Mods vs warranty

[sonoma]

Warranty and Mods

What kind of warranty did you get - after market or Ford? And what if any mods would they cover or not cover? Just want to compare with what I am being told.

 

[mudblood]

Listen, times have changed. Your dealer is no longer in control of making the decision on warranty work. Ford requires the dealer, on warranty work to submit a written account of the issue and pictures. This is done at a certain price point (something around a grand I think) and it is out of the dealers hands. Now anything you have done to alter the factory truck can be construde as a reason to turn down warranty work. You will be told there is an ACT that makes Ford have to prove what you did was directly related to your alteration. That is correct; however you must employ attorneys and engineers to support your case in court. That is going to most likely be more cost to you than the warranty work. Ford knows this and that is why they have lots of attorneys on staff and retainer. That being said many many people modify their vehicles and never have a moments problem. You just need to keep your eyes wide open when you make the decision to make modifications. Hell I have done it plenty of times and will most likely do it again. You just need to be aware what you are entering into by making modifications.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

What kind of warranty did you get - after market or Ford? And what if any mods would they cover or not cover? Just want to compare with what I am being told.

For anyone not familiar with the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act, now would be a good time to understand what it is, what it does (and doesn't do).

Here's a good place to get an overview of it (click link below):


MAGNUSSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT

 

[sonoma]

Well, looks like it's a crapshoot with mods -

 

[Bigg50]

It depends on what you mods you're talking about. If you put a tune on and your engine blows you're effed. Put some shocks on and your steering rack goes out you're fine. The mod has to have contributed to the damage in some way.

I have heard of Ford denying a claim on a steering rack do to aftermarket tie rods.

 

[Marcs]

Yes understanding the magnusson-moss act is helpful. However, IMHO, you should not mod the vehicle beyond a certain point (beyond simple cai, exhaust etc) if you can not afford to fix it yourself. Jmho.

 

[sonoma]

It's not that I can or cannot afford to fix it- I got the answers I needed.

 

[mudblood]

It depends on what you mods you're talking about. If you put a tune on and your engine blows you're effed. Put some shocks on and your steering rack goes out you're fine. The mod has to have contributed to the damage in some way.

I have heard of Ford denying a claim on a steering rack do to aftermarket tie rods.

That is unfortunately incorrect. Anything you do that is not acceptable by Ford runs the chance of a claim denial. To say "your fine" is totally inaccurate. My son who at one time was a Ford master technician saw more than a few claims denied by Ford due to unauthorized modifications. You need to understand your responsibility and options when you begin to make modifications. Plenty of us do it but as long as you accept the remote possibility of a claim denial them your an educated consumer.

 

[sclark]

So.. remove the mods/tunes before you take it to the dealership?...

 

[mudblood]

So.. remove the mods/tunes before you take it to the dealership?...

Yep....it's a PITA for the intake but it could pay off in the long run. Nothing you can do about a tune or cat back though.