Modifications and warranty...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles I'm here for a good time, not a long time!
Do Mods void warranty????
I just purchased and installed the Hurricane Intake last night, does this void my factory warranty and extended warranty? I have an 04 spiral vette, three weeks old. The boss asked the question last night after I got it all installed and didn't have any answer for her, she didn't take it well.
[Modified by spiral04vette, 8:11 AM 6/25/2004]
[Modified by spiral04vette, 8:11 AM 6/25/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 0
From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Re: Modifications and warranty... (spiral04vette)
The short answer is NO, it doesn't void your warranty out right. GM would have to prove that your modification is some way caused the affected system or component to fail. For example, installation of your new intake won't cause the shocks to fail.
There's a federal law that protects you from this type of activity but the name of the law escapes me.
BTW, dealers do NOT issue warranties. But some are notorious for NOT honoring warranties after some modifications have been done. Here in Northern VA, it's not uncommon for one dealer to say NO and the next dealer to say YES. It's unfortunate, but sometimes you have to go service department shopping.
[Modified by ArmyVette, 11:15 AM 6/25/2004]
There's a federal law that protects you from this type of activity but the name of the law escapes me.
BTW, dealers do NOT issue warranties. But some are notorious for NOT honoring warranties after some modifications have been done. Here in Northern VA, it's not uncommon for one dealer to say NO and the next dealer to say YES. It's unfortunate, but sometimes you have to go service department shopping.
[Modified by ArmyVette, 11:15 AM 6/25/2004]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles I'm here for a good time, not a long time!
Re: Modifications and warranty... (ArmyVette)
hmmm, somewhat good news. I'm in S. Ca. and I have a hard time getting things under warranty BEFORE mods were done. I think its the state. UGH!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,133
Likes: 1
From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
Re: Do Mods void warranty???? (spiral04vette)
Armyvette's right, the dealers are the ones to honnor warranties. Some cut you more slack than others, best to check into the matter before making any more mods if voiding warranties is a concern.
My '04 has 2,220 miles on the ticker, and I am planning mods arround warranty concerns as well. Below are mods I've done that are not supposed to void it.
Take care with after market oiled air filters, particulary if you have an automatic. GM has issued a TSB and dealers are saying they do bad stuff to automatics, giving some a hard time on repairs.
Hope the Mrs cools down soon.
Cya!
My '04 has 2,220 miles on the ticker, and I am planning mods arround warranty concerns as well. Below are mods I've done that are not supposed to void it.
Take care with after market oiled air filters, particulary if you have an automatic. GM has issued a TSB and dealers are saying they do bad stuff to automatics, giving some a hard time on repairs.
Hope the Mrs cools down soon.
Cya!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Re: Do Mods void warranty???? (spiral04vette)
Hi.
My wife just freaked out after finding my stock airbox behind the refrigorator in the garage......they will get over it. I installed the TRAP on my MSG and am having pinging/predetonation rattle so I may try taking to my dealer. I would think if you take it where you bought it they would be more accomadating.
Are you happy with the perfomance boost...I am with the TRAP.
My wife just freaked out after finding my stock airbox behind the refrigorator in the garage......they will get over it. I installed the TRAP on my MSG and am having pinging/predetonation rattle so I may try taking to my dealer. I would think if you take it where you bought it they would be more accomadating.
Are you happy with the perfomance boost...I am with the TRAP.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Re: Do Mods void warranty???? (DRKNGHT)
Wow, I'm surprised how often this comes up on this forum.
Do a search for the Magnusson-Moss act, print it out and keep it around.
No warranty can be denied as a result of any aftermarket addition unless it can be demonstrated that the aftermarket addition was the cause of the problem. Period.
For example, they cannot deny you warranty service on your A/C compressor if you put on an aftermarket intake. Or, if the butterfly valve in your throttle body breaks off, there's no way they could blame that on the filter...
