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From what I heard at my dealership ford is looking for ANY reason to void warranties any addons whatsoever, I.E. even changing the grill(changes airflow into radiator?), the oil guard filter and possibly fumoto valves etc. they are getting tired of paying warranty.
This is an ongoing issue. There are some dealers that are mod friendly and others that just don't want anything to do with them. There is a dealership down here in San Diego area, that is mod friendly. I think it all depends on the dealer. One might want to call around to ask questions first.
We just had a guy get his warrenty voided in Vegas for a 4" exhaust (no joke). He went in for a door hinge problem and they turned him away.
Also, know of 1 case where a wife was having problems with an excursion and instead of limping home to let hubby take the box off before going to the dealer she went direct to the dealer. Not only did they void the warranty on the spot when they went to another dealer to trade in the truck the VIN # popped up as being blacklisted. So no Ford dealer here that they know of will touch the excursion now (for trade or warrenty work).
Also heard crazy stories (don't know if true) that even if you mess with the stereo system you could be subject to warranty cancellation. Something about the electrical of the truck being upset due to "modifications" with non-FMC gadgets.
I know when I get mine it'll be strictly stock until the warranty is up, can't risk it. I guess the profiferation of electronic performance stuff is so bad that FMC is feeling it's causing them a lot of $ in questionable warranty stuff.
There are just some lousy dealerships out there. I understand some voided warranties are legit, but a 4 inch exhaust does not affect a door hinge and warranty work on the hinge should be completed. This is an example of a lousy dealership.
Fisrt off, it is illegal for ANY dealership to void a warranty without proof of the mod causing a problem. If I put gauges on my truck and a new stereo and my door handle breaks, they HAVE to fix it, or even if they see I am running a tuner, they still have to fix my door handle. Now if my tuner causes me to tear up the trany, rear end or melt the engine, Ford has a right to deny the warranty claim but not cancel the entire warranty. Meaning they would deny the engine/tranny. rear end work but would still have to warrent the remaining of the truck. This is direct from my uncle who is a lawyer specializes in the automotive field, mostly with DUI's and propery damage, but he is a pretty smart guy. If Ford rejects a warranty, most likely it was the dealer rejecting it. They get piad less from Ford than what they would usually charge for work done, so it's low dollar work and the dealership prob. doesn't want to have their highest paid tech (diesel techs) doing low dollar work. I would call my lawyer from their building if there was a problem.
I heard that Ford is now employing a team of mind reading psychic's, and even the thought of modifying your vehicle will result in a letter from Ford explaining that your entire warranty has been voided. And as a value added service they will also let you know if your spouse has been unfaithful.
Guys, I agree 110% with you that a 4" exhaust has nothing to do with a door hinge and it is asinine to think otherwise.
I'm also fully aware of the warranty law (mangnus-xxxx whatever it is)that states they have to prove what you did caused a failure HOWEVER, the fact is dealers are turning folks away (yes, probably mostly bad dealers), and dealers are blacklisting certain VINs. The problem is once they input you as a "bad guy" that info is available to FMC and others on the network. Now, they know that most folks will not hire a lawyer to fight them for "smaller" things like door hinges etc.
I think they've just had it with this stuff and have simplified it for themselves by taking black-and-white no-touch policy. I don't agree with it however, you have to admit the profliferation of "stealth" (easily put on/taken off) performance devices is unreal. Unfortunately, I've seen 1st hand the kind of failures Edge boxes can do on a Cummins ISB.
Oh ya, almost forgot that a co-worker of mine's son had his warranty voided about 6 months ago when he went in for work even after he removed his tuner. They said they could tell he had one on there at one time (don't know how)?
Last edited by rblomquist; Jun 2, 2005 at 10:55 AM.