Ford Extended Warranty Cost: Is It Worth It?

Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products in this article.

• Ford extended warranty costs vary based on dealer markups and specific model types.
• The Ford Extended Service Plan (ESP) covers mechanical repairs for up to eight years or 150,000 miles past the car’s in-service date.
• Compare prices from independent extended warranty companies with Ford’s plans to see which one offers the best value for your money.

Ford’s extended warranty contract is long, but it all boils down to one question: is it worth it? While you’ll need to decide whether Ford extended warranty costs make sense, our team will break down various price estimates to help you decide.

We’ve analyzed Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (ESPs), and they’re solid options with multiple choices for term lengths and coverage levels. However, they can be a bit expensive depending on where you get them. Before settling on a plan, it’s a good idea to compare Ford extended warranty costs with coverage options from leading providers like Endurance.

How Much Does a Ford Extended Warranty Cost?

Ford’s extended warranty options are called Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (ESPs). You can buy them from your local Ford dealership, from a dealership that sells plans online, or directly from the Ford Protect website. No matter where you shop, the plans are identical – but the prices might not be.

So, how much does a Ford extended warranty cost? According to our research, drivers typically find prices of between $2,200 and $4,300 for coverage, though Ford mentioned that many motorists can get warranty protection for much less.

The average Ford extended warranty costs motorists $2,590, according to the company. Below are a few quotes that drivers have received from Ford and where they got them:

As you can see, Ford extended warranty costs vary widely depending on where you get a plan. Some online dealers are known for providing much more affordable coverage than in-person dealerships or the Ford Protect website. This is likely because they have goals to sell a certain number of warranties per month.

Ford Protect Prices vs. Third-Party Prices

In our research, we’ve reviewed quotes from many leading extended warranty companies for a variety of vehicles and plans. So, how do Ford extended warranty costs compare?

Ford’s prices are generally comparable to those from independent providers, though this depends on the dealership. Our research team found that the average cost for a third-party extended warranty is $2,601, while Ford says that its average warranty costs $2,590.

If you decide to purchase an official Ford Protect plan from your local dealer, we’d recommend getting quotes from online dealers beforehand and bringing them to the dealership. It’s possible to negotiate with local dealers when you bring in evidence of lower prices. Some may even price-match Ford extended warranty costs from another dealership.

What Affects Ford Extended Warranty Costs?

Other than variations in price between dealers, a few other factors affect the price of a Ford Extended Service Plan:

• Plan level: A bumper-to-bumper extended warranty will cost the most, while a simple powertrain plan will cost the least.
• Deductible: Ford gives drivers a choice between a $0, $50, $100, or $200 deductible. Paying a higher deductible will lower the overall cost of the plan.
• Plan term: Plans that last longer cost more. You can save money by opting for a plan that covers fewer total miles if you drive less than the average person.
• Vehicle: Different vehicles in Ford’s lineup can have different extended warranty prices. For example, a Ford Edge extended warranty costs less than a Ford F-250 extended warranty. This reflects the average cost of repairs for the vehicles. Coverage also costs more for older vehicles with a higher number of miles.

What Does a Ford Extended Warranty Cover?

The Ford extended warranty is a solid option compared to many other manufacturer extended warranties. That’s because Ford Protect ESPs come in four levels of coverage with four deductible options and many different time and mileage limits. Some manufacturers only offer one or two options in those categories.

You can select plans that extend for up to eight years or 150,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date. You can also mix and match mileage and time limits to account for your annual driving habits. Here’s an overview of what the Ford extended warranty covers:

Ford Protect ESP Added Benefits

Along with coverage for mechanical breakdowns, Ford extended warranties come with the following benefits:

• Up to 10 days of rental car coverage
• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Up to 30-month financing with no interest
• Transferable coverage

Ford Extended Warranty Cost: Is It Worth It?

The bumper-to-bumper portion of the Ford warranty that comes on all new vehicles lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain section extends to five years. These are relatively short coverage periods, but pretty standard across the auto industry. Below, we’ll explain whether it’s worth it to get a Ford extended warranty on your aging vehicle.

Keep in mind that the Ford extended warranty costs we found range from about $2,200 to $4,300. Would you rack up over $4,300 in repair costs over the life of the plan? Maybe, maybe not. While repair costs are unpredictable, finding a lower price for the same coverage makes the plan more worth it.

Also, think about how long you want to have coverage for your Ford. Ford’s ESP can add up to five years of protection after the factory warranty expires. While that isn’t the longest coverage in the industry, it’s nice to know you have other perks like roadside assistance and 10 days of rental car coverage.

Ford Average Annual Repair Costs

Another factor to look into is what you could pay in annual Ford maintenance costs without a warranty. RepairPal ranks Ford 21st out of 32 car brands for repair and maintenance costs, which means it has slightly higher-than-average costs. Models like the Fusion or Escape have cheaper costs than many of Ford’s trucks, full-size SUVs, and sports cars.

