Re: May need some help from attorneys & 4x4 owners
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Broker</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Broker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After market parts do NOT negate a warranty unless the part is of lesser quality than the stock part. There has been numerous cases regarding the matter that you can reference. The only downside is that the dealership is not required to replace the part with the same aftermarket but can replace with stock. Ergo if I swap out my stock air-filter box and replace with an aftermarket high quality cold air, or if I remove a stock supercharger and drop on a Kenne Bell, they still have to honor the warranty should something else break and can't void the warranty based on the adding of an aftermarket part of higher quality.
I would go to a different dealership or threaten to call the Attorney Generals office. They tried to pull that crap with my Mustang after a known issue with a control bar in the door came up and say that my $2000 Vertical Door kit was to blame. That conversation lasted all of a few minutes until I brought the Dealership General Manager into it and reminded him of the case law surrounding modified vehicle which he new damn well I was right. You need to taker it somewhere else dude...
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You may want to check one of the small books in that glove box with the words "warranty information". You got your car fixed under "good will" take my word for it. Does not matter if it is Ford, Dodge, Toyo, Subaru etc.
Do you really think if your Kenne Bell supercharger fails they are just going to replace it with a new factory one? I will tell you this as a fact. If I repair a vehicle under warranty I have to turn in the old part and tag it with an R.O. number, date, and VIN. The dealership has to keep EVERY SINGLE PART until it is "released" by the manufacturer to be destroyed. If they want (and they do often) call back for a part they will test it to make sure it has failed. If the parts dept can't come up with the part or the part is obviously good, the manufacturer will not pay for the part, the labor, or the admin costs. Oh and they will start calling back a lot more parts also, because it is a lot of money for them. We will every once in a while have a zone rep come in with his sledge hammer and knock holes in engine blocks so they don't end up in someones truck bed also.
here is a verbatim from GM Just part of the whole document. There is a library of similar reading about power up devices
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It should also be noted that dealers modifying new vehicles and installing equipment, parts and accessories obtained from sources not authorized by GM are responsible for complying with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Certain non-approved parts or assemblies, installed by the dealer or its agent not authorized by GM, may result in a change to the vehicle's design characteristics and may affect the vehicle's ability to conform to federal law. Dealers must fully understand that non-GM approved parts may not have been validated, tested or certified for use. This puts the dealer at risk for potential liability in the event of a part or vehicle failure. If a GM part failure occurs as the result of the installation or use of a non-GM approved part, the warranty will not be honored.
A good example of non-authorized modification of vehicles is the result of an ever increasing supply of aftermarket devices available to the customer, which claim to increase the horsepower and torque of the Duramax™ Diesel Engines. These include the addition of, but are not limited to one or more of the following modifications:
• Propane injection
• Nitrous oxide injection
• Additional modules (black boxes) that connect to the vehicle wiring systems
• Revised engine calibrations downloaded for the engine control module
• Calibration modules which connect to the vehicle diagnostic connector
• Modification to the engine turbocharger waste gate
Although the installation of these devices, or modification of vehicle components, can increase engine horsepower and torque, they may also negatively affect the engine emissions, reliability and/or durability. In addition, other powertrain components, such as transmissions, universal joints, drive shafts, and front/rear axle components, can be stressed beyond design safety limits by the installation of these devices.
General Motors does not support or endorse the use of devices or modifications that, when installed, increase the engine horsepower and torque. It is because of these unknown stresses, and the potential to alter reliability, durability and emissions performance, that GM has adopted a policy that prevents any UNAUTHORIZED dealer warranty claim submissions to any remaining warranty coverage, to the powertrain and driveline components whenever the presence of a non-GM (aftermarket) calibration is confirmed - even if the non-GM control module calibration is subsequently removed. Refer to the latest version of Bulletin 09-06-04-026 (V8 Gas Engines) or 06-06-01-007 (Duramax™ Diesel Engines) for more information on dealer requirements for calibration verification.
These same policies apply as they relate to the use of non-GM accessories. Damage or failure from the use or installation of a non-GM accessory will not be covered under warranty. Failure resulting from the alteration or modification of the vehicle, including the cutting, welding or disconnecting of the vehicle's original equipment parts and components will void the warranty.
