What won't void your warranty modification wise?

[Brahsbrah]

The obvious aesthetic mods obviously won't, however performance modifications in most cases can be to blame for various issues that may arrise.

Suprised there isn't a sticky related to this, as most people are probably still under warranty.

The only thing that i can really think of is tire and rims.

Assuming a TRD intake would even void the Subaru warranty?



Thoughts/opinions/experiences?

[topazsparrow]

The reason there is no sticky is because it's been discussed many many times already.

Mods can only void your warranty if Toyota can prove it contributed to the failure. Of course, that's assuming the dealership doesn't tell you to get bent before Toyota can even look at it.

[scionfr_s]

Cat-back exhaust, drop in filter or intake won't void warranty.

[Asphalt~86]

Stickers and plasti-dip.

[Lonewolf]

***DISCLAIMER: The subsequent material does not constitute legal advice or legal representation in any way, shape, or form. The material is provided for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY, and was originally posted on an Internet community forum. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the owners, moderators, or administrators of the Internet forum. No portion of the subsequent material may be reproduced, retransmitted, copied, posted, printed, downloaded, or linked without express written consent from a site administrator.


There is a great deal of confusion regarding vehicle modifications and manufacturer warranties on the Internet. What follows are some simplistic clarifications to help consumers navigate the murky waters of vehicle modifications and warranties.


Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act: This act provides a host of benefits for common consumers, and some protections for automotive enthusiasts as well. The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act may be viewed as a federal "lemon law" (California's state lemon law is the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act). Lemon laws serve the basic function of protecting the consumer from vehicle defects and improper warranty denial or abuse.


Magnusson-Moss provides that before a manufacturer can deny warranty coverage as a result of a vehicle modification (e.g., aftermarket exhaust or wheels), the manufacturer must provide proof or evidence that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to a warranty concern or issue. [*Please check your owner's manual for the extent and duration of all vehicle warranties before attempting to assert protections provided by Magnusson-Moss.]

For example, if you have an aftermarket exhaust, and you take your car to the dealership to service a transmission issue, the manufacturer must demonstrate a causal link between your aftermarket exhaust and the transmission issue in order to deny warranty coverage that would have addressed the transmission issue.


In the event that an aftermarket part or component is found to have caused or contributed to a warranty issue, then the warranty for that specific manufacturer part is no longer valid; the warranty for the rest of the vehicle still remains in effect. For example, a manufacturer cannot void your powertrain (engine/transmission) warranty because you installed an aftermarket stereo head unit and amplifier in your car, and your factory speakers are now blown and no longer functional. Only the portion of the manufacturer's warranty for the vehicle's factory (original) sound system is affected. Your powertrain warranty remains intact despite the fact you modified the interior of your car, damaged the factory speakers, and no longer have warranty coverage for your factory/original sound system.


Real World Implications: Despite the protections provided by Magnusson-Moss, many automotive dealerships (which are independently owned and operated) will attempt to void vehicle warranties (or refuse service under warranty) because of aftermarket parts or modifications because they know that many people are not aware of their rights, will not go through the trouble of fighting the dealership and/or manufacturer, or do not want to wait to have vehicle service performed at a later date. *Remember that your vehicle warranties are through the manufacturer, and that the dealership is compensated by the manufacturer for warranty service when the service is approved by the manufacturer or its service divisions.


Preventative Solutions/Tips:

1) Try to have your vehicle serviced at a dealership that is fair and reasonable with respect to vehicle modifications. Inquire as to the dealership's stance regarding modifications before going in for service with aftermarket parts installed. Some dealerships are owned by enthusiasts and they appreciate the modifications performed by owners, and other dealerships don't want to deal with the potential liability or headaches that come with servicing modified vehicles under warranty. There are many dealerships that take no issue with modifications such as air intakes, cat-back exhausts, lowering springs, and aftermarket wheels, but draw the line at more involved modifications such as forced induction or aftermarket tunes. Conversely, there are dealerships that will take issue with minor modifications such as an aftermarket air filter or an axle-back exhaust.


