Lifted Jeeps and Warranty
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 272
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Lifted Jeeps and Warranty
Hey Guys,
So I've seen all the threads about lifted jeeps and the dealers being hit and miss when it comes to voiding warranties. So my question is, if you're just doing your routine service like oil change or tune up, do you recommend taking it somewhere else while it's under warranty. By the way, I'm not a mechanic so I don't do my own work.
I have 20k on my lifted JK, but haven't taken it in to the dealer since I got the lift. I'm due for an oil change and I was thinking of taking it to a local shop instead.
Mike
So I've seen all the threads about lifted jeeps and the dealers being hit and miss when it comes to voiding warranties. So my question is, if you're just doing your routine service like oil change or tune up, do you recommend taking it somewhere else while it's under warranty. By the way, I'm not a mechanic so I don't do my own work.
I have 20k on my lifted JK, but haven't taken it in to the dealer since I got the lift. I'm due for an oil change and I was thinking of taking it to a local shop instead.
Mike
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 272
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From: Los Angeles, CA
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Pioneer, CA
Dealers can only get away with lies and fraud if you let them.
The law regarding a warranties are very consumer friendly. The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 makes "tie-in" provisions unenforceable. They can require maintenance, but they can NOT require you purchase maintenance from them. All you have to do is document your maintenance and they'll have zero standing in the eyes of the law to deny a warranty claim because you did your own maintenance.
As it pertains to modifications, again the law is very consumer friendly. To deny a claim for modification, abuse, user error, etc, they would have to prove that the modification, abuse, user error, etc cause the malfunction.
This obviously stops few dealerships from attempting to deny warranty claims as they try to prey on the average consumers lack of knowledge on their rights. And they do this because its much easier to charge you cash, and they will charge you the full labor rate, something they can't get from warranty work. But in the end, they would rather take the reduced rates and warranty company hassles than go to court and lose and have to pay for the repair and all your lawyers fees.
Knowledge is a powerful weapon. Educate yourself and be ready for the fight, should the fight come your way.
The law regarding a warranties are very consumer friendly. The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 makes "tie-in" provisions unenforceable. They can require maintenance, but they can NOT require you purchase maintenance from them. All you have to do is document your maintenance and they'll have zero standing in the eyes of the law to deny a warranty claim because you did your own maintenance.
As it pertains to modifications, again the law is very consumer friendly. To deny a claim for modification, abuse, user error, etc, they would have to prove that the modification, abuse, user error, etc cause the malfunction.
This obviously stops few dealerships from attempting to deny warranty claims as they try to prey on the average consumers lack of knowledge on their rights. And they do this because its much easier to charge you cash, and they will charge you the full labor rate, something they can't get from warranty work. But in the end, they would rather take the reduced rates and warranty company hassles than go to court and lose and have to pay for the repair and all your lawyers fees.
Knowledge is a powerful weapon. Educate yourself and be ready for the fight, should the fight come your way.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Keep receipts and a log book if you change oil yourself. But no, they won't care that you have a lift when you in there getting your oil changed. Though they may do a quick inspection and let you know about the 10 different things you should let them charge you to fix.
Last edited by nthinuf; Sep 29, 2013 at 12:06 PM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Maine
Dealers can only get away with lies and fraud if you let them.
The law regarding a warranties are very consumer friendly. The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 makes "tie-in" provisions unenforceable. They can require maintenance, but they can NOT require you purchase maintenance from them. All you have to do is document your maintenance and they'll have zero standing in the eyes of the law to deny a warranty claim because you did your own maintenance.
As it pertains to modifications, again the law is very consumer friendly. To deny a claim for modification, abuse, user error, etc, they would have to prove that the modification, abuse, user error, etc cause the malfunction.
This obviously stops few dealerships from attempting to deny warranty claims as they try to prey on the average consumers lack of knowledge on their rights. And they do this because its much easier to charge you cash, and they will charge you the full labor rate, something they can't get from warranty work. But in the end, they would rather take the reduced rates and warranty company hassles than go to court and lose and have to pay for the repair and all your lawyers fees.
Knowledge is a powerful weapon. Educate yourself and be ready for the fight, should the fight come your way.
The law regarding a warranties are very consumer friendly. The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 makes "tie-in" provisions unenforceable. They can require maintenance, but they can NOT require you purchase maintenance from them. All you have to do is document your maintenance and they'll have zero standing in the eyes of the law to deny a warranty claim because you did your own maintenance.
As it pertains to modifications, again the law is very consumer friendly. To deny a claim for modification, abuse, user error, etc, they would have to prove that the modification, abuse, user error, etc cause the malfunction.
This obviously stops few dealerships from attempting to deny warranty claims as they try to prey on the average consumers lack of knowledge on their rights. And they do this because its much easier to charge you cash, and they will charge you the full labor rate, something they can't get from warranty work. But in the end, they would rather take the reduced rates and warranty company hassles than go to court and lose and have to pay for the repair and all your lawyers fees.
Knowledge is a powerful weapon. Educate yourself and be ready for the fight, should the fight come your way.
He told me that Chrysler was his biggest customer regarding reimbursement for warranty repairs
I've since done just about everything except to add lockers and regear...
Matthew
JK Jedi
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 107
From: missoula,mt
I think if you blew a drive line or something related it would be easy to have that warranty denied as a lift is changing that particular part. If you had a cylinder head go bad then I think it would be hard to deny warranty because you had a lift.
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JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, Pa
Where I'm located I called my dealer because of a check engine light. All said and done two trips later i had a new cylinder head. Prior to everything I asked the service manager and he started to say it would not be covered until I asked him to explain how a 35" tire and 2.5" lift regardless of brand would cause the cylinder head to be/go bad. He said everything would be under warranty. Obviously if. They can get you to pay they will but if you present a legit case to them you should be covered.
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 896
Likes: 5
From: Ventura, CA
Reputable dealers DO NOT shy away from warranty repairs as they are cost covered by the manufacturer, not the dealer. Reimbursement for claims may be slow but it comes.
There are several good reasons to have your Jeep SERVICED/REPAIRED by the dealer during the warranty period. For one, there are countless TSB's that come out that are not necessarily passed on to the public, tighten this, adjust that, inspect this, re-flash the what-zit, etc. A reputable dealer will accomplish those TSBs while servicing the vehicle. For another, you get a maintenance log for the vehicle, tied to the VIN, this can be useful at resale, and third you get to develop a relationship with the service writer or service manager, they see you regularly, they see you as a valued client, whose word of mouth recommendation gets them additional clients. I have never had an argument with a service writer/manager about a covered repair, I think that they see me regularly has a lot to do with that.
There are several good reasons to have your Jeep SERVICED/REPAIRED by the dealer during the warranty period. For one, there are countless TSB's that come out that are not necessarily passed on to the public, tighten this, adjust that, inspect this, re-flash the what-zit, etc. A reputable dealer will accomplish those TSBs while servicing the vehicle. For another, you get a maintenance log for the vehicle, tied to the VIN, this can be useful at resale, and third you get to develop a relationship with the service writer or service manager, they see you regularly, they see you as a valued client, whose word of mouth recommendation gets them additional clients. I have never had an argument with a service writer/manager about a covered repair, I think that they see me regularly has a lot to do with that.
