While purchasing a '05 F350 at a Ford dealership here in Colorado. They had on the showroom floor a racing (saleen?) with a wet flow nitrous system installed... all factory installed parts. I asked," Are you going to warrenty that vehical?" They said "Yes" While walking through the dog and pony show we came to the "performance parts" department. That is not the "parts department" although they are back to back. They had preditors, SCMT's, Banks, Air aid, K&N, exhausts and more. So knowing the dealers to be "claim denied" I asked.." How are you going to warrenty these aftermarket products?" Their responce " if we insatll it, we will warrenty it".

How are they to know who installed it? If I have them install products and break down out of state somewhere, do they have a record of it in the computer and that the warrenty will be honared.

Maybe my local Ford dealership is very "tuner" friendly...?

 

I just had a thought, with the way things are going with ford I wonder if it would be advantageous for FTE to get some kind of pre-paid legal service as a sponsor? That might allow the members to have some kind of legal footing/advisors when dealing with these types of issues.

 

I called banks three times to get some information about their warranty. Each time I called I got voicemail and no one returned the call. This leads me to believe that these guys do NOT stand behind their products. I have a banks system on my truck and tomorrow I am taking it off and returning to stock. I like the power and really only use it for the additional mileage that I get or was supposed to get. Maybe 1 mph or 2 tops. Not really worth the possibility of having to replace the engine.

I went to get my oil changed at the dealer and the first thing out of their mouth was " By putting that stuff on there you void the warranty". When you just stroked a check for over 40K that doesn't leave a very good taste in your mouth.

 

That'd be my guess. But your worry above about a break down while on the road somewhere is a very valid one.

 

I plan on going down today and find out more.

 

I can't wait to hear about this dealer's warranty plan. I won't be surprised if it applies only at that dealer. Seems to me that if Ford is going to back up dealers that void for mods installed by the customer, they should probably void a dealers claims when they install the same mods.

 

Thats the catch.
If a dealer wants to go to bat for ya they can and they do that by filling out the repair warranty order in a way that will slide through Ford.

If they do it the normal "least cost" way then Ford sends in the field rep to sniff things out and he ain't looking to do the customer any favors.

 

Exactly right. They install a mod and when you burn pistons they just submit a warranty claim to ford and when you install a mod they say it caused the failure without even troubleshooting. That's not ethical and maybe most dealers don't operate that way, but they can...

 

When I bought mine, August 03, there was an aftermarket parts sales person. I had the side steps and bed cap purchased. They also sold performance enhancing devices. I asked the service manager about warranty and how could they sell the performance equipment. That is when he told me that the add on equipment will not "void" a warranty, but that Ford looks at each "substantial" warranty claim. If the Ford tech rep, determines that an aftermarket device was used that could have caused the failure, they will deny the claim. The service manager went on to say that if you use a tuner or module on middle setting and drive within reason, you won't have a problem, but if you put on a device and go out there and run it hard, you could lose a warranty claim. So if you have oversize tires and a lift kit, there probably wouldn't be an effect on a warranty claim for a turbo.

In my opinion, based on my experience, you aren't going to melt pistons just driving normally down the highway. You have to be pushing it hard enough to generate some pretty good heat. And you would hear more than a "tick". If you load up a device, get overenthusiastic and break something, don't try to blame Ford for being chicken doodle on warranty. Take personal responsibility if it is warranted.

Finished with my "Dad" routine.

 

O.K. I spoke to the person in charge of the performance shop inside FORD. He said that the dealer has to prove that said product "caused" the problem. However, He does not work for FORD. He subcontracts out a space inside the Ford dealership.

I will have to go speak with the service manager about the work being performed in their shop, (aftermarket tuners...etc.). The dealership must be reasonable to the customer who has installed some products sold from and installed through their shop. Installation is done with Ford tech's. So they had a hand in it.

Now, if I have them install aftermarket "goodies" on my truck and I exceed the recomendations for that product I don't expect them to have to pay for it. I do although expect them to find the cause of the problem. Not just look at the said "goodies" and denie said claim without any proff as to that said product being the cause.

