Do engine programmers void Ford's warranty?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 0
From: Texas in the heart
Most of the time if you have a problem with the tuner, Ford can reflash the PCM and fix the computer. but it will cost you.
If you get to aggressive on the settings of the tuner and destroy your tranny, rear gears or engine, Ford will deney any warranty claims if they know your running a tuner.
But most tuners are safe right out of the box, with thousands of people on this board having had no problems.
It's the one mod that you get your moneys worth for sure.
If you get to aggressive on the settings of the tuner and destroy your tranny, rear gears or engine, Ford will deney any warranty claims if they know your running a tuner.
But most tuners are safe right out of the box, with thousands of people on this board having had no problems.
It's the one mod that you get your moneys worth for sure.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 6
From: Georgia on my mind...
Legally, the manufacturer has to prove that the modifications caused the failure in question. This matters more on diesel engines, where tuners can net some huge gains. Honestly, you probably won't have any problems with the negligible gains from a tuner/programmer on a gasoline engine.
Unofficially it depends on your dealer. Some are more lenient than others on what they'll cover under warranty and what they won't.
And a competent tech will know when you've removed your tuners before bringing your truck in. If you had a failure caused by a tuner, well, sucks for you. Gotta pay to play.
Unofficially it depends on your dealer. Some are more lenient than others on what they'll cover under warranty and what they won't.
And a competent tech will know when you've removed your tuners before bringing your truck in. If you had a failure caused by a tuner, well, sucks for you. Gotta pay to play.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Spring, TX
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The burden of proof legally rests with Ford to prove that the tuner was the "direct" cause of the failure. Just having a tuner does not automatically void the warranty, although I would not recommend a visit to the service dept. with anything connected, programmed other than stock, etc...
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,295
Likes: 125
From: St. Louis (Out in the woods)
Legalities aside, as a practical matter, the dealer will likely deny coverage if, in their (or the Ford rep's) opinion) the mod may have been the cause of the failure that is to be repaired.
It will then be up to the consumer to appeal the denial and to prove that the mod did NOT cause or contribute to the failure.
The dealers themselves will invariably side with the manufacturer since they will get stuck with a backcharge if their claim to the manufacturer is denied. If warranty coverage is initially denied, the consumer will then need to battle it out with the manufacturer to try to get coverage.
steve
It will then be up to the consumer to appeal the denial and to prove that the mod did NOT cause or contribute to the failure.
The dealers themselves will invariably side with the manufacturer since they will get stuck with a backcharge if their claim to the manufacturer is denied. If warranty coverage is initially denied, the consumer will then need to battle it out with the manufacturer to try to get coverage.
steve
Last edited by projectSHO89; May 14, 2007 at 09:23 AM.