The dealer service department just told me if i chabge the exhaust it will Void the warrenty. But wait there is a good thing here it wont void the warrenty if its a mazdaspeed part.

Will I lose my warranty?

No. 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."


http://www.300zxstore.com/wiilomywa.html

I've been through similar discussions on other boards, and there are two key things to note:

1) The law that gives you the right to use aftermarket parts without harming your warranty specifically exempts any part the manufacturer would replace for free under that warranty. So, for example, Mazda would be free to void your warranty for use of an aftermarket exhaust if they would have replaced the exhaust under warranty. The act was worded this way because that way you can use Fram oil filters because most makers won't give you a replacement oil filter under warranty.

2) Even if the mfr is legally wrong in voiding your warranty, you will be the one that has to pick up court costs and pay for your own vehicle repair while suing to force the issue.

IMHO (1) is the key point; most manufacturers will in fact void the warranty on a particular "subsystem" if you use aftermarket parts that would be warranty items (e.g. new headers but not new spark plugs), thus the reason most manufacturers have their own accessory divisions (e.g. MOPAR, Mazdaspeed, etc.) - "buy our parts and you won't void your warranty."

I have never heard that replacing exhaust or headers voiding the warrenty! I have heard replacing the chips or MPU code would and other engine mods. But, how would change the exhaust void a warrenty.

If this is the case. they better have a good sounding Mazdaspeed exhaust and they better have it in 2003.

Originally posted by roachman
I have never heard that replacing exhaust or headers voiding the warrenty! I have heard replacing the chips or MPU code would and other engine mods. But, how would change the exhaust void a warrenty.

If this is the case. they better have a good sounding Mazdaspeed exhaust and they better have it in 2003.

Go and checkout the Subaru web site, their upgraded short throw shifter, exhaust and suspension upgrades all void the warranty. My understanding is that the dealers will sell these Subaru upgrade components but they are not allowed to install them. :confused:

Originally posted by roachman
I have never heard that replacing exhaust or headers voiding the warrenty! I have heard replacing the chips or MPU code would and other engine mods. But, how would change the exhaust void a warranty.Anything you change, subject to the rules I outlined above, could void the warranty on a particular subsystem if Mazda felt like it, the question is would they, and only they know the answer to that.

As far as an exhaust is concerned, when you muck with the exhaust you also change the amount of back pressure in the system which, theoretically, could alter performance of the engine. Would this damage anything? Who knows, but it would ultimately end up being up to you to prove otherwise if Mazda decided that it was an issue...