Lift Kit and Warranty

[AlexJet]

Yesterday I went to the dealer and talked to them about lift kits. Actually I was surprised, because I was told that if I'll do the lift they will take out my warranty for body and transmission. Did anyone have any problems with warranty?
Guys who have any lift kits. Did dealer notice that you lift your truck when you were at service?
May be I should ask them about maintaining the warranty if I'll install lift at dealership?

 

[live4swell]

I have the daystart lift and have been to the dealer a couple of times with it and they have not mentioned anything to me about it. So who knows...

 

[Boaz]

Yeah, I would not even mention the lift, most people won't even notice it if you don't say anything.

 

[ksneubec]

My understanding is the warranty can only be voided if you do something which DIRECTLY contributes to the part in question failing. Let's say your XREAS stops working- the dealer can only void your warranty if he can PROVE that it was caused DIRECTLY by the installation of a lift kit. That is at least how I understand it.

 

[Bill42]

I agree with ksneubec. They have to prove that the warranty issue was directly related to the mod. I think someone on here previously cited a specific section. I'll look for it.

Ahh, here it is (thanks Lance):

Federal Warranty Laws

1.The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))
This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers. The essence of this law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle makers brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:

 

[Good Times]

 

[AlexJet]

I agree with ksneubec. They have to prove that the warranty issue was directly related to the mod. I think someone on here previously cited a specific section. I'll look for it.

Ahh, here it is (thanks Lance):

Federal Warranty Laws

1.The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))
This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers. The essence of this law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle makers brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:

 

[Good Times]

Bill 42, could you explain it in a simple form? How lifting can affect the warranty?

example:

just say you're a/c has gone bad. they can't void your warranty because of the suspension since it has nothing to do w/ the a/c.

this means that the dealer can only void your warranty if and only if they can prove that what you modified was the direct CAUSE of the warranty claim.

so ultimately, the only thing you really can't ask for warranty repairs would be suspension related since you've messed with it.

i've read that some dealers will go as far as saying engine/tranny will get voided but that was due to the owner being dumb. i'd say if one dealer says no, just leave and go elsewhere. if the dealer threatens you, throw out the Magnuson card out on them and they'll shut up quick.

hope that helps

 

[Bill42]

I agree with Lance I guess if my XREAS failed and my vehicle had been lifted and they somehow could connect the two as a cause/effect then they might not want to honor that portion of the warranty.

Whether they can support their actions legally is of course another matter entirely. That is where the Magnuson Act comes into play. The burden would be theirs to prove as opposed to the assumptive burden that simply by modifying your vehicle that would automatically void your warranty.

 

[Thai]

Could a dealer say this:

Lift => Driveshaft angle a bit off => Powertrain problems are not covered due to alteration of drivershaft angle (thus increase stress).

Don't forget, if you lift AND put on bigger tires, the dealer may dismiss your claims if your tranny or transfer case grenades!

I would be careful with lifts. Not to encourage paranoia, but just putting on 265/70/17 tires may void your powertrain warranty IF the dealer is an ass...or at least, give you a big headache. And if your brakes wear quickly, then dealer may blame the LT tire for being heavier than stock tires, resulting in more wear & tear on the brakes (and ATRAC system).

Everything can be connected to everything else. A cunning serviceman will find a way to connect the dot one way or another. Remember, you pay him a lot more for the fix than what Toyota pays him for warranty repairs!

Be careful...you're dealing with Toyota, not Lexus/Infiniti. And even with Lexus/Infiniti, i have heard horror stories about them worming out of warranty fixes.

 

[Good Times]

Driveshaft angles changes constantly due to compression of suspension even w/o lift. The driveshaft is built to be able to telescope (take a look under) so you can rule out the angle bs.

dealers can talk but if they can't back it up, just throw the magnuson act in their face to shut them up. they don't want to deal w/ legal BS so don't worry. If you're worried, just walk in the showroom and take a look at all of their accessories and modified vehicles they sell and then ask them whats up w/ that!

if you're worried, just ask what you think might get voided and we'll walk ya thru it. no need to worry one bit.

if you think i'm crazy, i actually took my 4runner into the dealer for a EVAP repair (tb sensor was bad thus CEL was on). anyway the dealer gave me this look after doing a quick inspection of my 4runner all he said was, i'm not even going to ask but you have a lot of mods / damages to your 4runner. he just smiled and fixed what needed to be fixed and called it a day.

all you have to do is fine a good dealer that'll look the other way. they want the business so they're not gonna shy anyone away. unless you're asking for some lame warranty bs, they'll be pretty honest.

good luck

Could a dealer say this:

Lift => Driveshaft angle a bit off => Powertrain problems are not covered due to alteration of drivershaft angle (thus increase stress).

