I found this post on another message forum I use for my car. Anyone aware of this or am I just in the dark? I thought warranty could be voided only if the aftermarket part caused the damage???

"Federal law prohibits a dealer from voiding your warranty just because you are using aftermarket speed equipment, with only two exceptions: the warranty can be voided if the aftermarket part causes damage, or adversely affects the emissions or the emissions system. In recent documents produced by the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association ), a trade association representing specialty automotive parts manufacturers, the following quotes have been extracted:

"The vehicle manufacturer is not allowed to void the vehicle warranty just because aftermarket equipment is installed on the vehicle. This protection for consumers is the result of a parts self certification program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)."

"Under the program, if a parts maker completes the EPA process of self-certifying its parts, the vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty even if the certified part has failed and is directly responsible for the warranty claim. In cases where such a failed aftermarket part is responsible for a warranty claim, the manufacturer must arrange a settlement with the part manufacturer, but the new vehicle warrant is not void under the law. "If the failure to honor a claim involves the new-vehicle warranty, and it appears that the manufacturer is improperly denying a claim, the incident should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is responsible for monitoring compliance with the warranty law; the agency's telephone number is 202.326.3128.""

 

now try making your dealer follow this when that aftermarket supercharger blows your engine.

 

So um, did your warranty get voided?

 

No my warranty didnt get voided, I had always thought the part had to be the cause of the problem for the warranty to be voided. Just some new info I ran across, thought it might be informative. If all of this is true, I would definitely be more apt to put a supercharger or other aftermarket products on a new vehicle without fear of having a warranty voided. If this is something new, I personally think its great.

 

I'm not sure where this info came from before you found it on another board.

You should, however, read up on the MM act.

Basically it states that the car maker can't void your warranty because you have an aftermarket part. But it does state that they do not have to warrant any defect caused by any aftermarket part. For that you need to get repairs paid for by the maker of the part.

For example, you put on a unrestrictive exhaust and screw up your valves... not Fords problem.

You put on a K&N and gum up your mass air flow sensor, not Fords problem.


That aftermarket radio and amp screw up your alternator and battery, not Fords fault.


Please keep in mind, that if the aftermarket parts do not meet the vehicles spec, then your warranty will not cover the repair. This means oiled cotton air filters are not factory spec. Larger tires are not factory spec. SUperchargers are not factory spec. 1000 watt amps are not factory spec.

 

Thats what I have always assumed too until I ran across this. I've asked the guy to send a link or where I can find this. If this is a new law, it would be great. It would leave the dispute between the dealer and aftermarket manufacturer for a lot of products.

 

let's be careful about what it says...


if you have a supercharger and the drivers seat rips, the two dont have anything to do with each other so therefore the warranty cant be denied in fixing the seat.

But if you have a supercharger and blow your engine, they wont cover you.