Voided warranties for mods?

[dayne808]

Anyone in here have any warranty work denied due to mods? Might be a dumb question but valid to ask the local dealership here has claimed to have cracked down on honoring warranty work due to mods. I brought up Magnusson-Moss act to the general manager and he said it doesn't matter. Just wanna hear some good or bad stories from you guys/girls

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[SteveS]

No direct experience as I don’t modify my vehicles. However, I think the service manager is correct.
Lets say you modify the suspension. Obviously they will not cover any issues on that unless it was a Toyota approved and installed mod. If not, no warranty on the suspension and any damage, premature wear caused by the suspension mod would not be covered. If however, you need warranty work on something completely unrelated to the suspension, they should cover that.

depending on the mods, you are opening a proverbial “Can O Worms” when it comes to warranty.

 

[CO/ZA]

Mods are pay to play, always.

If you tune your engine, blow your turbo, you're on the hook for the 10-11k for repair.

If you use an aftermarket lift kit, wear out your CVs or transmission, you're on the hook.

Some mods are 'safe' and fly under the radar because of their limited impact, such as aftermarket skid plates or wheels.

 

[Nodak]

technically they have to prove the mods caused the issue but i am guessing the dealership is not wanting to play that game and just out right deny it to save the hassle themselves. then it becomes a game you have play and prove it otherwise.

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (1975)

Parts and Service: Stops companies from voiding a warranty just because you used an aftermarket part or went to an independent mechanic, unless they can prove that specific part or service caused the damage

remember the door swings both ways, you can not goto a dealer cause of bad work/service just as much as they can deny service to a customer if they think its more hassle than you are worth.

 

[127.0.0.1]

Magnusson-Moss is about
buying 3rd party parts and installing to repair an OEM function 1 to 1

that... is supported
------------------------------------

it is not about installing fat tires and a lift which increases prop shaft wear, axle wear, and transmission wear, and trying to get coverage if any of that breaks as a result

 

[Scrappopatamus]

I purchased a new vehicle in 2002. Shortly there after, a ton of mods hit the market and I purchased and had the selling dear install. Wheels, tires, coil overs, headers, exhaust, sway bars and bushings and so on. Shortly there after, a company in Washington State came out with a cylinder head, cam, Hot tune, water to air intercooler, aluminum fyheels, clutches and so on. When I had the motor work performed they were excited, but that turned ugly when they forgot to add the oil to the new engine and it seized. I was told the manufacturer cancelled the warranty on the car, sorry about your luck. I rang a friend who's a patent attorney to get a recommendation of a good attorney specializing in these sorts of tiffs. He told me to ring the dealer's service manager and ask if they knew of or understood the Moss Magneson Act. If not, Google it and get back with me after reading over it. I was told to be certain that they knew that I had contacted council and was instructed to advise that they familiarize themselves. Also tell them that you've instructed council to file a Class Action Suit and purchase the names and addresses of anyone owning one of their vehicles, and you had a initial legal budget of the price paid for the vehicle along with money spent at their agency since purchasing said vehicle. Suggest they pass it on and get back with you. Initially they (Manufacturer) agreed yo provide a short block. Two calls later the same day they supplied a new engine, all parts installed and components to be replaced that could have been compromised during the mis-hap. They were very cordial, shipped all the trashed parts to the various vendors and did this in an expeditious manner. I had my vehicle back in about a month and they've always been pleasant through ongoing purchases and service visits. The repair didn't cost me a dime and the Manufacturer threw in an extended warranty and documentation that the warranty was intact. Killing the warranty on a vehicle means all the complex components on the vehicle would never be warranted regardless of fault. How could you sell a vehicle and have someone sign documentation knowing thet they were purchasing a vehicle that must have been messed up considering the document not to mention the product liability selling something that no one will ever acknowledge liability. That's a vehicle you crush.
Your Service Manager obviously rides a tall horse, but given some push back from the right person, they might be inclined to ride a more manageable horse. In my instance, it was the dealer that messed up but unfortunately the Manufacturer waded into something where they had no skin in the game. This particular vehicle is still residing in my garage and regularly visits the above mentioned agency.

 

[SteveS]

Would like to hear from the OP. Opinions, comments, etc.

So many dead or open-ended threads OR AI posted crap????

 

[dayne808]

Would like to hear from the OP. Opinions, comments, etc.

So many dead or open-ended threads OR AI posted crap????

Sorry guys been busy at work! definitely not AI funny thing is I've only owned a few new vehicles, 2 were 4runners which were actually worth modifying. I guess the dealership is under new statewide ownership so there has been lots of changes. Still tons of guys here locally doing all kinds of mods to their toyotas: huge lifts and crazy sized wheels all the way to just basic bolt on stuff. I haven't come across anyone so far who has had problems with the service department and their bumper to bumper warranty being voided. Everyone's input here so far is appreciated!

 

[dayne808]

Mods are pay to play, always.

If you tune your engine, blow your turbo, you're on the hook for the 10-11k for repair.

If you use an aftermarket lift kit, wear out your CVs or transmission, you're on the hook.

Some mods are 'safe' and fly under the radar because of their limited impact, such as aftermarket skid plates or wheels.

I was looking to just do a preload collar or an ADO spacer delete setup. 2" lift max. Probably one tire size up on the factory wheels nothing crazy. No engine mods. For him to claim any mods will completely void the warranty is just crazy

 

[dayne808]

technically they have to prove the mods caused the issue but i am guessing the dealership is not wanting to play that game and just out right deny it to save the hassle themselves. then it becomes a game you have play and prove it otherwise.



remember the door swings both ways, you can not goto a dealer cause of bad work/service just as much as they can deny service to a customer if they think its more hassle than you are worth.

I know right? All of my other trucks are lifted and modified but they're older vehicles. I just wanted a more level look with a slightly bigger tire on factory wheels. Some guys here go crazy with their paper plates still on and it makes me wonder what they'll do if something was to break or fail

 

[Nodak]

I know right? All of my other trucks are lifted and modified but they're older vehicles. I just wanted a more level look with a slightly bigger tire on factory wheels. Some guys here go crazy with their paper plates still on and it makes me wonder what they'll do if something was to break or fail

my dealer in town they dont do much add ons here and if you drive about 106 miles south to the other toyota dealer, they do tons of add ons like wheels, tires, lifts, etc even after the sale.

i had them install a oem exhaust system and some Bilstein shocks on the 2016 taco and they didnt even blink an eye.

 

[CO/ZA]

I was looking to just do a preload collar or an ADO spacer delete setup. 2" lift max. Probably one tire size up on the factory wheels nothing crazy. No engine mods. For him to claim any mods will completely void the warranty is just crazy

Honestly there is no reason to not get the official 2.5" TRD lift kit.

It's very comprehensive and you retain your warranty if the dealer installs it.

 

[dayne808]

my dealer in town they dont do much add ons here and if you drive about 106 miles south to the other toyota dealer, they do tons of add ons like wheels, tires, lifts, etc even after the sale.

i had them install a oem exhaust system and some Bilstein shocks on the 2016 taco and they didnt even blink an eye.

Nice. I understand its to the dealerships discretion. I guess over here all of them on all islands are owned by Servco now. Im assuming under new management they need to disclose the possibility of voided warranties, whether they act on it is TBD

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