is an extended warranty worth it?

[Billho]

I'm getting ready to buy a 2019 Ranger XL with 78,000 miles on it. It is being shipped from another state and should be here in a few days. I have an option to purchase an extended factory bumper-to-bumper warranty for $1,800 (for 3 years) and, in the past with my previous cars, I have typically not done this. But, I'm considering it due to the high mileage on the truck and don't want any surprise major expenses. Can you guys tell me what your experience has been with things going wrong or breaking after it has some miles on your Rangers? Do you think an extended warranty is a good value? Thanks for your advice.

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[PapiBigP]

How many miles does it cover up to? Is it a Ford service plan? I would make sure to read all the details because there is probably a deductible in there somewhere. It really depends on how much risk you are willing to take, if you see value in it. There’s always a risk but you never know. I bought a 2007 Explorer a few years ago and bought the one that covered just the drive train. Can’t remember how much it was but the transmission went out a month after I bought it and all I had to pay was a $100 deductible and that plus the warranty was less than replacing the transmission.

 

[Billho]

How many miles does it cover up to? Is it a Ford service plan?

It is a Ford manufacturers warranty that goes to 115k miles. It appears that everything is covered, including powertrain, engine components, transmission, electrical, air and heating, brakes, suspension, steering, fuel delivery, emission components, and roadside assistance. I have the chart of what's covered, but haven't seen the list of exceptions yet, nor have I seen a deductible mentioned in what I have. I'll get all that on the paperwork when the truck arrives and look it through before I sign anything.

Any one or two of these things will be more than the cost and at 100k is typically when I've had things go bad with previous cars. I think my 90 Ranger (yes, I am old enough that that was purchased new) had the transmission go out around 70k and my Durango had the transmission go out about that point, too, along with numerous O2 sensors and computer problems. I had a Sorento that broke a drive shaft at 100k. My Audi A4 had lots of electrical issues about 65k. But my Hondas (two Odysseys and an Accord) and GMC truck have had very few issues, even into high mileage.

As I write this and think about the big repair bills I've had over the past 30 years, I'm kind of talking myself into it.

 

[Motorpsychology]

It depends on how long you plan to keep it, how many miles you estimate you will put on it. I bought an Allstate 10yr/150k warranty on my'21 Ranger right from the dealer, but they are available online. Allstate's covers a few more items, and was a little cheaper than the Ford extended warranty. Also, it is honored anywhere nationally, whereas the Ford EW is honored only at Ford and Lincoln dealers.

I've used every EW on every vehicle I've put one on and run past the factory warranty. I haven't always gotten all my money back in repairs, rarely in fact. But the convenience of being able to finance it along with the payment, and only needing $100 deductible was/is an advantage to me over taking a potentially big hit on the savings or credit card when it's needed.

 

[AzScorpion]

For peace of mind with the mileage I would probably get one. You can look at the prices from Flood Ford as they're usually cheaper than what the dealer offers.

https://www.floodfordesp.com

Edit: Here's another that has good prices too.

https://www.zeiglerfordesp.com

 

[Megawatt]

Your going to get many people who are against it and say it’s not worth it. With all the sensors and computers on the 5 gen Ranger I would get the coverage. You have no idea what the condition or history is from the prior owner.

Check out floodfordesp website. I purchased a 7 yr 100k ford esp from the Flood Ford dealer for $1190.

I learned from my last vehicle at 80k the a/c went out. The dealership wanted $5000 for repairs and labor. I traded it in and with the internet the new owner contacted me two months later to ask questions about their new ride. Dealer never fixed the A/C and sold my trade in as-is. New owner was hoping it was a hose replacement and recharge to get the A/C working again.

 

[paval3]

I bought extended mechanical warranty from this company when I bought my Mountaineer with 18,000 miles on it. Had a plan that went to 100,000 miles (I can't remember how many years, but it was pretty long). You are not limited to Ford service department for repairs, can use any licensed repair shop. Never had a shop have a problem accepting the warranty. You have to call though to get a quote, no online estimates posted on their site.

https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/insurance/mechanical-protection/

 

[TremorOwner]

I'd spent that money on a vehicle with far less miles...

