promoting products that void warranty - Diesel Forum

tomswell · 10-25-2002, 12:21 PM

I'm disturbed by the fact that so much info and advertizing goes on here for aftermarket equipment without prefacing it with a big banner warning the end user that Fords policy with regard to aftermarket equipment makes warranty claims an emotiomal and political nightmare at best! I installed a BD brake and powerloc, along with a 60hp chip. 14K miles into it Ford is refusing to warranty a bad tranny! BEWARE of this trap before you buy!

JLester · 10-25-2002, 01:13 PM

People are free to do whatever they want to their trucks. They just have to take a little personal responsibility that if they modify something that later fails, Ford will probably not warranty it. If you are worried about something like that, don't modify your truck until the warranty is out.

Jason

todlake · 10-25-2002, 01:20 PM

Tomswell,

Not here to argue, just to state that if you spend enough time on the boards, you'll find hundreds, if not thousands of posts talking about products "potentially" voiding the warranty. I love the fact that this site allows discussion of so many different modifications and products. Because of the info I have obtained on these boards, I choose to keep my drivetrain stock until my warranty ends. After that, we'll see...

Robb [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

rheaman · 10-25-2002, 01:23 PM

Sort of agree with you. I don't expect to be informed by way of a disclaimer but then I don't want to be mislead either.

Two or three years ago I bought a chip after reading on the venders site about how Ford or whatever dealer couldn't void a warrantee and how I am protected by the M&M act blah blah blah. That's the part I don't like. BTW, the vender I'm refering to has recently removed the reference from the FAQ section.
At the time I didn't know about this site, my loss. Now at least the uninformed stand a chance.

Mark Kovalsky · 10-25-2002, 02:42 PM

I was at an RV last summer where a chip dealer told the people in attendance that you can add a chip that produces a lot of power and Ford can't void your warranty.

I couldn't tell from where I was sitting if he was lying or just ignorant. I could tell that he was wrong.

JVencius · 10-25-2002, 02:55 PM

Isn't it impressive how much stuff you can find out when you actually read the WHOLE owner's manual? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

sparky30_06 · 10-27-2002, 08:27 AM

plain and simple read the fine print form your owners manual from your truck and also the instructions from the aftermarket parts you are adding. there are several dealerships that will add aftermarket parts to your truck now adays and not void your warrenty AS LONG as you buy it from them and they install it. DON'T blame this site or someone caused you blew up your truck. maybe you should have researched the products and there affects a little better befor you beat on your truck. anything that you do to your truck from changing the oil to changing the tires. to lifting it to changing the injectors and turbo will void the warrenty. so if you want to be totally safe don't do a single thing to your truck and take it back to ford for all your service and add-ons. and they will still find a way to screw you.

DeputySheriff · 10-27-2002, 03:37 PM

Federal law sets forth requirements for warranties and contains a number of provisions to prevent vehicle manufacturers, dealers and others from unjustly denying warranty coverage. With regard to aftermarket parts, the gist of the law is that warranty coverage cannot be denied simply because such parts are present on the vehicle, or have been used. The warranty coverage can be denied only if the aftermarketpart caused the malfunction or damage for which warranty coverage is sought. Disputes in this area usually boil down to arguments over facts and technical opinions, rather than arguments over interpretations of the law.

1.The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))

This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers. The essence of this law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle makers brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:

“No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name....” (15 U.S.C. 2302 (C)).

2. Clean Air Act Warranty Provisions (42 U.S.C. S 7541 (C) (3) (B))

The federal Clean Air Act requires vehicle makers to provide two emissions-related warranties -- a production warranty and a performance warranty. The production warranty requires the vehicle maker to warrant that the vehicle is designed, built and equipped so that it conforms with emissions requirements at the time of sale. The performance warranty requires the vehicle maker to warrant that the vehicle will comply with applicable emissions requirements as tested under state vehicle emissions inspection programs for the warranty periods specified in the law (for model year 1995 and later vehicles, the warranty is 2 years/24,000 miles for all emissions-related parts and 8 years/80,000 miles for the catalytic converter, electronic emissions control unit and on-board diagnostic device). The performance warranty is conditioned on the vehicle being properly maintained and operated.

