ford dealer extended warranty - after review and dont recomend
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,051
Likes: 2,121
haha....jokes on us if you have it and cant use it....would rather not have it and apply the money to the repairs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
First, make sure you have a good relationship with your ford service center. This is critical.
If you take your ford to the local valvoline/quick change/firestone/etc., for all your routine work, then the only time you will see your Ford service center is for a problem. At this point, they have no history with you, they have no history with the truck/vehicle, they have nothing they can look up to see "yes, this truck gets regular service", so everything is going to be questioned.
Once you've established that relationship, it's a lot easier to see what is normal, vs them avoiding you.
Example. My service center location (like a lot around here), only has one diesel mechanic. If I want ANY service on my truck, their in-house policies require a diesel mechanic to work on it. This means I might be waiting 2 or more weeks for both routine work (including things like brakes) and for emergency work. You cannot compare diesel service to gas engine service. If I got a 6.8 or a 7.3, I suspect that my wait times would be shorter. That said, I also know they only have 2 lifts that can handle my truck. If any of you folks have a lightning, Mach E, or other EV with Ford, is this also an issue there? Can anyone work on your vehicle, or do you require an EV tech? Is that EV tech a dedicated person, or can tech train to also do that work?
I do have a relationship with my service center. I work with them on many aspects of my truck and I've always had good luck with it.
I keep my vehicles a long time, 10 years or more until they start racking up more in repair bills than they do in a year worth of car payments.
Each vehicle I've had has had an extended warranty of 7/100. While some did not get a good ROI, most have, so I am definitely getting one on my new truck
One other thing...sometimes, a service manager will have a strong hint that they don't want to do the work for a reason. I once took my F-350 in because it had gotten loud. Ford service told me I would need to get new pipes starting right after SCR. He then told me he STRONGLY recommended I go see an independent mechanic for a second opinion. The independent mechanic said I didn't needs new pipes, just three new bolts and a flange as two of the bolts on a flange had broken, but the bolts were integral to one side of the OEM flange. She cut the old flange off, welded a new one on that would allow for replaceable bolts, then bolted it right up and saved me over one thousand bucks. Ford service could not do that, but the independent could, and they directed me there specifically because of that.
If you take your ford to the local valvoline/quick change/firestone/etc., for all your routine work, then the only time you will see your Ford service center is for a problem. At this point, they have no history with you, they have no history with the truck/vehicle, they have nothing they can look up to see "yes, this truck gets regular service", so everything is going to be questioned.
Once you've established that relationship, it's a lot easier to see what is normal, vs them avoiding you.
Example. My service center location (like a lot around here), only has one diesel mechanic. If I want ANY service on my truck, their in-house policies require a diesel mechanic to work on it. This means I might be waiting 2 or more weeks for both routine work (including things like brakes) and for emergency work. You cannot compare diesel service to gas engine service. If I got a 6.8 or a 7.3, I suspect that my wait times would be shorter. That said, I also know they only have 2 lifts that can handle my truck. If any of you folks have a lightning, Mach E, or other EV with Ford, is this also an issue there? Can anyone work on your vehicle, or do you require an EV tech? Is that EV tech a dedicated person, or can tech train to also do that work?
I do have a relationship with my service center. I work with them on many aspects of my truck and I've always had good luck with it.
I keep my vehicles a long time, 10 years or more until they start racking up more in repair bills than they do in a year worth of car payments.
Each vehicle I've had has had an extended warranty of 7/100. While some did not get a good ROI, most have, so I am definitely getting one on my new truck
One other thing...sometimes, a service manager will have a strong hint that they don't want to do the work for a reason. I once took my F-350 in because it had gotten loud. Ford service told me I would need to get new pipes starting right after SCR. He then told me he STRONGLY recommended I go see an independent mechanic for a second opinion. The independent mechanic said I didn't needs new pipes, just three new bolts and a flange as two of the bolts on a flange had broken, but the bolts were integral to one side of the OEM flange. She cut the old flange off, welded a new one on that would allow for replaceable bolts, then bolted it right up and saved me over one thousand bucks. Ford service could not do that, but the independent could, and they directed me there specifically because of that.
