Tuning and warranty

[S550HPP]

Assume no warranty and have $15-30K cash reserve at least. These cars cNt put stock HP down without thousands in mods anyway.

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[horsepower addiction]

https://ford.oemdtc.com/GSB/G0000128.pdf
This shows perfectly that they can not just plug in and check for a tune

every reason they come up with is what could have happened or possibly caused by. So it’s up to you how far you are willing to take it.
if you are in California and you purchased the vehicle from a ford dealership with a warranty you can go to the BBB and file a warranty claim and whatever the BBB decides ford will go with. Can’t say for other states

 

[Crew4991]

 

[MAGS1]

https://ford.oemdtc.com/GSB/G0000128.pdf
This shows perfectly that they can not just plug in and check for a tune

every reason they come up with is what could have happened or possibly caused by. So it’s up to you how far you are willing to take it.
if you are in California and you purchased the vehicle from a ford dealership with a warranty you can go to the BBB and file a warranty claim and whatever the BBB decides ford will go with. Can’t say for other states

That document is 8 years old. You don’t think they’ve revised it since then? Not to mention, Ford wrote everything in the factory tune, you better believe they have a way to check to see if it’s been tampered with if they so choose. And if they don’t have something in a manual for the dealers to check it (I highly doubt that’s the case), you better believe if they suspect something’s not right, whoever they send to inspect it will know exactly how to check it. Especially since that is one of the warranty exclusions (and that one is very explicit in their warranty language).

The BBB has zero authority to force a manufacturer to do anything, so stop with that BS. Ford’s warranty claim process if you want to challenge a denial is pretty clear, it goes to mediation. As many folks stated in your other thread, you got lucky. But just because you got lucky does not mean it’s an actual fact that all can follow.

So, to follow in the steps of Cobra Jet, just stop it already.

 

[junits15]

You are absolutely right so if someone uses a NA off t shelf tune and something does happen it probably has nothing to do with the tune. So should ford be allowed to deny the repair because of a tune that caused no damage?
The warranty specifically states that they can only deny the repair if the modification caused the damage.

The underlined line is impossible to prove legally. You'll be paying the bill in this scenario, so if you can't afford that repair bill on your own, relax on the tuning until you can.

 

[Cobra Jet]

You are absolutely right so if someone uses a NA off t shelf tune and something does happen it probably has nothing to do with the tune. So should ford be allowed to deny the repair because of a tune that caused no damage?

The warranty specifically states that they can only deny the repair if the modification caused the damage.

Listen, I don’t know what you’re trying to prove, but with all respect, you’re totally wrong and what you’re posting is total misinformation.

Maybe you’re not comprehending the Ford Warranty, maybe you don’t understand what is and what is not covered under the Ford Warranties. Maybe you don’t understand that the PDF you posted IS a Ford doc which was distributed to the Ford Dealer Network to put their Service Centers and Techs on alert on what to look for with a major catastrophic engine warranty claim. It was also created and distributed so the Ford Dealer and Service Centers are aware of how owners modify their vehicles trying to get fraudulent work done under warranty.

So here’s some reading for you; read the below slowly, and take it all in…. Because your whole ideology that a “tune” is invisible and Ford can’t or should not deny warranty because of a tune - again is 100% wrong.

And if you got away with getting your “tuned” vehicle repaired “under warranty”, no one cares, so stop posting BS and misinformation.

——

Ok, so this below snip I’ve posted several times on this site... “Tuning” a Ford vehicle falls under the category of TAMPERING.

If component Part-B fails due to direct correlation to Part-A which was tampered with, such as modifying PCM parameters resulting in engine block ventilation, you have excluded (insert Component X here) from being covered under the 3/36 New Car or possibly the 5/60 Drivetrain Warranties, period. This also extends out to and is applicable to any Ford or 3rd party aftermarket extended warranties.

There is no gray or middle area - it’s black and white.

It doesn’t matter if it was a HP Tuners tune, a backyard DIY hack tune, a Ralphie or a Susie Tune. A tune is a tune and is by all means software logic that is reconfigured OUTSIDE of the original factory PCM parameters - which is indeed ‘tampering’ with the vehicle, period.

Read the last bullet regarding “Tampering”; then go to next sub-section of “Alteration or Modification” under What is Not Covered Clause:

Oh and if your wondering about the addendum to “racing”, here’s that section too:

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 the whole “what is not covered blah blah blah”... PAY ATTENTION TO THE BOLDED SECTIONS.

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

So here’s the summary:
A TUNE is TAMPERING with the PCM, therefore any failure of a part that was caused directly or indirectly by a TUNE - which was the result of TAMPERING with the PCM logic is totally a deniable warranty claim, period.

