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View Full Version : Can an aftermarket part void my car warranty?


KCALB SIRAY
07-02-2014, 11:07 AM
Can an aftermarket part void my car warranty? It's a question asked so many times and everyone assumes that the answer is yes. Simple answer for the USA market, no. If you are curious about your country, do your homework and find out and feel free to add it to this thread.

Attached is a link to how the law works. But in case you don't feel like doing your homework, here's how it works in a nutshell. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the right for consumers to have the vehicle serviced at a business of their choice and the option to use aftermarket parts, meaning potentially money-saving alternatives to those that came on the car, while retaining the original warranty. The automaker is not allowed to void a warranty just because a nonfactory part is used.

Where things can get sticky is when the work or parts are associated with a problem are deemed by a dealership as not performing correctly or are otherwise defective. You have the right to seek alternatives to the dealer for repairs or parts, but remember that good work and good parts are key to a good ownership experience.

Should something go wrong, the warranty provider will need to determine the cause of the problem. The Federal Trade Commission says, “The manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.” That means if the dealer can prove (the burden is on the dealer) the problem was caused by the wrong viscosity or a poor quality oil filter, your warranty can be denied. Warranty protection would still be in effect for other parts of the cars.


http://www.mlmlaw.com/library/guides/ftc/warranties/undermag.htm

Astroman
07-05-2014, 11:29 PM
Glad you posted this. I had the service department where I bought my Toyota from say I voided my warranty on the ENTIRE car by putting an aftermarket muffler on my car. Kicker was I had the JDM vitz muffler from TRD. I was trying to get them to replace the catalyctic converter because of the oder which was covered under a TSB. They also claimed the TSB didn't exist until I brought it in.

If I hadn't known my rights they would have denied me my claim.

IllusionX
07-05-2014, 11:46 PM
Same should apply in Canada.

JimKellyfan
08-19-2014, 03:42 PM
General rule of thumb is the dealer must prove that an installed part damaged the warranted part. That is hard to do and many just need to equip themselves prior to avoid the verbal cop outs.

bairjo
08-28-2014, 10:36 AM
So how do the various "performance mods" that work, and work well, affect the warranty? You know, the type that deviate from OEM engineering. It sounds like as long as nothing was damaged by the modifications....no problem. But you can bet if there is any problems at all, the dealer would dial in on that mod and try to blame any issues on it... even though, I feel, they would lose that battle. Any thoughts an this?

KCALB SIRAY
08-29-2014, 10:36 AM
Correct. If your left quarter panel fell off, it would be highly unlikely the dealer would prove that the CAI and 1ZZ throttle body you put on caused it. It's just the mindset that most everyone has concerning aftermarket parts, and if you use them it will void your warranty, which isn't true at all.

So how do the various "performance mods" that work, and work well, affect the warranty? You know, the type that deviate from OEM engineering. It sounds like as long as nothing was damaged by the modifications....no problem. But you can bet if there is any problems at all, the dealer would dial in on that mod and try to blame any issues on it... even though, I feel, they would lose that battle. Any thoughts an this?

David90
12-11-2021, 04:13 AM
This happened to me recently. the ENTIRE car's warranty went void with a single exhaust change. Very frustrating that you cannot get it back even if you switch back the parts

misstondjy
05-26-2022, 10:47 AM
If your left quarter panel fell off, it would be highly unlikely the dealer would prove that the CAI and 1ZZ throttle body you put on caused it.a few days before I meet with web design agency dubai (https://applicontech.com/portfolio) woner he also face the same sitiuation they also claimed the TSB didn't exist until I brought it in.