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Crash Course:
- Ford maintenance plans take care of services like brake pad replacements, tire rotations, and windshield wiper blade replacements.
- Drivers who follow Ford’s recommended service schedule will likely save money by purchasing a Ford maintenance plan.
- Get quotes from multiple Ford dealerships in your area to find the best rate for coverage.
Featured Extended Warranty Companies
We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
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Coverage:: 6 plan options, from routine maintenance to full coverage
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Cost:: Several discounts available
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Reputation:: Smooth claims experience as a direct provider
Affordable Monthly Payment
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Coverage:: 6 plan options, some that last up to 300,000 miles
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Cost:: Flexible month-to-month contracts
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Reputation:: Most popular warranty provider
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars
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Coverage:: 6 plan options, the highest similar to a manufacturer’s warranty
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Cost:: No down payment required
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Reputation:: Strong BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating
A Ford maintenance plan can help you pay for the cost of routine services that keep your car in good condition and its warranty coverage valid. But since these plans come at a cost themselves, our research team wanted to figure out whether they’re worth their price.
We took an in-depth look at Ford maintenance plans to see what they cost, which parts they cover, what’s excluded, and whether they’re worth purchasing. You’ll also find alternative options for a maintenance plan for your Ford to compare with the automaker’s offering.
Ford Protect Premium Maintenance is the trade name for the automaker’s service plan. Those who buy coverage upfront will have most Ford maintenance costs covered for the duration of their contract. This includes preventive care, replacement of regular wear and tear parts, and multipoint inspections.
Under Ford’s official maintenance plan, all services will be performed at licensed repair facilities by factory-trained Ford mechanics. When replacement parts are needed, technicians will only use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components. As a result, all work is backed 100% by the Ford Motor Company.
Ford Maintenance Plan Costs
While Ford doesn’t make the price of its Premium Maintenance package public, our researchers found that Ford owners pay around $288 per year of coverage. However, the cost of the automaker’s maintenance plan depends on the following factors:
- Ford model: Each Ford model has different maintenance needs and schedules, so the cost of a plan will vary depending on the vehicle. There may be different mile intervals between maintenance across models, which will be reflected in your service contract.
- Coverage terms: You can purchase coverage for anywhere from two up to eight years. We found that average costs per year tend to go down with longer coverage terms.
- Purchase location: Ford dealerships act as middlemen, selling Premium Maintenance plans and taking some of the profit. Certain dealerships charge more than others.
Ford Maintenance Plan Deductible
All Ford Premium Maintenance plans come with a $0 deductible. That means when you use your Ford maintenance plan for covered services, you’ll pay nothing out of pocket.
Ford Maintenance Plan Financing
You can roll the cost of a Premium Maintenance plan into your car payment. However, Ford offers 0% APR financing on its maintenance packages if you buy them separately. The automaker says in the Ford Premium Maintenance plan brochure that “everyone qualifies,” so the interest-free financing should even be an option for those with bad credit scores.
What Do Ford Maintenance Plans Cover?
In general terms, the Ford Protect Premium Maintenance plan covers the routine maintenance needs outlined in your owner’s manual. The specific services your vehicle requires and the schedule on which it needs them depends on the model and year. However, your Ford maintenance plan should take care of those needs and be priced accordingly.
Covered repairs under the Ford maintenance plan typically include:
- Multipoint inspections
- Tire rotations
- Engine oil and oil filter changes
- Air filter changes
- Brake pad and lining replacements
- Shock absorber and strut repairs and replacements
- Spark plug replacements
- Clutch disc replacements
- Engine belt replacements
- Wiper blade replacements
- Engine belt, engine coolant hose, and clamp replacements
- Power steering and windshield washer fluid services
Maintenance plans for electric vehicles (EVs) are very different from those for cars with internal combustion engines. As a result, the price and coverage of Ford EV maintenance plans will be very different from plans for gasoline-powered cars and trucks.
Ford Maintenance Plan Benefits
Ford packages a few useful perks into its vehicle maintenance plans. One notable benefit is the coverage area – maintenance plans can be used at any Ford dealer or Lincoln dealer in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. This is uncommon in the auto industry and could come in handy for people who like to take their Ford vehicles on extended road trips.
Other Ford maintenance plan benefits include:
- Rental car coverage: Ford provides two days of car rentals while covered services are performed, up to $60 per day.
- Transferability: Maintenance plans from Ford transfer to the new owner after you sell your vehicle, which can add to its resale value.
Note that roadside assistance and towing services are not included as part of Ford maintenance plans.
Do Ford Maintenance Plans Cover the Battery?
Your car or truck’s battery is not covered under the Ford Protect Premium Maintenance plan. The battery is not among the components included in the list of regular wear items.
Your car’s battery is instead covered under the Ford new vehicle warranty. For gas-powered vehicles, battery coverage lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The Ford maintenance plan isn’t unique in excluding coverage for your car’s battery. Most automakers won’t cover car batteries after the original warranty expires and even the best extended car warranty providers usually exclude them.
Is a Ford Maintenance Plan Worth It?
Ford Protect Premium Maintenance may be worth buying depending on your personal needs. Based on our research, there’s no guarantee that you’ll save money on the cost of scheduled maintenance.
However, you’ll need these services in order to keep your warranty in good standing, and buying a Ford maintenance plan can make it easier to pay for them. Since you can either roll coverage into your auto loan or finance the plan separately, it may offer peace of mind to those who don’t always have access to a few hundred dollars for service visits.