Again please stop posting such threads that Ford can’t do anything about a tune and that a tune can’t be found, or that the BBB is miraculously and somehow above Ford (or insert any other vehicle manufacturer here)….

 

[sk47]

Hello; I have been interested in this thread as a person shopping for a Mustang. My take gathered at this point becomes to be safe in terms of the factory warranty do not modify the car until after the five year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Then the upkeep goes on the owner's dime so tunes and other such are not Ford's problem.
In other threads there has been mention of a ford Factory tune which can be had thru a Ford dealer. Such may be the safest way to get a tune.

On the other hand, I also get why some want a tune. While my take is Ford pretty much has tuned the car close to max while allowing the stressed parts to live for several years, there is still some percentage of performance left on the table. Some want that extra performance. Looks like an owner needs to understand they will be on the hook for some modifications.

 

[MAGS1]

Hello; I have been interested in this thread as a person shopping for a Mustang. My take gathered at this point becomes to be safe in terms of the factory warranty do not modify the car until after the five year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Then the upkeep goes on the owner's dime so tunes and other such are not Ford's problem.
In other threads there has been mention of a ford Factory tune which can be had thru a Ford dealer. Such may be the safest way to get a tune.

On the other hand, I also get why some want a tune. While my take is Ford pretty much has tuned the car close to max while allowing the stressed parts to live for several years, there is still some percentage of performance left on the table. Some want that extra performance. Looks like an owner needs to understand they will be on the hook for some modifications.

I wouldn’t say don’t modify anything, just be aware of what can happen if you do. Most modifications, especially cosmetic ones, won’t have much if any impact on warranty. And if you want more power, the Whipple from Ford for S650 does come with its own warranty that replaces certain parts of the Ford warranty. For S550, Ford Performance and Roush also offered a blower with a warranty.

A tune from guys like Wengerd, Lund, etc? Yes, those will void the warranty as they have no partnership with Ford. Just have to go into it eyes wide open. But people like the OP here just posting complete nonsense muddies the water for some

 

[sk47]

Most modifications, especially cosmetic ones, won’t have much if any impact on warranty.

Hello; Thanks for the clarification. I did not specify powertrain modifications well enough.

the Whipple from Ford for S650 does come with its own warranty that replaces certain parts of the Ford warranty.

Hello; I saw one of those cars in Kingsport TN a few months ago. Stopped at the ford dealer to look at what appeared to be a plain jane white Mustang GT. Turned out to have the Whipple and a hefty price.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Hello; I have been interested in this thread as a person shopping for a Mustang. My take gathered at this point becomes to be safe in terms of the factory warranty do not modify the car until after the five year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Then the upkeep goes on the owner's dime so tunes and other such are not Ford's problem.
In other threads there has been mention of a ford Factory tune which can be had thru a Ford dealer. Such may be the safest way to get a tune.

On the other hand, I also get why some want a tune. While my take is Ford pretty much has tuned the car close to max while allowing the stressed parts to live for several years, there is still some percentage of performance left on the table. Some want that extra performance. Looks like an owner needs to understand they will be on the hook for some modifications.

Your take on the warranty discussion is correct. It’s not that a owner “can’t” modify their Mustang (or insert any other make/model here), it’s that if there is a major failure of a component while under warranty be aware that with modern vehicles the Service Center has to get authorization from Ford for Warranty approval when the repair is related to a catastrophic failure (or costly) repair. If the owner wanted to modify their vehicle with say a tune or forced induction - they surely could, but if the engine ventilates all over the highway - Ford has every right to investigate further and deny warranty claim.

The BBB is just an organization that is a moderator between consumer and Manufacturer of said item (in this case, a vehicle). Just because someone lodges a complaint with the BBB doesn’t mean the BBB is above all and will force Ford (or insert Manufacturer here) to repair XYZ for the consumer. It’s does not work that way. There has to be compelling evidence to show that the Manufacturer isn’t living up to their Warranty - and in the same instance, the Manufacturer can provide facts as to why they’re denying a claim too.

If someone “gets one over” as far as getting a MAJOR warranty repair done on a vehicle that they KNEW was modified by a tune (software) OR hardware (supercharger, turbo, change in major engine parts) - then I wouldn’t be taunting a forum with “hey, I removed my tunes and was able to get my vehicle fraudulently repaired under warranty and Ford can’t tell or doesn’t know”. This is essentially what the OP seems to be spouting off along with total misinformation - not just in this thread, but the other thread that they started and abandoned after M6G members were providing the same facts.

In the end, as has been stated on here many, many times - if you’re going to modify your S550, track it, or increase HP beyond stock and it blows or breaks under warranty - have the $$$$ set aside for a major repair because that Warranty claim could be denied by the Manufacturer.

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