They could likely get away with denying you warranty replacement of an O2 sensor if you put on headers...
Where this breaks down is if you put on major power adders - if you blow a tranny and are putting down 450hp - you're probably out of luck, because they can easily claim that it was not designed to handle excess power...
If you have a dealer giving you a hard time over a filter - find another dealer, that one's crap, plain and simple. It's a game of give and take, be nice to the dealer and they'll be nice to you. They pay nothing for warranty work, GM does and the law is on your side.
Do a search for the Magnusson-Moss act, print it out and keep it around.
No warranty can be denied as a result of any aftermarket addition unless it can be demonstrated that the aftermarket addition was the cause of the problem. Period.
For example, they cannot deny you warranty service on your A/C compressor if you put on an aftermarket intake. Or, if the butterfly valve in your throttle body breaks off, there's no way they could blame that on the filter...
They could likely get away with denying you warranty replacement of an O2 sensor if you put on headers...
Where this breaks down is if you put on major power adders - if you blow a tranny and are putting down 450hp - you're probably out of luck, because they can easily claim that it was not designed to handle excess power...
If you have a dealer giving you a hard time over a filter - find another dealer, that one's crap, plain and simple. It's a game of give and take, be nice to the dealer and they'll be nice to you. They pay nothing for warranty work, GM does and the law is on your side.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: EAST ROCKAWAY NY USA
Re: Do Mods void warranty???? (yellow01)
Yellow01 is 100% correct .But just in case always keep the stock part when ever you can .If one dealer is giving you a hard time you can always go back to stock and take it to another one.If a dealer is giving you a hard time about an air box change dealers what could an air box do to void a warranty?? Tell the wife not to worry you have the law on your side and you have the forum to advise you . 
(w/Yellow01)
PS
Yellow01 rides one HE-- of a motorcycle If you think our cars are fast take his bike out for a ride
[Modified by GLENN43, 10:34 PM 6/25/2004]
(w/Yellow01)PS
Yellow01 rides one HE-- of a motorcycle If you think our cars are fast take his bike out for a ride
[Modified by GLENN43, 10:34 PM 6/25/2004]
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 4
From: Edmond OK
Re: Do Mods void warranty???? (GLENN43)
thats the beauty about nitrous. i blew my tranny and my ase certified shop hid the nitrous and my tranny was covered, no questions asked 
you can work around anything, its all in who you know
you can work around anything, its all in who you know
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Do Mods void warranty???? (DRKNGHT)
Take care with after market oiled air filters, particulary if you have an automatic. GM has issued a TSB and dealers are saying they do bad stuff to automatics, giving some a hard time on repairs.
I think any GM dealer would have a hard time making that one stick, considering they themselves sell such a unit:
For for 1997-2000 C5s
For for 2001-2004 C5s + the optional air bridge
In fact, it is "covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty" if installed at the time of new vehicle delivery.
HTH!
[Modified by BW1, 9:10 PM 6/25/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 6
From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Do Mods void warranty???? (DRKNGHT)
Take care with after market oiled air filters, particulary if you have an automatic. GM has issued a TSB and dealers are saying they do bad stuff to automatics, giving some a hard time on repairs.
I think any GM dealer would have a hard time making that one stick, considering that they themselves sell such a unit:
For for 1997-2000 C5s
For for 1997-2000 C5s + the optional air bridge
In fact, it is "covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty" if installed at the time of new vehicle delivery.
HTH!
[Modified by BW1, 9:14 PM 6/25/2004]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles I'm here for a good time, not a long time!
Re: Do Mods void warranty???? (spiral04vette)
Thank you all for the reassurance in the mod. And BTW, the boss is already forgotten about it and is now concentrating on a wedding shower she has to give for a friend. hmmmm, might be time to slip some thing else on while I have the chance. Any advice on exhaust systems??? 
Thank you all again, I do appreciate it.
Thank you all again, I do appreciate it.
