Lift Kit and Warranty

[Thai]

Yup...just look at the Tacoma owners being screwed by Toyota for blown rear diffs. Toyota is very good at shifting blame to the owner and his modifications (minor or not).

 

[trdcorolla]

My dealer sells Donahoe kits...

 

[MW 4Runner]

My dealer sells Donahoe kits...

Mine sells and installs Revtek lifts, and says it will do nothing to void the warranty (as long as they install it). They are also big into off road modding of new vehicles on the showroom floor... Lifts, wheels, tires, ARB front bumpers, cargo baskets, etc... They just charge an arm and a leg for their "off-road package".

Here is a pic of one of the 4Runners they had on the lot one time

 

[Thai]

Although your dealer may sell a lift kit, it does NOT mean that they will fix your 4runner if you had the lift installed elsewhere.

Think about it like this...Toyota does not want to pay for fixes if they can avoid it...Dealer does not want to do warranty repairs because Toyota (like other manufacturers) does not pay dealers much in warranty repairs...thus, dealers want for YOU to pay them on their pay scale.

 

[DB208508]

Most of the Dealerships around my area won't even bat an eye torwards a lifted truck warrenty work cause there are so many around here, they just fix it and send it out the door, the way they probably look at it is they aren't paying for the work(ie the dealership) Toyota Motor Co. is. Not Toyota is going to know that you have a lift when there thousands of miles away.
Mechanics, get paid for what they do no matter if it's warrenty work or not so why would they give a sh*t.IMO

 

[Uneek]

This is what Toyota says about non-Toyota accessories for the Tundra:

The products shown are not Genuine Toyota Accessories. Contact the equipment manufacturer for information about any warranties applicable to its products. Any representations regarding the compatibility or suitability of non-Toyota Genuine Accessories for installation on the Toyota Tundra are those of the equipment manufacturer. The products shown may not be available for all cab, engine, or drivetrain configurations. Please consult your sales associate to ensure compatibility with your vehicle.

IMO if it's installed by the dealer there's a higher chance of getting them to foot the bill if Toyota refuses to pay for repairs for the mods.

Mechanics probably get paid hourly or based on salary, so for them work is work. Service writers can earn bonuses and a friend of friend's earned in the ball park of $10k when he was at Acura. That's why one jackass service writer always gives people $#!t about warranty work or TSBs because there's only so many hours the shop is open and they rather take paying customer work over warranty work, IMHO.

 

[Thai]

Mechanics probably get paid hourly or based on salary, so for them work is work. Service writers can earn bonuses and a friend of friend's earned in the ball park of $10k when he was at Acura. That's why one jackass service writer always gives people $#!t about warranty work or TSBs because there's only so many hours the shop is open and they rather take paying customer work over warranty work, IMHO.

Exactly. Most service people do get paid more for out-of-warranty work. Toyota does not pay much for warranty fixes/repairs. From what i hear, it's the bare minimum for warranty work.

In addition, Toyota has to clear every warranty repair. If it's a small thing, then it's OK. However, when it comes to powertrain or suspension work, Toyota usually sends a regional representative to see the vehicle in question. Therefore, it's not easy to get a major repair done without Toyota's involvement.

 

[DB208508]

IMO thats BS, if the mechanic says it's not from the accessories they should let it go at that, I know for a fact that Jeep/Dodge pay the same whether or not it's warrenty or not, they also get the bonuses if they get it done before the quoted labor time in there little book...but most mechanics will say they would rather do a drivetrain swap then a rebuild any day, because majority of the time they can swap a tranny/dif. case faster then the labor quote, even though you still have to pay for the full time that book says it takes.

 

[boston_kevin]

Exactly. Most service people do get paid more for out-of-warranty work. Toyota does not pay much for warranty fixes/repairs. From what i hear, it's the bare minimum for warranty work.

In addition, Toyota has to clear every warranty repair. If it's a small thing, then it's OK. However, when it comes to powertrain or suspension work, Toyota usually sends a regional representative to see the vehicle in question. Therefore, it's not easy to get a major repair done without Toyota's involvement.

