Ford and Other Automakers Void Warranties Based on Idle Hours—Drivers Beware

A California auto repair shop posted a video on TikTok claiming that Ford is denying warranty coverage for commercial vehicles by calculating engine idle hours—even when mileage remains within limits. For example, a 2020 F-550 with only 33,000 kilometers on the odometer was deemed to have exceeded its warranty limit after accumulating 1,500 idle hours, which Ford converted to approximately 60,000 kilometers using a formula of “1 idle hour ≈ 40 kilometers.” However, the reality is more nuanced: Ford’s official commercial vehicle warranty terms explicitly state coverage lasts until either 4,000 engine hours or the mileage limit—whichever comes first—and the company isn’t arbitrarily voiding warranties. Across the industry, it’s common practice to equate one hour of idling to 25–30 kilometers of driving wear, a factor that significantly impacts high-idle vehicles like police cars and construction trucks. Experts emphasize that this approach reflects genuine engine wear logic and isn’t a “scam,” but they strongly advise buyers to carefully review warranty contracts before purchasing to avoid future disputes.