Additionally, dealers will NOT be reimbursed or compensated by GM in the event of any legal inquiry at either the local, state or federal level that results from the alteration or modification of a vehicle using non-GM approved parts or accessories.
Dealers should be especially cautious of accessory companies that claim the installation of their product will not void the factory warranty. Many times these companies have even given direction on how to quickly disassemble the accessory in an attempt to preclude the manufacturer from finding out that is has been installed.
Any suspect repairs should be reviewed by the Fixed Operations Manager (FOM), and in Canada by the Warranty Manager (WM) for appropriate repair direction. If it is decided that a goodwill repair is to be made on the vehicle, even with the installation of such non-GM approved components, the customer is to be made aware of General Motors position on this issue and is to sign the appropriate goodwill documentation required by General Motors.
It is imperative for dealers to understand that by installing such devices, they are jeopardizing not only the warranty coverage, but also the performance and reliability of the customer's vehicle.
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Just because it's in the warranty handbook and disclosed doesn't mean it negates case law as it has been fought and won on numerous occasions. The dealerships have for years been trying to force the consumer to only use them and their jacked up prices. It's irrelevant if there is State Case law that contradicts it.
"Although the installation of these devices, or modification of vehicle components, can increase engine horsepower and torque, they may also negatively affect the engine emissions, reliability and/or durability. In addition, other powertrain components, such as transmissions, universal joints, drive shafts, and front/rear axle components, can be stressed beyond design safety limits by the installation of these devices."
Have you seen the specs on what a stock 2005-2009 Mustang GT can take? They build them to be upgraded so the dealership would have to prove that the stress applied exceeded the the design.
As for replacing aftermarket with stock I could have worded it better as the SC comment didn't make sense (although I watched them replace a jacked up aftermarket Paxton with the stock alternative).
Better example. Forged internals. Something goes wrong they will have to replace them even if their aftermarket because the part put in was better than the stock to begin with, but they're only obligated to replace them with stock internals.
Next example. Cold Air intake. You bring the car in because the engine light comes on and it's starts running like shit because the CPU needs reprogrammed(since you and I both know anytime you touch anything these days the CPU needs adjusted) they have to repair it, but the repair is simply replacing with the stock air box.
</div></div> Only because I tired I really don't want to argue this but when you put those stupid friggin' K&N filters on the reason the MIL (check engine light) comes on is because K&N's use filter oil that puts a thin layer of oil on the MAF (mass air flow sensor) that attracts dust. It forms a layer of insulation on it causing a low signal to the PCM. What you have to do is clean it off with some carb cleaner and put a normal filter on it. If someone is telling you they are reprogramming your ECM/PCM they are lying to you. The design of the air box is to have a nice laminar flow so you will not have unmetered air. That pretty much it.
As to forcing the customer to buy factory parts? Not sure how that equates to warranty concerns that the manufacturer pays for. If a factory part fails due to a manufacturing, or engineering failure the manufacturer fixes it for free during the warranty time. They don't make you pay for it.
If you put a supercharger on your mustang and overdrive the dogshit out of it running 20 to 25 lbs of boost on pump 87 octane gas and send the rod through the block, should Ford warranty that? Should Ford be made to test every little companies go fast bolt ons for warranty purposes? That is like loading pistol powder in your battle rifle and it blows up in your face and you sue because Colt should have known you were going to use 30 grains of red dot behind a 180 grain bullet. </div></div>
Wow... First off although you may want to think I'm some rice kid slapping a K&N cold air on your wrong, again. Do your really think someone who installs forged internals and a Kenne Bell on their car is that f#$king stupid to run 87 Octane? And it's more than just buying factory parts, but also using dealer services which are overpriced and often frivolous repairs to make money. Should I assume now that you're a mechanic at the GM Dealership? Lol...
Back to the OP... Your warranty isn't negated by a lift kit. The dealership like always is trying to get out of doing the work for free and earn an extra buck on top of it. I would suggest speaking to the General Manager and not the Shop Head as he/she is a mechanic as well and prone BS...
