Does lifting void the warranty?

Hi everyone,

I've had a Tacoma boner for the last few years and I'm finally pulling the trigger on 2017 TRD Off Rod double cab long bed in silver. Going for the fully loaded version with premium tech package. This will be our 3rd vehicle and not my daily driver. I want to lift it, but in speaking with the Toyota salesperson today he said it could void my warranty. Is this true? Is there a way to lift it that will not void the warranty?

Thanks,
Tim

 

Where I work at honda it only voids the warranty on that part that is changed out. So if you change out your suspension and your motor blows up, your fine. If you change out your shocks and they blow out and leak, they won't be covered.

 

The service manager at my Toyota dealer said they warranty service lifted trucks all the time, and that they only have an issue if the lift is affecting the problem. This also seems to be the common wisdom on TacomaWorld. People also often say that the dealership has to prove that you voided your warranty in order to deny your service, but they are much better at making this a big hassle then you are at fighting it.

 

Check out the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Warranty can only be denied if you modify something that causes/relates to the failure.

Of course the stealership will try to prove your lift caused everything to fail.

 

It can void the warranty on any failure that touches the modification or could be reasonably considered to be impacted by the modification. It doesn't void the entire warranty. If your radio goes out they can't blame the lift. If you lift the truck 3 inches and the carrier bearing takes a shit or the transmission fails they may likely blame the lift and thus void the warranty coverage for your tranny. Magnuson Moss act means jack shit. The dealer can tell you to pound sand and what will your recourse be? Do you have time and money to get lawyers to fight? Most dont.

 

Smitty you sound just like me "pound sand" been using that for 40 years, i would add the OP's warranty could turn into a real goat rope. do not think i would want to get wrapped around the axle with the dealer because of lifting it.

 

Already been down this Road on my 2016. Only thing that's voided is the item that's changed out. And like a few others have stated....depending how your dealer is...if your coilovers are set at the highest notch and you wear out a CV axle.....they're probably going to fault the lift and it won't be covered.

Best bet if your concerned about it, let the dealer install the lift. Obviously more money out of pocket but at least there's no question of what's covered.

 

What redalertca, smitty99 and pvillejohn said is accurate. There really isn't anything else to add..

 

I have yet to void any major components due to a lift. But if you want to be sure, have the dealership lift it for you, placing the ownness on them.

 

Only voids the suspension part of your warranty

 

What @Bishop84 said, order yoir lift parts etc and have the dealer install... or get them to price match and do it.

 

The simplest thing is learn to wrench, lift truck, keep stock suspension and go back stock if problems occur.

 

Exactly. I got all the stock parts on a shelf in the event I have to go back to stock. Should be quicker installing the second time around

 

My only thoughts on that process is if you have the truck lifted, take it in for a differential issue for example, they say its lifted. Put it on the work order and then you bring it back stock?
Unless u plan on returning it to stock every time you take it to the dealership...

 

Incorrect. Per the act/law if the lift/altered part causes the issue, its not covered. So if you change the angles of your driveline, put more stress on your differential/transmission, etc. due to your lift theoretically they can deny your claim, but they have to prove it, then again you would also have to prove as to why it didnt and then ultimately they can deny or do whatever warranty work they choose. Its a gamble you're going to take.

 

I was told only voids warrantry if i went over 4" of lift

 

Do our trucks have warranties? Every time something wrong with mine its either my fault or normal. Clutch squeaks with heat on? Dont run floor heat for extended periods of time. Lca howl? Nah that isnt a thing (before tsb) hill start assist is acting up? Nah my truck might not even have it (it does) plus about 20 other squeaks and rattles but they all got blamed on either going offroad or couldnt replicate

 

Yes. Exactly like I said "It can void the warranty on any failure that touches the modification or could be reasonably considered to be impacted by the modification." So if it can be construed that the failure of a system, part or component is related to a modification....you COULD be on the hook.

 

Biggest thing to remember with all this law legal bs is who you are fighting and over what. Sure if your diff grenades you wouldnt want to pay the couple grand for a new one. Thats a drop in the bucket for toyota. But them admitting issue with your truck means they admit issue with all trucks with that part. They have much more at stake and much bigger legal team than any one person does. So technically yes they will have to prove your part caused the issue but is any member here prepared to fight toyota in court? I dont have that kinda time and money