Ford announces five-year warranty

Ford Australia has announced a new five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty less than three weeks after it was slapped with a $10 million fine by the Australian Federal Court over its handling of PowerShift transmission complaints.

The extended warranty, which replaces Ford’s long-running three-year/100,000km warranty, applies to all new Ford models delivered from May 1.

This includes commercial vehicles like the Ranger, leading Ford to claim its popular one-tonner pick-up now comes with the best standard warranty in the 4x4 pick-up segment.

The new warranty sees Ford match the likes of Hyundai and Honda, and go one better than Mitsubishi, which offers a five-year/100,000km warranty.

It also betters Holden, which still has a three-year/100,000km warranty but is currently offering the Commodore and Equinox with a seven-year/unlimited-km warranty and other models with a five-year/unlimited-km warranty for a limited time.

However, it falls short of Kia’s long-running seven-year/unlimited-km warranty and Tesla’s new eight-year/160,000km warranty.

Ford says its five-year warranty covers all owners including non-private customers, plus genuine accessories and licensed accessories fitted prior to vehicle delivery.

Ford Australia president and CEO Graeme Whickman stressed the Blue Oval’s longer warranty was no limited-time offer.

“We’re transforming our dealerships, our products, our customer service and ownership experience, and today we’re introducing a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty to offer even more value for our customers," he said.

“Our Ranger and Transit owners rely on their vehicles and we want them to know Ford’s got them covered for five years and unlimited kilometres. Ranger has the class leading standard warranty within the pick-up and cab chassis segment.

"This is not a special offer, it’s what customers have been asking for and it’s what we are delivering today.

“We will continue to innovate and find new ways to provide the best service and benefits we can for our customers.”

Ford says its new five-year warranty bolsters the company's aftersales program which already includes free map updates for SYNC2 and SYNC3 satellite-navigation systems, free loan cars during services, Auto Club Membership with Roadside Assistance and Service Price Promise.