Voiding the warranty

[ufnavy06]

What's most likely to void your warranty?
UDP, midpipes/headers, TB, delete plates, custom tune
All of these are things I want to do but I just want to keep my warranty as long as possible while upping the performance of my stallion. I'm sure we can all relate. I know it depends on the dealer mainly.

 

[Hoboattacker]

Depends on your dealer. I have Shorties, off-road h, axle backs, CAI, Tune, and I still have a full warranty. If I have a problem with any of that they don't fix it, but anything and everything else is still under warranty.

 

[ShowYa06]

I agree, all in who you deal with when this problem comes into play. My dealer is MOD freindly for the most part.

 

[metroplex]

Anything from flashing the PCM with a non-factory calibration, to installing aftermarket suspension components could void the warranty. It all depends on where you go for service and how understanding they are.

 

[StonePony]

My dealer installed my blower, gear, exhaust, stall speed and custom transmission.
They love modded cars there!

 

[seanthenerd]

I just came across a good article about the legal rights you have to your Mustang's warranty and what the dealer can and cannot do. They also recommend that when choosing a dealer look for one that was a former SVT or Roush dealer as they will be more likely to know the Mustang and its performance parts better than one that does not specialize in customized Mustangs.

Basically, your mustang is covered under Title 15 of the United State Codes section 2301 through 2312. This is a Federal Code, so this is true anywhere in the United States. This code is a result of the Magnusum-Moss Warranty Improvment Act of 1976.

Check out the article, it is full of good information and tips for warranty seekers that have personalized their stangs.

Warranty Article

-Sean

 

[metroplex]

The example in the MMFF article is logical and based on common sense: A CAI has no bearing on the failure of the A/C system. Unfortunately, most CAI's require a custom tune to use a different air transfer function. And coincidentally, there's a parameter in the engine calibration that can set the A/C to shut down depending on throttle position (WOT cut-off). Now, a dealer could argue that the PCM was reflashed by an unauthorized/non-factory person using a non-factory calibration with the WOT cut-off set at an extremely high TP causing the A/C to blow up when the driver of the GT went WOT. It's a longshot, but it's feasible.

Damage caused by modifying the MAF (swapping out the stock MAF) can result in transmission failure, cat failure, engine failure, etc... because it is a vital component in your car.

That article is a good primer for anything bad that might happen in the future, but they are missing a key component in most aftermarket modifications: the tuner that flashes your PCM with a non-factory calibration which essentially modifies several core systems of the car nullifying many common arguments to defend the owner of the vehicle.

Digression warning:
Depending on your state laws, your results will also vary because state laws generally over-rule Federal law. Case in point: Under Federal law, you can own a 16" barreled AR15 with a threaded muzzle and use detachable 30-rd STANAG M16/AR15 magazines along with a collapsible stock. Under NJ, CA, and NY law, there are limitations on the muzzle (can't have a flash suppressor), stock, magazine capacity, etc... Federal law also allows you to own machine guns (M60, M249) and SBRs (10" barreled semi-automatic PS90) but that's not the case in certain states due to state laws. I doubt there are any state laws that take away your rights when it comes to warranty-related car repair, but the comment about federal law applying everywhere caught my attention.

 

[ufnavy06]

So I guess my question should be, do I approach the dealer about it? The dealer I took my car for my 10k matience to didn't say a word about my K&N or exhaust. They actually talked to me more about my stripes and how they weren't the Ford Racing ones cause they go from bumper to bumper. The dealer is a Roush dealer and I did find a local shop which specializes in Mustangs, so I do have a fall back should something go terribly wrong.

 

[stanmckinney]

I believe state laws could give you more protection than federal laws but not less.

 

[metroplex]

I believe state laws could give you more protection than federal laws but not less.

Under Federal Law, machine guns, short barreled rifles, and sound suppressors are legal, along with semi-automatic "assault weapons" with threaded muzzles, flash suppressors, bayonet lugs, and "high capacity" magazines. California, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and a few other states have laws that say otherwise. That's just one example of how state laws can restrict freedoms more than federal law.

