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Which Bolt On's don't Void Ur Warranty?

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23K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Fates R/T  
#1 ·
Seems like my local Dodge is pretty strict or puts up a good front.
They claim any little thing can void your warranty. I bought the extra 3 years so I definitely don't wanna lose it.

With that being said which Bolt on's can I go with that won't void it?

Just added the Mopar CAI, probably wanna tackle the exhaust next, then maybe a diablo tuner n just De-tune it b4 taking it in for service. Just not sure if I can do much else which sucks.. got me feeling like a kid who has to ask mommy for permission first
 
#2 ·
Depends on who you talk to, but anything that can be proven to have resulted in the failure of a part can void the warranty. Tuners, exhaust, intakes, you name it. If they can say "this is what caused the failure" then you are SOL. Some drop in/add ons are obviously less invasive, as an example it would be difficult to prove an aftermarket muffler or exhaust caused an engine failure. Fortunately, it isn't up to the dealership to determine what voided the warranty, it is actually up to Chrystler/Dodge as far as I know.

Hopefully someone with a little more experience actually dealing with Dodge's warranty can chime in and share their experiences. I speak blasphemy but for me this is why I wait a while to modify my internals, at least until I get closer to expiration of the warranty.
 
#3 · (Edited)
They can say what they want, but can't void your warranty unless they can PROVE the aftermarket/altered stuff was the root cause of your problem..

Example:
Adding an aftermarket exhaust, and say later on your HID headlights fail.
They cannot void your warranty...

Sticky Example:
Adding a cold air intake, and say later your engine blows/fails......
They can say, it leaned out your engine to the point of failure..
They can void your warranty.

Basically if the aftermarket mod in any way shape or form, has the remote chance of causing a failure, you MAY be at risk of losing the warranty..

Intakes, internal mods, exhaust/headers etc will be scrutinized for major engine/transmission failures, but they can't point to them if any type of accessories, electronics etc. fail....
 
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#11 ·
They can say what they want, but can't void your warranty unless they can PROVE the aftermarket/altered stuff was the root cause of your problem..

Example:
Adding an aftermarket exhaust, and say later on your HID headlights fail.
They cannot void your warranty...

Sticky Example:
Adding a cold air intake, and say later your engine blows/fails......
They can say, it leaned out your engine to the point of failure..
They can void your warranty.

Basically if the aftermarket mod in any way shape or form, has the remote chance of causing a failure, you MAY be at risk of losing the warranty..

Intakes, internal mods, exhaust/headers etc will be scrutinized for major engine/transmission failures, but they can't point to them if any type of accessories, electronics etc. fail....
CAI will not lean out the engine the computer makes adjustments to the fuel. They have to show that what you did caused the problem. If you tune it and don't take the tune out before going into the dealership they are going to give you a hard time most of the time. Try to find a mod friendly dealer if you can. Then ask before you do the mod if they think it will void the warranty. I would not ask about the tune because you can take it out before you go to the dealer.
 
#4 ·
cai, throttle bodies, ported intake manifolds, catch cans, exhausts, sway bars and/or strut tower braces. all that stuff is fair game.
 
#5 ·
Yo-el has it right, while I may have been a Gm tech not a dodge one same rules apply across most manufacturers. Look up magnuson-miss warranty act


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#6 ·
^ What he said. You can bolt on change all you want. Simple by putting these things on or in to your car does not void the warranty. It has to be proven that the item in question actually caused the claim. Having said that, any after market item, especially power train, engine or suspension are going to be looked at very hard.
 
#7 ·
Part of the Magnason- Moss act

An 'aftermarket' part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer. A 'recycled' part is a part that was made for and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer, and later removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse. Simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void your warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket or recycled part. Still, if it turns out that the aftermarket or recycled part was itself defective or wasn't installed correctly, and it causes damage to another part that is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer has the right to deny coverage for that part and charge you for any repairs. The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Aftermarket parts or high performance parts? GM denied some truck owners just because they had a tune. One guy bought the truck used unknowing but didn't matter.
 
