Extended Warrany

As a “tuner”, will you be tuning your Hybrid, and do you think the ToyotaCare Warranty yiu just bought will cover your truck

 

Here is the key law on warranties and how aftermarket work effects them

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers from having their vehicle warranty voided solely due to the use of aftermarket parts or modifications, including lift kits, unless the manufacturer can prove the aftermarket item directly caused the failure.

• What the Act Does:
  The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law, prevents manufacturers from voiding a vehicle's warranty simply because a customer uses aftermarket parts or services, or makes modifications like installing a lift kit.
• Burden of Proof:
  The burden of proof lies with the manufacturer to demonstrate that the aftermarket part or modification caused or contributed to the failure of the vehicle component in question.
• Examples:
  • If a vehicle with a lift kit experiences a CV joint failure, the manufacturer would need to prove that the lift kit, and not a manufacturing defect, caused the CV joint to fail such as the increased angle on the joint. This case would likely be reasonable to assume a lift caused a problem with a CV depending on the failure. It could be disputed in court though
  • If a vehicle with a lift kit has a problem with the engine, the manufacturer would need to prove that the lift kit caused the engine problem.
  • If a vehicle with a lift kit has a problem with the power door lock, the manufacturer would need to prove that the lift kit caused the door lock problem.

 

What the act doesn't do is pay for your lawyer.

 

I'm still up in the air on if I'll tune this truck. Not due to warranty concerns (my 2019 was under warranty and tuned most of the 2 years I owned it) but simply because this truck doesn't NEED a tune the way the 3GT did. It runs and drives exceptionally well - far better than a stock 3GT and probably even better than a tuned one. At this point, before adding any weight in mods, I'm completely happy with how the truck drives. That may change in the future when additional weight is added, but that remains to be seen.

 

If I lift the vehicle and a CV has an issue, I will assume the lift caused the issue and pay for it. If the radio goes out Toyota will fix it. I talked to my local Dealer and the National line and both verified that

My research did not find any claims issues requiiring a Lawyer. Not saying there havent been any, but I don't see it as a concern where there is clear division between the modifications and any issues. My biggest reason was all the electronics. I had to replace an Amplifier in my Land Cruiser and the part new from Toyota cost more than this warranty. It took me several days of troubleshooting to define the issue as the amplifier. I did find a refurb part for just under $1000. That is on a 2014 Toyota with fewer electronics and integrated systems.

 

I agree, the 4th gen drives and performs better than my 2021 3rd gen that was OTT tuned………BUT , the warranty issue has made me pause on tuning my 4th gen……….really want the extra 30hp and torque….

 

All well and good, BUT while the dealer is looking up “the burden of proof”, the dealer is NOT fixing your truck, and it’s going to cost YOU the repair or an attorney……….

In the case of a Tune, the repair affected would be engine and/or transmission issues……

 

sub'd

 

I learned long ago extended warranties are the biggest scams. Most people today don't own a vehicle passed 3 years anyway. Also dealerships make their money through finance department with insurance, warranties, and add ons. Lastly, we are talking about toyota's here.. one of the most reliable car brands on the planet. Proceed with caution.

 

On the tune vs an engine issue, you may have a problem getting the warranty to cover it, I agree. If I wanted the extra warranty, I wouldnt get a tune. Anywhere else, I don't see the issue needing a Lawyer.

I normally avoid these warranties like the plague and told the dealer no thanks. Then through these forums I found out about these discount actual factory plans and looked at what I have done to my Land Cruiser over 10 years, my daughters Land Cruiser over 20 years and my other daughters GX470 over 12 years. Of course looking at the first 10 years since new. For each vehicle there was one repair that cost more than the warranty ($1360) and that is with fewer electronics. Like I said I researched them, called the local dealers and talked to Toyota directly. The GX and 100 series both had a steering rack replaced before 10 years. My 200 needed a new amplifier just before 10 years. I keep vehicles a long time.

I am 63 and this is the first Vehicle warranty I have purchased, I always have said no up to now. The cost to value seemed pretty good to me in this situation. I did my due dilligaance over several months and feel confident it isnt an issue for me with the local Denver area dealers. Its a Toyota warranty and they look you up, see you have one, and treat it just like it is within the first 3 years UNLESS they see a direct vehicle modification to what broke. I know not all Dealers are the same.

