How do mods affect warranty?

[patrick_j]

I just bought a 2010 Trail Edition with a bit over 20k miles.

It still has a year on the bumper to bumper warranty, and a couple years on the drivetrain warranty.

I've seen a lot of awesome mods on these forums, and I'd like to get in on the action, but I also don't want to completely void my warranty. Will only the modified parts be voided, or does it void the entire car?

For example, if I install a lift, will it void my drivetrain warranty?

 

[Stifler]

No..... Nice rig btw

 

[Acidmeld]

No. Warranty is only voided if the dealership can show that the modification caused the failure.

 

[TRDteen]

No. Warranty is only voided if the dealership can show that the modification caused the failure.

this.

 

[gadgetguy1288]

No. Warranty is only voided if the dealership can show that the modification caused the failure.

This, Look up the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act


Basically, if you bring a vehicle in for warranty service, and they try to deny your claim based on an aftermarket part on the vehicle, they have to prove that the issue was caused by the aftermarket part.

 

[b_w.]

The dealer that I bought my SR5 from told me I would have no warranty issues if they installed a lift kit but might if I had another shop do it or do it myself.

Not that I need one anytime soon or at all but would something like a ARB air locker diff void anything?

 

[Vegas]

I would worry more about MODs killing your resale...Some people get scared thinking the truck has done serious rock crawling or the person who installed the mods is not a "certified" mechanic so the quality of work could effect the reliability of the vehicle.... Just my opinion :hiding:

That being said I would have bought SoCalTrail, Harper, Ducamonster, Ride, Jesses and about 20 other guys trucks on this forum in a heart beat.

 

[Acidmeld]

Screw resale, I'm keeping mine til it explodes.

 

[Park]

what about insurance. Ex: you have an aftermarket rear bumper and somebody rearends you. Does insurance cover the cost of the aftermarket bumper? Sorry didnt mean to hijack thread but I figured it was semi-relevant.

 

[KodeRush]

what about insurance. Ex: you have an aftermarket rear bumper and somebody rearends you. Does insurance cover the cost of the aftermarket bumper? Sorry didnt mean to hijack thread but I figured it was semi-relevant.

I believe it's covered.

Back to the topic, I asked my dealership, they said if they do the mod, it won't void the warranty.

 

[b_w.]

I believe it's covered.

Back to the topic, I asked my dealership, they said if they do the mod, it won't void the warranty.

are they saying that to get the work I wonder? With all the guys that are lifted on this forum surely someone has run into this...

 

[Stifler]

screw the dealer if you do the mod it wont void the warranty either... they just want to charge you $400 to install a fricken coils spacer.

 

[Stifler]

will it void my drivetrain warranty?

see above... NO not unless the mod damages the drivetrain

 

[mikebontoft]

^^ ah you just got tricked by spam.

on the contrary (to covering the cost of an aftermarket bumper), a plate bumper probably wont need to be replaced if you rear end someone or get rear ended. Think of it as security from stupid people.

 

[KodeRush]

screw the dealer if you do the mod it wont void the warranty either... they just want to charge you $400 to install a fricken coils spacer.

Well, considering this: you want to take the XREAS off and put some ICON on, and you don't feel comfortable disconnecting all fluid lines by yourself without screwing up the XREAS because you may want to put the XREAS back when you sell the truck, I don't think you have many options other than dealer's service department. And I don't think dealer's labor rates are ridiculous higher than other shops, they are in reasonable range(Your Dealer May Vary).

On the other hand, if I wanna install sliders, skidpads, even bumper, I don't have a specific reason to go to the dealer, any shop or myself will do.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

This, Look up the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act


Basically, if you bring a vehicle in for warranty service, and they try to deny your claim based on an aftermarket part on the vehicle, they have to prove that the issue was caused by the aftermarket part.

This is true, they cannot deny your claim unless it can be proven that the component caused the failure; BUT this does not mean that the dealer and/or warranty company won't drag it out and fight you over the stupidist of crap as a result.

Screw resale, I'm keeping mine til it explodes.

OORAH! When my engine goes, I'm either using a newer V8 or rebuilding the one I have for boost! Keeping this baby past the end of the world!

are they saying that to get the work I wonder? With all the guys that are lifted on this forum surely someone has run into this...

I would be surprised if the dealer really wants the work. Most of the guys at some of our local dealerships (ours included) don't want to touch trucks that have been modded in any way because they don't know or don't want to deal with the altered specs and such. Hell, most of the service writers call me up to talk to customers about mods they want, just explained to a lady about her 4Runner's options for a brush guard to front bumper and spacer lift, ect.

Well, considering this: you want to take the XREAS off and put some ICON on, and you don't feel comfortable disconnecting all fluid lines by yourself without screwing up the XREAS because you may want to put the XREAS back when you sell the truck, I don't think you have many options other than dealer's service department. And I don't think dealer's labor rates are ridiculous higher than other shops, they are in reasonable range(Your Dealer May Vary).

On the other hand, if I wanna install sliders, skidpads, even bumper, I don't have a specific reason to go to the dealer, any shop or myself will do.

This is also another issue to deal with, most of the time I've noticed people with 4th gens getting stupid, uneducated, and even down right sketchy answers when they bring an XREAS equipped truck to another shop. (Its connected to the braking system & power steering guys! :O I didn't know that! *Sarcasm*) Point is, find a shop that you can trust and won't screw up the job and give you back a half finished truck because "they can't make it work."