Void warranty

[MaskedRacerX]

I think it's important to understand how all this might trickle down. I had a few Vettes in various states of tune, dealt with different dealerships, had different experiences.

Like other have said, the warranty isn't voided, but they might not do warranty work on components whose failure can easily be related to the modification.

You install an intake, exhaust, a tune, and your window motors go out, that's way out of the systems involved in the mods. I highly doubt any issues with getting a new window motor.

Same mods, and something that's not the engine, but part of the drivetrain? That's definitely getting into gray area. I mean, a rear end is designed for a specific HP/TQ rating, they could easily say the extra TQ grenaded it.

I actually had an issue with just an exhaust and a rear end leak, they were trying to say the exhaust piping was too close, caused heat related issues (fortunately a friend knew the GM regional service rep, got fixed under warranty).

Also with some manufacturers back in the day - and I'd imagine over the years this has gotten worse - they would "red flag" a VIN number with a notation about the discovered mod. Again, it would "void" the warranty, but it would prevent you from going to a different dealer and try to get the same parts replaced/fixed under warranty.

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[15GTBEN]

Yes no mod will automatically void your entire warranty.

I think most people are mainly concerned with the powertrain part of their warranty when modded.
If your engine blows and the dealer knows you've been tuned, there is a real chance they won't cover it.

http://www.speedsportlife.com/2011/...y-voiding-tsb-really-isnt-that-big-of-a-deal/

 

[stang77]

I think it's important to understand how all this might trickle down. I had a few Vettes in various states of tune, dealt with different dealerships, had different experiences.

Like other have said, the warranty isn't voided, but they might not do warranty work on components whose failure can easily be related to the modification.

You install an intake, exhaust, a tune, and your window motors go out, that's way out of the systems involved in the mods. I highly doubt any issues with getting a new window motor.

Same mods, and something that's not the engine, but part of the drivetrain? That's definitely getting into gray area. I mean, a rear end is designed for a specific HP/TQ rating, they could easily say the extra TQ grenaded it.

I actually had an issue with just an exhaust and a rear end leak, they were trying to say the exhaust piping was too close, caused heat related issues (fortunately a friend knew the GM regional service rep, got fixed under warranty).

Also with some manufacturers back in the day - and I'd imagine over the years this has gotten worse - they would "red flag" a VIN number with a notation about the discovered mod. Again, it would "void" the warranty, but it would prevent you from going to a different dealer and try to get the same parts replaced/fixed under warranty.

VW/Audi does that flagging of VIN numbers when mods are discovered now. I haven't heard of Ford doing that yet.

 

[jasonstang]

No mod will "void" your warranty. It may result in a warranty claim being denied if the dealer/ford think it had an impact. I drove a tuned SHO for 5yrs and took it to the dealer for oil changes and a couple warranty issues (strut mounts for one) and they knew it was tuned and shazam....they did not void my warranty. Mods WILL NOT VOID the factory warranty PERIOD.....:frusty::frusty::frusty:

True, they can't just void warranty. They can deny repair if the damaged components were used outside of it's factory specified parameters.

 

[Evolvd]

The Burden is not on the owner. The Dealer cannot void your warranty, they will often advise that Ford likely won't cover it. However they will do the work, and write up the issue. If Ford decides not to cover it you will get an invoice. And can fight from there. My brother just went through something similar with his fusion eating itself. Ford paid for a large portion.

@68fbjjz109
You completely missed my point. The service department will look at your issue and then make a determination on if they want to submit a warranty work request through the district manager. If they deny it due to your mods the burden of proving it wasn't your mods that caused the failure is not on them...it's on the owner to prove otherwise. This isn't a legal response, it's a reality response. They know that 99% of the time the owner of the car can't or won't waste the time and money with litigation, arbitration and lawyer fees. So in the end the service department can say "no" to the warranty repair and you're stuck with trying to prove that it was a failure of the OEM parts.

Does that clear it up for you?

 

[68fbjjz109]

@68fbjjz109
You completely missed my point. The service department will look at your issue and then make a determination on if they want to submit a warranty work request through the district manager. If they deny it due to your mods the burden of proving it wasn't your mods that caused the failure is not on them...it's on the owner to prove otherwise. This isn't a legal response, it's a reality response. They know that 99% of the time the owner of the car can't or won't waste the time and money with litigation, arbitration and lawyer fees. So in the end the service department can say "no" to the warranty repair and you're stuck with trying to prove that it was a failure of the OEM parts.

Does that clear it up for you?

Not based on my experienced with Ford, Mercedes, and VWAG. The dealer has to write up what induced the failure, as it pertains to the issue.

You are panting a very broad stroke. Once it's written up then its out of their hands.

Frankly rest has your comment at little basis. I think most people would fight for a major power train failure. Which is what most people care about, hence why the thread exists.

Given that we are talking about a platform which is still new. And most people didn't outright buy a vehicle in cash, nor do they have the 14K sitting around to put a motor in a year old car. That is now taken a huge hit in terms or worth to amount owed. I think they are fighting it at the dealer and Ford regional level. There is no reason no to put a little time into it depending on what is modified.

You have to pay to play, but you can do that well within and outside of the warranty.

 

[Evolvd]

It is based on my experience...so you can disagree all you like, I've had warranty work denied and approved for multiple vehicles.

People can fight all they want...and again you missed my point. The service dept. can and will deny a warranty claim if they so choose, and they don't have to prove your mod caused the issue, if they so choose. Leaving it up to the owner of the vehicle to decide if they want to fight it.

But since you're not listening and cherry-picking my words, I'm done.

 

[Blk2015GT]

Generally anything visual you're safe. Grills, new decklid panel, stuff double sided taped on like scoops, spoilers.

Wheels obviously. There is a lot you can do visually without voiding anything.

Most things functional they can find a correlation to the failure to not cover it (not void your warranty); even springs.

GENERALLY though, minor things like springs and smaller bits wont draw much attention.

 

[68fbjjz109]

Then you go to another dealer.

But you should have this sorted, before you go down mod lane.

 

[stang77]

It all depends on the dealership. Some are more friendly than others.

 

[2015 Silver GT]

Then you go to another dealer.

But you should have this sorted, before you go down mod lane.

There's a few guys with the ecoboost cars that have been denied warranty with blown engines. Something one can't ignore.

 

[15GTBEN]

It all depends on the dealership. Some are more friendly than others.

A "mod friendly" dealer helps; however, for big warranty claims like a new engine, a Ford rep will likely come out to investigate and make the final decision. Some cases in question they will do a deep dive into the ecu to figure out weather their was a tune ever loaded or not.

 

[stang77]

A "mod friendly" dealer helps; however, for big warranty claims like a new engine, a Ford rep will likely come out to investigate and make the final decision. Some cases in question they will do a deep dive into the ecu to figure out weather their was a tune ever loaded or not.

But a mod friendly dealer will be more willing to fight for you than others will. I've seen it first hand when I had my GTI.

 

[Guarded GT]

I would say if you gotta worry about it being covered under warranty don't do it.
Myself first thing I did was get a JLT cai and a tuner. But hey if the seat breaks they will fix it under warranty,

 

[stang77]

I would say if you gotta worry about it being covered under warranty don't do it.
Myself first thing I did was get a JLT cai and a tuner. But hey if the seat breaks they will fix it under warranty,

Same way I feel. Just yesterday I took my car for a warranty repair. The service advisor was remarking how he liked my exhaust. Then he asked me if I have a tune on it yet;). When I told him no, he then starting telling me how great the Lund tune was on his car LOL.

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