Ford Bumper Covers: OEM Vs. Aftermarket
Replacing your bumper cover can be expensive, so it’s not surprising when car owners turn to aftermarket options. Is it really a good idea to buy an aftermarket bumper cover, though?
If you ask us, our answer is no. Aftermarket bumper covers may be inexpensive upfront, but chances are they will end up costing you even more money than an OEM Ford bumper cover in the long run. Aftermarket bumper covers don’t always fit well, and they’re usually built with inferior quality materials.
Ultimately, it’s up to you if you want to get an OEM or aftermarket bumper cover for your Ford. To reach an educated decision, we suggest taking the following three factors into consideration:
1. Research
When you’re shopping for an aftermarket bumper cover, you have to do tons of research on different brands to determine 1) the quality, 2) fitment for your specific make and model, and 3) warranty.
Shopping for an OEM bumper cover is so much easier. All you have to do is to find out the correct part number (by looking up the year and model of your Ford here) and decide where you want to buy it.
Here’s a tip: it’s much cheaper to order an OEM Ford bumper cover online. Dealerships mark up prices while a few authorized OEM parts sellers – like us – offer wholesale pricing.
Basically, it’s so much quicker and easier to find an OEM bumper cover. Even if you spend hours finding the right aftermarket bumper cover for your vehicle, there’s a chance you’ll end up with a dud anyway.
2. Warranty
Many aftermarket parts are sold without a warranty to keep costs down. OEM bumper covers may cost more upfront, but they’re always covered by Ford’s Parts Warranty for two years. (And, they don't always cost more with authorized OEM distributors like us – check out the last section of this article for more information.)
3. Longevity
Aftermarket bumper covers typically cost more in the long run because they usually don’t last as long as OEM bumper covers. You may run into problems with an aftermarket bumper cover early on because:
- Some aftermarket manufacturers like to cut corners on quality
- Many aftermarket bumper covers don't fit quite perfectly, and may not stay in place as well as they should
If your aftermarket bumper cover fails due to quality or fitment issues, chances are you’ll have to splurge on repairs or a full replacement. These expenses add up quickly.
OEM Bumper Covers Don’t Have to be Expensive
Image Credit: World Mechanics
There are two different places you can buy an OEM replacement bumper cover:
- Your local Ford dealership
- Online from an authorized OEM parts seller
One option is more expensive than the other. If you guessed the dealership, then you’re correct. Ford dealers mark up their prices by about 30% on all OEM parts, including bumper covers. This means genuine OEM parts sold online at wholesale prices are much cheaper. Take our website, for instance:
- Part No. 1W6Z-17D957-EAA (for 2002-2005 Thunderbirds) normally costs $872 at dealerships, but you can get it from us for only $638.
- Part No. 1W6Z-17K835-BAA (for 2002-2005 Thunderbirds) normally costs $820 at dealerships, but you can get it from us for only $600.
- Part No. BT1Z-17D957-GA (for 2011-2013 Transit Connects) normally costs $465 at dealerships, but you can get it from us for only $340.
- Part No. FB5Z-17D957-EB (for 2016-2018 Explorers and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles) normally costs $694 at dealerships, but you can get it from us for only $507.
- Part No. FT4Z-17D957-BPTM (for 2015-2018 Edges) normally costs $780 at dealerships, but you can get it from us for only $571, minus a core charge.
To find out which OEM Ford bumper covers are made for your model, visit our website and then look up your vehicle. If you need assistance, feel free to contact us and we’ll help you out!