#8 ·
I know this might be a small point, but the dealer could 'restrict' your warranty, not 'void' your warranty. Having said that, if you find your warranty restricted for some aftermarket part, it is on you, the car owner, to bring proof and expert testimony to the dealer to prove that the aftermarket part did not cause any problems. A dealer probably won't take your word for it, you might need another mechanic or a rep from the aftermarket product to help resolve the issue. I opted to install the Mopar Stage 1 Scat Pack (CAI, exhaust, new computer) to add power to my '14 R/T Shaker and keep it all factory approved rather than risk any warranty issues (let's not debate the merits of power increase vs. cost, OK?). I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you can put a tune on a 2014, but I'm not sure about that. Even if you can tune a 2014, in my humble opinion, I wouldn't do it and hope you can de-tune the car if you need to take it in for service. What would happen if you had to take the car in and weren't able to get the time to put the stock tune back in? Or what if you make mods and the stock tune causes the car to run real bad? The dealer may look at the car more closely and that could cause problems.

In the end, it's your car and your risk. If you do make mods, post what you've done and the results so we can see what kind of fun you are having with your ride.
 
#12 ·
I know this might be a small point, but the dealer could 'restrict' your warranty, not 'void' your warranty. Having said that, if you find your warranty restricted for some aftermarket part, it is on you, the car owner, to bring proof and expert testimony to the dealer to prove that the aftermarket part did not cause any problems. A dealer probably won't take your word for it, you might need another mechanic or a rep from the aftermarket product to help resolve the issue. I opted to install the Mopar Stage 1 Scat Pack (CAI, exhaust, new computer) to add power to my '14 R/T Shaker and keep it all factory approved rather than risk any warranty issues (let's not debate the merits of power increase vs. cost, OK?). I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you can put a tune on a 2014, but I'm not sure about that. Even if you can tune a 2014, in my humble opinion, I wouldn't do it and hope you can de-tune the car if you need to take it in for service. What would happen if you had to take the car in and weren't able to get the time to put the stock tune back in? Or what if you make mods and the stock tune causes the car to run real bad? The dealer may look at the car more closely and that could cause problems.

In the end, it's your car and your risk. If you do make mods, post what you've done and the results so we can see what kind of fun you are having with your ride.
Any MOPAR part beginning with a P will void the warranty on that part and may void the warranty on any other part that is affected by that change. Mopar lowering springs will void your warranty on your springs and any other problems they may cause. That's why I am waiting until after the 3 year 36000 mile warranty to install the lowering springs.
 
#10 ·
A few more quotes-

Further, under the act, aftermarket equipment that improves performance does not automatically void a vehicle manufacturer's original warranty, unless the warranty clearly states the addition of aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle's warranty, or if it can be proven that the aftermarket device is the direct cause of the problem.

Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before it can deny warranty coverage. If the dealer cannot prove such a claim — or it proffers a questionable explanation — it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission administers the Magnuson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law.

That being said, if you choose to modify your car, and suddenly the fancy new electronic control boxes that you added to your car make it run rough, not start when cold, or buck like a bronco, the dealer can and will charge a diagnostic fee to find out what is wrong with your car. If it turns out that your modifications are the cause of the problem, the dealer has every right not only to charge you for the diagnosis and repair, but to also void the portion of the warranty that has been compromised by the use of those aftermarket parts. Likewise, a dealer may refuse to service your car if it is adorned with aftermarket parts to the extent that its technicians cannot reasonably be expected to diagnose what is wrong with your car. As an example, all cars manufactured after 1994 are equipped with OBDII (On Board Diagnostics II) ports that dealers use to read engine diagnostic codes for everything from an engine vacuum leak to a malfunctioning emissions system. If your chosen modification has compromised the dealer service center's ability to scan for these codes (aftermarket ECUs generally do not support OBDII), then there is a strong probability that the dealer service center will

Deny warranty coverage
Refuse to service the car
Note with your factory field representative for your region/district that your car has been "modified"
 
#13 ·
i would mainly just port every thing heads throttle body intake manifold then get a custom tune on a trinty i would guess u probably get some where around a 35hp gain or so