Here are a few repairs you might encounter on a Ford beyond its factory warranty period and what they cost, according to RepairPal:

Should I Buy a Third-Party Extended Warranty?

While Ford is the only place to get a Ford Protect ESP, you can find comparable coverage from a wide range of independent vehicle service contract providers. Third-party plans can also provide extras like 24-hour roadside assistance and rental car coverage, and they sometimes exceed Ford’s service offerings as well.

Pros of Third-Party Extended Warranties

So, why choose an independent contract provider? Well, there are a few reasons. For example, independent plans offer exceptional flexibility in the following ways:

• After your factory warranty expires, you have access to nearly any third-party plan. With the automaker, you only have two Ford Continued Service Plan (CSP) options to pick from.
• Independent plans can extend up to 250,000 miles and cover vehicles up to 20 model years old. Ford’s longest coverage protects vehicles that are up to 10 years old.
• Visit any licensed mechanic for service with an independent warranty. Ford Protect ESPs require you to visit either Ford or Lincoln dealerships for service.

Third-party plans can also cover more parts than the Ford extended warranty. For example, only Ford’s PremiumCARE plan covers wheel bearings, while all Endurance plans cover these parts.

How Much Do Third-Party Warranties Cost?

Cost is another major factor in weighing the pros and cons of an extended car warranty. Our research shows that the average Ford extended warranty costs $3,173, while the automaker says its average is $2,590.

The average third-party contract costs $2,601, according to our research data. Independent warranty contracts are often cheaper than the ones through Ford, and third-party options could provide longer-lasting coverage than the Ford Protect ESP as well.

Look at Sample Contracts for Ford & Third-Party Plans

Another nice thing about leading warranty providers is that they provide clear sample contracts online for you to compare what’s covered under each option. This means you can read through the contracts on your own time instead of while in the finance office at a dealership.

Ford Extended Warranty Cost: Conclusion

Compare Ford extended warranty costs from the dealer with third-party options to get a better sense of the market’s going rate. That way, you’ll be able to figure out whether Ford or an independent warranty provider has the best plan for your needs.

Alongside Ford Protect ESPs, we’d recommend looking into offerings from Endurance, CARCHEX, and CarShield. Each provider is known to have relatively reasonable rates, holds an established industry reputation, and offers plenty of added benefits.

Endurance: Best Overall

If you could only consider one extended auto warranty provider, we’d go with Endurance. The company has been in business since 2005 and is one of the industry’s only direct warranty options. Most drivers have positive experiences with Endurance – the company has a 4.0- out of 5.0-star rating on Trustpilot and a 3.5-star rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Endurance Warranty Highlights

Here are a few top features that come with Endurance coverage:

• Endurance offers an accessible pricing structure with a variety of plans, deductibles, and payment options.
• Endurance warranties can cover up to 200,000 miles, which is plenty of protection for older vehicles.
• Drivers can choose from five standard plans plus the EnduranceAdvantage^TM plan, which includes maintenance.

Protection plans from Endurance also come with a slew of benefits. Drivers get one year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which includes tire replacements, key fob replacements, collision discounts, and total loss protection. Plans also include 24-hour roadside assistance, trip interruption benefits, and rental car coverage for the duration of the contract.

Read more: Endurance warranty review

CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars

If your Ford vehicle has been past its original warranty period for a long time, consider that CARCHEX has plans that last for up to 250,000 miles. The company, which started offering warranty products in 2004, has five plans that can cover everything from the basic powertrain components to high-tech electronics. CARCHEX holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB and it has a 3.0-star rating on Trustpilot.

CARCHEX Warranty Highlights

Along with reasonable costs and impressive coverage options, CARCHEX warranty plans come with the following perks:

• Towing reimbursement
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Rental car reimbursement for covered repairs
• Trip interruption reimbursement

Read more: CARCHEX review

CarShield: Most Affordable

If your main goal is to keep Ford extended warranty costs as low as possible, CarShield is worth checking out. Our research team pulled quotes from extended warranty providers across the industry, and CarShield offered the cheapest quotes overall.

CarShield has been in business since 2005, and it has become an extremely popular provider for vehicle protection plans. The company has an impressive 4.0-star rating from over 33,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot.

CarShield Warranty Highlights

CarShield offers six plans that range from basic powertrain protection up to factory-style coverage plans. To make the experience of a mechanical breakdown a bit less stressful, CarShield plans come with:

• Rental car coverage
• Towing reimbursement
• 24/7 roadside assistance

Read more: CarShield review

Ford Extended Warranty Cost: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Ford extended warranty costs.

Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.

• Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
• Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
• Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
• Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.