Magnuson-Moss Act


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 someone 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.

THE TRUTH

Most vehicle owners are not aware that federal law protects them: 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 has a legal warranty obligation even after 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.

YOUR RIGHTS

Point out to the dealer the provisions 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 FTC at (202) 326-3128.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS –

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 an 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 our 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)

 

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