Will mods void the factory warranty?

[elotsip]

I'm trying to get some information on what mods could/will void the factory warranty.
I'm just wanting to regear it, add lockers and do a lift. Pretty standard stuff. Is there any issue with these types of things causing the factory warranty to be voided?
Are there any special requirements like a licensed shop or something. I heard that from one guy. I called the local dealership a couple of times but I just get directed to a guy that doesn't answer his phone.

Sorry is this is dumb question. I searched and couldn't find anything on it. This is my first new vehicle so I am not really sure how these things work.

Thanks,
Billy

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[CerOf]

Any of those will void the warranty for the items you are replacing.

many of those items can void the warranty for anything up-stream.

 

[Panthers65]

its up to the dealer to find the link between the mod and the failed part.

If you put seat covers on your Jeep, the dealer will still have to warranty a leaking axle seal. Put 37's on and have an independent shop regear the Jeep, that'd be enough for a dealership to void the warranty

Find a local Jeep club, see what dealerships they are using, you'll know quickly if the dealer is on the up and up.

 

[Mr._Bill]

A decent Dealer will not try to void your entire warranty. They will deny warranty coverage for any claims they can associate with the modifications made.

 

[JAVIERGONZO]

All those things you named can be done with Mopar parts and will have a warranty.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Please READ your warranty. It's a free download. Heck, I'll even post it here for your convenience.
Read page 11 especially.

In a nutshell -
Logic applies.
If you replace a muffler belt, the muffler belt is no longer covered because Jeep didn't make it.
Have it re-geared and your gears are no longer covered.
Put a 4" lift under it - stress the drive shafts, well............
Stress it by using crazy parts that upset the whole design - certain parts won't be covered.
Fail to maintain it - yeah, don't change the oil or use crap oil, engine damage may not be covered.
Put on wheels that stick way out - your steering is now screwed so don't gripe to Jeep.

 

[JRobes]

My best advice is to go to your favorite dealership (at a non-busy time preferably), and just get to know one or some of the service advisors. Try to find an advisor that is willing to talk wrangler/gladiators with you and let them know you're interested in certain mods, but don't want to void any major parts of the vehicle warranty. In my experience, after some friendly chatting they'll straight up tell you what you should/shouldn't do. Ultimately they'll be the ones approving/denying warranty repairs, so it's best to gauge them first.

It's in their best interest to keep you happy and your modified vehicle looking great... it's just more business you'll be sending their way for future orders.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My best advice is to go to your favorite dealership (at a non-busy time preferably), and just get to know one or some of the service advisors. Try to find an advisor that is willing to talk wrangler/gladiators with you and let them know you're interested in certain mods, but don't want to void any major parts of the vehicle warranty. In my experience, after some friendly chatting they'll straight up tell you what you should/shouldn't do. Ultimately they'll be the ones approving/denying warranty repairs, so it's best to gauge them first.

It's in their best interest to keep you happy and your modified vehicle looking great... it's just more business you'll be sending their way for future orders.

Good advice.

That's exactly what I did when I was considering a couple of changes....... They explained in detail what would be covered and what might not. For the most part, what I discussed would be no problem at all.

 

[elotsip]

Nice, thanks guys. I reached out to the local dealer and spoke to a guy that seems knowledgeable. I'm going to meet him next week to check out his Gladiator and get more info.

 

[BigLizzard]

The magnus moss act prevents them from voiding warranty just because you have mods. Paraphrasing, they have to prove that your modification contributed to the failure of the warranted part.

Now heres the fun part. If they deny your warranty......now you have to pay money to go to court to fight it.......kinda a lose lose for you. Theres a lawyer youtuber that covers the law in a few of his videos. Steve Lehto touches on that topic a good handful of times.

 

[Aceofspades61]

I purchased my 2020 Gladiator used with 30k from the jeep dealer where it was sold new. I was given what was left on the 36K warranty and the extended 100k Mopar warranty. The previous owner added 37" tires, 2" leveling kit, 13,000 lb winch to the factory bumper(wired in cut-off switch) Bestop soft top, KC lights (used the factory Aux switch wiring). Took the truck back for a factory paint issue on the hood that they corrected under warranty, got it back and the Auto start/stop threw a code. They replaced BOTH batteries under warranty which you would think they could have tried to charge me due to the winch cut-off switch! I guess it all depends on the dealer.
FYI North Point Jeep Chrysler in Winston Salem NC....Great dealership!!

