Is anyone worried about warranty?

[Nighthawk07]

I noticed a lot of you guys are going crazy with mods, and I'd like to also, but I'm scared of something breaking and honda claiming they wont' fix it because I modded the car. Don't get me wrong, I already have intake/exhaust and it's only 3 months into owning the car. I want to keep going and get header/reflash next but I'm really worried about my warranty. Is it something I should be overly worried about or not? What's everone elses mindset on this issue?

[NIGHTHAWKSI]

if your worried about wwarrenty then stick with the basics. intake/exhaust/ and maybe header. i wouldnt even get teh reflash...i think there is a thread around here somewhere that some ones engine was over-revved because of it and they wont fix the damage.(but im not sure that i really read that or am just imagining i did )

after your 36,000 miles (as long as you dont have a extended warrenty) do whatever you want.

[tennisfan16]

not something that i am really worried about

[notacop]

Google the Magnusson Moss Act.


It basically says that a dealer cannot void your full warranty, but rather if they can prove that your mod SPECIFICALLY CAUSED the damage in question, they will not cover the repair. The burden is on them to prove your mod caused it.


Good example: You have a cold air, you hit a puddle and suck up half of lake Michigan into the engine and tear it up, the pull the head and a fish comes flopping out, you are going to be on the hook for that one.

On the other hand if you put aftermarket exhaust on and your power steering goes out, they are going to repair your car for you.

[CaliGuy]

I pretty much agree with the above. I would say that is warranty is an issue then only use mods that can be easily removed for warranty claims (i.e. no reflash or FI)...There have been many threads on here about dealers denying claims for various mods (possibly wrongfully/possibly rightfully). You just need to be aware that if they can find any reason to not fix something under warranty they will...

[notacop]

Originally Posted by CaliGuy

There have been many threads on here about dealers denying claims for various mods (possibly wrongfully/possibly rightfully). You just need to be aware that if they can find any reason to not fix something under warranty they will...

As long as you know the Magnusson Moss act you are covered. If they try to deny something and cannot prove that your mod specifically caused the failure they can get in HUGE legal trouble.

[vampiir]

I want to know if anyone has previous experience with these types of situations in Canada, and what the end result was.

[xmx250]

Every part is warrantied on its own. So if your a/c goes out there not gonna blame your intake. But beware because dealers act like the warranty police. They always try to find a way to not fix something under warranty.

[CaliGuy]

Originally Posted by notacop

As long as you know the Magnusson Moss act you are covered. If they try to deny something and cannot prove that your mod specifically caused the failure they can get in HUGE legal trouble.

This is true. Let me give you a scenario however. You have a CAI and you start having issues with x sensor...They deny the claim because the CAI caused the issue. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't (likely not). WTF are you gonna do? Spend $5k on an attorney for you $300 repair?

I'm just playing Devils advocate here...

[vampiir]

Originally Posted by CaliGuy

This is true. Let me give you a scenario however. You have a CAI and you start having issues with x sensor...They deny the claim because the CAI caused the issue. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't (likely not). WTF are you gonna do? Spend $5k on an attorney for you $300 repair?

I'm just playing Devils advocate here...

Right, What if they just say no? Would you then have to get a lawyer and pursue legal action to get them to fix x problem?

[CaliGuy]

Originally Posted by vampiir

What if they just say no? Would you then have to get a lawyer and pursue legal action to get them to fix x problem? It goes both ways no?

Can you rephrase that? I really don't understand what you are trying to say.

[vampiir]

Originally Posted by CaliGuy

Can you rephrase that? I really don't understand what you are trying to say.

Probally because I misread your post, you basically said the same thing as me.( Edited my post for continuity sake)

It would be great to hear someone speak from personal experience, that lives in Canada.

[CaliGuy]

Originally Posted by vampiir

Right, What if they just say no? Would you then have to get a lawyer and pursue legal action to get them to fix x problem?

Not be be a d!ck, but what else are you going to do? Waive your fist and use harsh language?

Actually, you can go to arbitration with Honda for free. You can read about it in the warranty manual...I happen to work in a quasi-legal profession and I attend many an arbitration and I can tell you that it's not as simple as they make it sound. At a minimum, you would need you own expert to testify (which will cost ~2k)..I could go on, but I don't want to write an essay here

[vampiir]

Originally Posted by CaliGuy

Not be be a d!ck, but what else are you going to do? Waive your fist and use harsh language?

Actually, you can go to arbitration with Honda for free. You can read about it in the warranty manual...I happen to work in a quasi-legal profession and I attend many an arbitration and I can tell you that it's not as simple as they make it sound. At a minimum, you would need you own expert to testify (which will cost ~2k)..I could go on, but I don't want to write an essay here

I'm in complete agreement, which is why I havent yet modded my car.

We need someone with personal experience to post. I'm just guessing, most like myself, wouldn't take a modded car into the dealer.

This debate is killing me because I seriously live 5 mins away from about 20 diffrent massive import tuning shops. Battle Endless, Option JDM, Speedstar, 5Zigen BCS ect..all no more the 5 blocks away.

[CaliGuy]

Just remove the mods before going to the dealer. Honestly the only one I would worry about is an intake. Exhaust, headers...there is no way in hell they can effect the rest of the car...

[Nighthawk07]

I already been up to the dealer once and they saw my intake but didnt' say a word about it. Although it wasn't for a warranty issue.

I guess I have some thinking to do. I really want to get the reflash done.

[atruhondagrl]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk07

I already been up to the dealer once and they saw my intake but didnt' say a word about it. Although it wasn't for a warranty issue.

I guess I have some thinking to do. I really want to get the reflash done.

I went to one dealer that tried the "you have an intake" excuse on me so I just pointed out the M-M act and they just looked at me slack jawed. I truelly believe that they think we are all idiots.

[ominous8204]

Well, my K&N intake is throwing a CEL. It is tripping 2 sensors having to do with emmision controls, both codes are P0443...no way I'm taking that to Honda.

BTW, if anyone knows how to fix a P0443 code, please let me know...pm please.

[notacop]

Originally Posted by CaliGuy

This is true. Let me give you a scenario however. You have a CAI and you start having issues with x sensor...They deny the claim because the CAI caused the issue. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't (likely not). WTF are you gonna do? Spend $5k on an attorney for you $300 repair?

I'm just playing Devils advocate here...

Simple. You simply say the following:

"According to the Magnusson Moss Act, I will cover the repairs if my modifications are responsible for the failure. Can you show me, specifically, what went wrong, and help me understand what I did to cause the failure."


Remember, the dealership wants to avoid legal action every bit as much as you do. A complaint to the Attorney Generals office can cost $5k even if they agree to comply. If you feel your rights as a consumer are being violated, a well written letter to the Attorney General's office goes a LONG way.

[Chase86]

replace modified part with OEM before going to dealer for repairs. That is the best solution IMHO.