The service technicians get paid the same regardless of warranty or not. The dealer takes the hit for warranty repairs which in turn comes out of normal service charges for non-warranty work. Ever wonder why the standard hourly fees have gone up so much?

If a dealer installs an aftermarket item (say a transmission cooler or a lift), it should be written into the contract the the factory warranty covers the installed parts. However, this does not mean that any other dealer has to honor that agreement.

 

[Thai]

This is not just Toyota...actually, as i was surfing other forums, i came across a Jeep board in regards to the new Jeep Wrangler (2007 JK). A guy with Sahara model was denied warranty repairs after his front axle broke while reversing out of his driveway! The dealer & regional manager claimed that they see signs of previous off-roading. Note that this guy's Wrangler is stock. Of course, this story is written by the owner...so, take it with a grain of salt since this is only one side of the story, but if this is true, then you can see how easy it is for a manufacturer to deny a warranty claim, even on just a stock vehicle. If you want to know more, then just GOOGLE Tacoma rear axle blowouts.

 

[Thai]

The service technicians get paid the same regardless of warranty or not. The dealer takes the hit for warranty repairs which in turn comes out of normal service charges for non-warranty work. Ever wonder why the standard hourly fees have gone up so much?

I stand corrected, but it's the same result...dealers prefer out-of-warranty work anyday of the week.

 

[boston_kevin]

Thai - absolutely... The dealers and the service managers will prioritize normal service work over warranty work nearly all the time.

 

[Thai]

Here is a recent thread on the Fj forum: http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/4x4-off-road-tech/18910-snapped-my-axle.html

Two things: 1. This guy does have a small lift (spacer lift i think) 2. This guy was off-roading when his front diff blew.

Some in that thread claims that because of these two reasons, warranty repairs of his front diff (or suspension in general for that matter) should be thrown out the window. As you can see, it is NOT easy to get warranty repairs after you have modded your vehicle.

Read the thread and come to your own conclusion...you can read my response too in that thread.

 

[Thai]

So...this is my conclusion (well, pessimistic conclusion):

1. If you off-road, then manufacturer/dealer can deny warranty repairs of your powertrain or suspension...the reasons why they would deny your claim is obvious.

2. If you lift your vehicle, then manufacturer/dealer can deny warranty repairs of your powertrain or suspension...the reasons could be altered suspension geometry, altered driveshaft angle, or your tires are not within factory specs (in case you put on bigger tires, which is quite common once you lift a vehicle).

3. Most people who have lifts do in fact go off-road and have big tires.

4. If you lift and go off-road, then you are doubly screwed!

No Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act will prevent you from having to go to court to get your claim...and this is yet another can of worms in itself.

 

[runnerrocks]

will 3" lift affect warranty on control arms

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:

 

[josh220]

When you quote something, shouldn't you have something to say referring to what is in the quote? Just quoting something is useless because we can read what that person said earlier in the thread.

 

[runnerrocks]

will lift affect warranty on control arms

I stand corrected, but it's the same result...dealers prefer out-of-warranty work anyday of the week.

About a month before I got my lift installed, I got warranty work done at toyota dealership. They replaced upper control arms.

Now 3 months later, passenger side rear makes a loud creaking sound. Think its control arm again
What do you think.....? Would they say lift caused the problem ( i also have bigger tires now 285/70/R17

 

[runnerrocks]

When you quote something, shouldn't you have something to say referring to what is in the quote? Just quoting something is useless because we can read what that person said earlier in the thread.

sorry new to this

look down i left another post thanks bru

 

[josh220]

I didn't mean for it to be rude though.

 

[T?@\7]

ive susp and body lifts and not that this really pertains to THAT persay, my dealer did cover the replacement of my carbon cannister and associated harness/hoses which was basically cooked by my (at the time) half assed borla setup. Obviously my fault, they covered without me even asking, s'goot ya!