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What mods will void warranty?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by akjone02, Aug 6, 2010.

  1. Aug 6, 2010 at 9:53 AM
    #1
    akjone02

    akjone02 [OP] Active Member

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    When I got my 2010 I opted for the 7 year bumper to bumper warranty from Toyota. I'm interested, though, in various mods and upgrades to the truck. For example, exhaust, air intake or at least a new filter, blulogic bluetooth, bed lights, sliders etc.

    Can someone break down the fine print of that thing in plain English for me? What mods are going to void my warranty? The bluelogic comes straight from Toyota but I'll be installing it myself, the sliders will be coming from an aftermarket company. Exhaust and filter/intake are probably my biggest concerns. Bed lights will be all me, custom parts and install.
     
  2. Aug 6, 2010 at 10:00 AM
    #2
    toemoss

    toemoss Member

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    The general idea in most states is that the part does not void the warranty and it is up to the dealer to prove that the mod caused whatever issue is needing repaired. Due to the time/labor involved in trying to prove and possible court costs they generally do not fight this.

    ETA: The mod will determine if they will fight it example:
    a new air filter is not going to cause suspension issues, or a lift kit is not going to cause electrical issues.
     
  3. Aug 6, 2010 at 10:16 AM
    #3
    Kyouto42

    Kyouto42 Iron Beard

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    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act

    Essentially if your mod directly caused the failure to whatever component failed... then it voids the warranty. Putting an LED dome light in can not void your engine warranty when it throws a rod bearing. Now if you put an aftermarket intake in, it lets dirt into the engine that scars the combustion chambers up and they can prove without reasonable doubt that the intake caused it... that will void the warranty.

    The same thing goes with oil changes... if you keep the receipts even doing it yourself it will be difficult for them to deny you coverage.
     
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  4. Aug 6, 2010 at 10:30 AM
    #4
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    I'm really not sure how Toyota views this...but how you use the vehicle can void warranty so some mods may make them look closer when you come in with a big part broke that normally doesn't.

    Many VW dealers, for instance, are famous for voiding warranty when the car was (in their opinion) used for competition (racing). Guys put intakes and exhausts on then go in with a blown tranny and find warranty voided. It was the performance mods made them look closer for evidence of racing. I remember one famous example where they only needed to look at the guy's dash board 'cause it had his time slips from a drag strip!
     
  5. Aug 6, 2010 at 10:30 AM
    #5
    MGMGRAND

    MGMGRAND Well-Known Member

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    Not trying to be overly technical but in civil cases the burden of proof is "a perponderance of the evidence" (i.e. more likely than not), which is much easier to prove than "beyond resonable doubt".
     
  6. Aug 6, 2010 at 10:36 AM
    #6
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    Good point.

    Another thing to remember is they have 'experts' on the payroll while you'll have to hire one to testify in your behalf. At an expense, along with your lawyer, doubtless far beyond simply paying for the repair.

    Ultimately, you are depending on them being reasonable. So being reasonable, in turn, is a great starting point.
     
  7. Aug 6, 2010 at 10:38 AM
    #7
    larryde09

    larryde09 Well-Known Member

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    My understanding is pretty much what was said here. Also, if a part is a reasonable replacement for an OEM part, then you're typically ok. For example, an exhaust/muffler is typically not a problem because it functions like the OEM. However, if the dealer wants to make a case of it, an intake could be viewed as an intrusive change, particularly if the filter oil clogs the MAF sensor or allows increased dirt into the intake. These things may not occur, but they will certainly use your aftermarket mods as a scapegoat to get out of a warranty. Things like bolt-on sliders and step bars are probably fine, but if you start cutting and/or welding, then there could be an issue if they argue about rust or if they think the frame was compromised.

    One quick way to draw attention is an electronic tuner!!! Always revert your computer back to its stock tune before taking it to the dealer for repair!
     
  8. Aug 6, 2010 at 10:40 AM
    #8
    Kyouto42

    Kyouto42 Iron Beard

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    Honestly a lot of it depends on your service advisor too. I know some people that wheel pretty hard, have had things break on the trail (advisor even knows this) and they'll still back it up. Even weld on sliders and such I highly doubt they would deny your rust warranty. Does anyone know if any first gens were denied the buyback due to weld on sliders?
     