Don't forget, if you lift AND put on bigger tires, the dealer may dismiss your claims if your tranny or transfer case grenades!

I would be careful with lifts. Not to encourage paranoia, but just putting on 265/70/17 tires may void your powertrain warranty IF the dealer is an ass...or at least, give you a big headache. And if your brakes wear quickly, then dealer may blame the LT tire for being heavier than stock tires, resulting in more wear & tear on the brakes (and ATRAC system).

Be careful...you're dealing with Toyota, not Lexus/Infiniti.

 

[Thai]

Well, driveshaft angles WILL become an issue if you have a significant (aka $$$$) repair. In addition, if you lift anymore than 2-3", you will signficantly alter driveshaft angle.

Your dealer story is a simple one...fixing a simple electronic glitch. Now, let's say that you came in after your tranny exploded...do you think that same serviceman would smile at you, replace/fix your tranny under warranty, and call it a day?? Remember, not only do they want to screw you, these dealers face tremendous pressure from Toyota itself in these signficant repair cases.

I am not planning to lift my truck, but i will be putting on 32" tires in the near future. However, i do want to give people a different (rather pessimistic) view on this topic, especially when you consider that this is all a business where profit matters more than the customer. Unfortunately, my view is more right than not in the real world.

 

[Thai]

they don't want to deal w/ legal BS so don't worry. If you're worried, just walk in the showroom and take a look at all of their accessories and modified vehicles they sell and then ask them whats up w/ that!

Well, i doubt that many of us want to go through the hassle of hiring a lawyer or enter into a lawsuit.

All of the dealer's accessories are cosmetics; thus, not related to the vehicle's powertrain, suspension, frames, etc.. For example, the OEM bullbar has been tested so that it won't interfere with airbag activation. The bullbar is also made of cheap metal to avoid overburdening the front suspension or bumper/frame.

Trust me, in this day and age of lawsuits (over the smallest things), everyone is covering their ass, especially big corporations like Toyota.

 

[Good Times]

Trust me, in this day and age of lawsuits (over the smallest things), everyone is covering their ass, especially big corporations like Toyota.

Which goes back to this which PROTECTS US (the consumers):

1.The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))
This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers. The essence of this law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle makers brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:

 

[Thai]

Just a quick search on GOOGLE:

http://www.thedieselstop.com/archiv...6&page=122&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1.htm

Pay special attention to post by LARRYM.

Bottom line, it's up to who you take your car to. It's NOT automatic that you can get a dealer to do a warranty job because you claim this Act. Some dealers will deny your claim with or without the above Act. Others will do it. I doubt that you will have much success using the Act in a court of law. In addition, i am not sure if many of us are willing to spend the time and potential $$ to sue a dealership...it's probably cheaper to pay for the repairs ($$ or via insurance company) than go through with the lawsuit.

 

[AlexJet]

So, it's not automatically cuts my warranty. As far as I got this information right it's all depend on a dealer and if he wants to get this claim.

 

[Bill42]

and...You probably won't ever have to make a claim...

 

[Bluto]

I plan to get the Cornfed lift.

I would not fight the dealer over CVs, ball joints, or even a diff.

But the 5-speed is probably a $6000 (or more) job. The T-case is not cheap either. I don't see how they could fail from a lift. I'd get a lawyer, probably have a 50/50 chance.

 

[tomhaney1]

I agree with Lance I guess if my XREAS failed and my vehicle had been lifted and they somehow could connect the two as a cause/effect then they might not want to honor that portion of the warranty.

Whether they can support their actions legally is of course another matter entirely. That is where the Magnuson Act comes into play. The burden would be theirs to prove as opposed to the assumptive burden that simply by modifying your vehicle that would automatically void your warranty.

I would just remove the lift and then take the car in and play dumb as to why the system busted

 

[tomhaney1]

I plan to get the Cornfed lift.

I would not fight the dealer over CVs, ball joints, or even a diff.

But the 5-speed is probably a $6000 (or more) job. The T-case is not cheap either. I don't see how they could fail from a lift. I'd get a lawyer, probably have a 50/50 chance.

A, say, 3 inch lift should have no detrimental effect on any other components of the vehicle. All parts should be able to accomodate that small change in articulation. I think you would have much better than a 50 percent chance if you got a lawyer involved. The only problem is that Toyota (and many other auto manufacturers for that matter) require arbitration as part of the process, which could kill any further legal action.