What Voids Your Car's Warranty? - The Car Care Nut Video

[Hall]

by not following the manual

My point is, you're not "not following the manual". The definition of recommended and required are very different.

Folks that want to deviate should at least understand that.

My wife's new Toyota currently gets the "free" oil changes and they're no doubt using 0W-20. In between, I'm doing oil changes with 5W-30, but they don't know this.

 

[CKN]

As many know- I have purchased many new or slightly used
( certified) vehicles. I have never had an issue that wasn't taken care of with the factory warranty. Some of these stories I read on here come from the Twilght Zone.....I belive. Most YouTube videos posted on here are absolutely garbage clickbait. Even the so called popular ones.

 

[TiGeo]

My point is, you're not "not following the manual". The definition of recommended and required are very different.

My wife's new Toyota currently gets the "free" oil changes and they're no doubt using 0W-20. In between, I'm doing oil changes with 5W-30, but they don't know this.

I understand the difference. Again...you're warranty claim starts and is managed at the dealer level and these nuances *may* cause headaches is all I'm after here.

 

[ATex7239]

I think people get way too wrapped around the axle about this warranty stuff. I’ve had several things repaired or replaced under warranty before. No issues. DIY maintenance wasn’t a factor. Just do your maintenance and keep your records.

Could they run you through the wringer, sure. Will they, probably not. But what’s worrying about it going to change?

 

[trd1zz]

The dealer profits from warranty work - the manufacturer pays them for the job. So why would the dealer deny a job under warranty on anything but blatantly obvious neglect?

 

[CKN]

The dealer profits from warranty work - the manufacturer pays them for the job. So why would the dealer deny a job under warranty on anything but blatantly obvious neglect?

There are certain instances or dollar limits (not sure which) where the area rep for the manufacturer has to be involved to approve a warranty claim.

 

[4WD]

I think people get way too wrapped around the axle about this warranty stuff. I’ve had several things repaired or replaced under warranty before. No issues. DIY maintenance wasn’t a factor. Just do your maintenance and keep your records.

Could they run you through the wringer, sure. Will they, probably not. But what’s worrying about it going to change?

The reality is there has to be “fear” to make for debate …
But, what I’m seeing is these API and euro lubes are most often getting the jobs done - millions of miles - thousands of hours …

 

[trd1zz]

There are certain instances or dollar limits (not sure which) where the area rep for the manufacturer has to be involved to approve a warranty claim.

I'm sure that's the case, but the point still stands. Dealer has very little incentive to give you a hassle and launch a sherlock holmes investigation on anything warranty related unless there are overtly blatant signs of customer wrongdoing

 

[CKN]

I'm sure that's the case, but the point still stands. Dealer has very little incentive to give you a hassle and launch a sherlock holmes investigation on anything warranty related unless there are overtly blatant signs of customer wrongdoing

I can also tell you that dealer techs that hang out on truck forums have stated in certain instances of manufacturers requesting an oil analysis before complete motor replacement.

 

[Glenda W.]

Highly recommended to read the warranty booklet. The arbitration process is in there. From experience it rarely goes well for the dealer.

 

[Hall]

The dealer profits from warranty work - the manufacturer pays them for the job. So why would the dealer deny a job under warranty on anything but blatantly obvious neglect?

In order of service work, I've been told this many times and it applies pretty equally with all manufacturers: 1) Non-warranty work (billed at dealer rates of probably $200/hour and up, 2) warranty work (billed at a rate set by the manufacturer, including the amount of time allowed to be billed), and 3) recall work (same as # 2, except an even lower rate).

 

[D60]

The dealer profits from warranty work - the manufacturer pays them for the job. So why would the dealer deny a job under warranty on anything but blatantly obvious neglect?

There may be concern the manufacturer inspects major components like engines and refuses reimbursement if it appears a warranty claim was not legitimate?

I know bike shops used to have to hold onto their old CrackNFail (aka Cannondale) frames until a rep came along and verified each was cracked.

 

[kschachn]

Regardless you open yourself up for hassle at the dealer level on a warranty claim by not following the manual. Folks that want to deviate should at least understand that.

