Ford Warranty: What’s Covered, For How Long, and Whether Ford Protect Is Worth It
A new Ford warranty comes with two main layers of factory protection. When those expire, Ford Protect extended service plans can pick up where they left off. This guide covers both, plus the add-on plans Ford dealers sell, so you can tell what you already have and what’s worth buying.
Ford’s Factory Warranty at a Glance
| Coverage | Term |
|---|---|
| Bumper-to-bumper (New Vehicle Limited Warranty) | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Corrosion (perforation) | 5 years / unlimited miles |
| Hybrid and EV unique components | 8 years / 100,000 miles |
| Lincoln powertrain | 6 years / 70,000 miles |
Whichever limit you reach first ends the Ford warranty coverage. The Ford warranty clock starts on your delivery date, or the day the vehicle is first put into service, not the model year.
Terms can vary by model year, vehicle type and state, so check the Warranty Guide for your model year at owner.ford.com.
What the Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty Covers
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship from the factory. For three years or 36,000 miles, that applies to most parts of the vehicle, from electronics to steering and air conditioning. It does not cover normal wear or damage you cause.
Ford also expects you to follow the maintenance schedule. If a repair traces back to skipped maintenance, Ford can deny Ford warranty coverage on the affected parts. Keep your service records.
What the Powertrain Warranty Covers
The powertrain warranty runs longer (5 years or 60,000 miles) but covers fewer parts: the engine, transmission and drivetrain components that move the vehicle. It doesn’t cover everything under the hood. If your issue is a failed infotainment screen or a power window motor, you’re relying on the bumper-to-bumper period.
For a side-by-side look at how the two differ, see our bumper-to-bumper vs powertrain warranty guide.
Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Coverage
The Ford warranty extends coverage on unique electrified components to 8 years or 100,000 miles. This includes the high-voltage battery and drive unit on EVs, and the hybrid-specific parts on models like the F-150 PowerBoost. If a covered electric drivetrain part fails, Ford can replace it with a new, remanufactured or refurbished component at its discretion.
Ford Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
Buying a used Ford through the Certified Pre-Owned program adds two Ford warranty layers on top of whatever factory coverage remains:
- Comprehensive Limited Warranty: 12 months / 12,000 miles
- Powertrain Limited Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles from the original in-service date
Repairs under remaining new-vehicle coverage carry a $0 deductible. Under the CPO powertrain coverage, the standard deductible is $100 per repair visit.
Ford Protect: Ford’s Official Extended Warranty
Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (ESPs) are the manufacturer-backed way to extend coverage past the factory warranty. Ford highlights these features:
- Backed by Ford Motor Company
- Repairs done with Ford authorized parts by certified technicians
- Interest-free financing for up to 30 months
- Dealer support across the U.S., Canada and Mexico
- Coverage that moves with the vehicle if you sell it (confirm transfer terms with your dealer)
ESPs cover failures caused by defects in materials and workmanship. Normal wear and tear isn’t included, and on a covered repair you pay only your deductible.
Ford Protect Plan Comparison
| Plan | Components covered | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PowertrainCARE | 29 critical components | Lowest cost; protects against major engine and transmission failures |
| BaseCARE | 84 major components | Adds steering, brakes, front suspension, A/C, heating and electrical |
| ExtraCARE | 113 components | Adds select electronics such as keyless entry, instrument cluster, power seat and window motors |
| PremiumCARE | 1,000+ components | Closest to bumper-to-bumper; includes rear suspension, emissions, safety systems and audio |
EV owners get BaseCARE EV, ExtraCARE EV and PremiumCARE EV. PowertrainCARE isn’t offered for EVs.
Ford says new-vehicle plans can run up to 10 years or 175,000 miles, and used-vehicle plans up to 6 years or 75,000 miles. Eligibility depends on your vehicle’s age and mileage. PowertrainCARE, for example, isn’t available on used vehicles over 75,000 miles.
How Much Does Ford Protect Cost?
Ford doesn’t publish flat prices. Cost depends on the plan, term, mileage, model and your dealer. You can choose a $0, $50, $100 or $200 deductible, with $100 being standard. A lower deductible raises the price, and a higher one lowers it.
As a rough benchmark, ConsumerAffairs collected PremiumCARE quotes in 2024 and found roughly $700 to $1,400 per year of added coverage with a $100 deductible. Treat that as a ballpark only. Get quotes from two or three Ford dealers, since the price is negotiable.
Is a Ford Extended Warranty Worth It?
It depends on how you use the vehicle:
- Likely worth considering if you plan to keep the car well past 36,000 miles, drive a feature-heavy model with lots of electronics, or want to avoid a surprise four-figure repair bill.
- Probably not needed if you trade in every few years or already have strong coverage from another source.
The gap between plans is large. PremiumCARE covers 1,000+ components versus 113 for ExtraCARE, so a cheaper tier may leave out the systems most likely to fail on a modern vehicle. Read the contract for exclusions before you sign.
Other Ford Protect Plans
Ford dealers also sell specialty plans separate from the ESPs:
- Premium Maintenance Plan: prepays scheduled maintenance, including select wear items, at today’s rates at any Ford dealership
- TireCARE Plus: tire and wheel road-hazard protection (off-road option available)
- WindshieldCARE / WindshieldCARE Plus EV: windshield repair and replacement
- DentCARE: minor dent repair
- SurfaceCARE: paint and interior surface protection
- TheftCARE: theft-related protection
- TripleCARE Plus: a bundled plan (off-road option available)
How to Make a Ford Warranty Claim
- Confirm your coverage. Check your warranty booklet or look up your VIN at owner.ford.com.
- Book a Ford dealer. Warranty repairs are done at authorized dealers.
- Bring your maintenance records. These help show the vehicle was serviced on schedule.
- Describe the problem and ask for a written repair order. Keep a copy.
- Pay only what applies. Factory-warranty repairs carry no charge for covered parts; ESP repairs carry your chosen deductible.
For help with an existing plan, call Ford Protect’s Current Plan Help line at 1-800-392-3673 (Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm ET). To ask about buying a plan, call Sales Information at 1-877-794-6434 (same hours).
Related Warranty Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Ford warranty?
New Fords carry 3 years / 36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain, whichever comes first.
Does the Ford warranty transfer to a new owner?
Yes. A subsequent owner of a vehicle still within its warranty period is eligible for the remaining coverage.
Can I buy Ford Protect after my factory warranty expires?
Generally, you should buy while factory coverage is still active, so don’t wait until the last week. Eligibility rules vary, so ask your dealer.
Does the Ford warranty cover oil changes?
No. Routine maintenance is your responsibility under the factory warranty. The Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plan can prepay scheduled maintenance.
What does Ford’s warranty not cover?
Normal wear, damage from accidents or misuse, and problems caused by neglected maintenance. Read your Warranty Guide for the full exclusion list.
Is Ford Protect better than a third-party extended warranty?
Ford Protect is backed by Ford and uses Ford parts and technicians. ConsumerAffairs reported that none of the third-party quotes it collected in 2024 undercut Ford Protect. Compare quotes and contract terms either way.
Check the Latest Official Manufacturer Warranty Before You File
Warranty coverage periods, required proof-of-purchase documents, eligible defect categories, and claim handling times vary by region, model, and authorized seller. Always check the official manufacturer’s latest support portal before filing a claim to confirm your product's eligibility.