Anyone ever have issues getting warranty service at dealers they didn't buy from?

[Darryl]

I thought it was strange but the dealer I bought from didn't sell Fords extended warranty either they offered a 3rd party extended warranty, they probably make more than from Ford.

I opted out of extended warranty.. have been considering buying one from Granger but think I will just put the money in a savings account. I dont really plan to keep the car much longer than 5 years but things/plans change.

I remember a dealership I used to work for sold a different extended warranty. They preferred to sell it. But if the customer wanted, they would sell them the Ford esp.

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[MaverickDragon]

@Darryl - Your dealership has it right.
I'd agree, it seems short sighted to not accept the warranty.

I am still questioning whether a dealership can legitimately opt out of warranty repairs for warranty work that is supposed to be honored at "any Ford or Lincoln dealer", as the feedback in this thread indicates that there are dealers who say exactly that.

If they can, Ford is actionable for false advertising. If they can't, those dealers opting out of warranty coverage are in breach of contract. It's one of the two.

If no one says anything about it, it's business as usual, what ever that is.

Me, I'd get to the bottom of it, but to me it doesn't apply, as my local dealer offers it, but was fine with me buying it online. They said they sell it for the same price as online, and offer it as a matter of convenience. Maybe they get a commission, if so, good for them.

Typically I wait to buy an extended warranty to avoid pro-rated loss in the event of a major problem..

 

[MaverickDragon]

I remember a dealership I used to work for sold a different extended warranty. They preferred to sell it. But if the customer wanted, they would sell them the Ford esp.

Likely they were making a better commission, and the aftermarket warranties are seldom (ever?) as good as factory backed, both in terms of cost and coverage.

 

[MaverickDragon]

They can no more opt out of extended warranty repairs than they can opt out of normal warranty repairs. Why would they want to? Ford is paying them to do the work.

Regardless of the reasons they would not want to do warranty work, is the question, can a franchised dealership opt out of warranty work, and/or has anyone actually had that happen.

I don't recall seeing a post that warranty work was refused by a dealer.
The closest response seemed to be that was a dealer wanted to charge for what should have been warranty work until the owner got Ford Corporate involved.

I suspect that Ford is relying on their franchise rules, and dealers who say we don't participate are counting on the "go away kid, you bother me" approach rather than having a legitimate reason to deny an owner their warranty use.

I can see it as a problem for someone who moves into a town with a vehicle covered by a paid for Ford backed warranty, only to find out the only dealer in 100 miles doesn't honor it.

I'd prefer to think that would not happen. Does it?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

@MakinDoForNow
Wow - No idea they could opt out of a Ford sponsored extended warranty.
I noticed in your post the feedback was "it is not uncommon for some dealers to claim".
Anyone can make a claim, but that doesn't mean it's legitimate.

I took a look at Ford's website, and it appears the dealer's position seems to be in conflict with Ford's statement under the "Where can I go for service" FAQ:
" Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plans and Ford Protect Extended Service Plans are honored at any Ford or Lincoln dealer throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico."
Note the lack of a caveat indicating any participation requirement in that statement.

I wonder if the dealer making that claim has been challenged on their position.

One could call Ford and ask.
If the opt out is true, Ford needs to revise their statement, or if false, the dealer needs to stop claiming that they don't need to honor the warranty. Either way something is rotten in Denmark.

Yep on "Rotten......"
My Brother in law purchased an escape with low milage and put Ford protection on it since it qualified at the dealer I purchased my mavericks from. Within six months he'd had it towed to nearest dealer in Colorado. They (only ford dealer in town, I think) told him they wouldn't do warranty work and he could pay by check or credit card. Ford did send wrecker out and towed him to dealer. (I assume ford paid for towing but I am not informed of all the details). I'll get updated when BIL visits this spring. I cannot follow up with Ford as I do not own car.

 

[MaverickDragon]

@MakinDoForNow - Wow - An actual case of denial. Did your BIL escalate that issue?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

@MakinDoForNow - Wow - An actual case of denial. Did your BIL escalate that issue?

