Who Says Modifications Void The Warranty?

[Vibe Rater]

The Magnuson-Moss ActProtecting tweakers, tuners, and other users of aftermarket equipment (not to mention the sellers!).FANNING FEARSYou want to upgrade your vehicle with aftermarket equipment, but you’re worried about putting the vehicle’s warranty at risk. It’s no wonder. How many times have you heard somene of a dealership say that installing aftermarket equipment automatically voids the warranty? This common misconception has been repeated often enough to be widely believed – though it is completely false.Fact: Dealers don’t like warranty work, because it pays less than normal repair work. By promoting the myth that aftermarket equipment automatically voids warranties, some dealers avoid such low-paying work. Instead, they attempt to charge customers the prime service rate for work which is rightfully done under warranty.THE TRUTHMost vehicle owners are not aware they are protected by federal law: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty – Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty, unless the warranty clearly and conspicuously states that aftermarket equipment voids the warranty. Most states have warranty statutes, as well. Which provide further protections for vehicle owners.In other words, that means a dealer can’t wiggle out of his legal warranty obligation merely because you install aftermarket equipment. To find out if any aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle’s warranty, check the owner’s manual. It is likely the language you are looking for appears under a heading such as “What Is Not Covered” Although the language seems negative, remember your vehicle manufacturer is simply saying he does not cover the aftermarket products themselves. He is not saying that the products would void the vehicle warranty.VEHICLE DEALERS OBLIGATIONSSuppose your modified vehicle needs repairs while still under warranty. Without analyzing the true cause of the problem, the dealer attempts to deny warranty coverage. He made his decision simply based on the fact that you’ve installed aftermarket equipment – a convenient way to dodge low-paying warranty work.An example of how ridiculous this can get is the man who was denied warranty coverage by a dealer on his power door locks, because he had improved his exhaust system! Sounds nuts? It really happened – because that man did not know his rights and challenge the dealer’s decision.Fact: A dealer must prove – not just say – that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before he can deny warranty coverage on that basis.YOUR RIGHTSPoint out to the dealer the provision of the Magnuson-Moss Act- Require that he explain to you how the aftermarket equipment caused the problem. If he can’t – or his explanation sounds questionable – it is your legal right to demand he comply with the warranty.Fact: If you are still being unfairly denied warranty coverage, there is recourse. The Federal Trade Commission, which administers the Magnuson-Moss Act, monitors compliance with warranty issues. Direct complaints to the FCT at (202) 326-3128.DODGE MOTORS“Certain changes that you might make to your truck do not, by themselves, void the warranties described in this booklet. Examples of some of these changes are: installing non-Chrysler parts, components, or equipment.” – 1997 Warranty Information supplement to DodgeOwner’s Manual:GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION“If a Chevrolet part fails due to a defect in material or workmanship not related to (on aftermarket products) or the labor to install it. Chevrolet would be responsible for covering the failed part.” – Chevrolet Customer Assistance CenterFORD MOTOR COMPANY:“Installation of a non-genuine Ford item does not, in and of itself, render warranty void.” – Ford Owner Relations DivisionFEDERAL LAWIn order to improve the adequacy of information available to consumers, prevent deception, and improve competition in the marketing of consumer products, any warrantor warranting a consumer product to a consumer by means of a written warranty shall. . .fully and conspicuously disclose in simple and readily understood language the terms and conditions of such warranty. Such rules . . . require inclusion in the written warranty of any . . . exceptions and exclusions from the terms of the warranty.’ – Magnuson-Moss Warranty & Federal Trade Commission improvement Act. Section 2302(a)*courtesy of Autotrucktoys

[waveresponder]

wonder what a vibe maual says?

[Mavrik]

any aftermarket part proven to have directly caused the problem or by the act of installing the aftermarket part and workmanship caused said problem, warranty can be denied. Anything installed that takes the vehicle out of its designed threshold causing problems, also denied.I like how people are always quick to jump on the dealer as the bad guy when its all the people trying to pull scams that are making warranty work on modifed cars hard to do.You pay to play.

[DiveNut]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »any aftermarket part proven to have directly caused the problem or by the act of installing the aftermarket part and workmanship caused said problem, warranty can be denied. Anything installed that takes the vehicle out of its designed threshold causing problems, also denied.I like how people are always quick to jump on the dealer as the bad guy when its all the people trying to pull scams that are making warranty work on modifed cars hard to do.You pay to play.Yep. I have to admit, dealers are not always out to screw us. I have had warranty work done on my Vibe, and before that heavily modified jeeps, without any questions about the mods. Like you said, as long as the mod does not affect, or contribute to the damage/defect of the part being replaced. You are good to go. I believe that law is really designed to protect us, for example, the CAI does not cause the ABS sensor to "go south" etc... It also helps to get to know the techs. Many of these guys/ladies are gear heads like us too