Lifetime Powertrain Warranty = no mods ever?

[HamburgerSushi]

Hello friends!

I just got myself a 2017 BRZ and am thrilled that it has a nationwide lifetime powertrain warranty!

My only problem is: does that mean no matter what I do to the powertrain, it will void the warranty?

I have no experience negotiating with a dealer about what does and does not void a warranty.

Anybody have any insights? Tips? Tricks? Hax?

Thank you!

[DirtySouth86]

Not sure how you got that, powertrain warranty is supposed to be 5yr / 60k miles...

[SLVRSRFR]

Originally Posted by DirtySouth86

Not sure how you got that, powertrain warranty is supposed to be 5yr / 60k miles...

"Nationwide is on your side!"

They're a 3rd-party aftermarket extended warranty company.

I don't know the in's and out's of a Nationwide warranty, but I know with any factory warranty, your warranty isn't "void" simply because of a modification, unless the specific issue in question can be traced back as being caused by that modification. For example, you put coil-overs on your car, and your tie-rod ends wear out quicker than normal. Dealer would inspect, and potentially claim that your non-stock ride-height and aftermarket suspension threw off the suspension geometry, therefore causing the issue, and they would potentially refuse the claim to cover those parts and repairs under warranty because the modification could have caused the issue prematurely.

Even in that case, they wouldn't necessarily "void" your ENTIRE warranty on the spot. They would just potentially refuse that particular claim.

Again, this is usually how a FACTORY warranty works. I'm not sure about a Nationwide extended warranty, as I'm sure there's a lot of fine print and red tape with that.

Hope this helps.

[HamburgerSushi]

Originally Posted by SLVRSRFR

"Nationwide is on your side!"

They're a 3rd-party aftermarket extended warranty company.

I don't know the in's and out's of a Nationwide warranty, but I know with any factory warranty, your warranty isn't "void" simply because of a modification, unless the specific issue in question can be traced back as being caused by that modification. For example, you put coil-overs on your car, and your tie-rod ends wear out quicker than normal. Dealer would inspect, and potentially claim that your non-stock ride-height and aftermarket suspension threw off the suspension geometry, therefore causing the issue, and they would potentially refuse the claim to cover those parts and repairs under warranty because the modification could have caused the issue prematurely.

Even in that case, they wouldn't necessarily "void" your ENTIRE warranty on the spot. They would just potentially refuse that particular claim.

Again, this is usually how a FACTORY warranty works. I'm not sure about a Nationwide extended warranty, as I'm sure there's a lot of fine print and red tape with that.

Hope this helps.

http://www.sportsubaru.com/nationwid...e-warranty.htm

Here it is!

That's fair.
My understanding is that anything ahead of the intake manifold and anything past the catalytic converter cannot really be implicated in causing powertrain problems if properly installed.

I guess the surest way to find out it to talk to the dealer and see what they're willing to take because seriously - what's owning a BRZ without getting at least a little mod-happy (intake & exhaust minimum)?

[SLVRSRFR]

Originally Posted by HamburgerSushi

http://www.sportsubaru.com/nationwid...e-warranty.htm

Here it is!

That's fair.
My understanding is that anything ahead of the intake manifold and anything past the catalytic converter cannot really be implicated in causing powertrain problems if properly installed.

I guess the surest way to find out it to talk to the dealer and see what they're willing to take because seriously - what's owning a BRZ without getting at least a little mod-happy (intake & exhaust minimum)?

I'm in Canada, so the rules may be a bit different up here...

But I have taken my car to a local Subaru dealer religiously, even with mods, without so much as a peep from them. Mind you, none of my mods caused any of the issues I've had, but still. I've heard of some dealerships turning you away once they see the car is modified, so be wary.

It also helps that this particular Subaru dealer I go to has the coolest, most chill Fixed Operations Manager ever. lol

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by SLVRSRFR

I'm in Canada, so the rules may be a bit different up here...

But I have taken my car to a local Subaru dealer religiously, even with mods, without so much as a peep from them. Mind you, none of my mods caused any of the issues I've had, but still. I've heard of some dealerships turning you away once they see the car is modified, so be wary.

It also helps that this particular Subaru dealer I go to has the coolest, most chill Fixed Operations Manager ever. lol

The dealer in London would be fine with minor mods. The one in Stratford will try to refuse warranty even without mods and would certainly attempt to void the whole warranty for unrelated mods.
"Ohh your diff blew? Well I guess you shouldn't have plastidipped that ring around your heater vents now should you? Sorry."


It really depends on the dealer just how far they will try to take it.

[billwot]

Originally Posted by SLVRSRFR

"Nationwide is on your side!"

They're a 3rd-party aftermarket extended warranty company.

