Looking at several used Z06's, many with mods. I'm interested to hear feedback on warranty claims and how they were handled on your modified C5. I would imagine the more wild, the more difficult to get help?

I know SEMA fights hard for us on these matters...but what's it really like when she's throwing a code and you have headers (or some other obvious mod)? Does the dealer turn you away or are they responsive?

Thanks! :flag

 

I have a good dealership that will work on my car even with all the mods I have now. If I took it to another dealerhship, they may not even want it on the property... :eek: If you are going to buy a C5 and Mod it be sure you have a Mod Friendly Dealership in your area... otherwise you may find yourself out of luck if anything goes wrong. :cry

vetterdstr :cheers:

 

The manufacturer has to be able to prove the modification caused the problem. A dealer cannot void a warranty, only the manufacturer, the warranty is not issued by the dealer. The dealer is contracted to perform any and all warranty work by a manufacturer, so it is the manufacturer who has to void the warranty.
Almost every state in the US has a government entity that oversees warranties, and if a dealer refuses to perform warranty work, you can contact this agency and file a claim.

 

Thanks WhiteC5 but how does this really work? If I have headers a cold air intake and exhaust and take the car in for a bad/slipping clutch (for example), am I screwed? Does the dealer contact the manufacture with the specifics and get authorization or do they tear it down and provide feedback to the manufacture? I understand that the manufacture has to prove the modifications are what caused the damage/failure but how do they determine that? Can't they simply say these modifications have increased the horsepower of your car above what the manufacture intended and thus caused your problem? Thanks. :flag

 

I've had over $15,000 in warranty work done on my Coupe. The dealer was my friend the entire time. The only mod on my car has been skip shift kit and a momo shift "****" in place of the stock. I did this in the 1st month I had the car, prior to any warranty work.

After the last engine replacement :rolleyes: in 12/01, I notice I was unable to turn off T/C. I called the dealer (1 1/2 hours away) and talked to the service guy. I said that they just had my car for 2 weeks and I wasn't in a big hurry to bring it back. They said, no prob, wait as long as you want, bring it back when it is convenient.

My warranty expires next month so I took it back in for the T/C. After 1/2 day in the waiting room, they called me up and presented my "bill". I explained that the car was still under warranty but they said (yep, you guessed it) whoever replaced the "shifter" had screwed up the wiring so it wouldn't be covered. After a heated debate (me standing toe-to-toe with the mech, a FULL dose of adrenaline coursing through my viens) the service writer decided that he would hook me up and not charge me. :rolleyes:


I believe that most dealers (even good ones) can turn into buttheads when the mood strikes them. I have been saving my mod money for 3 years, next month, it's on! I'm sure alot of people on here, whose opinions I value, will disagree, but I must say, don't touch it till after the warranty is up, you could get screwed.

Best of luck.

 

Johhny B, this is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for...Thanks!

I don't see how a CAGS defeat would interfere with the T/C but I'm no expert. More likely something they did on one of your engine replacements! I remember on my 92, it was simply a matter of placing a 'plug ' between a connector on the outside of the tranny.

Unless they found something obviously wrong or hacked into on the CAGS, how did they justify this? I doubt they talked to GM and obviously they didn't have enough of a leg to stand on as they ate the cost in the long run. I would bet they billed GM for it as a warranty repair!

:flag

 

Yes, the dealer can contact GM's warranty people, describe the modifications and the problem, and they in turn will contact engineering to obtain an intelligent reply. However, GM would have to send out a rep (usually a field service engineer) to determine if the mods caused the problem. There are some serious legal ramifications in certain states, so GM does not necessarily accept the word of the dealer. As we have problems with dealers, GM does too. Dealers have to abide by General Motor Policies and Procedures, and they have a giant manual with all these regulations.
As most people have said, a mod friendly dealer will just replace the damaged part and bill GM for warranty repairs.
There are some dealers who live to screw their customers (figuratively); not sure if it is some type of power trip, or they are just mean, but these are the ones who will call GM for a determination on the warranty. Possibly they are hoping that if GM voids that part of the warranty, you will have the work performed by them. Customer pay can be up to double what GM pays for the same repair.
If the dealer gives any indication they will be contacting GM, leave, and go to another dealer. From what I have read on this forum, and from talking with Vette owners over the years, a dealer who sells a lot of Vettes is usually more understanding of the mods.
Good luck...



[Modified by WhiteC5Vette, 3:57 PM 3/23/2003]