Like the Magnuson-Moss Act, vehicle manufacturers may not refuse warranty repairs under the Clean Air Acts performance and defect warranties merely because aftermarket parts have been installed on the vehicle. The only circumstance under which the vehicle manufacturer can void the emissions warranties is if an aftermarket part is responsible for (causes) the warranty claim.

Hope this clears some things up for everyone. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Although, Ford doesn't care about the law as seen before at times.

CapeCod · 10-27-2002, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by DeputySheriff:<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />
1.The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))

This federal law regulates warranties...[blah, blah, blah]

...Hope this clears some things up for everyone.

[/ QUOTE ]DeputySheriff,
I'm sure you'll be shocked, but that's not the first time someone has brought up the MM Act (matter of fact it's not even the 1,000th time [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]).

The only thing that the MM Act pertains to are floormats and bug shields (and the bug shield is still up in the air).

You play, you pay. Period.

rheaman · 10-27-2002, 04:20 PM

Two things I can just about quote I've heard them so often.
the Magnuson-Moss Act and the Miranda Warning [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

POWERSTROKE RACER · 10-31-2002, 11:06 AM

Mark
I have read an 02 warranty manual over and over and still do not see where it specifically states that adding a chip voids the engine or transmission warranty.Please enlighten me.

AQHArider · 10-31-2002, 01:14 PM

If you can't find it in an owner's manual, go to your local dealer's service manager/writer's office. They usually have a letter from Ford warning about fixing power/drive train components on modified trucks. I have certainly seen one because my truck shop service writer at my dealer has it tacked to her wall by the desk.

SmokeyWren · 10-31-2002, 01:33 PM

David, you're probably not reading between the lines. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Way back in '99, my Warranty Guide includes: <blockquote>In reply to:<hr />
WHAT IS NOT COVERED?

Ford Motor Company may deny you warranty coverage if your vehicle or a part has failed because of ...unapproved modifications...

[/ QUOTE ] And, of course, chips and exhaust brakes and suspension lifts and big tires are not among the approved modifications.

If you read the warranty for the new 6.0L engine, you'll see almost identical words to these that Ford sent to their dealers back in '99: SSM # 10389 states: <blockquote>In reply to:<hr />
"Some aftermarket products may cause severe engine and/or transmission damage. There are various manufacturers offering devices to increase turbocharger boost, exhaust brakes to increase stopping/hauling capacity or other such devices to increase the power/torque of the 7.3L DIT. Severe powertrain damage may result from use of these aftermarket products, which will not be covered by the Ford warranty."

[/ QUOTE ]

Granted, they didn't specifically say "chip" or "programmer", but surely you know that's what they mean.

POWERSTROKE RACER · 10-31-2002, 01:55 PM

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />

[/ QUOTE ] WHAT IS NOT COVERED?

Ford Motor Company may,not will deny you warranty coverage if your vehicle or a part has failed because of ...unapproved modifications...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And, of course, chips and exhaust brakes and suspension lifts and big tires are not among the approved modifications.

If you read the warranty for the new 6.0L engine, you'll see almost identical words to these that Ford sent to their dealers back in '99: SSM # 10389 states:
In reply to:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Some aftermarket products may,not will cause severe engine and/or transmission damage. There are various manufacturers offering devices to increase turbocharger boost, exhaust brakes to increase stopping/hauling capacity or other such devices to increase the power/torque of the 7.3L DIT. Severe powertrain damage may,not will result from use of these aftermarket products, which will not be covered by the Ford warranty."

The point I am trying to make is too many dealers are taking what Ford said and using it to line their pocketbook instead of looking to see if that aftermarket item actually caused the problem.Surely you can see my point.

Mark Kovalsky · 10-31-2002, 02:19 PM

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr />
I was at an RV last summer where a chip dealer told the people in attendance that you can add a chip that produces a lot of power and Ford can't void your warranty.

I couldn't tell from where I was sitting if he was lying or just ignorant. I could tell that he was wrong.

[/ QUOTE ] David,

I can't see where I stated the owner's manual said anything at all. I included my post here so you could look again.

I stand by what I wrote. The chip vendor in question above stated that Ford cannot void a warranty for an aftermarket chip. That statement was either a lie or ignorance, and I couldn't tell which one.

Unauthorized modifications are specifically mentioned in the owner's manual as Smokey pointed out. That's clear to me, but apparantly there are different interpretations of those words.