toyota warranty voided by mods?

You service rep is either lying SOS or incompetent.

Modifications have no legal effect on the warranty unless the mod could have legitimately contributed to the problem. That said, if a dealer makes a nonsense claim about your mod causing a problem that it couldn't have caused, it then is up to you to prove the dealer wrong by going up the Toyota chain of command, going to arbitration or court.

His CF hood comment is pure nonsense. His spring comment would have some merit if the springs might have conceivably contributed to a related suspension component failing early.

Many people believe the Magnuson-Moss act protects you from such nonsense, but it won't prevent the dealer placing false blame. It is only a tool to help you get things straightened out later and courts and arbitration are always a crap shoot.

 

Total BS. Based on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty act (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt192.shtmhey) they would have to prove that the modification caused the part to fail.

"The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket or recycled part. Still, if it turns out that the aftermarket or recycled part was itself defective or wasn't installed correctly, and it causes damage to another part that is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer has the right to deny coverage for that part and charge you for any repairs."​

also see: FTC Validates Right to Install Aftermarket Parts | Specialty Equipment Market Association​

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I can't see any way in which a hood would cause damage to your engine in a way in which it would void the warranty. The TRD springs are produced by Toyota themsleves, so that would be a hard one for them to fight as well. The only conceivable things I can imagine the springs causing to fail premature are possible a shortened life on your struts and possibly CV boots. These are probably exempted from your warranty as wear items anyway.

This act has been in place since 1975. So, unless your dealer has lived in a hole for nearly 40 years they should be fully aware of this. Your recourse is to go to a dealer that isn't a total A$$.

 

i would ask him to point out in the warranty where that info is.

 

Speak to the service manager and talk to him about a bad service writer.

I have the Plus package from TRD and the dealer loved it and the service guys took pics , they did not deny any service.

 

We need a section that has 100 sticky threads. This comes up twice a week. Nothing beats the raw amount of new threads asking about the best hitch for their Prius.

 

Call toyota customer care and report the shop, they are frauds. You can buy your car with the TRD springs , they cover them.

 

It would have shortened this whole thread if you had said that the service writer had gotten corrected by his boss.

If your TRD springs lowered the car, that effected alignment so you would have tough time getting alignment taken care of under warranty. If your alignment is out in a way that could be blamed on lowering the car, the M-M Act would do you no good.

Also the M-M Act doesn't prevent a dealer from denying a claim for any reason. If the dealer improperly denys a warranty claim the M-M Act can be used in your favor but since it involves a car company and the legal system, there are no guarantees. Once the dealer denies a claim, the ball is in your court.

 

Try Carson Toyota they sell and install a lot of aftermarket parts and TRD Parts. Bottom line is a lot of it falls on what the dealer wants to push through for you. As already stated if they deny a claim they have to prove that your modification caused the failure.

 

That is a good point, if the dealer installed the parts for you he is much less likely to try and wiggle out of warranty coverage for bogus reasons.

 

Comments in bold below.

 

Thought Id add this from the TRD Web Site on TRD Parts and warranties

Trd SporT parTS
Trd SporT parTS inSTallEd bY a dEalEr
TRD Sport Parts are warranted for 12 months or 12,000 miles from the
date of installation or for the balance of the new car warranty in force
on the date of installation, whichever is greater, when TRD Sport Parts
are installed by an authorized Toyota or Scion Dealer. Superchargers
carry the same warranty, but the coverage is 12 months or 12,000
miles from the date of installation or the balance of the new car 5 year,
60,000 mile powertrain warranty in force at the time of installation.
This warranty does not cover maintenance services such as replacement
of brake pads/linings and clutch linings. This warranty does not cover
noise, vibration, cosmetic conditions and other deterioration caused
by normal wear and tear.
TRD customers are responsible for ensuring that the use of any TRD
Sport Part complies with all applicable federal, state or local laws,
regulations and ordinances.
Trd SporT parTS noT inSTallEd bY a dEalEr
TRD Sport Parts installed by anyone other than an authorized Toyota
or Scion dealer are warranted for 12 months or 12,000 miles from
the date of purchase only and the warranty coverage is limited to the
replacement value of the TRD Sport Part. Superchargers carry the
same coverage.
This warranty does not cover maintenance services such as replacement
of brake pads/linings and clutch linings. This warranty does not cover
noise, vibration, cosmetic conditions and other deterioration caused
by normal wear and tear. Part failure caused by improper installation
by anyone other than an authorized Toyota or Scion dealer may void
the TRD Sport Part warranty, the new vehicle warranty or both.
TRD customers are responsible for ensuring that the use of any TRD
Sport Part complies with all applicable federal, state or local laws,
regulations and ordinances