Ford Maintenance Plan Costs vs. Benefits
We found from owner-reported data that the average cost of a Ford maintenance plan is around $288 per year. Compared to paying for maintenance services out of pocket, you may save some money by buying a Ford Protect Premium Maintenance package.
At a minimum, the owner’s manual stipulates two oil and filter changes per year and two tire rotations annually. According to RepairPal, Ford oil changes cost an average of $120 at licensed facilities while tire rotations come out to $40 each.
This means you’d pay an average of at least $320 just to stay on top of those two services. Since Ford maintenance plans also cover services like spark plug and brake pad replacements, you could potentially save more money by buying a package.
Ford Maintenance Plan Pros and Cons
In the table below, you’ll find a few advantages and disadvantages of buying a Ford maintenance plan.
| Ford Premium Maintenance Plan Pros | Ford Premium Maintenance Plan Cons |
| Covers the cost of required services ahead of time | Limited to authorized Ford or Lincoln dealerships for services |
| Maintenance plan costs can be financed or rolled into your car payment | May not save money on maintenance services |
| Transferable to new owners and may add resale value |
A Ford maintenance plan could be worth buying for some people, even if it doesn’t save on the cost of services. Prepaying for coverage, especially when it can be financed, means there’s no need to find extra cash when services are due. This can be a major benefit to people who’d prefer to pay for car maintenance needs ahead of time.
Ford Protect Premium Maintenance plans do require services to be performed at dealerships, which may have long wait times or be located far away. With perks like rental car reimbursement and the added value of transferable coverage, though, there are plenty of advantages to Ford maintenance plans.
Ford Coverage Plans: Extended Warranty Providers
A maintenance plan takes care of scheduled services, but you can also cover unexpected repair costs with a Ford extended warranty. If you’re considering extended coverage to take care of expensive repair bills on your Ford, we recommend checking out Endurance and ForeverCar.
Featured Extended Warranty Companies
We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
-
Coverage:: 6 plan options, from routine maintenance to full coverage
-
Cost:: Several discounts available
-
Reputation:: Smooth claims experience as a direct provider
Affordable Monthly Payment
-
Coverage:: 6 plan options, some that last up to 300,000 miles
-
Cost:: Flexible month-to-month contracts
-
Reputation:: Most popular warranty provider
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars
-
Coverage:: 6 plan options, the highest similar to a manufacturer’s warranty
-
Cost:: No down payment required
-
Reputation:: Strong BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance earned the award for Best Overall in our 2024 warranty study with the industry’s highest overall score. As one of only a few direct providers, Endurance offers a simple and easy-to-navigate claims process. The company’s robust selection of coverage levels and competitive prices make it an option worth considering for any Ford owner.
Keep reading: Endurance warranty review
ForeverCar: Most Affordable
Ford owners looking for the best prices on extended coverage for their vehicle should get a free quote from ForeverCar. The provider picked up the 2024 award for Most Affordable due to its consistently lower-than-average prices on extended auto warranty plans. ForeverCar also receives strong reviews from customers, indicating that the company’s affordable rates don’t come at the expense of service.
Keep reading: ForeverCar review
Ford Maintenance Plans: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about Ford maintenance plans:
What is a Ford basic maintenance plan?
A Ford maintenance plan is a service package that covers the cost of routine maintenance services as set out by your owner’s manual. It’s different from Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (Ford ESPs), which are similar to extended warranties and come in packages such as BaseCARE, PowertrainCARE, and PremiumCARE.
How much does a Ford Protect Premium Maintenance plan cost?
Using owner-reported data, we found that a Ford Protect Premium Maintenance plan costs around $288 per year on average. However, this cost can vary greatly depending on the model of your Ford, where you purchase coverage, and your coverage terms.
How long is a Ford maintenance plan?
You can purchase a Ford maintenance plan for anywhere from two to eight years. The company may have some restrictions for certain vehicles.
What is covered under a maintenance plan?
Maintenance plans typically cover services outlined in the maintenance schedule from the car manufacturer. These include oil changes, tire rotations, windshield wiper replacements, spark plug replacements, and more.
Our Methodology
In order to accurately assess the value provided by prepaid maintenance plans, our team of experts developed a standardized methodology that allows us to directly compare providers. We collect information about maintenance plans from top companies and consider customer opinions to get a well-rounded understanding of what the plans offer, how much they cost, and what customers think of their value.
Each plan is evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Coverage: Our experts use the most current information available to compare the services covered by each provider, as well as the benefits included with each plan. Providers that offer more comprehensive coverage and benefits earn the best scores.
- Cost: We collect information from a variety of sources, including self-reported comments from customers, to find an average per-year cost for each provider. Providers offering more cost-effective plans earn higher scores.
- Availability: Some providers offer greater flexibility in terms of when owners can buy maintenance coverage. The number of service locations where owners can use their maintenance plans also varies between providers. Companies that make it easier to buy and use coverage earn higher scores.
- Value: Our team compares the average cost of maintenance plans to the cost of services specific to the corresponding auto brand to assess the financial value offered by each provider. Maintenance plans that will likely save money over paying for services individually earn providers the highest scores in this category.
- Customer sentiment: We read through comments across online forums to assess customer opinion about particular plans and providers. Companies that receive a higher ratio of positive comments to negative ones earn higher scores.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
