[xkoote]

Since I'm new to Ford and US automakers as a whole, I'd like to know what the general concensus is regarding upgrades on a new stang. Does any little upgrade void your whole 3-year warranty? Say for example I wanted a FRPP Boss front splitter, axleback exhaust and a tri-ax shifter. Maybe even a tune (when they get a bit safer).
Can this be done or does your whole warranty go out the window?

Thanks,

[bubbajones]

Originally Posted by xkoote

Since I'm new to Ford and US automakers as a whole, I'd like to know what the general concensus is regarding upgrades on a new stang. Does any little upgrade void your whole 3-year warranty? Say for example I wanted a FRPP Boss front splitter, axleback exhaust and a tri-ax shifter. Maybe even a tune (when they get a bit safer).
Can this be done or does your whole warranty go out the window?

Thanks,

You will lose warranty coverage for anything they can blame on your modification with a straight face.

More power could jeopardize transmission coverage, for example. They will not blame your fried nav system on the front splitter.

If you disagree with their assessment you can either try a different dealer, or sue them. Some dealers are more friendly than others.

It's hard to imagine an exhaust being blamed for anything.

[5.0ben]

Yeah I don't see how they could blame a Roush or GT500 axleback or shortshifter.

[2011candyredGT]

A tune or a supercharger will give Ford a shot at denying any engine repair, unless you can prove it was an unrelated failure. You will need a mechanic who says so and a lawyer or small claims court...

[xkoote]

Ok, I get the picture. Thanks for the input.

[5.0ben]

I just read this on another forum:

"If you tune your vehicle it will leave a P1000 soft code in the computer that the dealer can see and could possibly void your warranty should a problem arise. Trust me I know Ive personally have been through it with the Lightning."

Anyone know if this is true?

[2011candyredGT]

My mechanic claims there is evidence left in the computer that it has been reflashed. How do you explain a reflash without replacing a tune? You could say the battery was replaced, but then you have to have some evidence to support that story...

[1cor29]

I don't know if anyone has heard of the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act - but google it and it will tell you some information. Additionally, I discovered the following, albeit it's not Ford-related, but nonetheless, still covers topic:

Modifications and Your Warranty

There are always tons of questions about how modifications are going to affect your warranty, so here are some simple guidelines to remember when deciding to modify your car.

1.Nothing outright voids your car’s warranty. It doesn’t matter what the guy behind the counter in the parts department told you.

2.What can happen is that your car’s warranty can be RESTRICTED. This is different from voided. What this means is that before any warranty work is done on the car, it must be approved. This does not mean that warranty work cannot be done at all.

3.No part outright will restrict your warranty either. If you install a part on your car and it causes another part to fail, then the warranty on the failed part will not be honored. Example: If you install solid motor mounts and they cause the power steering pump to fail, the warranty on the power steering pump will not be honored (so that means that you pay for it). If you install those same mounts and your headlight switch goes out then that is still covered under warranty.

4.Will every dealer be lenient about modifications? No. Some will blame anything that goes wrong with the car on any modification that you have done, related or not. Not all dealers are like this, but unfortunately there are many stories of dealers restricting warranties for parts unrelated to the issues the car has.

5.Mopar and Mopar Performance are NOT the same thing! There is a major difference between the two. Mopar parts are OEM parts. Mopar Performance is considered an aftermarket company as far as most dealers are concerned.

6.Any dealership can refuse to work on any car at any time. Dealerships are independently owned and operated, and not under the direct control of DCX.

So what can you do?

1.Make sure to get to know your service advisor. Be sure that you know your dealers’ policy as to warranty work on cars that are modified before modifying the car. (Side note: Many dealers are telling customers that if they install the parts on the car, they will be covered under warranty. This is not necessarily true. Be sure to understand exactly what will and what will not be covered before paying your dealer to install parts)

2.If your dealer is not mod-friendly and you wish to modify your car, try another dealer in the area. You do not have to have your car serviced at the dealership that you purchased the car from.