It is a personal decision and everyone should do what the feel comfortable with

 

I’m 66……..this truck could very well b my last new car/truck……..
Thanx to the info on this forum, I bought one of the discounted Toyota Care warranties……..I added 4 more years to original factory warranty……..for @$650

I hope Toyota built a terrific truck and I never have a warranty claim……..BUT,let’s look at just the economics…….@$650 divided by 48 months (xtra 4 year coverage).

$13.54 per month ……….thats a quarter pounder, fries and a shake at McDonalds per month, or 2 Starbucks per month……for Toyota factory coverage…..AND if I sell the truck, I can transfer it or get money back…….

 

Now do the scenario where the dealer claims your bigger tires caused increased strain on your transmission and it failed. Or a steering rack.

 

I put bigger tires on, 33" the same size as the Trailhunter. I did 33" for that reason and because that is the largest that would fit as a full size spare. That isnt a concern for me.

I see your perspective how it could be for others. We could go through lots of what if scenarios. I am not an expert and only can convey what I learned for my situation. To claim a position on situations I haven't researched would be wrong. I know lots of folks here like to make statements with a short review of the data. I am not one of them.

You could be at risk with an Engine Tune, larger tires or weight bigger than the payload allows (Camper top) or you may not be at risk. I don't know. The first line of defense is the dealer, they don't exactly have a benefit to pushing back on a warranty claim. Doing a factory warranty claim is easy money for them. It depends on them if they are going to include data that would allow Toyota to deny the claim.

When I had an 80 series Land Cruiser I installed a supercharger knowing full well that it would invalidate any warranty claims. I did that with my eyes wide open. I looked at the Tacoma engine tune data and decided it wasn't for me with the warranty.

My main concern is the electronics and not the engine or tranny which I think are very relaible on their own.

My situation is a bit different. I built the Tacoma for mild wheeling, but my primary wheeling vehicle is my 200 series Land Cruiser. The Tacoma is more my Daily driver even though I alterante between the two. If there is a challenging trail, the 200 goes. If I am towing my Australian Kimberley Karavan over a mountain, the 200 goes. If I am doing a light trail, I may take the Taco

The warranty isnt for everyone and I am in no way recommending everyone should get it. I was surprized about the discount broker with a factory warranty and I did research to understand the impact of the modifications I wanted to do and how it would impact the warranty. I am confident that my 33" tires, CBI Sliders, rear ARB Bumper, future All Dogs springs and future ARB Front Bumper wont impact the warranty. The springs depend on my ability to align and even then, the warranty impacts would be limited to the CVs (In my Opinion).

I am only trying to share what I learned and not beat the drum that the warranty is for everyone. I wouldn't get one if I was going to heavily modify my vehicle




This last one is my supercharged 80 series Land Cruiser on the Rubicon with 35's

 

I’m not trying to discourage anyone from buying the warranty, and I’ll buy one for my truck in a few months. I’m just saying the magnussen-moss warranty protections aren’t as easy to use as one might hope. We all know that 33s shouldn’t cause a steering rack failure, but dealers push back on things like that.

Look elsewhere in the forum, the dealer is jerking someone around about an evap canister failure. if it’s such a no-brainer to do warranty work and get paid, why would they refuse?

 

does troy have an email address? i tried the guy from midwest toyota and never heard anything back

 

You can send a request for quote via this web site.

FD-Warranty

Troy will respond in pretty short order.

 

Troy Dietrich tdietrich@toyotaofgreenfield.com
Factory Discount Warranty
Toyota & Ford of Greenfield
Phone. 413-775-6519

 

I just got the warranty book from Toyota. Worthwhile getting to keep in the glove box. All the contact info you need and a member card for Roadside service. You have to call Toyota and request it based on Troy's note to me


"It turns out that Toyota discontinued sending out what they’re calling “welcome packages” and neglected to inform their dealers (or their customer service reps). You can still request it though, you would just have to call TFS at 800-228-8559 and confirm your mailing address and they will send it out."

 

I also bought my extended warranty from Jerry. Very easy to deal with.