complex

quick question - does installing an aftermarket alarm/audio system void the warranty ,as far as the electrical part of the car goes? can mazda refuse to fix any electric problems if you have aftermarket parts?

RotrDoc

Lots of discussion about "void warranty" issues on this site. Use the "Search"

chrism

The Magnuson-Moss Act
Protecting tweakers, tuners, and other users of aftermarket equipment.



FANNING FEARS


You want to upgrade your vehicle with aftermarket equipment, but you’re worried about putting the vehicle’s warranty at risk. It’s no wonder. How many times have you heard somene of a dealership say that installing aftermarket equipment automatically voids the warranty? This common misconception has been repeated often enough to be widely believed – though it is completely false.


Fact: Dealers don’t like warranty work, because it pays less than normal repair work. By promoting the myth that aftermarket equipment automatically voids warranties, some dealers avoid such low-paying work. Instead, they attempt to charge customers the prime service rate for work which is rightfully done under warranty.




THE TRUTH


Most vehicle owners are not aware they are protected by federal law: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty – Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty, unless the warranty clearly and conspicuously states that aftermarket equipment voids the warranty. Most states have warranty statutes, as well. Which provide further protections for vehicle owners.


In other words, that means a dealer can’t wiggle out of his legal warranty obligation merely because you install aftermarket equipment. To find out if any aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle’s warranty, check the owner’s manual. It is likely the language you are looking for appears under a heading such as “What Is Not Covered” Although the language seems negative, remember your vehicle manufacturer is simply saying he does not cover the aftermarket products themselves. He is not saying that the products would void the vehicle warranty.


VEHICLE DEALERS OBLIGATIONS

Suppose your modified vehicle needs repairs while still under warranty. Without analyzing the true cause of the problem, the dealer attempts to deny warranty coverage. He made his decision simply based on the fact that you’ve installed aftermarket equipment – a convenient way to dodge low-paying warranty work.


An example of how ridiculous this can get is the man who was denied warranty coverage by a dealer on his power door locks, because he had improved his exhaust system! Sounds nuts? It really happened – because that man did not know his rights and challenge the dealer’s decision.


Fact: A dealer must prove – not just say – that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before he can deny warranty coverage on that basis.


YOUR RIGHTS


Point out to the dealer the provision of the Magnuson-Moss Act- Require that he explain to you how the aftermarket equipment caused the problem. If he can’t – or his explanation sounds questionable – it is your legal right to demand he comply with the warranty.


Fact: If you are still being unfairly denied warranty coverage, there is recourse. The Federal Trade Commission, which administers the Magnuson-Moss Act, monitors compliance with warranty issues. Direct complaints to the FCT at (202) 326-3128.


DODGE MOTORS

“Certain changes that you might make to your truck do not, by themselves, void the warranties described in this booklet. Examples of some of these changes are: installing non-Chrysler parts, components, or equipment.” – 1997 Warranty Information supplement to Dodge


Owner’s Manual:

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

“If a Chevrolet part fails due to a defect in material or workmanship not related to (on aftermarket products) or the labor to install it. Chevrolet would be responsible for covering the failed part.” – Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center


FORD MOTOR COMPANY:

“Installation of a non-genuine Ford item does not, in and of itself, render warranty void.” – Ford Owner Relations Division

FEDERAL LAW


In order to improve the adequacy of information available to consumers, prevent deception, and improve competition in the marketing of consumer products, any warrantor warranting a consumer product to a consumer by means of a written warranty shall. . .fully and conspicuously disclose in simple and readily understood language the terms and conditions of such warranty. Such rules . . . require inclusion in the written warranty of any . . . exceptions and exclusions from the terms of the warranty.’ – Magnuson-Moss Warranty & Federal Trade Commission improvement Act. Section 2302(a)

Tigster

I guess an easy answer to this question is:

If you install an aftermarket radio and have problems with anything directly related to the radio or anything that it controls then yes they probally wont warranty it.

If your transmission goes or something unrelated to the stereo breaks then yes it will be covered. See chrism's post.

It will also depend on the dealer you go to some seem to cry "warranty void" and eave it up to you to fight it, others seem to be honest.

complex

RotrDoc, I KNOW THAT.Im tired of seeing "Use the Search" everytime a question is repeated.I didn't feel like searching through vaguely titled threads OK.

I will do some SEARCHING to find more info on the "Magnuson-Moss Act " though.

My situation is as follows:

I had an aftermarket alarm and audio system installed "professionally" soon after i got the car.I've had recurring problems with my battery draining and having to jump start it after 2-3 days of no use.I took it to Mazda and they said they will not touch the "electrical part" of the car because i have a/m equipment installed.I took it to the installer and they concluded that its the body control module that controls the lights that is causing a draw of 0.260 milliamps even after the car is off for 45 minutes.So basically the dealers blaming the a/m stuff and the a/m installer is blaming the car.Im left with no choice but to let the a/m people fix it and if it ends up that it wasn't the a/m stuff i want to be reimbursed whatever money it cost to fix the car thats still under warranty.

msrecant

Can you do a low cost test like temporarily de-installing the after-market equipment and seeing if the problem goes away?

complex

Well they could, and they did uninstall the alarm actually and it didnt help. Now im hesitant on paying more to get the stereo uninstalled/reinstalled because it still has the problem even with a circuit breaker cutting all power going to the amp.If the body control module doesnt help the problem i will have no choice but to do so, but then again i've already had them blaming it on the after market optima battery that i installed...

RotrDoc

Sorry to rattle your cage, Complex. Lots of newbies don't know about searching the vast amount of info already posted here. Your "join date" and "posts" count tells me that neither of us are newbies, but we aren't high-volume participants here, either.

If you've done the search and haven't found the answers you need, just say so.