I don't know the in's and out's of a Nationwide warranty, but I know with any factory warranty, your warranty isn't "void" simply because of a modification, unless the specific issue in question can be traced back as being caused by that modification. For example, you put coil-overs on your car, and your tie-rod ends wear out quicker than normal. Dealer would inspect, and potentially claim that your non-stock ride-height and aftermarket suspension threw off the suspension geometry, therefore causing the issue, and they would potentially refuse the claim to cover those parts and repairs under warranty because the modification could have caused the issue prematurely.

Even in that case, they wouldn't necessarily "void" your ENTIRE warranty on the spot. They would just potentially refuse that particular claim.

Again, this is usually how a FACTORY warranty works. I'm not sure about a Nationwide extended warranty, as I'm sure there's a lot of fine print and red tape with that.

Hope this helps.

Just FYI, if you're actually considering spending your money on a pricey 3rd party warranty, I think I would discuss the terms with the provider, not some anonymous opinions on a message board.

But then, that's just me.

[HamburgerSushi]

Originally Posted by billwot

Just FYI, if you're actually considering spending your money on a pricey 3rd party warranty, I think I would discuss the terms with the provider, not some anonymous opinions on a message board.

But then, that's just me.

Warranty comes free with the car actually!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[billwot]

Originally Posted by HamburgerSushi

Warranty comes free with the car actually!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh, you're paying for it, trust me!

But regardless, I think I would still want to hear the terms from the provider, not a message board. JMHO

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by billwot

Just FYI, if you're actually considering spending your money on a pricey 3rd party warranty, I think I would discuss the terms with the provider, not some anonymous opinions on a message board.

But then, that's just me.

.......... enough of the stuffy, old, logical talk ...... old man.




humfrz

[theadmiral976]

Originally Posted by HamburgerSushi

Hello friends!

I just got myself a 2017 BRZ and am thrilled that it has a nationwide lifetime powertrain warranty!

My only problem is: does that mean no matter what I do to the powertrain, it will void the warranty?

I have no experience negotiating with a dealer about what does and does not void a warranty.

Anybody have any insights? Tips? Tricks? Hax?

Thank you!

For those in the United States, here is some light reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus...s_Warranty_Act

Also, in general, be sensible about things on the off-chance you have to warranty something on your car. For example, if you end up with a bad throwout bearing in 10,000 miles but you supercharged the car past the torque limit for the stock transmission and clutch assembly, don't be expecting a warranty claim from a dealer/Subaru. It's not fair to them.

That said, if you put a catback exhaust on, and did nothing else to the car, don't hesitate to graciously escalate any throwout bearing-related warranty denials to Subaru of America.

[DirtySouth86]

Originally Posted by HamburgerSushi

http://www.sportsubaru.com/nationwid...e-warranty.htm

Here it is!

That's fair.
My understanding is that anything ahead of the intake manifold and anything past the catalytic converter cannot really be implicated in causing powertrain problems if properly installed.

I guess the surest way to find out it to talk to the dealer and see what they're willing to take because seriously - what's owning a BRZ without getting at least a little mod-happy (intake & exhaust minimum)?

Well that's pretty cool. Wonder how much it increased the purchase price. If it did not, then I'd say they will be very deny-happy once you pass 60K. But, who knows maybe you got the deal of a lifetime.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by HamburgerSushi

http://www.sportsubaru.com/nationwid...e-warranty.htm

Out of morbid curiosity looked at the site, as this could make a difference in where I buy a car given I typically keep them well into the 200K mile area.

Immediate thing you have to look out for is it requires standard maintenance be performed. Not a big deal since it says you don't have to do it at the dealer but you would need to know how much leeway you have with that (for example, if you have the oil changed at 6000 miles or 7000 miles instead of 6500 miles does that throw it off?). You also need to keep very good records I suspect.

They claim there are no "asterisks" in the warranty but that doesn't mean there aren't limitations. Also, there is nothing on the site about mods, etc but it's a safe bet that if you change a part to a non-OEM part (or a higher performance part) it will be a target for refusal, assuming the mechanic's shop reports it. This is probably all covered in the very fine detail of the warranty.

I did try to do a quick search for Nationwide (the provider) but all I could find was some details that mentioned they only cover up to $2,000 per service and the total limitation is the original purchase price of the car. This was for Canada though. Couldn't find it for the US under that company name.

In the end, if I personally could get the car for the same price with this warranty I would do it over a dealership not offering it.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by DirtySouth86

Well that's pretty cool. Wonder how much it increased the purchase price. If it did not, then I'd say they will be very deny-happy once you pass 60K. But, who knows maybe you got the deal of a lifetime.

Since you can take it to any repair shop the denial might be harder to accomplish. My "personal" garage would honor this and pretty much fight to get the warranty accepted within its restrictions.