Leveling kit and Warranty On 2015 TRD Prp

So I've been thinking of adding a leveling kit to our Pro. Did some research and came up with this kit, 3" lift / leveling kit for FJ & 4Runner, nothing to crazy at this time. When I mentioned this to our Toyota rep he told me that installing a leveling kit would void my power train warranty. Does anyone know if this is true? Is there a limit to adding a leveling/lift kit that wouldn't void the warranty? Has anyone used this leveling kit?

Bull****

It could impact your suspension warranty but the whole drivetrain is an outright lie, personally I wouldn't go back to that dealer.

ToyTec

Just add a toytec front spacer kit and you will be level.
This for level:
Front Top Plate Spacer Kit
This for just a hair of rake:
Front Top Plate Spacer (One - 1/4")
You have to buy 2 of these. This is also what I have on my Pro.
And like what was said above. Your drivetrain warranty can't be voided unless they can prove that your mods caused the problem I believe. I seriously doubt a small spacer kit would cause any problems. I've never heard of one.

Downthetrail said:

So I've been thinking of adding a leveling kit to our Pro. Did some research and came up with this kit, 3" lift / leveling kit for FJ & 4Runner, nothing to crazy at this time. When I mentioned this to our Toyota rep he told me that installing a leveling kit would void my power train warranty. Does anyone know if this is true? Is there a limit to adding a leveling/lift kit that wouldn't void the warranty? Has anyone used this leveling kit?

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Google Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act:
Here's one:
https://www.sema.org/sema-enews/2011/01/ftc-validates-right-to-install-aftermarket-parts
Here's another:
Keeping Your Mod's Warranty Intact - For Dummies

In short, unless the warranty specifically identifies modifications that you must not make which will void your coverage, they then MUST prove that the aftermarket modification you installed is a direct cause of any damage they are denying a warranty repair for. It's a bit of a slippery slope and yes you'd have a fight on your hands if they really want to push it. Ultimately, Toyota dealers are paid and PAID well for warranty work directly by Toyota. As was mentioned, you may want to consider another dealer.

One question, you said you mentioned this to your "Toyota Rep"? Who exactly was that? Salesman or Service Rep? If it was a Salesman - Ignore
If it was a Service Writer - talk to the Service Manager. If you get the same answer, go to the dealer GM and explain why they are about to lose your business. I say this because Toyota knows very well that enthusiasts will often modify their Toys. Some butcher things but by and large, the aftermarket has done a good job of engineering solid products. f

Just for piece of mind, ask them to show you the explicit language in the terms & conditions of the vehicle warranty documentation which indicates that a leveling kit will void your entire powertrain warranty... I don't think there is anything there for them to stand on but it might be fun to see the expression on their face. Just remember, the language has to be explicit. Terms & Conditions must always be explicit, they cannot be vague or interpretive and hold up in court.

The original intent of the M/M act was to prevent manufacturers from requiring you to use only their parts and service in order to maintain a warranty but it still applies in cases like this.

Good Luck.

Thanks all... I was told this by the service rep when I went in for the 5k maintenance. Time for me to ask them more questions, and see proof where it says that in the warranty.

Downthetrail said:

Thanks all... I was told this by the service rep when I went in for the 5k maintenance. Time for me to ask them more questions, and see proof where it says that in the warranty.

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:fencing: Might be a bit of a fencing match, but let us know how it turns out.

You may want to do a little research on the M/M act and print something out. If they aren't willing to find the exclusion in the Toyota Warranty Terms & Conditions they consider applicable to the request and explain it to you, you are already at the wrong dealer. Again, never be afraid to escalate to a service manager and even the dealer GM if you aren't satisfied, then even to Toyota USA.

You didn't buy a $42,000 ++ vehicle to have them dictate that you must keep it all factory all the time. Now if you were talking about a 6" long travel lift installed by a hack shop where cutting and welding on the frame and all sorts of other "field engineering" was done to make it fit, I'd see their point. A leveling kit? Not so much.

aweaver65 said:

In short, unless the warranty specifically identifies modifications that you must not make which will void your coverage, they then MUST prove that the aftermarket modification you installed is a direct cause of any damage they are denying a warranty repair for.

