Hey guys new to this whole jeep thing, and off road driving,.......this is probably going to be a real dumb question, but does adding a snorkel void your factory warranty??

 

Ok so I have seen this so many times that I think another response is needed.

With regards to your question the warranty can be voided if the manufacturer determines that the alteration you performed was the cause of the failure. Therefore, a snorkel will most likely not void your warranty especially is you do one such as the aev snorkel. You retain the factory air box and the only real change is the location the air is being draw from. Therefore there does not seem to be an obvious instance where the snorkel would cause a failure. Hope this helps. .(THIS IS NOT A DMERK524 WARRANTY!!!!)


NOW ON TO THE ANNOYING RESPONSE. Yes the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says they cannot void a warranty unless you caused the failure. (this is with alot of reading in to the law it is not stated outright) I agree with this interpertation but this should not be taken as an invitation to alter the vehicle and feel the dealer will be forced with the difficulty of proving you were the wrongdoer. In reality it will most likely play out as you making an alteration, the dealer blaiming the alteration for the failure and refusal to do work. Then you are forced to seek a remedy whether through arbitration (which chrysler is notorious for avoiding) or litigation where the costs will begin to rise. This is not a simple write off policy protecting consumers. In reality it was largely created to outline appropriate buisness practices for warranties in general including implied and expressed. (this was a response to cases where dealerships were used as a blockade from suit by the manufacturer) Therefore I write this all as a general caution... alterer be where.

 

Up here it would void my warranty on my stock air box. Cause, you know, they break a lot

 

Most cases that I know of if a dealership pulls the warranty void thing and tell u to stfu if you go through the steps to get a lawyer they will fold because they don't want to take it that far. That's just in things I've seen. If you have to get a lawyer then go for it just have it set where the dealership would have to pay the costs if they are found liable for the repairs.

 

I just wanted to respond to the last post. 1st Chrysler (although having terrible financial problems) can still affoard to have lawyers in house. In other words they have many lawyers to tackle all of the consumer claims and it doesnt cost them much more ( possible court fees but the attorneys are salary employees). In addition, you cant just set up a legal case where the court impses costs on the defendant if you win. The court will usallyonly grant this remedy if they find the defendents claim without merit. I doubt whether a court will know whether the lift or snorkel or anything did not have a chance of voiding the warranty. In my legal experience (professional) I would not bet on chrysler backing down.

 

Agreed with the technical responses.

But it's the dealership that would back down before Chrysler. Back in the day, I worked at a dealership, and they made comments about times that a consumer would threaten a lawyer, and would usually fold before that point.

That being said. USE common sense and decency and you generally won't have much issues in life. MOST people are decent and will respect, if shown respect. (like the a-hole mentioned in earlier post- he lost and sounds like he should have. Since he just wanted to blame the person with the deepest pockets for his f-up)

 

I appreciate the professional opinion. I do not know the portion of them paying legal fees but I would assume you can sue them with the claim. Dunno if that's possible or not.

As far as a dealership backing down I've seen it happen 4 times. Granted my experience is just local and those 4 cases are probably a fraction of a percent. From my experiences a dealership will push you around until they can't push anymore. If you come back at them it's a different ballgame. Of course there are probably at least 3 dealerships within a 30mile radius of the OP that he may just be able to find a friendly dealer to save him time and headache.

 

You may be very right with how chrysler handles their claims. From my experience dealerships may often cave but the minute chrysler becomes involved it becomes a whole new beast. I am glad to hear that the consumer is not always screwed. I unfourtanetly have had to assist corporations against consumers (who will rename nameless) but I can say that the consumer is at a great disadvantage. So I will reiterate the reason I post I just want people to realize that just because there is legislation that appears to protect you if you modify your vehicle, it is not a simple or guaranteed process.

 

Chrysler is not really the problem for the warranty: You have to find a "mod. friendly" dealer...

 

I had minor warranty work (battery issues and a piece of trim over the tail-gate hinge fell off. Brought it in with the AEV and they did not even mention it.