The Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers against a blanket denial of warranty coverage due to aftermarket parts. They can deny warranty coverage for a situation where they can prove the aftermarket part caused the failure that you are claiming under warranty.

see the attached link:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...ty-intact.html

Of course, you will have to decide if you want to spend the time and money (lawyer) to fight the dealer, which may cost more than the repair.

Steve

 

That's the problem, they (dealers/manufacturers) already have lawyers on retainer. When I mentioned the warranty laws, the dealer basically laughed at me and told me, "Good luck with that!"

 

They have to prove your antennae caused the problem. Period.

 

snicker....this thread is humorous

 

Only IF you pony up the cash to force the issue and are willing to do whatever it takes. Some dealers will make you jump through every hoop they can.

Just like any other business, there are good ones which will help in any way they can, and others who will do as little as possible. My dealer of choice does great work and tries to do all they can, BUT they also try to talk my wife into "winterizing" her transmission!

 

Since many years ago, I was temporarily assigned to this process, I will say that GDZHHR speaks with a straight tonque (truth). Second only to the owner's attitude (shouldn't be that way, but it is).

 

About 5 months ago my service air bag light started comming on when it was hot outside. 2 weeks later my car was backed into. When the body shop was moving the car into the paint booth the car would not shut off and the key stuck in the ignition. The body shop called my dealer to see if unhooking the battery was on they said yes. The car still ran. Body shop called the dealer again they said to unplug the altenator. The car finally stops running. I called the dealer to get the air bag and stuck key taken care of I have an appointment but they say my warranty may be void because the car was damaged. 2009 black hhr 14,000 miles bought new. The damage was to the rear passenger door drivers side.

 

Que pendejos! (In spanish, what kind of as....les those guys from service!!!)

 

This reminds me when we took my wife´s Nissan Micra to the dealer. In order to keep your guaranty here in México, you must take your car to the dealer (I don´t know if is the same in USA)... Well, this sevice (20,000 kms) just included oil change (3 qts) and tires rotation, and the invoice was about 2,600 pesos ($220). I refused why was so expensive.... Their argument was "we filled the windshield soap reservoir and cleaned the car inside and outside as courtesy"... Since that event, I rather to bring service to our cars myself.

 

I find in my area that dealers all work differently from all MFG's.

Now the Chevy dealer I work with has no issue working on cars with mods as long as they are not directlry involved with the failure on the car. So if you have leaking struts and you have lowered your car you may be SOL and I am fine with that.

While at the dealer a couple months ago they had a new ZR1 Goodyear Tire uses at their Akron test track. The car is stock and out fitted with a cage race seat and pull hook in the nose. I spoke to my warranty guy and he said as long as the parts were not damaged in the use of the car they were more than happy to take care of the issues on the car.

The dealers are not all the same. They should taken like all other business. If they fail to perform to a fair level take you buisness else where. But also be fair and do not expect them to fix thing that are directly related to something you did.

The antenna or painted caliper are not fair but if you have lowered you SS and it has a noise in the front keep in mind it may be something related to your changes.

The bottom line is know your dealers and know what can happen anytime you make a change to a car and be prepared to deal with it either way.

Trust me people can really screw up some cars and it is never their fault. I see it everyday. Everyone with with a set of Craftsmen tools gets a ASE certificate in the box, or at lest some think they do.