Warranty Coverage Guidelines Associated With Aftermarket Add-on Components

[WhiteDiamond]

Originally Posted by jconnolly1119

As long as you don't do anything to lean out your mix, you should be fine. If anything the magnaflows should help with engine life, since you're reducing backpressure. Headers(due to the increased under hood temps) are probably a litlle iffy, and NOS or blowers are a no go. Show up at the dealership with a NOS setup or a supercharger and they're just gonna laugh at you

Not necessarily. By reducing the back pressure, you can actually allow the engine to have a 'clean' mixture of fuel/air in the each intake stroke and increase the combustion temperature. Increased back-pressure can be effective in keeping a certain amount of the previous burnt mixture in the cylinder, thus, diluting the incoming mixture and reducing the combustion temperature.

It would be hard sell on DCX's part to try and void an engien failure due to the Magnaflow's or another make cat-back, but I certainly would not put it past them(I have witnessed an attempt on a friends vehicle with another maker).

Todd

[jketron]

I don't see any warranty issue with my supercharger...infact I don't see any warranty at all. LOL

[glhs837]

"I dont have a drinking problem. I drink, I fall down, no problem"

[gnilson]

I just got off the phone w/my service manager and he was kind enough to make some phone calls and confirmed that putting in the MOPAR lowering springs in my '06 AWD will NOT effect the warranty. He did caution, however, that lowering the car would increase the risk of causing damage to the undercarriage and/or oilpan. I couldn't quite stop myself from LOL and I may have dented a slightly flowering relationship. Oh well, maybe I'll send him a gift basket and try to win him back to the dark side.

Geoff

[SCMS DAN]

If you check out our website SoCal Motorsports I have a link to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty act in a nut shell they have to show proff that the installed part causes the damage to your vehicle. If you have any questions give us a call or send a pm

[Johnnyvav]

Here's the problem. They will fight you and try to blame anything on any aftermarket product you have as the root of all evil.

Do they have to prove it? It depends, what are you going to drive for the next seven years while the case is caught up in the court system?

You need to stay level headed, appear knowledgeable, and compliment on the service you have received up to this point. This way you can hint at the loss of future business.

Example:
Mr Service Manager, c'mon, do you really think my cat back system could cause my (insert part here) to malfunction? That just doesn't make sense. I have to tell you, I love this car and up until now you guys have treated me really well. In fact my wife's lease is up in a couple of months and we are planning on picking up a (insert dodge/chrysler dealer here) from you guys but if we can't get this fixed to my satisfaction, I just can't bring myself to buy another car here. Can you get this done for me or do I need to speak to someone else?

Oh, you'll take care of it? Great I really appreciate it.

[MADDOG`]

One thing to note: The law requires that the manufacturer has the burden of proof with respects to failures caused by aftermarket parts. In other words, they have to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the aftermarket part caused the failure. This is despite any bulletins the manufacturers issue regaring warranty claims and the presence of aftermarket parts.

This stems from a test of the law where a vehicle was modified and a failure occurred. It was under a class action suit some years ago. The manufacturer claimed the failure was due to the part installed. Further, it was noted that the part was installed directly to OEM structures. Testing ensued and it was found that the OEM part that failed had an inherent defect and the failure was not caused by the aftermarket part.

So, don't take what the stealer service department says at face value when they deny a warranty claim because of aftermarket parts. Also, it's ridiculous to have them say your piston connecting rod broke because you installed a swaybar. But, they will try.

Beware!

[401k Guru]

Originally Posted by MADDOG`

One thing to note: The law requires that the manufacturer has the burden of proof with respects to failures caused by aftermarket parts. In other words, they have to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the aftermarket part caused the failure.

This isn't quite true . . . . They don't have to prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt. They have to prove it by a "preponderance of the evidence," which basically means that they have to prove that it is more likely than not that the failure was caused by the aftermarket part. They only need 51% of the evidence on their side, not 100%.

Even then, the law doesn't require them to make the repairs to your car (and after suing them and winning, would you really want them making the repairs, anyway?). You don't even (necessarily) get the cost of the repair. The measure of damages in a breach of warranty case is the difference in the value of the car without the repair vs. the value of the car with the repair. Depending on your car, its age, mileage, etc., and what needs to be fixed, this may or may not be enough to pay fo the repair. The good news is that, if you do win, you get attorneys fees and court costs, as well.

Keep in mind, though, that you have to go to court to get any of that. Until you go to court, and win, the company doesn't have to do squat. So, your car could be laid up for years while you sue the manufacturer over your breach of warranty claim. Or, you can pay for the repairs out of your own pocket and hope to get reimbursed by the winnings from the case. Which could take years.

I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. Go ahead and mod away! That's part of the fun. Just don't think that if something goes wrong it's going to be a quick or easy win against the manufacturer.

Best advice I've seen has already been posted in this thread . . . make friends with your service manager so you never have to worry about a breach of warranty action.

[anoraya]

GOOD DEAL

[chasb]

...and if you can;t make friends with your service manager, find a "mod-freidly" dealer to go to.