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This is common misconception people have but it's not true. The whole point of the Magnuson Moss act is so manufactures can't void your warranty for getting maintenance and repairs done at aftermarket places with aftermarket parts. If you go to jiffy Lube for oil changes with the proper oil and filter and your engine blows up MM protects the consumer from saying it's not warranty because Jiffy Lube worked on it, they would have to prove Jiffy Lube caused the problem - wrong oil, drain plug fell out, etc. When it comes to aftermarket modifications there's almost no burden of proof because it's as simple as saying the consumer modified it to operate outside of it's designed range and that's proof enough in the court of law.

I typed a Warranty 101/FAQ thing a while back from another forum. It's based around Audi/VW but there';s some good info, I'll post it up in this forum later.

Are the front Bilstein shocks on the Pro not adjustable?

K9trainer said:

Are the front Bilstein shocks on the Pro not adjustable?

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Only down to the standard height. Only two notches on the shock and it comes on the top one.

That's a shame. I couldn't tell from the picture if there were more settings, I noticed while looking a the TDR suspension one shock is set on the lower setting. If that's how it has to be set up to be level how is Toyota setting up the other 4Runner like the trail to be level?

Still have to prove the mod caused the problem. As someone else said, they can't deny a warranty claim on a transmission because you changed an unrelated part. Transmission is under the power train warranty. Leveling kit will not add any additional stress or rolling resestance to it. Like I said there is a lot of gray but it is not a get out of jail free card for the dealer.

Doesn't sound right. Mine came with a 3" Revtek spacer lift dealer installed. I specifically asked about it's effect on the warranty and they talk me there was no effect.

My dealership said if they install a spacer or alter the suspension, a certified TOYOTA technician must install the parts at the dealership to keep the warranty.

Shaolin said:

My dealership said if they install a spacer or alter the suspension, a certified TOYOTA technician must install the parts at the dealership to keep the warranty.

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That is a very specific violation of the M/M act in itself. They are forcing you to use their services... They cannot do that. It's not ok for them to say, "these parts are ONLY OK if WE install them" which indicates they are saying there is no other qualified person on the planet to do the work. A lot of places will try to pull stuff like this and YES a LOT of dealers will install a wide variety of aftermarket mods, even on brand new vehicles.

Still more send their vehicles out to local vendors like car stereo shops to install remote start units, u-haul places to get an aftermarket trailer hitch installed, window tint places, spray in bedliner places and even suspension places. None of those things are installed by "Certified TOYOTA Technicians" but they will warranty it as if it was, because it was installed as part of the sale. They already charged you double for it and they will have the original shop perform the warranty work anyway. My very best friend on earth is a manager at a high end car audio and aftermarket store in Clearwater Florida, been that way for over 30 years. He's on speed dial for any number of dealers and if they have a problem with his work, it goes back to him to fix it. It's just the way it works.

As for the original point, Let's say you install a 1/4" spacer to level the front end the day you bring it home. 5,000 miles later, you develop a leaky tail shaft seal or transmission pan gasket, or some other minor failure like that. There is NO WAY they can say "Oh man, we're sorry, you've voided your power train warranty sir"... As I also said, if you had a 6" lift with cutting/welding and lots of other backyard engineering done, they might make that argument stick a little better but it would still be absolute garbage.

At the end of the day, thank goodness we have what are arguably the most reliable vehicles on the planet. Worst case, you've done a small mod, you have a catastrophic failure, get the mod removed BEFORE you tow the truck to the dealer and you'll never have to worry.

Here is the bottom line about warranty.

If the work is easy and profitable and the dealer feels they won't get any push back from Toyota paying the warranty claim, you won't have any issues at all. They will roll out the red carpet for you and get you fixed right up.... The dealer also has the right to offer their own warranty on any parts they install (typically at very high margin).

However, if the failure is not common (or it is extremely complex) and the dealer does not feel the work is profitable to take on then you are probably going to have problems getting it fixed (even if the truck is 100% stock). They will start looking for things to blame...Warranties are not what they used to be. All mfgs have cracked down and Toyota (from what I can tell) is very strict. If something unusual happens... they ask a lot of questions before paying up. They stick with the same mechanical for 10+ years... for a reason . They pretty much know what can go wrong under normal conditions.

In an unrelated (but totally related) note, I saw a news blurb last night that Toyota posted record profits this past year at over $18 Billion!

They can afford to fix an uncommon issue now and then. ;-).