Will lift void warranty?

[Hepar]

Hey 5th genners. I've got a friend with a 2010 Trail Edition and I've recently gotten him interested in the possibilities of lifting it. His concern is that he's heard that it will void his extended warranty. Does anyone know if this is true? He said he's ok with it just voiding the suspension. I tried to do a search, but came up empty.

Thanks for any info!

 

[youkefei]

Try asking the dealer first.

 

[Hepar]

Try asking the dealer first.

It's Sunday evening. Of course that's a good option, but I figured someone on here might have some experience with it. Thanks for the great response.

 

[Falls]

YES !

There is some kind of law which says they have to prove that it was the lift that caused the problem which is fine , but when it all boils down to it it's your word against the mechanics word so .......

 

[Jesse1983]

I've always thought that if something goes wrong and I take it in for warranty work and they refuse it because of the lift, I'll go home and take the lift off, and go to a different dealer. And I've also heard what Falls said, they have to prove that your lift caused the problem in order to refuse it for warranty work.

 

[DaveS]

I know there is a case that sets the precedent re mods and warranty but I do wonder if that applies to an extended warranty. An extended warranty is just an insurance policy - if the underwriter specifically excludes coverage for modified vehicles I would think that is their choice and something the buyer should check. I would see if there is a copy of the ECP policy on Toyota.com to check if it has an exclusion clause. I would not rely on the word of the dealer who has a vested interest in selling you one, unless they put it in writing.

 

[LEO98]

One thing to consider is that the first dealer might tag your VIN (Toyota account) that a lift was installed. Second dealer could eventually find out you had a lift...

 

[Foques]

it is called Magnusson Moss pact..

when you replace a part on your vehicle you void warranty only on the said part, unless otherwise is stated in contract (say, GT-R prevents you from using other wheels, Ferarri prohibits you from doing your own maintenance, etc).

If an issue does take place, dealer needs to provide the evidence that the specific aftermarket part caused your problem.

I had several modified vehicles (from slight tuning to performance or show) that were taken care of by Toyota dealership under warranty.. and I had aftermarket suspensions, engine management, turbo's, S/c's.. you name it..

 

[Hepar]

Thanks for all the great info guys. I really want to see his 5th gen up in the air a bit more.

 

[4rbcool]

Was at a dealer this morning and asked that very question. Answer was that a new toyota truck had recently had a lift put on and was taken back for a rack and pinion problem that ended in replacement. It was not covered under warranty because Toyota said that undue stress was placed on the part by the installation of the lift.

 

[Foques]

I can see how it could void the warranty.

But keep in mind, dealer can NOT void warranty.. they can refuse service under warranty. there is a big difference there.

 

[Thai]

The problem with a lift is that it is connected to so many parts...and thus, if the mechanic is an arse, he can relate anything to the lift...and thus deny work under warranty coverage. My guess is that the Toyota tech is under pressure by Toyota to deny warranty work the best he can. MM Act is great and all, but when you lift a vehicle, a dealer can blame almost anything on it..."stress" due to the lift is a common reason for denial of coverage.

 

[Deaddog]

Suspension lifts and Warranty

The problem with a lift is that it is connected to so many parts...and thus, if the mechanic is an arse, he can relate anything to the lift...and thus deny work under warranty coverage. My guess is that the Toyota tech is under pressure by Toyota to deny warranty work the best he can. MM Act is great and all, but when you lift a vehicle, a dealer can blame almost anything on it..."stress" due to the lift is a common reason for denial of coverage.

I have a 2011 SR5 and never gave it a thought when I had my 3" ready lift installed. Are problems with lifts on suspensions a common thing?

 

[1engineer]

I have a 2011 SR5 and never gave it a thought when I had my 3" ready lift installed. Are problems with lifts on suspensions a common thing?

No not really but IF YOU DO have a problem with, say, your transmission and the dealer says the lift caused it and denies warranty do you have the ability, time, effort and money to fight it? Most people just pay and learn a lesson.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

it is called Magnusson Moss pact..

when you replace a part on your vehicle you void warranty only on the said part, unless otherwise is stated in contract (say, GT-R prevents you from using other wheels, Ferarri prohibits you from doing your own maintenance, etc).

If an issue does take place, dealer needs to provide the evidence that the specific aftermarket part caused your problem.

I had several modified vehicles (from slight tuning to performance or show) that were taken care of by Toyota dealership under warranty.. and I had aftermarket suspensions, engine management, turbo's, S/c's.. you name it..

Keep in mind that this act was to prevent manufacturers and dealers from using small non-oem replacement parts as loop holes to providing major warranty repairs. So while the act can be used in defense of major modification be reasonable. A lift if small and done right may not adversely effect the vehicle, a larger lift if not done right can cause lots of problems. Most people who plan to heavily modify do so knowing the warranty is probably out the window on the parts they are changing. You may also have the dealer install the lift, and they may honor your warranty if they do the installation.

 

[flying fuzz]

For future searches of old threads brought back to life here's my input...

I just had my OME installed (14SEP12) by my local Toyota dealer they said anything 3" or less will not affect warranty.

 

[Jtraskell]

I just read the warranty for my 2010. There is nothing in writing here which indicates your dealer is correct. That is not to say that local Toyota distributer/dealers will not honor that statement, but it does not seem to be a factory written exception to the warranty contract. So just a word to wise, what was said and may be covered in flying fuzz's area/district/region etc, may not be true nationwide. Be safe.

 

[rebelbowtie]

For future searches of old threads brought back to life here's my input...

I just had my OME installed (14SEP12) by my local Toyota dealer they said anything 3" or less will not affect warranty.

It's going to vary dealer to dealer, installing a lift usually also means installing larger tires with puts more leverage and in turn stress on nearly everything on your drive train. If they want, they can and will deny the warranty on drivetrain parts. MM act or not...

 

[Stifler]

to answer your question directly NO NO NO!!!!

installing a lift will not void your warranty

screwing something up during the install can void the repair of that particular item.

something breaking as a direct result of the lift will void the repair of that item only, and the burden of proof is on the dealer.

IT WILL NOT VOID A WARRANTY.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

to answer your question directly NO NO NO!!!!

installing a lift will not void your warranty

screwing something up during the install can void the repair of that particular item.

something breaking as a direct result of the lift will void the repair of that item only, and the burden of proof is on the dealer.

IT WILL NOT VOID A WARRANTY.

I agree with the bones of your statement, but if the dealer or Toyota says your lift caused the failure and deny coverage... you may have to take them to court to prove otherwise and even then may lose.

Being right doesn't mean you will be covered. Talk to your local dealership and get something in writing... this may be easier if you have the dealership install.

For example: you can buy and install a Ford Racing Supercharger on your Mustang and you will void the warranty. Have it installed at a Ford Dealer and it won't void the warranty. They make some money off the install, and you sleep peaceful at night knowing your need for more power isn't voiding your warranty.