also offers $0, $50, $200, and disappearing deductibles.
Ford plans vary in cost widely depending on the term you select. If you want 10 years/175,000 miles of PremiumCARE coverage, you’ll pay about $1,000 per year of coverage. But if you go for a 7-year/100,000-mile plan, you’ll pay about $400 per year of coverage.
Ford F-150 Extended Warranty Cost
Below are prices for each Ford extended warranty plan for a 2022 Ford F-150. These costs apply to the maximum length of a plan, which is 10 years/175,000 miles from the in-service date.
| Plan | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| PremiumCARE | $6,725 |
| ExtraCARE | $4,985 |
| BaseCARE | $4,515 |
| PowertrainCARE | $4,120 |
And below, you can see Ford F-150 extended warranty costs for a term of 7 years/100,000 miles, which is a common warranty term in the industry.
| Plan | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| PremiumCARE | $2,745 |
| ExtraCARE | $2,365 |
| BaseCARE | $2,205 |
| PowertrainCARE | $1,970 |
Ford Escape Extended Warranty Cost
Now we’ll take a look at Ford extended warranty costs for a 2021 Escape. You’ll notice the costs below are slightly higher than the warranty costs for the F-150. Here are the four plan costs with a 10-year/175,000-mile term:
| Plan | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| PremiumCARE | $7,530 |
| ExtraCARE | $5,565 |
| BaseCARE | $4,995 |
| PowertrainCARE | $4,560 |
And here are the four extended warranty plans for a 7-year/100,000-mile term:
| Plan | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| PremiumCARE | $3,020 |
| ExtraCARE | $2,590 |
| BaseCARE | $2,435 |
| PowertrainCARE | $2,270 |
What Ford Owners Paid
Our team recently conducted an extended warranty survey of 1,000 people who had purchased a manufacturer-backed extended warranty. Out of the total number of respondents, 167 purchased their plan for a Ford.
We asked participants how much they paid for their Ford extended warranty in total to get a better sense of costs outside of what we were quoted. Almost 48 percent of this subgroup of respondents paid between $1,000 and $3,000 in total for their coverage, and more than 15 percent of respondents paid more than $4,000 for their plans.
Is A Ford Extended Warranty Worth It?
Of the drivers we polled who had purchased Ford extended warranties from the dealer, 82 percent were satisfied with the coverage. A smaller group would not choose to purchase manufacturer coverage again.
- “I’m very satisfied with it[.] I had my engine blow up and it helped cover [some] of the cost for it, it was a $10,000 engine and we got $4,000 [off].”
- “I am very satisfied with my extended service warranty that I purchased with my new vehicle purchase. It has already paid for itself in the first 16 months since I purchased it.”
- “Not very [satisfied.] It was pulling teeth trying to get what was covered on warranty[.] I would.never buy a warranty from them again.”
Almost 63 percent of our warranty survey respondents with Ford models said they would consider extended protection from a third-party provider next go-around. A third-party extended warranty for your Ford can provide comparable coverage and offer several advantages over Ford’s options.
To its credit, Ford’s maximum coverage of 10 years/150,000 miles is some of the longest we’ve seen from manufacturer extended warranties. However, protection from a third-party company can go even longer. You can easily find a warranty provider that protects your car past 200,000 miles.
Do You Already Have Ford Factory Coverage?
If the car is new and covered by its original bumper-to-bumper warranty, you might not need an extended warranty yet. Just keep in mind that it’s often cheaper to start the extended warranty while you still have factory coverage.
Ford Repair Costs
Given the information above, let’s compare the Ford extended warranty cost to the amount you could pay for repairs. RepairPal gives Ford 3.5 out of 5.0 stars for reliability, which makes it 21st out of 32 ranked car brands. The company reports an average annual repair cost of $775 per year for Fords, which is higher than the industry average of $652 per year.
J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠ didn’t paint a better picture, either – Ford came in 28th out of 32 car brands for reliability in the study, suffering 249 mechanical problems per 100 vehicles. This is well below the industry average (186 problems per 100 cars).
