Blacklisted by Ford

[lugz]

I had a Lund tune on my '17 GT and wasn't worried about the warranty or anything happening to the engine. The thing that surprised me though was that when I went to sell the car and put it back to stock, every serious buyer asked if it had ever been tuned - I was honest that it had been tuned and put back to stock with no problems. Every single buyer backed out over the tune even though it ran like a top with absolutely zero problems. Everyone was AFRAID of what might happen trying to get a warranty claim done. i.e. fear of the unknown was much greater than the reality. Anyway, I had to trade it in, ultimately costing me thousands of dollars vs a private party sale. Something else to consider when thinking of doing a tune.

Sponsored

 

[usgiorgi]

I had a Lund tune on my '17 GT and wasn't worried about the warranty or anything happening to the engine. The thing that surprised me though was that when I went to sell the car and put it back to stock, every serious buyer asked if it had ever been tuned - I was honest that it had been tuned and put back to stock with no problems. Every single buyer backed out over the tune even though it ran like a top with absolutely zero problems. Everyone was AFRAID of what might happen trying to get a warranty claim done. i.e. fear of the unknown was much greater than the reality. Anyway, I had to trade it in, ultimately costing me thousands of dollars vs a private party sale. Something else to consider when thinking of doing a tune.

Well nobody wants an abused car. That's the reality. Even though it may not be actual abuse, a tune means it was most likely driven harder than a car that was kept stock.

 

[lugz]

Well nobody wants an abused car. That's the reality. Even though it may not be actual abuse, a tune means it was most likely driven harder than a car that was kept stock.

Maybe so, but every single one of them clearly stated their biggest concern was the warranty being voided on a car with 7k miles.

 

[usgiorgi]

Maybe so, but every single one of them clearly stated their biggest concern was the warranty being voided on a car with 7k miles.

Yea that's a given. If someone is selling a tuned car with 7k miles on it, i'd think something was wrong with it. Whether the dealer finds the tune or not, it's a huge risk to the buyer. If you lied and the engine blew a few miles down the road, he can sue you when he finds out that the dealer refuses to cover it under the warranty due to the tune.

 

[Braski]

Drive the snot out of it for 10k miles. If nothing happens then you have a solid car ready to be modified!

 

[Airborne5.0]

I only read the first few replies. Disregard everything anyone posted and let this sink in.

The SECOND you tune your engine, you are making it operate outside of fords intended use of that engine. If anything goes wrong with the car, ford will 100% blame the tune and you will not be covered. Yes there are some dealers who are "cool" and may replace it, however, most will not. I have seen people fight warranty claims over aftermarket blow off valves, and intakes. If you are worried, WAIT for your warranty to expire and then tune the engine.

 

[brucelinc]

If anything goes wrong with the car, ford will 100% blame the tune and you will not be covered

Based on that statement, a defective power window switch or sticking brake caliper would not be covered. You are spreading false information. Words have meaning.

 

[Airborne5.0]

Based on that statement, a defective power window switch or sticking brake caliper would not be covered. You are spreading false information. Words have meaning.

Go ahead, tune your engine while you're still under warranty. Have fun walking into the dealership with an oil leak or whatever problem may arise and try to get it covered under warranty. Obviously a defective power window button would be covered, stop being so thick.

 

[brucelinc]

Go ahead, tune your engine while you're still under warranty. Have fun walking into the dealership with an oil leak or whatever problem may arise and try to get it covered under warranty. Obviously a defective power window button would be covered, stop being so thick.

Airborne, there are people who read these posts who fail to distinguish between the various warranties. Failure to be specific causes misinformation.

As for your example of the oil leak, do you seriously think that something as minor as a leaking valve cover gasket would cause the Ford Motor Company to require a dealer to investigate whether the car had ever been tuned?

Of course, if there is an unusual or catastrophic powertrain failure, an investigation followed by a denial to cover it is likely and understandable. When working with a reputable tuner, that type of failure is unlikely.

