Voiding the Warranty by Modding? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

DevilKnightFalcon · 04-23-2009, 09:49 PM

Alright so I wanted to get some opinions. I spoke with a dealer (not my dealer) today and heard some interesting information. First off this dealer is going to be offering painted stripe packages since so many people are mad over the flat black stripes offered by GM. I started talking to him about exhaust options and he said something that I had not heard. Apparantly (and I cannot vouch for the correctness of this information) they have been told by GM that ANY modification that results in changes to the drive train (including exhaust and wheels) using non-GM parts will void the warranty on the ENTIRE CAR. He explained that he had tried to convince GM to allow him to install flowmaster exhausts on customers cars but was told by GM that doing so would void the warranty on the entire car. He said that GM pulled a similar stunt when hybrids first came out and that they are obviously doing this because of the popularity of the car (and because it allows them to charge stupidly high prices for parts).

Anyone heard anything along these lines?

TLSTWIN · 04-23-2009, 09:58 PM

That's with any car. GM has all those items and it doesn't void the warranty, buy GM accessories and your fine.

How can ANY manufactor warranty another persons product, they can't

CommandoSS · 04-23-2009, 10:01 PM

Is this the case with Corvettes?

dodson914 · 04-23-2009, 10:02 PM

vladkgb · 04-23-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLSTWIN

That's with any car. GM has all those items and it doesn't void the warranty, buy GM accessories and your fine.

How can ANY manufactor warranty another persons product, they can't

Well when your just changing the exhaust, i think GM should still cover body panels from falling off, paint peeling, and motors spontaneously exploding (the only thing warranty covers i believe). Warranties are shit anyway, unless you're buying a ford or one of those hybrids i wouldnt worry, their designed to only cover stuff that should not break, and since the Camaro is using the tried and tested vette drivetrain, then we shouldnt worry.

Btw can anyone else confirm that GM is voiding warranty on the whole car if exhaust is changed?

Nitro Dave · 04-23-2009, 10:04 PM

It will not void the intire warrenty. It only voids the warrenty on the direct items it affects. For example if you replace the exhaust it will avoid the exhaust warrenty. If you put a camshaft in the car it would void the engine warrenty. Etc

kopacko · 04-23-2009, 10:06 PM

There is only one way a dealer can void your warranty. That is if they can prove your modification caused the failure. Swapping out wheels, tires, exhaust, etc is not going to ruin your warranty of your ENTIRE car, its not even legal to make that claim.

Now, a CAM job or other internals or S/C, that will be very easy for them to "prove" when you start having seal leaks, etc.

TLSTWIN · 04-23-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitro Dave

It will not void the intire warrenty. It only voids the warrenty on the direct items it affects. For example if you replace the exhaust it will avoid the exhaust warrenty. If you put a camshaft in the car it would void the engine warrenty. Etc

+1

TLSTWIN · 04-23-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kopacko

There is only one way a dealer can void your warranty. That is if they can prove your modification caused the failure. Swapping out wheels, tires, exhaust, etc is not going to ruin your warranty of your ENTIRE car, its not even legal to make that claim.

Now, a CAM job or other internals or S/C, that will be very easy for them to "prove" when you start having seal leaks, etc.

+2

cam2fst4u · 04-23-2009, 10:14 PM

Exhaust I wouldn't see as being a big deal. We need to buy from GM anyway.. It may be a lil more but at least the quality will be there and it will be under warranty!

dodson914 · 04-23-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam2fst4u

Exhaust I wouldn't see as being a big deal. We need to buy from GM anyway.. It may be a lil more but at least the quality will be there and it will be under warranty!

We are doing our part by buying GM cars. They need to get competitive with their pricing. Nearly a grand for axle backs! That is RIDICULOUS!

ZZcamaro · 04-23-2009, 10:17 PM

eh....who needs a warranty anyway...Just get your hands dirty and fix that bad boy yourself!

DevilKnightFalcon · 04-23-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kopacko

There is only one way a dealer can void your warranty. That is if they can prove your modification caused the failure. Swapping out wheels, tires, exhaust, etc is not going to ruin your warranty of your ENTIRE car, its not even legal to make that claim.