Or you just ask the dealer to deviate as I did. Perhaps I’m fortunate in not having a stupid dealer.

 

[trd1zz]

There may be concern the manufacturer inspects major components like engines and refuses reimbursement if it appears a warranty claim was not legitimate?

I know bike shops used to have to hold onto their old CrackNFail (aka Cannondale) frames until a rep came along and verified each was cracked.

So the rep -on behalf of the manufacturer- is the actual decision maker on the claim. Not the dealer. Any dealer would like to fix a car under warranty just as much as you'd like it fixed.

Just another reason to buy a new car from the right manufacturer to begin with - one with a reputation to uphold for reliability and customer satisfaction. I wonder which manufacturers rate the highest in these areas

 

[TiGeo]

There may be concern the manufacturer inspects major components like engines and refuses reimbursement if it appears a warranty claim was not legitimate?

I know bike shops used to have to hold onto their old CrackNFail (aka Cannondale) frames until a rep came along and verified each was cracked.

Ha! I worked at a few shops in the '90s....I remember this well...

 

[Nessism1]

Asking again, but has anyone ever heard of an OEM refusing a legitimate warranty claim because the owner used a non OEM component? Aftermarket air filter, oil filter? Non standard oil?

My experience, working 21 years for an OEM, is that the question is never brought up. Even when oil change neglect is clear, it's up to the OEM to prove the customer failure, not the other way around.

 

[dnewton3]

I wish it were this easy, but the dealer can deny and the burden is on you to serve him and haul him into court and prove your case. Then you have to convince the judge or jury. If the dealer hires an attorney you’re dead unless you lawyer up. Just saying that’s how it works in America.

Actually, no.

Regarding the burden of proof ...
This depends on what you, as the consumer, used relative to the application and failure mode.
- if you use a product spec'd for the application, even if spec'd by a 3rd party, that does not relieve the warrantor of the burden to prove that the product was the cause of failure (say you use a licensed API lube from Mobil, and not the Motorcraft "recommended" lube from Ford).
- if you use a product not spec'd for the application, then the burden of proof would shift to you to prove that the mode of failure is not related to the application (say you used Motorcraft gear oil in your Ford engine)

As for the legal process ...
Read the ACT links I posted. There is a clause in there which specifies that alternatives (arbitration, mediation, conciliation) must be available so that legal suit recourse is not the only alternative. The consumer is not forced into court automatically. The consumer can sue if he/she chooses, but he/she also can ask for other less-costly choices.

 

[lovcom]

Actually, no.

Regarding the burden of proof ...
This depends on what you, as the consumer, used relative to the application and failure mode.
- if you use a product spec'd for the application, even if spec'd by a 3rd party, that does not relieve the warrantor of the burden to prove that the product was the cause of failure (say you use a licensed API lube from Mobil, and not the Motorcraft "recommended" lube from Ford).
- if you use a product not spec'd for the application, then the burden of proof would shift to you to prove that the mode of failure is not related to the application (say you used Motorcraft gear oil in your Ford engine)

As for the legal process ...
Read the ACT links I posted. There is a clause in there which specifies that alternatives (arbitration, mediation, conciliation) must be available so that legal suit recourse is not the only alternative. The consumer is not forced into court automatically. The consumer can sue if he/she chooses, but he/she also can ask for other less-costly choices.

My attorney just informed me that the burden of proof is always on the person who last touched the car or provided the service, and on the one bringing up the complaint. The complainant must present the relevant paperwork (such as receipts) and an affidavit detailing the steps they took to service the car themselves.

Also, if it goes to arbitration, the other side will take advantage of due process, as they have all the time in the world, while most folks do not, and they need their car remedied now.

This is basic Lawyer 101 stuff here.

Just because you use the correct parts does not mean you did the service correctly (pouring windshield wiper fluid in the engine coolant reservoir, or pouring engine oil in the tranny, then backing it out and into the engine, etc).

 

[3GTL300k]

I like TCCN but I skipped this particular video because of this thread. I did watch the Steve video as I figured his lawyer view would be more accurate anyway.