After service I always make sure to fill out the survey and give it 5 stars. That’s how they’re evaluated and likely get bonuses. So the more I help him, he may try and help with other things.
I like the dealer. Their truck shop is incredibly busy so it’s not necessarily fast appointments. But I can’t complain when they discount things for me.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 1,532
I’ve noticed this myself. I’ve been using my dealer for all my regulars and warranty work. Recently have had rotor warping issues and I’m outside of the 3yr/36k but they only charge labor and ford has “paid” for the parts. So it’s the same cost if I did it myself but now I don’t have to do it and if something goes wrong I can take it right back. Also it keeps the service in house so then there can’t be any questions on the dealer/Ford’s part.
After service I always make sure to fill out the survey and give it 5 stars. That’s how they’re evaluated and likely get bonuses. So the more I help him, he may try and help with other things.
I like the dealer. Their truck shop is incredibly busy so it’s not necessarily fast appointments. But I can’t complain when they discount things for me.
After service I always make sure to fill out the survey and give it 5 stars. That’s how they’re evaluated and likely get bonuses. So the more I help him, he may try and help with other things.
I like the dealer. Their truck shop is incredibly busy so it’s not necessarily fast appointments. But I can’t complain when they discount things for me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,205
Likes: 55
why do you think the ESP has anything to do with getting service?
unless things have changed, parts and service rates are the same regardless of how the dealer gets paid.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,866
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ESP is just insurance for automobiles. Insurance providers don't make money by paying out the standard rates without a fight.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,914
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Me, if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all, so I usually end up getting the ESP because if not I'll get screwed harder down the road.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,205
Likes: 55
Ask your dealer if they get paid a different rate for the bumper to bumper, ESP or customer cash.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 1,532
Not true, it is not insurance at all, it is a service contract. If it was insurance the sellers would have to be licensed and it would fall under the insurance and banking commissions that many states have.
Ask your dealer if they get paid a different rate for the bumper to bumper, ESP or customer cash.
Ask your dealer if they get paid a different rate for the bumper to bumper, ESP or customer cash.
But for those people who do use it, and have major issues that cost more than the ESP's initial cost, the OEM is paying for that out of pocket...or rather, out of the funds that the sales of ESPs bring in. Because like insurance, claims are paid out of the pot that everyone who purchases an ESP pays into.
So it's the same concept, but for repairs instead of accidents/theft. Which is why they can say it's 'not insurance' even though it behaves EXACTLY the same.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,866
Likes: 2,244
Not true, it is not insurance at all, it is a service contract. If it was insurance the sellers would have to be licensed and it would fall under the insurance and banking commissions that many states have.
Ask your dealer if they get paid a different rate for the bumper to bumper, ESP or customer cash.
Ask your dealer if they get paid a different rate for the bumper to bumper, ESP or customer cash.
If you don't see it being an insurance in the sense that it''s a financial product where you don't have a defined benefit from it eg oil changes, brake pad changes, etc but rather just hedging against the possibility of something going wrong, then sure, call it whatever you want.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 177
well, its the end of my ford extended warranty. it basically was a total waste of money. for some it might be a good deal...but..my experience is if you live or travel to a large metro area...the ford extended warranty could be a total waste of money.
wish it wasnt the case...but it is what it is.
AND...it seemed to me that during calls to the service dept for help...it seemed the second the service department picked up on your extended warranty...totlly different demeanor. in all cases...reguardless if I was in NYC, orlando, or where ever...it was always the same sotry...no appts within a 100 mile radius...and if they gave you a token appt for 30 days out....a week before the appt I would get a call that they were going to reschedule...in most cases...they moved the appt another 30 days out.....and...you guessed it...a week before that appt...same thing...they call to move it. A few times they had to drop me off the system and put me on a paper someday list .
