Ford warranty terms
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty (bumper to bumper) | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
|---|---|
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| When coverage starts | The warranty start date (in-service date) |
| Lincoln | Lincoln vehicles carry their own Lincoln warranty; check lincoln.com |
| Maker | Ford Motor Company |
From Ford’s support pages. Coverage ends at the time or mileage limit, whichever comes first; electric and commercial vehicles have their own guides.
How long state lemon laws protect a Ford
With 3 years / 36,000 miles of basic coverage, your Ford’s warranty usually outlasts its lemon law window. A two-year state closes the window with 1 year of warranty to go; a one-year state, with 2 years. Repairs in that gap are free, but they rarely count toward a buyback.
| State window | Jurisdictions | Ford basic warranty at that point |
|---|---|---|
| The warranty term | New Hampshire, Vermont | Window lasts the full 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Three years | 1 | about the same time the basic warranty ends |
| Two years | 21 | 1 year of basic coverage still left |
| 18 months | 3 | 18 months of basic coverage still left |
| One year | 23 | 2 years of basic coverage still left |
Many windows also stop at 12,000 to 24,000 miles, long before the 36,000-mile limit on a Ford warranty. Find your state’s exact rule in our state guides, or check your Ford repair history against your state’s window.
Ford’s dispute program
According to BBB National Programs, Ford is a national participant in BBB AUTO LINE. That means certain warranty and lemon law disputes are accepted from every U.S. state, although your eligibility depends on other factors too. Ford publishes a U.S. program summary, a California program summary and a separate California non-lemon-law summary that list which claims it has agreed to arbitrate.
BBB AUTO LINE is free and you do not need a lawyer. Call 1-800-955-5100 or start a claim on the BBB National Programs site.
Who to contact at Ford
| Ford customer service | 800-392-3673 (as listed by BBB National Programs) |
|---|---|
| BBB AUTO LINE | 1-800-955-5100 · bbbprograms.org |
| Notice address | Use the address in your Ford Warranty Guide, or the one your state’s lemon law names |
If your state’s lemon law names a specific address or method for notice, follow your state’s rule.
Things Ford owners should know
- Your Ford Warranty Guide is model-year specific. Download yours from Ford’s owner site and keep it with your repair orders.
- High-mileage drivers: the bumper-to-bumper warranty ends at 36,000 miles even inside 3 years, and many state windows end sooner, at 12,000 to 24,000 miles.
- Ford also uses BBB for Ford Extended Service Plan disputes, which is a different program from lemon law claims.
What to do if your Ford is a lemon
- Ask the Ford dealer for a printed repair order every time, even for a “could not duplicate” visit, and check that it shows your mileage and days down.
- Look up your VIN for open recalls, and keep any related repair orders.
- Send written notice to Ford. Your Ford Warranty Guide and your state’s page give the address; our notice letter generator fills in your state’s wording.
- Read Ford’s BBB AUTO LINE program summary, then call 1-800-955-5100 if you want a free hearing.
- If BBB does not resolve it, or you skip it where allowed, file in your state’s program or court before the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Ford lemon law?
Not a separate one. Your state’s lemon law applies to a new Ford. Ford’s warranty and its BBB AUTO LINE participation shape how a claim is handled.
Does Ford use BBB AUTO LINE?
Yes. BBB National Programs lists Ford as a national participant, so certain disputes are accepted from all U.S. states.
How long is Ford’s warranty?
Ford lists 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper and 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain, whichever limit comes first.
Do I have to use BBB AUTO LINE before suing Ford?
It depends on your state and on Ford’s program summary. Some states require a certified program first; others do not. Check your state’s guide.
Does the lemon law cover Ford trucks used for work?
Some states cover business vehicles and some do not, and many have weight limits. Your state’s page lists what is covered.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. Read how we verify every rule in our editorial policy.