Whether you drive one of Ford’s family-friendly SUVs or use the iconic F-150 as your truck of choice on the job site, your vehicle is covered by a Ford transmission warranty. The transmission warranty is just one warranty offered by the automaker, which provides coverage for most parts of its vehicles through various protection plans. Let’s take a closer look at what the Ford transmission warranty covers and the importance of Ford’s other warranty options.
What Is a Vehicle Warranty?
A vehicle warranty is provided by the manufacturer and offers protection against defective parts or poor workmanship. Automakers typically offer warranties for a fixed period of time or number of miles driven after your vehicle purchase. For example, Ford’s factory warranty, which is also known as a limited warranty or bumper-to-bumper warranty, lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Ford’s transmission warranty is also known as a powertrain warranty. It usually lasts for five years or 60,000 miles of driving after purchase. The parts of your vehicle covered by a powertrain warranty include the engine and transmission.
What Are the Different Types of Ford Warranty?
Ford offers several warranties that provide different levels of coverage for specific vehicle parts. These include:
- Bumper-to-bumper warranty: This three-year warranty provides coverage for almost all parts that require replacement due to a defect or faulty workmanship.
- Transmission warranty: Also known as a powertrain warranty, this coverage includes protection against problems with your engine and transmission.
- Safety Restraint System: This warranty provides protection against any damage to your airbags or seatbelts for up to eight years.
- Corrosion warranty: Ford will cover corrosion that causes perforation for five years.
- Diesel engine: Direct-injection diesel engines, which are usually found in Ford’s hardworking truck lineup, have protection under this plan for five years or 100,000 miles.
- Emissions Warranty: The exhaust and other emissions parts are protected for eight years or 80,000 miles under this warranty.
Ford vehicles under warranty generally include the automaker’s roadside assistance protection plan. This program lasts for five years and covers things like the cost of towing to the nearest dealership and roadside repairs. It can come in handy if you run out of fuel or have a tire problem.
Keep in mind that this brief overview provides the general terms for Ford warranty coverage. To learn the specific details of your various vehicle warranties, it’s best to consult your Ford owner’s manual.
There are other types of warranty for specific kinds of Ford vehicles. For instance, Ford’s certified pre-owned vehicles have a shorter factory warranty than their brand-new counterparts. In addition, Ford’s hybrid and electric vehicles have warranties tailored to provide protection for the technology specific to hybrid and electric engines, such as batteries and motors.
Ford Transmission Warranty Coverage
A vehicle’s powertrain contains some of the most complex components and auto parts. Repair costs can therefore end up being quite expensive, which is why the powertrain warranty is so important. It can cover the cost of engine diagnostics, replacement parts, and the labor required by a service technician to put things right. The warranty applies both to automatic and manual transmissions.
The powertrain warranty also includes protection for Ford’s engines, such as their powerful twin-turbocharged EcoBoost units. In addition, your vehicle’s four-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive systems are covered by the transmission warranty.
Another area of coverage under the transmission warranty is your Ford’s axle and wheels. Damage to these parts of your vehicle could result from an improperly installed axle or defective wheel nuts, to give just two examples. Finally, transmission warranties take care of repairs to transfer cases, front and rear differentials, and drive shafts.
Ford Warranty Exclusions
There are several things that Ford warranties will not cover on your vehicle. These include:
- Any routine maintenance costs, such as oil changes, filter replacements, and fluid top-ups
- Damage to parts resulting from normal use of your Ford crossover or truck
- The costs to repair damage due to an accident or collision with another vehicle
- Any damage caused to parts by contaminated oil or fluids
- Any damage resulting from burglary or theft
- Repairs required due to the misuse of your Ford, such as driving over curbs or engaging in racing
- Damage produced by driving through water that’s deep enough to get into your Ford’s engine
- Any damage caused by modifications or alterations you make that are not in line with the OEM recommendations
There may be other specific exclusions attached to your warranty. Consult your owner’s manual or talk to your Ford dealership if you have questions about these exclusions.
Ford offers protection for some vehicle parts that many automakers exclude from their warranties, such as wiper blades. Some of these specific warranties include:
- Six months for windshield wipers
- 12 months or 12,000 miles for wheel alignment
- 12 months or 18,000 miles for brake pads
Can You Extend Ford Warranty Coverage?
If you plan on driving your Ford beyond the expiration of its factory warranty and powertrain warranty, it’s well worth examining your options for extending your protection plan. Ford auto dealerships offer extended warranties, which are also known as service contracts. These plans allow you to extend the coverage provided by your factory warranty for a year or more.
Extended warranties come in especially useful because they help cover unexpected repair costs that may arise as your vehicle gets older. Without an extended warranty, you may face the prospect of having to pay the cost of parts and labor in full, which can run into hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Even with an extended warranty, there will be some exclusions to the coverage. If you’re shopping for a Ford vehicle protection plan, you should make sure that you’re familiar with its terms so you know what to expect.
The bottom line is that if you’re wondering whether the repair job your Ford vehicle needs is covered under your Ford transmission warranty, start by checking the terms in your owner’s manual. Alternatively, reach out to your local Ford service center for expert advice.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