 

[shrinkhead]

short answer no, middle answer as everyone else said it depends on the parts. but also think about what mods might affect which parts downstream and how much loss of coverage would hurt your wallet.

 

[dcmdon]

There is no such thing as "voiding the warranty".

Every claim is judged on a case by case basis. A claim may be denied if a warranty claim is made that relates to a part of the truck that has been modified.

For example, you put a lift kit on the truck.
A power window problem would be repaired under warranty.
A "thunk" noise when you hit a bump would probably not be.

I'm just wanting to regear it, add lockers and do a lift.

In your case, I would suspect that you would be on your own with

1) suspension
2) steering
3) differentials and axles
4) wheel speed sensors
5) ABS
6) traction control
7) Driveshaft

But all the rest of the truck would still be covered.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There is no such thing as "voiding the warranty".

Every claim is judged on a case by case basis. A claim may be denied if a warranty claim is made that relates to a part of the truck that has been modified.

That's the theory and that's the ideal world. And yes, it SHOULD be that way, but some dealers just are lazy or don't get it.
They aren't lawyers, that aren't judges, heck, some of them can't even judge if a part is bad or not. Some look, see something they don't like and figure - hey, we can move along to the next vehicle and make some money.
Some don't like the flat rate the factory gives them or the hassle of the "paperwork" and the process of getting paid too little later.

It's been hashed to death in multiple threads.............for some it's been a struggle, for others - like me, the shop covered things that technically they'd not have had to cover and did things for no charge that I told them I knew I would need to pay for because it wasn't warranty related (contacting Jeep, getting my VIN updated with the passive entry option - they did it, and then even flashed my truck to make sure it all worked with the new flash download)

As far as these - it would fully depend on the lift, (brand/source), how high and many other factors -

1) suspension
2) steering
3) differentials and axles
4) wheel speed sensors
5) ABS
6) traction control
7) Driveshaft

I see no reason a lift of 2" would have anything do to with warranty on the above. Why would a lift impact traction control? Why would lockers?
Steering, no again - Jeep even says as long as a lift leave the truck within the factory alignment specs, it's ok to perform certain service bulletins. ABS has nothing to do with lifts or lockers - that would be covered. IF the ABS module goes south - it's got nothing to do with a lift or lockers.
Driveshaft issues would only come into play with the higher lifts - as long as the angles are within what the joints are made to handle and the final angle (front joint minus rear joint) is in spec, driveshafts would be covered with a lift.
Wheel speed sensors would be covered under pretty much any circumstances unless the wires were pulled and broken. They'd have to show the lift caused the issue.

All of those parts would typically be covered with a lift or other mods - "depending"....... height, who did what, were wires pulled, were brake lines snagged, etc.

Funny thing about Jeeps- in my experience, ABS issues are hardly ever the wheel sensors...............yes, they go bad, but generally it's the stuff under the hood that's the problem. My neighbor is having ABS issues and what's the first thing multiple people have told him to look into? The stuff under the hood.

 

[johnh442]

The magnus moss act prevents them from voiding warranty just because you have mods. Paraphrasing, they have to prove that your modification contributed to the failure of the warranted part.

Now heres the fun part. If they deny your warranty......now you have to pay money to go to court to fight it.......kinda a lose lose for you. Theres a lawyer youtuber that covers the law in a few of his videos. Steve Lehto touches on that topic a good handful of times.

You misunderstand the Moss-Magnuson Act. It covers OEM spec replacement parts. i.e. you get a Autozone OEM spec alternator, they can't deny warranty over that. It does NOT protect you when you put on a 4" lift 40" Tires, regear, supercharge and reprogram the ECM/PCM. Anything that isn't OEM spec can get a warranty claim denied. Certain mods like ECM reflashing/documented abuse can get you a warranty block.

Now you can fight it with a lawyer, and hire/pay your automotive experts to debate the Jeep lawyers and Jeep Engineers and all their data, good luck with that BTW.... or just realize you have to pay to play.

Mostly, though if you're nice to the dealer, most of them work with you on simple mods. Its when a factory rep gets involved it gets dicey. I know for example, GM has been a real stickler on ECM/TCM reprogramming (they usually check for reflashes every service visit)...because folks were blowing up their engines and wanting warranty to cover it (mostly diesel trucks from what I heard).

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