3.Become familiar with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. This is the federal law that protects you, the consumer, from denial of warranty work based solely on the presence of aftermarket parts.

4.Understand that Dodge is not going to repair your mistakes for free. If you modify your car and something goes wrong, there is a good chance that you will be paying for repairs. Do not EXPECT your dealer to cover all repair work under warranty.

I hope this helps to clear up some of the confusion!

[V8 Growl]

Great post! thanks!

[Old Chuck]

What has been posted is true. The dealer has to prove that the parts you install caused the problem or failure. Now, he will most likely try to tell you they did so he will be able to collect for new parts and labor and not have to eat the repairs if FORD refused the claim. That seems easy but dealers usually have more resources at their disposal then most clients. It can be costly to fight and the car will sit until the claim is settled. The best approach has been mentioned and that is to find a dealer that is more friendly to mods. I would meet and ask the service manager straight out. However, if you go FI and blow an engine then you need to be prepared to eat the cost. Simple mods that a prudent and responsible person would not expect to effect the cars warranty will most likely be overlooked. That being said, when you mod you car, you need to be prepared for the worst. The best I can offer is to know the Magnuson/Moss act and talk to the dealer before you install.

[5.0ben]

Even if the dealer is "cool", a Ford rep may come out if there is a serious repair and the decision is ultimately up to them.
It's the luck of the draw really.
Definitely don't show up with signs of abuse as that is a red flag even if stock.


1cor29's #4 is the most disturbing one to me. It's like blaming a blown engine that was actually caused by a factory defect on a short shifter or coilovers:

"Will every dealer be lenient about modifications? No. Some will blame anything that goes wrong with the car on any modification that you have done, related or not. Not all dealers are like this, but unfortunately there are many stories of dealers restricting warranties for parts unrelated to the issues the car has"

I really wanted a tune but until I hear for sure it's completely untraceable when flashed back to stock I'm holding back.
I think an axle back should be safe. I hope so this thing is too quiet stock.

[5ohwhoa]

Originally Posted by Old Chuck

What has been posted is true. The dealer has to prove that the parts you install caused the problem or failure. Now, he will most likely try to tell you they did so he will be able to collect for new parts and labor and not have to eat the repairs if FORD refused the claim. That seems easy but dealers usually have more resources at their disposal then most clients. It can be costly to fight and the car will sit until the claim is settled. The best approach has been mentioned and that is to find a dealer that is more friendly to mods. I would meet and ask the service manager straight out. However, if you go FI and blow an engine then you need to be prepared to eat the cost. Simple mods that a prudent and responsible person would not expect to effect the cars warranty will most likely be overlooked. That being said, when you mod you car, you need to be prepared for the worst. The best I can offer is to know the Magnuson/Moss act and talk to the dealer before you install.

Very good point. While you may have the M&M act on your side, it's rarely that simple. If the dealer chooses to reject your warranty claim, you will be spending a lot of money and time fighting it.

[ChiZ_65]

I got my 5.0 at Galpin Ford in SoCal. Right next door to them is Galpin Auto Sports who do all kinds of custom work. I was told as long as I go through them, my warranty will stay in tact no matter what i decide to do.

[citizenbbn]

Originally Posted by 5ohwhoa

Very good point. While you may have the M&M act on your side, it's rarely that simple. If the dealer chooses to reject your warranty claim, you will be spending a lot of money and time fighting it.

This. All the dealer has to do is deny the claim, then the fun starts.

I'm going to put on the GT500 axleback b/c that seems pretty safe, even going to try and have the dealer do it (yes I know I'll pay through the nose) just to be super safe, but I won't do a tune/CAI on it until the warranty period is expired, which effectively may mean never.

[whirledpeaz]

5.0Ben posted:

I really wanted a tune but until I hear for sure it's completely untraceable when flashed back to stock I'm holding back

.

It won't ever be completely untraceable unless you swap pcm's and that will open up its' own set of issues.