This might be one to make sticky...Warranty Voiding

[HeavyHauler]

After reading through hunderds of threads on this site, I've come up with a pretty big list of BOMBs for my truck. However, I also realized that many of the modifications that are talked about on here will void the warranty.



I was wondering if there was any educated source out there that could put this to rest once and for all. For those of us that still have a warrantly left on our trucks, what can we do that won't void it? This would be a great thing to make "sticky" in the first time CTD owners section.



It would be great if someone could address the main modifications that are mentioned on the site anyway. BHAF (Fleetguard or otherwise), other air filters, injectors (Bosch, DD, & others), power modules, exhaust modifications, gauges (if any), things of this nature - there are many more to list.



Also, down the road a list of what a warranty would pay for could be beneficial. I think that there are a lot of warranty questions out there that could be answered through this forum rather than having to mess with a dealer.



If anything like this already exists, please let me know. I haven't seen anything like it so far.



Doing this in a table format would be ideal, and if anyone could help us out with the info, I could probably arrange a format.



Sorry so long.

 

[illflem]

It basically comes down to any mod you do that causes damage can void the warranty on that part of your truck. Then it depends on the relationship you have with your dealer, some have even voided drivetrain warranties for tires larger than stock, others will let things slide. Legally they can't void the entire warranty for an aftermarket device, just the parts that are damaged by it.

 

[duaneparks]

It has been my experience with warranties that if you change something, that something is no longer covered, nor is any failure that is attributable to that change.



For instance, a 4" aftermarket exhaust system is installed on an otherwise stock truck. The exhaust system is not covered under any warranty except that of the exhaust system manufacturer. Now, let's say this exhaust system is installed too close to an electrical wire and melts the insulation causing a short. That short is also not covered under warranty.



Another example... EGT Gauge is installed pre-turbo on an otherwise stock truck. The warranty on the exhaust manifold just went out the window, as could the warranty on the turbo if it fails due to some unforeseen problem with the probe (say the tip breaks off and takes the turbo out, an unlikely but possible scenario).



Here's one... oversized tires are added to a 4x4 (I did this). Ball joints go bad. Guess who paid for them? Wasn't the dealer. Wheel bearings fall under this category too, but don't ask me how I know.



Even more extreme... PE Comp box is added along with the pump wire connection to an otherwise stock auto trannied truck. Owner sets it on kill and goes out and destroys the VP44 AND the transmission. NONE of that expensive excursion is covered.



Basically, if you change a part and it fails, all the resulting damage is not covered.



A good rule of thumb: "You are your own warranty station" with regards to ANY BOMB's. Sometimes you run across a dealer that will still warranty a part that is prone to failure without modifications, but they are exceptions to the rule. Again, this is just based on what I know about warranties and my experience with them. If you don't want to be held liable for damage to your engine/drivetrain/truck, don't modify it. Simple as that. Sorry to be so harsh.



HTH.



Duane

 

[duaneparks]

Oops, what Illflem said... he was quicker than I was!

 

[HeavyHauler]

This really wasn't what I was getting at...

Maybe I was unclear in my original post...



What you guys are saying that any aftermarket part I put on my truck voids the warranty. This is not the opinion of many members on this site. Also, I'm not speaking in terms of "dealer relationships. " I doesn't help any of us what someone's "personal experience" is with their dealer. I'm speaking in terms of warranties from general, honest? Dodge dealers would do if they saw aftermarket parts on a pickup that was under warranty.



Here's a hypothetical situation: If I brought my truck in because the headlights weren't working, and the mechanic popped my hood and saw a BHAF installed (no stock air box) would it be his responsibility (not what he wants to do) to report my sitution to his superior? If he did, would the dealer attempt to void the ENTIRE warranty on my truck, or just the air filter (which affects the whole engine)?



I hope this clears up what I am looking for. Post-happy members need not post here.

 

[BV]

HH - I think that is what they are saying. So if you change your bulbs in your head lights to Xenon's 1m candle power and melt the wiring and switch then your on your own for that part. As for seeing the BHAF or other - I have read where the mechanic did see something like this and put that warranty on hold in the computer using the VIN so if there was ever an issue, it was red flagged from the get-go.



Dealers- Honest or not have that right because of the way warranties are written. Some have over looked those clauses and helped their customer.



Does any of this help?

 

[HeavyHauler]

Thanks for the reply BV, I guess I'm just gonna have to wait 40,000 miles before start BOMBing.

 

[pwr2tow]

HH,



Your warranty for the engine is 5 years or 100,000 which ever comes first.



Warranties can be voided for the whole truck, ask me I know, it happened to me.



Yah, I know, They can not do that, but guess who has more money to say they can.



By the way their arbitration is a joke, their respose was we don't deal with warranty related issues, and yes there was a lawyer involved.



Without going into great detail, that is my experience.



Ron

 

[Dane]

What you guys are saying that any aftermarket part I put on my truck voids the warranty

Yup, that's the bottom line. Some may get lucky with an understanding dealer, some don't. If you BOMB you are your own warranty station.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Here is the bottom line on warranties and aftermarket parts: Magnuson-Moss Warranty act of 1975 . As far as modifications go the dealer or the manufacturer can not legally void you new vehicle warranty. It's as simple as that. They can however legally refuse to perform warranty sevice for a problem or failure that your aftermarket tinkering caused. If you add to, or alter your "factory built vehicle"you are responsible for those consequences. If you have a warrantabe problem unrelated to your modification the manufacturer is legally bound to perform the repairs under warrranty. The bottom line is read your warranty book.

 

[RustyJC]

The service writer I've used for about 7 years told me the following:

If you bring it in for routine service, be sure to bring it to me. If you do, you don't have to disconnect anything or change anything out - we'll just do the service and return it to you. (In other words, he sees nothing!)



However, if you bring it in for a problem, we have no choice. We have to look for modifications that could be related to the problem. At that point, I can't help you.

Actually, he's going farther than I would really expect him to. I've never had the truck back to the dealer (never had any warranty problems) since taking delivery 25 months and 16,000 miles ago. My attitude is, if something I've done breaks it, then it's my responsibility to fix it. I don't expect Dodge to warrant my modifications - that's not being honest with them.



JM2CW



Rusty