What mods void your factory warranty?

[haven]

Jalopnik.com points out an ongoing debate between Jeep owners and
dealers over what types of modifications void the factory warranty. This
is a gray area, particularly because Mopar sells parts to modify your
Jeep through their accessories catalog, as well as the Mopar performance
catalog.

http://jalopnik.com/5620613/the-secret-to-not-getting-screwed-by-your-jeep-warranty

The article references a discussion on JK-Forum.com
http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread....WILL-VOID-Your-Warranty-if-You-Lift-Your-Jeep

Have you had warranty problems after you modified your Jeep?

 

[goodtimes]

Unfortunately, we live in a society where the guy with the deepest pockets wins. Sometimes referred to as 'Innocent until proven broke'.

All the dealer has to do is keep denying your claim until you run out of money, or the courts force them to do what they should have in the first place. They know that 99.9% of people will simply go away if they ignore them -- because we don't have a choice. We end up fixing our vehicles ourselves (either literally, or by paying someone else to do it) because we can't afford a legal battle.

I've only had one problem with a warranty repair with a Jeep dealer. The part that rubbed me the wrong way wasn't that they denied the claim (they had a legitimate reason to), it was the excuse they gave for denying it.

The short version goes like this: I got my jeep wedged into a tight spot, right front tire hanging over a big hole, right rear tire up against a large step, and I needed to back up. With both lockers on, in reverse, I eased it up that big step, stretching the ears on the left front axle shaft in the process (It didn't break -- only stretched). I asked if they would warranty it. They denied it based on the fact that I had a 3.5" lift. Not because of the 33" tires, or 'abuse' while off road, but because of the lift. As if the lift would cause any increased stress on the axle shaft.

It was the [seriously flawed] logic behind the reason that left me wanting to ********** them with a stick (of course, I didn't -- I just went somewhere else to buy a new axle shaft).

 

[Regcabguy]

The FJ Cruiser ads initially declared that the modifications would void your warranty and they were installed by Toyota. ******? It's everywhere.

 

[ox4mag]

Actually, the law is that the dealer can only deny your claim if they can prove that the modification done to the vehicle is what caused the vehicle to fail. Is there a specific mod you are planning on that has you undecided because of the impact it may have on the vehicle's performance, possibly requiring a trip to the dealer for correction?

 

[JKIslander]

This is the nature of the beast when it comes to modifying any new vehicle. However Jeeps have always been modified to the gills and used beyond normal street use.

First and formost, ask and do your research about your dealer. Talk to the service manager and service director. They are ultimately the boss. However I have heard that some dealers are being asked by Chrysler to send pictures of the failed part with all warranty claims to prevent false claims.

The more common aftermarket items such as cat back exhaust and aftermarket wheels/tires within the stock range will nearly never cause problems. Once you add that 6 inch long arm suspension and 35-37 inch tires and go in for a ball joint or wheel bearing claim, well then they do have a case there. The vehicle just wasnt built to deal with that on the road, let alone what people do when offroad. (rockcrawling moreso then expo style trail runs)

Also remember your legal rights. Look up the Magnussen-Moss Act. This piece of legislation specifically states that a dealer cannot legally void a warranty unless they can prove beyond reasonable doubt that the aftermarket mods caused the failure IE: A 6 inch lift cant cause them to deny a seatbelt malfunction. But when you get into the grey areas its all a matter of how much your willing to fight it and how much you want the new modded vehicle.

My advice is keep it stock, add meaty tires about the same size as stock and go have fun with it, add the bumpers and armor and learn how to drive it stock, you will be a better wheeler in 3 years when the warranties gone. But if you break an axleshaft trying to crawl hardcore rocks, dont cry if the dealer denies it based on abuse. Its just the way things are.

-Blake

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Your factory service writer determines what mods void your warranty. A good relationship with your service writer can get you just about anything warranted has been my experience.

 

[goodtimes]

Actually, the law is that the dealer can only deny your claim if they can prove that the modification done to the vehicle is what caused the vehicle to fail.

Yes, but reality is usually far different than the letter of the law.

All a dealer has to do (in reality) is deny your claim. Then it is up to you to force the issue -- including bearing the costs of an attorney once the phone calls run out. You may prevail in the end, or you may not -- but until then, you pay the costs out of your pocket.

Some are better than others. I've had good luck with Chevy dealers (almost a decade ago), and I've had good luck with BMW (motorcycle) dealers. Marginal luck with Jeep dealers (see previous post).

Building a good relationship with the service writer &/or owner is always a good thing -- as is being reasonable with they kinds of warranty claims you make.

 

[JKIslander]

Some are better than others. I've had good luck with Chevy dealers (almost a decade ago), and I've had good luck with BMW (motorcycle) dealers. Marginal luck with Jeep dealers (see previous post).

I worked as a tech for 5 years at a Chevy dealer. We never questioned aftermarket stuff unless it was really obvious. We were more concerned about keeping the customer happy. It sucked as a mechanic (warranty work pays way less then cash work) It had to be really bad for us to question it. I was in the ghetto so 22inch wheels were common and we saw no end of worn front end components from them, warrantied them all.

 

[TOTJ]

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))
This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers. The essence of
the law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not
condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which
are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle maker's brand)
unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of
an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's
protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually
caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised
to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result
in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of
such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or
service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the
warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name... (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)).
Clean Air Act Warranty Provisions (42 U.S.C. S 7541 (C) (3) (B))
The federal Clean Air Act requires vehicle makers to provide two emissions-related
warranties -- a production warranty and a performance warranty. The production
warranty requires the vehicle maker to warrant that the vehicle is designed, built and
equipped so that it conforms with emissions requirements at the time of sale. The
performance warranty requires the vehicle maker to warrant that the vehicle will
comply with applicable emissions requirements as tested under state vehicle emissions
inspection programs for the warranty periods specified in the law (for model year 1995
and later vehicles, the warranty is 2 years/24,000 miles for all emissions-related parts
and 8 years/80,000 miles for the catalytic converter, electronic emissions control unit
and on-board diagnostic device). The performance warranty is conditioned on the
vehicle being properly maintained and operated.
Like the Magnuson-Moss Act, vehicle manufacturers may not refuse warranty repairs
under the Clean Air Acts performance and defect warranties merely because
aftermarket parts have been installed on the vehicle. The only circumstance under
which the vehicle manufacturer can void the emissions warranties is if an aftermarket
part is responsible for (causes) the warranty claim.

 

[njjeepthing]

A dealer tried once to deny my warranty claim for two bad 02 censors, said my lift and tires caused them to fail. Till I pulled out a business card for the East Coast warranty manager I had just met at Camp Jeep two weeks prior! Yup fixed them and I promptly found a new dealer to do business with, as they claimed they were doing me a favor this time by doing the warranty work!