  9. Aug 6, 2010 at 11:42 AM
    #9
    akjone02

    akjone02 [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks for all the replies, this is all making me feel much better. I'm going to do everything I can to avoid things like welding on sliders (probably go for tube steps or a pair of bolt on sliders that don't require extra drilling). Essentially I don't actually want to cause the failure of anything with a mod, and it sounds like as long as my change didn't cause the part to fail they won't void me.

    What I was worried about was putting in, say, the bluetooth then having them tell me I wasn't covered when an engine problem cropped up because the Tacoma was modified by me instead of a trained mechanic. Sounds like it's not like that.
     
  10. Aug 6, 2010 at 12:06 PM
    #10
    Kyouto42

    Kyouto42 Iron Beard

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    If you're going to really wheel to the point you actually need the sliders... I'd say you're better off risking getting proper weld on's for the strength to protect from near guaranteed body damage vs a possible unlikely warranty issue. Bolt ons look good, but typically aren't always up to the task.
     
  11. Aug 7, 2010 at 5:54 AM
    #11
    larryde09

    larryde09 Well-Known Member

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    Electrical Mods are also a quick way to void a warranty, it is explicitly stated as such in your warranty. The idea is that even tapping a wire could draw too much power or any number of things and mess with the computer.

    I think it's a load of crap if you know what you're doing...but again, they'll try anything to get out of it.
     
  12. Aug 7, 2010 at 8:15 AM
    #12
    akjone02

    akjone02 [OP] Active Member

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    That's an unfortunate thing to hear. I was planning on doing a number of electrical mods actually. The custom shifter I've got needs to get wired in to power, as would bed lights and keyless entry, plus my powered tailgate lock. Will that really negate my 7 year warranty?
     
  13. Aug 7, 2010 at 9:08 AM
    #13
    Kyouto42

    Kyouto42 Iron Beard

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    A lot of people do add a circuits, tap in to power for leds and such... I've never heard of it being denied. The only case was they tried to deny an alternator issue when an ARB air locker compressor was directly connected to the battery, even then they ended up winning it.
     
  14. Aug 7, 2010 at 9:21 AM
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    Masada

    Masada Well-Known Member

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  15. Aug 7, 2010 at 12:29 PM
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    larryde09

    larryde09 Well-Known Member

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    yeah, I'm not saying it is certain...but if your computer is fried and they found out you did a bunch of electrical mods, it could give them ammo against you. Just make sure you do it right and can back up your mods with evidence it did not fry the system. All I'm saying is that it states right in your warranty that modifying the electrical system will void the warranty.
     
  16. Aug 7, 2010 at 12:34 PM
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    T0LLPHR33

    T0LLPHR33 Well-Known Member

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    no mod is going to void your warranty unless Toyota can prove that that mod/part has contributed in any way to the problem...
     
  17. Aug 1, 2018 at 2:06 PM
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    5IR3MAN

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    So just for my dumb self can you say that, if installed correctly, baja design fog light assembly over the factory housing, because it's essentially plug and play.. they wont ser those and tell me my warranty has been voided??
     
  18. Aug 1, 2018 at 2:08 PM
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    jberry813

    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

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    ...too much shit to list.
    I void warranties









    Edit: Dang I completely misunderstood the title of this thread....
     
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  19. Aug 1, 2018 at 2:11 PM
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    5IR3MAN

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    Lol thanks. I figured this thread was abandoned but thank God for mods! :amen:..so any input??
     
  20. Aug 1, 2018 at 2:16 PM
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    jberry813

    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

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    Second post pretty much covers it. If you keep blowing fog light fuses with your aftermarket BD lights, dealer will not cover any warranty work pertaining to the lights, electrical, fuses, etc. but they can't "void" the entire warranty of the whole truck. They would still be responsible for warranty work on a brake caliper or something for example. They have to prove that the aftermarket part was the source of the problem to deny warranty.
     
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