SO..before buying an extended ford warranty...do your home work and find out if FORD will have appts when you need it.
some of the things I had to fix on my dime becuase I could not use the extended warranty.....
drive shaft twisted and started to vibrate = 1200 bucks
loss of power and wrench light - exhaust back pressure sensor / MAF / MAP / IAT = dont remember the exact cost but around 300
Throttle body = about 4 hundred
engine bay fuel filter which only had a few thousand miles and was a rotorcraft burst = cost of filter, tow off the highway, a few ubers
on the positive side...had a service charging system now dash light...that was fixed under extended...but had to take it 3 states away. turned out to be a wire that ford had to by pass.
it was a good feel good having the extended warranty until I actually needed it.
you guys that have great access to repair service.....definitely should buy the warranty.
but...if you live in a large metro area ...better check into the availability of repair appts for extended warranty customers.
wish it wasnt the case...but it is what it is.
AND...it seemed to me that during calls to the service dept for help...it seemed the second the service department picked up on your extended warranty...totlly different demeanor. in all cases...reguardless if I was in NYC, orlando, or where ever...it was always the same sotry...no appts within a 100 mile radius...and if they gave you a token appt for 30 days out....a week before the appt I would get a call that they were going to reschedule...in most cases...they moved the appt another 30 days out.....and...you guessed it...a week before that appt...same thing...they call to move it. A few times they had to drop me off the system and put me on a paper someday list .
SO..before buying an extended ford warranty...do your home work and find out if FORD will have appts when you need it.
some of the things I had to fix on my dime becuase I could not use the extended warranty.....
drive shaft twisted and started to vibrate = 1200 bucks
loss of power and wrench light - exhaust back pressure sensor / MAF / MAP / IAT = dont remember the exact cost but around 300
Throttle body = about 4 hundred
engine bay fuel filter which only had a few thousand miles and was a rotorcraft burst = cost of filter, tow off the highway, a few ubers
on the positive side...had a service charging system now dash light...that was fixed under extended...but had to take it 3 states away. turned out to be a wire that ford had to by pass.
it was a good feel good having the extended warranty until I actually needed it.
you guys that have great access to repair service.....definitely should buy the warranty.
but...if you live in a large metro area ...better check into the availability of repair appts for extended warranty customers.
I had an ESP on my F150. Got a free oil pan and installation out of it. I lost on that deal. On my 2020 SD I still have 3 years to go and haven't had a claim yet. The reason I bought it was for CP4 coverage. I can ONLY hope that if it fails they will cover it
4wd Low
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 14
Likes: 4
- allways take my truck to a rural ford, or rural fleet ford, where they actually know trucks. Never to a city ford where they cant even lift it.
- never buy the warranty or truecoat. Most likely, im useing a private mom pop shop for repairs that I dont have patience for.
-ford dealers have had a capone level of corruption for as long as Ive been alive.
- never buy the warranty or truecoat. Most likely, im useing a private mom pop shop for repairs that I dont have patience for.
-ford dealers have had a capone level of corruption for as long as Ive been alive.
Learned on a previous car for my wife (a Hyundai Elantra) that third party warranties sold by the dealer are completely worthless. Fortunately, I found out soon enough that I could cancel and get a full refund. Took five minutes of saying hard "no's" to the finance guy for this truck, but he finally wrote the contract without getting his commission for the aftermarket warranty.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 1,532
I won't darken the door of a Ford (or any) dealership's service shop unless it's regular warranty or recall. Have a great mechanic who's kept me on the road (including the 30,000 miles/year years when I had a location photography business) that can handle anything, no need to deal in stealership grief.
Learned on a previous car for my wife (a Hyundai Elantra) that third party warranties sold by the dealer are completely worthless. Fortunately, I found out soon enough that I could cancel and get a full refund. Took five minutes of saying hard "no's" to the finance guy for this truck, but he finally wrote the contract without getting his commission for the aftermarket warranty.
Learned on a previous car for my wife (a Hyundai Elantra) that third party warranties sold by the dealer are completely worthless. Fortunately, I found out soon enough that I could cancel and get a full refund. Took five minutes of saying hard "no's" to the finance guy for this truck, but he finally wrote the contract without getting his commission for the aftermarket warranty.