Now how do I "make" the dealership find out the cause? I guess I would have to trust that the dealership is going to realise that "they" have to prove that it was the aftermarket stuff that caused the problem. Not I. The Magnuson-Moss act does not say that "I" have to prove that it wasn't the aftermarket stuff that caused the problem.

I'll keep up on this as it will always be the consumer who will get left out in the cold.

 

Hey guys... Just an update on the latest happenings with my truck. I received a letter from Ford, finally, the other day..This is what they say," This letter is pursuant your request for written documentation. The circumstances that you outlined concerning your 2004 Ford F350 have been given careful consideration. Ford Motor Co. considers the satisfaction of its owners to be one of its most important objectives. We commit very substantial resources and effort in a sincere attempt to resolve the concerns of our owners. However, limits must be placed on those efforts. Our review indicates that the information provided by the dealership, Ford Technical Hotline and the Field Service Engineer is appropriate. We are sorry that our response could not be more favorable to you. Thank you for contacting us. We appreciate the opportunity to review your concern." They didn't even sign the thing !!! I called and spoke with Banks today, basically he's saying they have no attorneys to help with situations such as these. All he could do and would do is refer me to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, period, that's it... Also spoke with Ford headquarters in Michigan regarding the letter they sent, that it still doesn't say anything as to exactly why they are denying warranty. She stated that was all they could say in writing, they can verbally tell me why denial, but they will not put it in writing. Now, my next step is the Federal Trade Commission, see what they can do for me, since I can't afford an attorney, but may have to somehow..... Thanks again for all your suggestions, I'll keep you posted....

 

Sorry to hear about the bad news in your letter from Ford.. The real truth may be that Banks is opening up a can of worms, especially around here at FTE. For them to even try to help you would be somewhat "stand up", but for them to warranty their product and help stand behind you %100 and replace a new diesel engine in your truck would be completely worth the price. Bad news travels fast. Banks is not making itself look good in this situation. Just my .02

 

Sorry to hear it man.
Really.
This is whay happens when Banks talks a good game.
I swear i hope they are reading this thread.
They used to advertize here at the top of the page .
I don't expect Banks to pay for every guys blown motor but at least don't totally duck those claims either.
I nearly bought the whole 6 gun Bundle a couple of times from the Tomas sales guy. He called me non stop but i held back.
Sure glad i did my own thing.
I came to this site read a whole bunch and supported quality companies with quality products.

Good luck sandranch.

 

First off sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with both the dealer and BANKS. I think that Banks should stand up and take some responsibility here not all but some. If the dealer can not "prove" the Banks system is what caused the melt down, and also can not find the cause. They too, should be responsible. And we the owners of these powerfull trucks should stand up and take responsibility for modifing them on claims that the aftermarket products will protect us if it " comes to that".

If the dealer can not prove in writting what happened to cause the problem, how do they expect to come to court to defend themselves? I think the repairs should be split 3 ways, owner/dealership, and Banks. If Banks did not say "We will stand behind our products"...(way behind). Then we owners of these trucks would not put their products on our trucks. Trusting them that if something did go wrong that they would be there with a warrenty. Now the dealership is not cooperrating with the M.M. act either. They still need to prove that it was indeed the Banks system that caused the problems.

Untill their is prof that the big gun caused the problem Banks will not "stand up". The dealership knows they can not prove it. So they are betting that the owner will fork it over.

 

Of all the posts that have been made about warranty claims being denied by Ford (not the dealer) for the presence of a performance device, despite what the warranty reads, does anyone know of one instance where Ford has overturned their decision and paid the claim? I don't think so.

That fact should be cause for concern before putting mods on the truck while it is still under warranty and expecting Ford to pay the warranty claim.

Don't mod the heck out of your truck and then say that Ford, the dealer and the performance manufacturer are responsible. Take some responsibility for your own decision to have the mod installed.