He wanted his car and put it on CC. ($1700, I think). Next dealer was 70 mile tow away, I think. I would have called Ford back and asked for a second tow to a Dealer that would honor warranty, get a rental car, etc but BIL was on the curb!!!!

 

[Darryl]

@MakinDoForNow - Wow - An actual case of denial. Did your BIL escalate that issue?

Probably something was awry between the dealership and Ford. Some dealerships get into bad warranty trouble with Ford when Ford audits them and finds inconsistencies. It would be interesting to see if that dealership is still open

 

[Darryl]

Regardless of the reasons they would not want to do warranty work, is the question, can a franchised dealership opt out of warranty work, and/or has anyone actually had that happen.

I don't recall seeing a post that warranty work was refused by a dealer.
The closest response seemed to be that was a dealer wanted to charge for what should have been warranty work until the owner got Ford Corporate involved.

I suspect that Ford is relying on their franchise rules, and dealers who say we don't participate are counting on the "go away kid, you bother me" approach rather than having a legitimate reason to deny an owner their warranty use.

I can see it as a problem for someone who moves into a town with a vehicle covered by a paid for Ford backed warranty, only to find out the only dealer in 100 miles doesn't honor it.

I'd prefer to think that would not happen. Does it?

Thus makes no sense. Most dealerships could not survive without warranty work. It doesn't pay as well as customer paid work. But it's a significant part of revenue. Besides, customers who have a good warranty experience are more likely to return for at least some out of warranty repair. In addition, some car sales are made as a result of a customer being happy with the service department.

 

[todd92]

Still unclear whether this anecdote is a denial to honor a warranty.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Probably something was awry between the dealership and Ford. Some dealerships get into bad warranty trouble with Ford when Ford audits them and finds inconsistencies. It would be interesting to see if that dealership is still open

I'll find out when BIL visits this spring.
OF INTEREST: When I had my oil change 12/24/25 = There was only one other customer at dealership and service was FANTASTIC! I did have to drive through cones funneling vehicles through a brand spanking new UVEYE (MRI???) arch. I assume that FORD is now aware of everything including how my fanny fits in my driver's seat.

 

[MaverickDragon]

I'll find out when BIL visits this spring.
I did have to drive through cones funneling vehicles through a brand spanking new UVEYE (MRI???) arch. I assume that FORD is now aware of everything including how my fanny fits in my driver's seat.

I'm interested to hear that result.
You can't call the BIL to wish him a Happy New Year in the meantime?
The fanny fit comment sounds like an assumption..

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I'm interested to hear that result.
You can't call the BIL to wish him a Happy New Year in the meantime?
The fanny fit comment sounds like an assumption..

Best not to call BIL and ask (BP and related issues). May take day or more for him to feel like volunteering info even in person. As far as driving through the "New Ford check in arch" I was hesitant, not knowing of Pacemaker compatibility issues??? Without pacemaker I can blackout several times a day from lack of brain oxygen.

 

[MaverickDragon]

All the literature says "Ford Protect is accepted at all Ford and Lincoln dealers. "
I called Ford Protect customer service today at 1-800-392-3673, but business hours are limited to M-F.
I plan on giving the customer service folks a call to ask them about dealerships "opting out" of performing warranty repairs. If anyone else is interested, you can also call them.

The results may be of interest to anyone who has, or plans on purchasing an extended warranty.

 

[sajohnson]

Dealers often don't want warranty work. It pays poorly, techs don't want it, and it's certainly not as high of margin as charging someone $120 to change a $15 air filter in 2 minutes for both the dealer and techs.

Exactly.

I've read this multiple times over decades -- first in the car magazines, and in the last 25 years online.

Many current/former service managers have confirmed that warranty work does not pay as well as normal service. Parts and labor are both reimbursed at a lower rate, and mfrs usually want the old parts shipped back to them. In short, as long as a dealership does not have empty bays they do not want warranty work. Sometimes even if they do have free techs it's still not worth it.

My experiences over the past ~45 years confirms this. Dealers do not like warranty work and will often try to weasel out of it.

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