Warranty voiding mods source

[stung cb]

Just purchased a new 2020 GT2 AWD. Is there a go to source where I can actually confirm which mods will or will not void your warranty. No opinions but an actual written confirmed source. Thanks

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

I dont think you understand how this works. No mods will void your warranty. If an Aftermarket part or modification to an OEM part is a source of a warranty claim that claim may and can be denied.

 

[eflyguy]

actual written confirmed source

US Federal Trade Commission:
Auto Warranties & Routine Maintenance

Will using 'aftermarket' or recycled parts void my warranty?
No. An 'aftermarket' part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer. A 'recycled' part is a part that was made for and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer, and later removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse. Simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void your warranty. 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. The manufacturer or dealer can, however, require consumers to use select parts if those parts are provided to consumers free of charge under the warranty.

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. The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.

 

[Hockster]

Will aftermarket parts installed affect my factory warranty?

 

[SafetyPilotCal]

Has ANYONE been denied warranty coverage from this board yet?

Kia seems to be playing pretty nicely when it comes to warranty claims. With the Stinger being the first real performance-oriented car they've had, I'm assuming they don't want any bad blood. I know Hyundai has been unusually generous about things. My buddy had a Genesis Coupe with the 2.0T, which IIRC broke a wrist pin and even modded (tune, intake, exhaust), they replaced the engine under the standard powertrain warranty.

Another edit with more thoughts: Manufacturers can't arbitrarily "void" a warranty (at least in the United States) because of modifications. They CAN decline to cover a repair if your aftermarket parts led to the failure of the component. In other words, if you pop a piston and they see you have a non-factory calibration on the ECU, they'll probably try to deny that claim. I doubt anyone gives a shit about stuff like intakes and exhaust at this point.

Edit: Here's a long thread on the topic - Dealer Visit - Warranty Voided - Taking mods off the car - Experiences with mods

 

[stung cb]

I dont think you understand how this works. No mods will void your warranty. If an Aftermarket part or modification to an OEM part is a source of a warranty claim that claim may and can be denied.

I thank you sir. I appreciate your input. Where in writing is this stated??? Or is this just your opinion?

 

[stung cb]

US Federal Trade Commission:
Auto Warranties & Routine Maintenance

Will using 'aftermarket' or recycled parts void my warranty?
No. An 'aftermarket' part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer. A 'recycled' part is a part that was made for and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer, and later removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse. Simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void your warranty. 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. The manufacturer or dealer can, however, require consumers to use select parts if those parts are provided to consumers free of charge under the warranty.

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. The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.

This is the response I was looking for. Thanks much.
So basically.....Go for it but, you may possibly open yourself up to a repair being denied under warranty or even having your warranty denied in total and have to litigate with KIA. Does that sound accurate? Thank you.

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

I thank you sir. I appreciate your input. Where in writing is this stated??? Or is this just your opinion?

Its not an opinion just google Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Simple research should be more helpful to understand things.

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

This is the response I was looking for. Thanks much.
So basically.....Go for it but, you may possibly open yourself up to a repair being denied under warranty or even having your warranty denied in total and have to litigate with KIA. Does that sound accurate? Thank you.

Entire warranty can not be "voided". A Claim can be denied for aftermarket parts or modifications.

 

[ScottM]

I wasn't outright denied warrantied service, but when I took my car in thinking I might have a blown shock...I was informed that it might not be covered because of my sway bar. Though, they said shocks probably wouldn't be covered anyway. In any event, turns out they seemed to find nothing wrong. I think there is something wrong as I have this weird "thud" type sound when I go into dips. Probably just me, as I'm still not use to the rubber band tires.

 

[stung cb]

Entire warranty can not be "voided". A Claim can be denied for aftermarket parts or modifications.

Okay. I understand now. I think I'll pursue only aesthetic mods and pass on anything that changes or updates the OEM mechanical or electrical. I'm not up to adding another conflict in life.

 

[eflyguy]

Its not an opinion just google Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Simple research should be more helpful to understand things.

.. which is the link I posted. db4l just summarized it for you. It's not his opinion.

 

[CeramicGT001]

Last summer I had an engine light come on and the car went into limp mode on the highway while using (Eco mode lol), pulled over and restarted the car. It drove fine but still had a check light on.

At the time my only mod was an aftermarket intake and when I took it in to the dealer, they checked it out the next morning and the light was gone but they were able to pull the code. It was a torque control module code and they were pointing finger at my intakes and saying things like “modifications will void your entire warranty” which I promptly corrected them, asked them to clear the code and took the stinger home, haven’t had an issue since.

Lessons from my experience are that they will use any related mods to the issue/problem to void warranty work and avoid using eco mode.

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

Last summer I had an engine light come on and the car went into limp mode on the highway while using (Eco mode lol), pulled over and restarted the car. It drove fine but still had a check light on.

At the time my only mod was an aftermarket intake and when I took it in to the dealer, they checked it out the next morning and the light was gone but they were able to pull the code. It was a torque control module code and they were pointing finger at my intakes and saying things like “modifications will void your entire warranty” which I promptly corrected them, asked them to clear the code and took the stinger home, haven’t had an issue since.

Lessons from my experience are that they will use any related mods to the issue/problem to void warranty work and avoid using eco mode.

There are dealers that will DEFINITELY try to take advantage of a consumer. Its a shame but being educated is your best defense.

 

[eflyguy]

Dealer service shops get paid a KIA-determined flat-rate for warranty work. They can charge whatever they want for customer-paid repairs.

 

[Moses]

Dealer service shops get paid a KIA-determined flat-rate for warranty work. They can charge whatever they want for customer-paid repairs.

This is true and false at the same time. The flat rate for warranty work is true. The part about them being able to charge whatever they want is false. Almost every job has a flat rate. Customer pay flat rate tends to be higher than warranty work. Most shops use alldata labor times or something similar to determine the flat rate charged for a job.

On a the main topic, find a good dealership with good techs and good advisers. I can tell you from experience, I would rather sell a warranty job than try and deny it's warranty and force a customer to pay for it. Most times that I've seen techs push that, the customer gets pissed off and takes the car somewhere else. Warranty hours are better than no hours.

 

[SKStinger]

I wasn't outright denied warrantied service, but when I took my car in thinking I might have a blown shock...I was informed that it might not be covered because of my sway bar. Though, they said shocks probably wouldn't be covered anyway. In any event, turns out they seemed to find nothing wrong. I think there is something wrong as I have this weird "thud" type sound when I go into dips. Probably just me, as I'm still not use to the rubber band tires.

That “thud” is likely your hatch clunking. Do some searching here for the DIY repair for this.

 

[ScottM]

That “thud” is likely your hatch clunking. Do some searching here for the DIY repair for this.

Not sure that's the answer...but I will give it a shot! Could be as simple as that.

 

[G-474782]

Why

Last summer I had an engine light come on and the car went into limp mode on the highway while using (Eco mode lol), pulled over and restarted the car. It drove fine but still had a check light on.

At the time my only mod was an aftermarket intake and when I took it in to the dealer, they checked it out the next morning and the light was gone but they were able to pull the code. It was a torque control module code and they were pointing finger at my intakes and saying things like “modifications will void your entire warranty” which I promptly corrected them, asked them to clear the code and took the stinger home, haven’t had an issue since.

Lessons from my experience are that they will use any related mods to the issue/problem to void warranty work and avoid using eco mode.

Why avoid using eco made?

 

[CeramicGT001]

Why

Why avoid using eco made?

I wouldn’t say avoid it now but I just don’t use it.