Anyone know how factory car warranties work?

[nytemare]

I have tried googling this with no luck. I bought a car used with very low miles on it. It is an 02 with 16000 miles now. It is a Mustang.

Anyone who worked in the car industry that can tell me if this is still covered under warranty? If a used car sat on a lot for a few months, is that few months of warranty just poofed away, or is it rated by the mileage on the vehicle?

Thanks!

:)

[Kadie]

1. Your best bet would be to call your local Ford service department.

The warranty could be like 3 years or 36,000 miles. Some are bumper to bumper, and sometimes the warranty is longer on certain parts of the vehicle.

You may also want to check and see if there have been any recalls that you need to be aware of.

Good luck.

[nytemare]

2. Yeah, I think the warranty might be gone

Not fair! I bought it because I thought it would still be under warranty, WAHHHHH! :cry:

LOL!

[Kadie]

4. It's worth a call to the dealer.

My husband had a Chevy once and the warranty had expired. But he was having some exhaust problems so I just called the dealer service dept. to get an estimate to have it fixed. Turned out that part of the vehicle had a longer warranty. Didn't cost anything to have it fixed.

[punpirate]

3. It depends upon the warranty on the particular...

... make and model. Typically, the base factory warranty will cover all aspects of the car for year or two, and possibly up to three or more years on drive train. Each maker is different, though, when it comes to the specific warranty terms, and whether or not the warranty is transferable.

You might save some time by calling a local Ford dealer, give them the serial number of the car and ask them if it's still under warranty. If they say it is, then ask them if the warranty is transferable.

For your car, the OEM warranty is:

Basic (mo.) 36
Basic (mi.) 36,000
Powertrain (mo.) 36
Powertrain (mi.) 36,000
Rust (mo.) 60
Rust (mi.) Unlimited

If you know the name of the original purchaser, be sure to ask them if they purchased an extended warranty and if it is transferable.

So, I would think, you need to check the original date of sale to see if it's still under warranty.

Hope that helps.

Cheers.

[nytemare]

14. I will see if I can dig up the original carfax

If not, I will run another for the date of sale. I think the 3/36 should be one owner. If there is more than one, it should go by mileage.

Poop!

[punpirate]

16. Never heard of a warranty...

... that was extended to mileage by a transfer of ownership.... Maybe there's one out there, but I've not heard of it.

Sorry to put a damper on that idea, but I doubt you'll get much satisfaction from Ford on that one. Don't let that deter you from trying, though.

[xray s]

5. Just because its out of warranty doesn't mean its out of warranty

If you car has a major defect, Ford may have a secret warranty that will fix the problem, even if the miles and age of the vehicle make it techically out of warranty.

Google 'Ford secret warranties' and see what you come up with.

Bottom line, it pays to complain to the zone office and the home office if your car has low miles and a major problem.

[tammywammy]

6. Call a Ford Dealer and talk to the service department

Specifically, when the receptionist answers say "I just bought a used car and wanted to know about the factory warranty." They'll probably have someone that just does warranty info in the service dept.

My guess, with it being 3 years, it maybe up, but you never know.

And yes if it sat on the lot, it's using up the warranty, such as 3 years/36,000 miles whichever comes first.

Also did you get a Carfax report on the car when you bought it?

Edited to add, check out this website:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

It will give you all the Service Bulletins (not covered by warranty but something that's going wrong on a lot of cars and all recall notices.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tammywammy]

9. Right a good dealer will do a Carfax before they even try to sell it

I work at a dealership, and I've pulled the reports for used cars. They go straight into the folder, so on the spot a salesman can pull it out and show the customer.

[nytemare]

11. I ran a carfax on it, it was a private seller

It is really a new car, but hasn't been driven much.

I am the 3rd owner, I think the first traded it after 2 thousand, the guy I bought it from said. I got it with 9000 miles on it, and everything jived in the carfax report.

He sold it for about 2500 dollars less than any dealers would, and it had more options, so I can't complain now.

:)

[nytemare]

13. Well, must not be any recalls on Mustangs

The model doesn't come up in the search. Thanks for the link!

[tammywammy]

17. I saw it wasn't listed as well

So, no recalls is good. But check the Bulletins for the things that have been going wrong on some of the other cars, just as a heads up. Really, none of the service bulletins for my car have happened to me.

And good job for looking up the Carfax.

Maybe call the person you bought it from about the factory warranty. If they purchased an extended warranty they could have just cashed it out. And you can go to a Ford dealership and buy an extended warranty for the extra coverage.

[nytemare]

18. From what I am seeing other warranty companies may be better

There are some that offer warranties for wear and tear things like hoses and brakes, and they are half as much as the ford warranties!

They look good with BBB too.

Interesting!

TY for your help!

[tammywammy]

19. As long as their good with the BBB

I know some people get screwed with extended warranties. They'll buy and then the company will go out of business, and you don't get your money back and the warranty won't be accepted by dealerships.

And it surprises me the little bit I know about dealerships is really helpful to some.

[MNDEM2004]

7. If you bought it from a dealer

they should have told you if it had a warranty. Most of them will list it on the window. Also it could have a extended warranty which the original owner can transfer or cancel at anytime. You must contact the dealer. If you bought it from a private party you may be out of luck if the car is three years old it doesn't matter how many miles you have on it.

[nytemare]

10. I bought it private party

I got a great deal, so I can't complain. I am not having any problems at all, just want to be proactive.

Thanks.

:)

[MNDEM2004]

12. Repairs can be costly

Do preventative maintenance it pays off in the long run.

[nytemare]

15. Yes I take good care

I get the tires rotated and balanced and change oil frequently. I will just have to buy another warranty as well. Worth it for peace of mind.