I do agree with you that if one worries that a tune might cause warranty issues, they should remain stock.

 

[Airborne5.0]

Airborne, there are people who read these posts who fail to distinguish between the various warranties. Failure to be specific causes misinformation.

As for your example of the oil leak, do you seriously think that something as minor as a leaking valve cover gasket would cause the Ford Motor Company to require a dealer to investigate whether the car had ever been tuned?

Of course, if there is an unusual or catastrophic powertrain failure, an investigation followed by a denial to cover it is likely and understandable. When working with a reputable tuner, that type of failure is unlikely.

I do agree with you that if one worries that a tune might cause warranty issues, they should remain stock.

Maybe my view is different, I came to the V8 world from the I4 forced induction world. Where among the first thing to happen is a tune. In this car circle I have seen dealers deny trans warranty work on cars due to a after market exhaust or an intake. I have seen a dealer deny warranty service on misfiring cylinders because of a blow off valve. I am somewhat surprised how ignorant some people are to the fact that if you tune your engine, you may as well rip up your warranty. I am only trying to articulate to others who have their heads in the sand that if you do indeed tune your engine, you are giving up your warranty.

With that said, once my 3 year / 60k is over, I will be tuned. Until then I am not risking anything on the car with a sticker of 60k. Exhaust, tires, wheels until then.

 

[vernonator]

Go ahead, tune your engine while you're still under warranty. Have fun walking into the dealership with an oil leak or whatever problem may arise and try to get it covered under warranty. Obviously a defective power window button would be covered, stop being so thick.

I did - had a '12 Taurus SHO that I 1) put in bigger catless downpipes 2) tuned to run 93 octane. Now I never had an engine problem, but I did have an issue with the front strut mounts - fixed under warranty. Had a the switch for the rear window shade flake out, fixed under warranty.

Read the Magnusson-Moss act - they can only deny a claim if they can trace the issue back to the mod/non-oem part. Sometimes that is hard to do, sometimes it is easy....but your warranty is NEVER Voided. Now for my '16 mustnag I put on the Ford Performance Power Pack 2 and that is fully guarnanteed by Ford Perf - no worries about anything.

 

[brucelinc]

Airborne, I appreciate your civil response. We disagree on this but I will not attempt to change your mind.

My experience is just much different than yours. The dealers with whom I have dealt have welcomed warranty work and the last thing they want to do is lose a customer. Of course, if a mod causes a problem, that problem should not be covered. If I am at the dragstrip with my tuned Mustang and I snap an axle or blow up the engine, I wouldn't even consider expecting my dealer to fix it for free.

My last 4 cars have been tuned. Between those 4, I have had a power seat module, an instrument cluster, brake calipers, a transmission sensor and a driveshaft replaced under warranty. There was never any issue.

I do suspect that if a customer shows up with a CAI, an aftermarket exhaust, lowering springs, drag radials and other bolt-ons, it could certainly lead one to suspect the car may also be tuned.

Again, if one is concerned, they should remain stock.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Airborne, I appreciate your civil response. We disagree on this but I will not attempt to change your mind.

My experience is just much different than yours. The dealers with whom I have dealt have welcomed warranty work and the last thing they want to do is lose a customer. Of course, if a mod causes a problem, that problem should not be covered. If I am at the dragstrip with my tuned Mustang and I snap an axle or blow up the engine, I wouldn't even consider expecting my dealer to fix it for free.

My last 4 cars have been tuned. Between those 4, I have had a power seat module, an instrument cluster, brake calipers, a transmission sensor and a driveshaft replaced under warranty. There was never any issue.

I do suspect that if a customer shows up with a CAI, an aftermarket exhaust, lowering springs, drag radials and other bolt-ons, it could certainly lead one to suspect the car may also be tuned.

Again, if one is concerned, they should remain stock.

—

Agree with your reply.

