Adding Catback - will it cause warranty issues

[SigmaHyperion]

Originally Posted by vteclol

That means your warranty is voided.

No, it doesn't.

It says, specifically relation to only TRD components, that your new vehicle warranty MAY be voided if anyone other than a Toyota/Scion dealer installs a TRD component AND that failure causes some other part on your vehicle to fail.

It's a blanket statement meant to protect them in case you, for example, do a hilariously poor job of installing a TRD intake on your vehicle, leave a bolt inside the intake, and it gets sucked into the engine and tears it up. That will automatically void your engine warranty. If, however, Toyota made that same mistake during the installation, you are covered by your warranty.

[chrisbfrs]

Originally Posted by SigmaHyperion

No, it doesn't.

It says, specifically relation to only TRD components, that your new vehicle warranty MAY be voided if anyone other than a Toyota/Scion dealer installs a TRD component AND that failure causes some other part on your vehicle to fail.

It's a blanket statement meant to protect them in case you, for example, do a hilariously poor job of installing a TRD intake on your vehicle, leave a bolt inside the intake, and it gets sucked into the engine and tears it up. That will automatically void your engine warranty. If, however, Toyota made that same mistake during the installation, you are covered by your warranty.

Well my TRD intake had a defect in the mold. It had a nasty warped edge where the coupler hooked up to the back side of air box. I didnt notice it til after I got home because they sold me the display model that had the coupler already clamped to the air box. I brought it back to Big 2 Toyota and the manager said it is not covered because I could have caused the problem from me installing it. They also tried to say it could have warped from my exhaust.....they thought I had aftermarket exhaust on....but I said if its from exhaust heat than its from the stock exhaust. Then they said again that it was from me installing it. The part that had a defect was put together by someone at the dealer and I tried to explain that to them but they said I have to call Toyota America. I called Toyota America and they contacted The manager at Big 2 Toyota to talk about the issue and of course the manager at the dealer convinced Toyota it was from incorrect installation.
It was not from installation but from a defect in the air box mold. I contacted the BBB and then Toyota fixed the issue and gave me a new TRD intake.
So they can void your warranty if you install part yourself even if it wasnt a poor install job.
Companies do have warranty disclaimers like this to protect them from poor install jobs.....but it can also void your warranty on a good imstall that just had a bad part. So the consumer gets shafted. But that's why there is BBB and your local Attorney General to help consumers against companies that wrong someone.

Modern Ink Tattoo

[evox2frs]

Originally Posted by vteclol

I understand. I don't think evox2frs does.

I understand it completely, that's why I quoted it. It's clearly stated, and I'm not new to modding cars and dealing with warranties.

Unfortunate fact is, if the dealer wants to be an ass about simple mods, they can deny just about any claim they want. It's up to you to fight it, and prove otherwise. Best bet is to have a good relationship with your dealer and service manager.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by chrisbfrs

Companies do have warranty disclaimers like this to protect them from poor install jobs.....but it can also void your warranty on a good imstall that just had a bad part. So the consumer gets shafted. But that's why there is BBB and your local Attorney General to help consumers against companies that wrong someone.

Actually the point of the warranty is to cover two parts:

- Parts: 1 year 12000 mile warranty
- Labor: same period as above or your vehicle warranty, whichever is longer, if installed by authorized dealer.

As for the parts defect, that's entirely up to the (qualified) mechanic to determine. If you (as the installer) determine it's no good for installation (i.e. will be an issue later on), you have every right to ask for an exchange.

If you took it home and did not install it, and reported the defect, then you can ask for an exchange. If you already installed THEN noticed the defect, then the responsibility falls on you, the installer.

It's a gray area, yes, but if you had any doubt about defects in the intake, you should always resolve the parts issue prior to install. Once it's on the car, the burden of proof is on you, not the dealer.

Consumers don't get shafted if the parts defect was discovered prior to install...

-alex

[Wasabi]

the company only says that so they can wash their hands.

[chrisbfrs]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Actually the point of the warranty is to cover two parts:

- Parts: 1 year 12000 mile warranty
- Labor: same period as above or your vehicle warranty, whichever is longer, if installed by authorized dealer.

As for the parts defect, that's entirely up to the (qualified) mechanic to determine. If you (as the installer) determine it's no good for installation (i.e. will be an issue later on), you have every right to ask for an exchange.

If you took it home and did not install it, and reported the defect, then you can ask for an exchange. If you already installed THEN noticed the defect, then the responsibility falls on you, the installer.

It's a gray area, yes, but if you had any doubt about defects in the intake, you should always resolve the parts issue prior to install. Once it's on the car, the burden of proof is on you, not the dealer.

Consumers don't get shafted if the parts defect was discovered prior to install...

-alex

If the defect got past the person at the dealer that put the intake together in the first place and placed it on the display shelf, then sells it to someone already assembled as a good product.
Then after installing the already assembled product, they notice the display model that was sold to them had a defect and the dealer doesn't want to solve the issue and be a jerk about it, that is getting shafted.
Plus the defect should not have got passed quality control at TRD especially for a very expensive part.
Modern Ink Tattoo

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by chrisbfrs

If the defect got past the person at the dealer that put the intake together in the first place and placed it on the display shelf, then sells it to someone already assembled as a good product.
Then after installing the already assembled product, they notice the display model that was sold to them had a defect and the dealer doesn't want to solve the issue and be a jerk about it, that is getting shafted.
Plus the defect should not have got passed quality control at TRD especially for a very expensive part.
Modern Ink Tattoo

Yes, but if the installer is the end user, the responsibility of inspecting the parts falls on the end user.

People want to DIY their own mods, but they often overlook the fact that they also take on the responsibility of inspecting their own parts and determining if it will work or not.

Dealer install:
Buy parts, they install, they take care of any product warranty/exchange and they are responsible for damages during labor.

End user install:
Buy parts, end user installs, end user is responsible for inspection of defective parts and any labor damages, and the dealer has an excuse to get out of it because of a larger gray area.

I hardly think the end user is being shafted here...

-alex