2) Certain manufacturers provide branded performance parts such as intakes and lowering springs from in-house racing developers or third party affiliates such as TRD or STi. Performance upgrades from these sources are often backed with factory warranties so long as they are installed by a dealer. This is one potential way to avoid warranty hassles, but the trade-off is that these upgrade parts are limited in application and can be rather expensive.


3) Some dealerships will even install aftermarket (not from TRD or STi) parts for you, but be aware that if something goes wrong, and a warranty issue arises, all bets are off regarding your treatment by the dealership. If possible, get a written representation from the dealership that installed the aftermarket parts that you will be covered in the event of a subsequent warranty issue.


Editor's note: Organizations such as SEMA can provide you with more in-depth information and additional resources regarding the aftermarket industry and aftermarket parts.

[Carwhisperer]

Boom close thread.

[m.wood0213]

great info thank you very much!!!

[suaveflooder]

Great post @Lonewolf

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

Magnusson-Moss provides that before a manufacturer can deny warranty coverage as a result of a vehicle modification (e.g., aftermarket exhaust or wheels), the manufacturer must provide proof or evidence that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to a warranty concern or issue. [*Please check your owner's manual for the extent and duration of all vehicle warranties before attempting to assert protections provided by Magnusson-Moss.]

No they don't.
They do only if replacement parts are done to OEM specs. Otherwise Magnusson-Moss goes out the window.


M-M law is there so that the dealer cannot require one to buy replacement oil filter only from the dealer at inflated prices. It does not apply to random junk you put on your car.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

No they don't.
They do only if replacement parts are done to OEM specs. Otherwise Magnusson-Moss goes out the window.

I don't know exactly what you are referring to, your overly bolded statements are tremendously vague and unclear. Do you know warranty/contract/consumer law?

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

I don't know exactly what you are referring to, your overly bolded statements are tremendously vague and unclear. Do you know warranty/contract/consumer law?

My 'overly bolded statements' used exactly the font size you used.
Nothing vague about it. Aftermarket often brings up M-M, and in most cases what they say is wishful thinking.

Your bolded stament are taken right out of SEMA playbook. They have nothing to do with what the M-M act states.

If you put parts that violate OEM specs, M-M does not apply.

Now, in practice, a lot of cases where consumers manage to get the manufacturers to honor (the previously denied) claims is where the failure is common and does occur to cars w/o any modifications.

Basically, all I'm saying is that one should use common sense. If you're reflashed - M-M does not apply, do not come to the dealer citing SEMA interpretation of the M-M and expecting them to cut you some slack.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

If you put parts that violate OEM specs, M-M does not apply.

My entire post is not entirely based on Magnusson-Moss, that's your first problematic assumption.

Further, what "violates" oem specs? Where is this defined? Where is the tolerance range for each spec? Where is the notice provided of this tolerance range?

Magnusson-Moss is not some magic unicorn here to save everyone who likes to mod, it is a guideline as to how warranties should be managed and saved from misapplication by manufacturers.

In addition, your "oem specs" assertion doesn't matter if the "violative" aftermarket part doesn't CAUSE a problem. The law is all about causation.

*So what happens if I have 20 inch wheels and tires on my FRS and my tailights start developing condensation? Do my 20's void my taillight warranty? No, they do not. Magnusson-Moss shouldn't even be at issue here since the cause of the warranty issue and the aftermarket part are not even remotely linked. So, my 20's, which are no doubt not within "oem specs" don't mean a thing.

I tried to distill the finer points of warranty issues into something most could understand.

You parrot stuff from SEMA (which I also refer to), misapply it, and then pretend to find some fatal flaw in my post...

Nice try...

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

Now, in practice, a lot of cases where consumers manage to get the manufacturers to honor (the previously denied) claims is where the failure is common and does occur to cars w/o any modifications.

So you've handled cases regarding automotive warranty disputes?

[BlueSTaR]

Sticking with plasti-dip, vinyl, and wheels until my warranty runs out. Then I'll go nuts

It's a DD, so it's more important to look fast than go fast.

Because Looks Racecar!