 

[red05bullitgt]

So in other words certain Ford dealers who are mod friendly have different warranty policies than other Ford dealerships that aren't mod friendly ? First off this doesn't make any logical sense whatsoever and second only Ford corporate has the legal authority to void their factory warranties in which according to their warranty policy states that it must be proven that an aftermarket part was directly responsible for causing the warranted part in question to fail otherwise the warranty claim cannot legally be denied period..However if the Ford dealer in question suspects an aftermarket part was directly responsible ? they can refuse to service the vehicle under a warranty claim until the vehicle is returned to stock condition... With that said ? there's a very huge difference between dealerships refusing to service vehicles under a warranty claim over the legal authority of voiding one and IMHO ? this is the main reason for all the mixed signals taking place to begin with...Here's a post by one of our moderators taken from an earlier thread that perhaps may put some of these warranty myths to rest......
Quote:
Originally Posted by svttech76 View Post
Ok let me clear this up a bit so you see how it works..

The dealer really does not care if the customer pays or if ford pays for the repair, the only thing the dealer cares about is that SOMEBODY PAYS..

IF we at the dealer level don't notify ford that a mustang that came in with a blown engine had nitrous run in it or a supercharger and ford during inspection of the motor when it gets back to them decides that they will not cover it then the dealer itself pays.. DEALERS DO NOT LIKE TO PAY TO FIX YOUR CAR.

So what we do at the dealer level to protect ourself is we the techs make a note of whats on the car and let the service manager know. At this point if he does not want to warranty the problem then the customer can appeal this and a Ford rep will inspect the car and make the decision on the claim and if the warranty will be voided.

IF the ford rep wants to allow the repair to be done under warranty then the dealer is protected from charge back because a ford rep inspected the car and signed off on it.

I have seen a few warranties get voided over the years including one of the techs I work with who did not bother taking a aftermarket pulley off of his lighting with a blown motor.

Other times a aftermarket part can cause a problem is if it makes servicing the failed ford part harder. I used to run into this a lot when I was the mustang/lightning tech at a dealer that specialized in those cars. Ford pays the dealer and the tech a fixed amount of time to perform a repair, if your aftermarket part makes it take longer then you are responsible for the added cost.

My best example of this was a SVT contour that needed the dash replaced under recall. This car had a very high end stereo and video system in it that was all hardwired so I would have to cut and re splice everything, I refused to do the job since it would take many hours more than ford would pay since ford would only pay for the amount of time needed to replace the dash in a STOCK car.

I told the writer to see if the car owner wanted to remove the stereo/video stuff himself and then I can put the dash in or he could pay himself to have us mess with it. Ford compromised with him and the cost for me to do the added work was split by him and ford.
SVTTECH 76

 

[RandyB]

I would do plenty of research before purchasing a TB. My opinion is that you already have the best one available on your car now. Have fun!

 

[metroplex]

There is only one warranty given with the purchase of a new vehicle: the factory warranty. Anything else you get would be between the parties outlined in the agreement.

If your A/C was leaking and you installed a different stereo system, there's no basis for voiding the factory warranty. However if the A/C compressor blew up, and you have a non-factory calibration, a dealership might try to push for voiding your warranty based on a non-certified calibration potentially causing the compressor to overspeed and fail.

Simply swapping the MAF sensor sounds innocuous, but it's actually a critical component for your powertrain and emissions. The best thing you could do is swap back to stock when you take it back to the dealership for any type of work. Better safe than sorry. Once your warranty is up, do whatever the heck you want (11 psi whipple with forged internals, etc...)

 

[red05bullitgt]

There is only one warranty given with the purchase of a new vehicle: the factory warranty. Anything else you get would be between the parties outlined in the agreement.

If your A/C was leaking and you installed a different stereo system, there's no basis for voiding the factory warranty. However if the A/C compressor blew up, and you have a non-factory calibration, a dealership might try to push for voiding your warranty based on a non-certified calibration potentially causing the compressor to overspeed and fail.

Simply swapping the MAF sensor sounds innocuous, but it's actually a critical component for your powertrain and emissions. The best thing you could do is swap back to stock when you take it back to the dealership for any type of work. Better safe than sorry. Once your warranty is up, do whatever the heck you want (11 psi whipple with forged internals, etc...)

You've got that right, especially if you don't re-flash back to stock before taking the vehicle in for servicing lol. If the dealer ends up updating the stock program files ? not only do you lose your custom tune files but you'll no longer be able to use your custom programmer either until you send it back to either SCT or Diablosport to unlock it...