Now, a CAM job or other internals or S/C, that will be very easy for them to "prove" when you start having seal leaks, etc.

Yes, that is the impression I was under as well. However he specifically stated that is not the case for the Camaro. I should mention that this conversation came up because he himself has a Camaro on order and wanted to put some 3rd party parts on but was told by GM that it would in fact void the warranty on the whole car. I am not saying that he isn't out of his mind, I just don't see him as having any reason to lie. He knew I was not buying a car from his dealership and that I already had my Camaro on order elsewhere. We were simply discussing this because they are the only dealership in AZ that has one on the lot to look at.

DevilKnightFalcon · 04-23-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZZcamaro

eh....who needs a warranty anyway...Just get your hands dirty and fix that bad boy yourself!

Soo if you drive yours off the lot and 2 weeks later your engine explodes or your car doesn't start you want to fix it and pay for it yourself?

04-23-2009, 09:49 PM	#1
DevilKnightFalcon Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,406 View My Garage	Voiding the Warranty by Modding? Alright so I wanted to get some opinions. I spoke with a dealer (not my dealer) today and heard some interesting information. First off this dealer is going to be offering painted stripe packages since so many people are mad over the flat black stripes offered by GM. I started talking to him about exhaust options and he said something that I had not heard. Apparantly (and I cannot vouch for the correctness of this information) they have been told by GM that ANY modification that results in changes to the drive train (including exhaust and wheels) using non-GM parts will void the warranty on the ENTIRE CAR. He explained that he had tried to convince GM to allow him to install flowmaster exhausts on customers cars but was told by GM that doing so would void the warranty on the entire car. He said that GM pulled a similar stunt when hybrids first came out and that they are obviously doing this because of the popularity of the car (and because it allows them to charge stupidly high prices for parts). Anyone heard anything along these lines? __________________ MBRP Catback/Magnaflow Resonated X/Airraid V2 CAI/Dash ABL/Interior LEDs/Custom Paint/Jet Coated American Racing LT Headers/High Flow cats/Trifecta Tune

04-23-2009, 09:58 PM	#2
TLSTWIN Romans10:9-13 Drives: /\yes, this is me/\ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vermilion, Ohio Posts: 4,435	That's with any car. GM has all those items and it doesn't void the warranty, buy GM accessories and your fine. How can ANY manufactor warranty another persons product, they can't __________________

04-23-2009, 10:01 PM	#3
CommandoSS Drives: 05 Chevy Avalanche, 67 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 138	Is this the case with Corvettes? __________________

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dodson914 Drives: 2008 2500 HD; 2008 G8 GT #199 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 239

04-23-2009, 10:04 PM	#6
Nitro Dave Drives: 2010 RS SS Juiced! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 238	It will not void the intire warrenty. It only voids the warrenty on the direct items it affects. For example if you replace the exhaust it will avoid the exhaust warrenty. If you put a camshaft in the car it would void the engine warrenty. Etc

04-23-2009, 10:06 PM	#7
kopacko 333RWHP / 12.2sec @ 1320' Drives: 2004 Competition Orange Mach1 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 108 View My Garage	There is only one way a dealer can void your warranty. That is if they can prove your modification caused the failure. Swapping out wheels, tires, exhaust, etc is not going to ruin your warranty of your ENTIRE car, its not even legal to make that claim. Now, a CAM job or other internals or S/C, that will be very easy for them to "prove" when you start having seal leaks, etc.

04-23-2009, 10:14 PM	#10
cam2fst4u Drives: 08 SS trailblazer,08 Silverado Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: stanley va Posts: 6,268 View My Garage	Exhaust I wouldn't see as being a big deal. We need to buy from GM anyway.. It may be a lil more but at least the quality will be there and it will be under warranty!

04-23-2009, 10:17 PM	#12
ZZcamaro Drives: 2SS w/ ZZ427 Package!! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,700	eh....who needs a warranty anyway...Just get your hands dirty and fix that bad boy yourself!