Is a Ford Extended Service Plan Right for You?
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Is a Ford extended service plan the best way to protect your Ford in 2021? This article will take a look into the coverage details and costs of a Ford extended warranty to help you decide if the manufacturer has the right plan for your vehicle.
The most effective way to find affordable, comprehensive extended warranty coverage is to familiarize yourself with the best extended car warranty providers and compare quotes between companies. You can start by getting a quote from Endurance, our top recommended provider, above.
Table of contents
What is an Extended Service Plan?
Ford Extended Service Plan |
Coverage Term |
---|---|
PremiumCARE |
8 years/150,000 miles |
ExtraCARE |
3 years/60,000 miles to 8 years/150,000 miles |
BaseCARE |
3 years/60,000 miles to 8 years/150,000 miles |
PowertrainCARE |
8 years/150,000 miles |
If you face a faulty transmission, engine leak, air conditioning malfunction, or a number of other component failures, an extended service plan could help you pay for costly repairs.
When using an extended service plan, you will only have to pay a deductible (usually $0, $50, or $100) for a covered repair. If you pick a reputable extended car warranty company, the provider will pay your mechanic directly instead of having you front repair costs and then wait to be reimbursed.
Where to Buy an Extended Car Warranty
You have two choices when it comes to purchasing an extended car warranty for your Ford vehicle: getting a Ford Protect extended service plan or buying coverage from a third-party provider. Each comes with its own set of pros and cons that should be considered carefully:
Ford ESP Warranty
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a Ford extended service plan:
Pros |
Cons |
---|---|
Repairs performed by specially trained Ford technicians using genuine Ford parts |
Must bring your vehicle to a Ford dealership for repairs |
Plan covers your vehicle’s most common repairs, as well as wear and tear and scheduled maintenance |
Must be purchased before your factory warranty expires |
Third-Party Extended Warranty
If you’re opting for coverage independent of a dealership, consider these pros and cons:
Pros |
Cons |
---|---|
More customizable coverage options |
Monthly cost could outweigh price of repairs |
Your choice of repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE ®) |
Does not cover normal wear-and-tear items or scheduled maintenance visits |
No matter where you purchase an extended car warranty, you can guarantee that it will give you peace of mind to know you’re covered against unforeseeable repair costs.
On the other hand, there is a chance that you’ll pay for coverage you’ll never use. Understanding your car’s reliability and honestly assessing your finances is the first step to deciding whether you need a Ford extended service plan.
What Does the Ford Extended Service Plan Cover?
A Ford extended service plan covers your vehicle for up to 8 years or 150,000 miles. Coverage ranges from basic protection for the powertrain to a comprehensive bumper-to-bumper plan. Ford’s extended service plan must be purchased before your factory warranty expires.
All Ford Motor Company cars and trucks come with a New Vehicle Limited Warranty that provides bumper-to-bumper coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. You have the option to extend your warranty with a Ford extended service plan.
Ford ESPs come in four levels of coverage:
- PremiumCARE: Over 1,000 components are covered in this comprehensive bumper-to-bumper coverage plan
- ExtraCARE: Covers 113 components
- BaseCARE: Covers 84 major engine parts, plus all gaskets and seals
- PowertrainCARE: Covers 29 basic components of your vehicle’s engine, transmission, and drive axle
Compare the four Ford extended car warranty plans to see which best fits your needs:
PowertrainCARE |
BaseCARE |
ExtraCARE |
PremiumCARE |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Engine |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
Transmission |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
Front-Wheel Drive |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
Steering |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Brakes |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Front Suspension |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Air Conditioning and Heating |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Electrical |
✓* |
✓* |
✓* |
|
High-Tech Components |
✓* |
✓* |
||
Rear Suspension |
✓* |
|||
Emissions |
✓* |
|||
Audio |
✓* |
|||
Safety |
✓* |
*Component is partially covered.
With these plans, you can choose a deductible of $0, $50, $100, or $200.
All Ford extended service plans have detailed sample contracts online, which is a good indication that Ford is a trustworthy company. Transparency is an important quality of an extended car warranty company.
When it comes time to file a claim, you don’t want to realize your provider has hidden fees or coverage exceptions noted in the fine print of your contract. Being able to thoroughly examine a sample contract before you even reach out for a quote can save you from these unpleasant surprises down the line.
Benefits of a Ford Extended Warranty
All Ford extended service plans come with benefits, including:
- Rental car reimbursement: Up to $30 per day for a maximum of 10 days
- Towing: Up to $100 in towing assistance
- Travel expenses: Up to $1,000 for a maximum of five days
- Emergency roadside assistance: Includes tire changes, fuel delivery, and lockout services
Each Ford ESP is also 100-percent transferable, which could make your car more attractive to potential buyers if you decide to sell your car. Ford’s website does not indicate that you will need to pay a fee to transfer coverage, but read your contract carefully to be sure.
While the benefits mentioned above are average for the car warranty industry, Ford ESPs stand out due to the fact that they also cover normal wear and tear. Most other extended warranties only cover defects in materials and/or workmanship and do not cover wear-and-tear parts.
Ford Extended Service Plan: Premium Maintenance
Ford also offers a Premium Maintenance extended service plan, which includes coverage for oil changes, tire rotations, and factory-required maintenance. This is unique add-on coverage that you won’t find from most reputable providers.
