Does adding a
remote starter void my vehicles factory warranty?
NO!
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act was signed into law On January 4, 1975,
Protecting consumers.
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 some one at 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.
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 MMW 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 (ours does not). 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 will be under the sections titled "What
is not covered". 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.
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.
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.
Point out to the dealer the provision of the MMW 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.
If you are being unfairly denied warranty coverage, there is
recourse. The Federal Trade Commission, which administers the MMWAct,
monitors compliance with warranty issues. Direct complaints to the
FCT at (202) 326-3128. |