$1,800 for that warranty's duration is about $500 more than I'd ever pay. I'd want bumper to bumper up to 150K with that price. You can negotiate the price of the warranties down a lot.

 

[TremorOwner]

I bought extended mechanical warranty from this company when I bought my Mountaineer with 18,000 miles on it. Had a plan that went to 100,000 miles (I can't remember how many years, but it was pretty long). You are not limited to Ford service department for repairs, can use any licensed repair shop. Never had a shop have a problem accepting the warranty. You have to call though to get a quote, no online estimates posted on their site.

https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/insurance/mechanical-protection/

I had great luck in the past with them on a Subaru I had that needed in total, before I sold it, like $5,000 in work which I only paid $900 for (what I paid for the extended warranty from my CU). Loved that car but dang Subaru really can mess up a fuel system design... good lord.

 

[Samsquanch]

On the last two used vehicles I bought from Carmax I ended up getting the max care warranty that goes to 125k miles and didn’t use either one so it was money wasted. You really can’t predict this kind of thing.

The main considerations are the reliability of the vehicle you’re purchasing and your financial situation. If a surprise repair costing a few grand would cause you an extreme financial hardship then finance the warranty if you can. If you have a rainy day fund with a few grand in it or some available credit it’s probably safe to skip the warranty and just pay out of pocket if the situation ever arises.

 

[wanted33]

If it gives you the peace of mind you need to feel good about the purchase I say go ahead. Like Dave @AzScorpion said, check with some of the online discount dealers like Flood Ford, etc. They sell the same genuine Ford warranty that a local Ford dealer will sell. If you go with the dealer you're buying from just make sure it's not a third party warranty. Those things are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[JKocot]

I can vouch for ZieglerFord. They beat FloodFord's prices for me both times I bought from them. If you pay full price use the code "payinfull" and it knocks $250 bucks off.

 

[Augie81]

So I'm curious as I was thinking about an extended warranty now that I've already had one issue with my Ranger. Has anyone here actually made a claim through the above mentioned services, Flood and Ziegler? If purchased are these actual Ford warranty just like if I had bought one from the dealer when I bought my truck or is it some 3rd party sort of thing like the junk mail I get all the time. I ask because if I buy one I don't want to have to jump through a bunch of hoops to make a claim. When I bought my house a few years ago it came with a 1 year home warranty the sellers paid for. My heater went out a few months after I moved in and it was hell dealing with those people. So I don't want something like that. Thanks

 

[AzScorpion]

So I'm curious as I was thinking about an extended warranty now that I've already had one issue with my Ranger. Has anyone here actually made a claim through the above mentioned services, Flood and Ziegler? If purchased are these actual Ford warranty just like if I had bought one from the dealer when I bought my truck or is it some 3rd party sort of thing like the junk mail I get all the time. I ask because if I buy one I don't want to have to jump through a bunch of hoops to make a claim. When I bought my house a few years ago it came with a 1 year home warranty the sellers paid for. My heater went out a few months after I moved in and it was hell dealing with those people. So I don't want something like that. Thanks

The Flood and Ziegler warrantees are Ford and not a 3rd party. I don't have one so I cant comment on how they are as far as claims but I would hope much better than the 3rd party ones. If I decide to keep my Ranger after next year I will look into getting one one of these before the original is up.

I had the same problems like you did with a home warranty. It was a nightmare dealing with them and more frustrating than just paying to have the unit fixed myself. I cancelled after the first year!

 

[alcohenusa]

So I'm curious as I was thinking about an extended warranty now that I've already had one issue with my Ranger. Has anyone here actually made a claim through the above mentioned services, Flood and Ziegler? If purchased are these actual Ford warranty just like if I had bought one from the dealer when I bought my truck or is it some 3rd party sort of thing like the junk mail I get all the time. I ask because if I buy one I don't want to have to jump through a bunch of hoops to make a claim. When I bought my house a few years ago it came with a 1 year home warranty the sellers paid for. My heater went out a few months after I moved in and it was hell dealing with those people. So I don't want something like that. Thanks

I bought a warranty from Zeigler for my Fusion not too long ago. Genuine Ford warranty and it shows up in the Ford Pass app!

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