RepairPal reports an average annual repair cost of $775 per year for Ford, which is about 19 percent higher than the industry average of $652 per year.
Common Ford Repair Costs
Here are a few common vehicle repair costs you might run into with a Ford:
| Model | Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus | Rack and pinion replacement | $1,477 to $1,654 |
| Ford F-150 | Suspension shock or strut replacement | $798 to $1,054 |
| Ford Explorer | Control arm replacement | $561 to $646 |
| Ford Escape | Intake manifold gasket replacement | $625 to $713 |
| Ford Bronco | Distributor assembly replacement | $392 to $578 |
Do these estimated costs make you nervous? Financing your repairs through an extended warranty can provide you with peace of mind around potential repair bills as your vehicle ages. Ford offers interest-free financing for all plans, so no need to roll your plan into your car loan if you have one.
Ford Vs. Third-Party Extended Warranties
We’ve spent over 1,475 hours of research in the extended warranty space. This includes gathering hundreds of quotes for plans, pouring over countless customer reviews, surveying thousands of extended warranty owners, and even purchasing plans for our own vehicles to immerse ourselves in the full ownership experience.
This research has led to the development of our ratings methodology, which helps us calculate overall rating scores for more than 40 third-party providers based on industry standing, coverage, cost, transparency, and customer service.
How does Ford’s extended warranty compare to other options we’ve researched on the market? While Ford offers four coverage levels, many extended warranty companies, including CarShield and Endurance, offer more options. For example, CarShield has four “traditional” extended warranty plans, as well as a high-tech plan, all-electric vehicle plan, and a specialty vehicle plan. Endurance offers six warranties, including one that covers maintenance services as well.
Flexibility is also built into third-party extended warranties, as most allow you to visit more than 30,000 certified repair facilities, not just Ford or Lincoln service centers. Lastly, you won’t miss out on roadside assistance and other benefits with a third-party extended warranty. These are included in almost every contract.
Ford Extended Warranty Comparison
For a closer look, here’s a side-by-side comparison of Ford’s extended warranties and plans from Carchex, one of our top three highest-rated providers.
| Ford Extended Warranty | Carchex Extended Vehicle Protection Plans | |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible | $100 standard for new and used vehicle plans | As low as $0 |
| Mechanic/Repair Facility Options | Must be serviced by a Ford or Lincoln dealership | Choice from a network of 30,000 repair shops |
| Coverage Plan Levels | 4 tiers | 5 tiers and 21 contracts |
| Payment Options | 0% interest payment plans available | 0% interest payment plans available |
| Transferability | 100% transferable | 100% transferable |
| Additional Benefits |
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In our survey of Ford extended warranty consumers, here’s how drivers responded when we asked how much they had paid for their coverage from the dealership:
- 17 percent reported paying under $1,000
- 23 percent reported paying $1,000 to $2,000
- 24 percent reported paying $2,000 to $3,000
- 16 percent reported paying $3,000 to $4,000
- 11 percent reported paying $4,000 to $5,000
- 5 percent reported paying more than $5,000
Pricing varies widely depending on your model and the level of coverage you choose. By comparison, our research team mystery shopped with more than 40 independent extended warranty providers and found average monthly rates to be between $120 and $135 across the industry’s most popular makes and models. The total price of a third-party warranty depends on many factors but averages around $3,000, according to our research.
Our research shows that the most popular third-party warranty providers are Endurance, Carchex, and CarShield.
Endurance
Our choice for Best Coverage is Endurance. The company offers direct-to-consumer extended warranties, unlike many third-party brokers in the extended warranty industry. This means warranty services all come directly from Endurance, and the provider handles all claims directly. Endurance Elite Benefits is included with your warranty for one year, and this perk includes roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, towing, tire repairs and replacements, and more.