While YOU may not go to Ford seeking Warranty work IF you had blown the engine at the track or as you said, snap an axle - unfortunately quite a few folks do try to scam the Service Centers by making it seem their failures are due to “manufacturer defect”...

——

Here’s some quick, simple info about the Ford Warranty (for those who don’t know or don’t read their Owner’s Manuals):

1) The standard Mustang Owners Manuals specifically state that any failures attributed to abuse, racing, timed events, lack of maintenance or lack of following the Owners Manual guidelines is not warrantable, period.

2) The Shelby Owners Manual supplements, for the GT350, GT350R and GT500 all state the same exact verbiage.

3) Ford’s own Warranty & Policy Manual has the same verbiage as well and is distributed to its Dealer Network.

——

Pay very close attention to not only how the main body is worded, but also the addendum for “Racing”. Ford’s Legal Team has worded their position in such a way that if proven, a warranty claim attributed to “racing” or even the general “tampering” clause can be denied:

With all the technology wrapped up in the modules of the S550, Ford will be able to tell from the recorded module event that the owner wasn’t “grocery getting” when the motor ventilated itself. “Tune it” via an aftermarket programmed tune that goes wrong, again if it blows Ford can pull the key cycles from the module to determine if the vehicle ever had an aftermarket tune (discussed on here many times).

and here’s more of the “What is not covered”, from the Owner’s Manual:

WHAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY?

Damage Caused By:
• accidents, collision or objects striking the vehicle (including driving through a car wash)
• theft, vandalism, or riot
• fire or explosion
• using contaminated or improper fuel/fluids
• customer-applied chemicals or accidental spills
• driving through water deep enough to cause water to be ingested into the engine
• misuse of the vehicle, such a driving over curbs, overloading, racing or using the vehicle as a permanent stationary power source

Damage Caused by Alteration or Modification The New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover any damage caused by:
• alterations or modifications of the vehicle, including the body, chassis, electronics or their components, after the vehicle leaves the control of Ford Motor Company

• tampering with the vehicle, tampering with the emissions systems or with the other parts that affect these systems (for example, but not limited to exhaust and intake systems)

• the installation or use of a non-Ford Motor Company part or software (other than a certified emissions part or software) or any part or software (Ford or non-Ford) designed for off-road use only installed after the vehicle leaves the control of Ford Motor Company, if the installed part fails or causes a Ford part to fail.

Examples include, but are not limited to lift kits, oversized tires, roll bars, cellular phones, alarm systems, automatic starting systems and performance-enhancing powertrain components or software and performance “chips”.

Your vehicle may allow, enable or facilitate the use of certain non-Ford Motor Company software. Ford is not responsible for the functionality of such software. Ford may disallow, discontinue or modify your ability to use such software at any time without prior notification or incurring any warranty or other obligation. Non-Ford Motor Company software may be governed by End User License Agreement or warranty provided by the software provider. For Ford Motor Company software see End User License Agreement found in the Owner Manual.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...ck-Warranty-version-3_frdwa_EN-US_09_2016.pdf

 

[Nick GT]

Ford cannot deny your warranty claim unless they can prove that your tune or any other mod caused the damage to the part in question. Follow this link. It's Federal law.

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/sta...nty-federal-trade-commission-improvements-act

 

[Bikeman315]

Ford cannot deny your warranty claim unless they can prove that your tune or any other mod caused the damage to the part in question. Follow this link. It's Federal law.

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/sta...nty-federal-trade-commission-improvements-act

We know that Ford will will not just deny a claim out of hand. If they cannot find causality between a tune and the claimed issue all should be well. For instance a tune and a broken window motor. That said, they can certainly look for causality for a tune and anything drivetrain related. If they find it, or think they've found it the claim will be denied. Now, as we have discussed, we are talking theory vs. reality. Many dealers will work with a customer in regards to a tune related issue. Some may not. So long as Ford does not request the flash info there shouldn't be an issue. If they do request it and see that the car been tuned, they can refuse the claim.

Sponsored