Some common wear items that need regular replacement and are covered under the Ford Premium Maintenance plan include:
- Brake pads and linings
- Shock absorbers/struts
- Spark plugs
- Clutch discs
- Engine belts
- Wiper blades
The plan comes with a $0 deductible, and all repairs must be done at one of Ford’s 4,000 repair facilities nationwide.
Are Ford Extended Warranty Plans Worth It?
According to RepairPal, the average annual cost of maintaining a Ford is $775, which is high compared to the $652 average across all makes. Keep in mind that repair costs for your vehicle will vary depending on its model, age, mileage, location, and the repair shop you choose.
Fords are also less reliable than the average vehicle. In RepairPal’s 2020 Reliability Rating, Ford received 3.5 out of 5.0 stars, ranking 21st out of 32 car brands. Additionally, 15 percent of Ford repairs are considered “severe,” which is higher than the 12-percent industry average.
For the most popular Ford in America—the Ford F-150—commonly reported repairs and average repair costs are as follows, according to RepairPal:
- Faulty automatic transmission: $4,894 to $7,084
- Air conditioning compressor replacement: $710 to $1,357
- Head gasket replacement: $1,179 to $3,907
- Rack and pinion replacement: $1,677 to $3,218
If you can cover the unexpected cost of these repairs out of pocket, you may not need to buy an extended car warranty. But if these prices are concerning to you, an extended car warranty is a great option to help you budget for unforeseen repairs.
How to Buy a Ford Extended Warranty
You must purchase a Ford ESP within the limits of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which lasts for 3 years/36,000 miles. If you wait until your New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires, you could face a lapse in coverage, and the opportunity to buy a Ford ESP warranty will no longer be available to you.
If you decide that a Ford extended service plan is right for you, contact your local Ford dealership and speak with a customer service representative to see which plan your vehicle qualifies for.
How Much Should an Extended Car Warranty Cost?
Our research indicates that the average cost of a bumper-to-bumper extended car warranty is between $300 and $1,000 per year of coverage. If the price of your Ford extended warranty falls within this range, then you can rest assured you’re paying a good price for extended warranty protection.
We got quotes from top third-party extended car warranty providers for a 2017 Ford Explorer with 45,000 miles on it in North Carolina. This vehicle’s mileage exceeds the term limit for Ford’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, so it would not be eligible for a Ford extended service plan.
Here are the bumper-to-bumper warranty quotes we received for the Ford:
Provider |
Award |
Coverage Term |
Monthly Payment |
Down Payment |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1: Endurance |
Best Coverage |
3 years/ 80,000 miles |
$166.88 for 18 months |
$178.10 |
Get Quote |
#2: CARCHEX |
Best For Used Cars |
5 years/ 100,000 miles |
$202.89 for 18 months |
First payment |
Get Quote |
#3: Protect My Car |
Best Financing |
4 years/ 100,000 miles |
$96.00 for 48 months |
$99.00 |
Get Quote |
#4: CarShield |
Best Value |
Unlimited |
$129.99 monthly |
First payment |
Get Quote |
#5: autopom! |
Best Claims Process |
5 years/ 100,000 miles |
$136.04 for 24 months |
First payment |
Get Quote |
Each of these plans comes with a $100 deductible. This means whether you need your transmission replaced or your air conditioning fixed, you’ll only pay $100 if it's covered under your contract, and your extended warranty provider will take care of the rest.
The cost of your own Ford extended warranty will vary depending on your car’s model, age, mileage, pre-existing conditions, the deductible you choose, and your location.
Like Ford, all of these third-party providers have sample contracts online, which bodes well for each company’s transparency.
Ford Extended Service Plan vs. Third-Party Coverage
Ford Extended Service Plan |
Endurance Extended Warranty |
|
---|---|---|
Coverage Start Date |
Before factory warranty expires |
Anytime |
Longest Term |
150,000 miles |
200,000+ miles |
Levels of Coverage |
4 |
6 |
Deductible |
$0, $50, $100, or $200 |
$0, $50, $100, or $200 |
Where to Get Repairs |
Ford or Lincoln dealerships |
US or Canadian ASE-Certified Ⓡ repair facilities |
Transferability |
✓ |
✓ |
Cancellation |
Full refund available within 30 days, minus a $75 cancellation fee |
Full refund available within 30 days |
Roadside Assistance |
✓ |
✓ |
Rental Car Reimbursement |
✓ |
✓ |
How to Purchase |
Purchase from Ford or Lincoln dealerships |
Get Quote |
An extended warranty from Endurance offers higher mileage limits, your choice of repair facility, fully refundable coverage, and more coverage options than a Ford extended service plan. However, a Ford ESP warranty guarantees genuine parts will be used—and that your technician specializes in Ford repairs. Weigh these pros and cons to decide which extended service plan is right for your Ford.
Final Thoughts on a Ford Extended Service Plan
Ford’s extended service plan will cover your vehicle for up to 8 years or 150,000 miles. There are multiple levels of coverage and Premium Maintenance coverage for oil changes, tire rotations, and factory-required maintenance—which is relatively unique in the industry.
Ford extended service plans from the dealership have average coverage terms compared to third-party warranties, and it’s unfortunate that the Ford ESPs can’t be purchased after a vehicle’s factory warranty expires. Additionally, many third-party providers offer full refunds if customers cancel within 30 days of purchasing, but Ford has a cancellation fee that it deducts from the refund.
Overall, our research indicates that you can find competitive coverage for your Ford from a third-party extended warranty provider.
Start comparing free, personalized quotes for your vehicle below.
Methodology
- 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.
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
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