There’s no middleman, and excellent customer service during the quotes and claims processes is a focus of many of the positive Endurance warranty reviews. Endurance offers six different coverage plans:
| Endurance Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Select Premier | The Select Premier plan is Endurance’s plan for high-mileage vehicles. The warranty has a fairly extensive inclusion list that focuses on the powertrain. The brakes and suspension are not included in this plan. |
| Secure | This is Endurance’s most basic auto warranty that only covers parts of the powertrain, meaning the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Your vehicle’s most vital, expensive parts to repair will be covered. |
| Secure Plus | This mid-level warranty provides the shortest wait time out of all the plans. The waiting period for coverage is only 30 days or 1,000 miles. |
| Superior | This high-tier comprehensive plan provides great coverage for hundreds of listed parts throughout the vehicle. |
| Supreme | This top-tier plan is Endurance’s exclusionary, bumper-to-bumper warranty. It includes coverage for most parts with only some exclusions. Excluded parts include the safety restraint system, glass, light bulbs/LED lights, battery, high-tech items (unless you add this coverage), and cosmetic portions of your vehicle. |
| EnduranceAdvantage™ | This plan covers mechanical breakdowns as well as maintenance, like oil changes, engine diagnostics, and brake pad replacements. |
CarShield
CarShield is our choice for the Best for Electric Vehicles because the company offers a rare EV plan that provides excellent coverage for your Tesla, Ford, Prius, or other electric car. It has served more than one million consumers since starting in 2005 and is endorsed by many celebrities and television personalities.
A few CarShield highlights include:
- 4.2-star Google rating based on over 7,000 reviews
- Listed on Inc. 5000 America’s Fastest-Growing Companies
- Featured on CNN, HGTV, ESPN, TBS, and more
- Specialty motorcycle and ATV coverage is available
| CarShield Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Diamond | This plan protects your Ford like a bumper-to-bumper warranty. It’s the most comprehensive plan offered by CarShield. |
| Platinum | Choose this plan for high-mileage vehicles that might require additional repairs. Coverage includes the powertrain, plus the suspension, steering, radiator, electrical components, and braking system. |
| Gold | This plan is also known as powertrain plus coverage. It includes the fuel delivery system, starter, alternator, and air conditioning. |
| Silver | Effectively a powertrain warranty, this tier covers the engine, transmission, water pump, transfer case, and drive axle. |
| Aluminum | The High-Tech plan provides coverage for all of your vehicle’s technology, including the stereo system, power windows, and navigation system. |
| Electric Vehicle | This plan is exclusively designed for fully electric vehicles. Coverage includes protection for your EV’s drive unit, electrical system, battery pack, and more. |
To find the best extended car warranty company for you, we suggest contacting several providers. Get a free quote and take note of down payment costs, what coverage level is offered, and how many months you can pay. That way, you can find a good fit for your vehicle and budget.
Ford Extended Warranties: 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 CarShield, Endurance, and 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.
Extended Warranty Ford: FAQ
Below are common questions people ask about Ford extended warranties.
How long do Ford extended warranties last?
You can somewhat customize the length of your Ford extended warranty plan. Ford ESP warranty coverage can range from 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/175,000 miles.
What benefits are included?
Ford extended warranties come with 24-hour roadside assistance, which includes towing, lockout services, tire changes, fuel deliveries, and jump-start services. Emergency travel expenses, rental car reimbursement, and destination assistance benefits are also included.
What does a Ford extended warranty not cover?
None of Ford’s extended warranties includes wear-and-tear items like tires, brake pads, and windshield wipers. Routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations also aren’t covered.
How much does a Ford extended warranty cost?
From the quotes we collected for a 2022 Ford F-150, Ford’s highest level of extended coverage (PremiumCARE) was a total of $6,725 for the full term (10 years/150,000 miles). For the lowest coverage level (PowertrainCARE), the total was $4,120. The cost of a Ford extended warranty varies by your vehicle’s year, model, mileage, plus how many miles you drive per year, the coverage you choose, and more.
What repair facilities and parts are used?
Ford emphasizes that its ESPs are designed to “keep your Ford a Ford,” as repairs are made with genuine Ford authorized parts by factory-trained and certified technicians.
Is an inspection required?
If you purchase your Ford extended warranty within the time and the mileage of your Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty, (3 years or 36,000 miles), no inspection is required.
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.
