Dodge dealer visit today with my Hemi Truck

[Bone]

Took my Hemi in today for a TSB reflash for an Idle issue. They called my back and asked if I knew my cats were missing. I laughed and said "yes". Told me that my warranty was now voided (I laughed to myself, since I only have a couple of weeks left, more of a test for my other truck). I responded, "Anyhow how is the idle issue and what does the mechanic think?" They responded, "Well it's because you have no Cats, it burns more gas." I commented, "Are you kidding me?" Then they stated well the computer will react to no Cats that way. I told them I have not had cats for a year and a half with no issues, and that I have fowlers in the midpipes to simulate the cats, so the computer has no idea that they are missing. Long story short, they just reinforced the fact that their knowledge level is not at a premium.

I would have accepted the argument for voiding the warranty for any of my other mods, but not for my Cats missing. What a joke!

I was more curious to see what they would do with my 04, so I know where to take my 05 with an issue.

Mods on Hemi:
2004 Quad Cab 4x4
-K&N Air Filter, HYPERPAC, Pacesetter Cermanic Long Tube Headers, Cat delete, Flow Master Exhaust, 6.1 Heads, 6.1 Cam, Manley Titanium retainers and titanium springs, forged push rods, Taylor 8.2mm shorty wires, NGK Iridium spark plugs, 180 T-Stat, Water Wetter, Silverstar High/Fogs/Turns, nerf bars, side rails, chrome fuel door, brush bar, Jet Stream Ram Air Ram, Backup lighting system. - - 372.8 HP / 392.6 TQ

 

[bub180jp]

Don't you just love dealer's. Took mine in the other day after installing the lowering kit after noticing that the rubber cup on the top of the coil was missing from the driver's side. All I wanted them to do was give me the part that the factory forgot to install. The guy asked me if it an aftermarket lowering kit I installed when I replied yes he tried to say my warranty wouldn't cover it.

 

[Bone]

yeah, this is my fifth dodge vehicle and I have never made a warranty claim. With about 2 weeks to go on this one, it just makes you wonder.:2in1:

 

[DJCHEROKEE]

so...can they realy void the warranty if you take the cats out.... i'm asking this because i already took them off

 

[bub180jp]

so...can they realy void the warranty if you take the cats out.... i'm asking this because i already took them off

Yes they can but if you just replace them before you take it in they can't say anything

 

[KRAZYSRT10]

So if I put Boomers lowering kit on, my whole warranty will be voided????

 

[bub180jp]

So if I put Boomers lowering kit on, my whole warranty will be voided????

I don't think they'll void the whole warranty just anything having to do with the suspension. I'm gonna talk to the manager today about the missing parts from the factory issue I'll ask him what exactly will void what as far as modding stuff. I really don't care about the warranty because I don't trust their mechanics anyways I just want the $2 part that was missing from the factory to be given to me for free.

 

[Big Perm]

So if I put Boomers lowering kit on, my whole warranty will be voided????

NO!

Dealers must prove that the modified part caused the damage....do a search on the buyer's bill of rights or something like that....there is probably a sticky somewhere on this site.....I used to run into this crap on my lifted jeeps.....the burden of proof is on the dealer - they have to prove that the non-oem part caused the issue.....

EX 1:

You remove your cats entirely, don't put any pipes down there, and the added heat fries some electrical crap.....well, the mod caused the issue and you're SOL....

EX 2:

You add a lowering kit....at 15k miles, the engine starts having issues and the motor blows....the two are unrelated and unless your kit allows the engine to drag the ground, causing the damage, they have to replace it under warranty...

 

[Deibs]

NO!

Dealers must prove that the modified part caused the damage....do a search on the buyer's bill of rights or something like that....

Is this the Moss Magnuson Act?

 

[Silverback]

Is this the Moss Magnuson Act?

Yeah, but unfortuneately it's not that easy. The dealer/manufacturer will void your warranty, and the burden of proof will fall to the owner. I know, that's not what it states, but that is what happens in the majority of situations Since most owners do not have the financial capability of fighting large companies, they just vow to never buy from that manufacturer again. The problem there is that most manufactures are the same. You can't win.

I'm not trying to start a fight, but statements like this upset me.

"Yes they can but if you just replace them before you take it in they can't say anything"

It's situations like this that cause problems for those of us that leave our trucks stock and need warranty work done. The dealers become suspicious of everyone.

If you mod your truck, take responsibility for your actions. Don't expect me to pay for your screwup through higher prices for vehicles, cause it's not free. We all pay for it when we purchase a new vehicle.

 

[KRAZYSRT10]

It's situations like this that cause problems for those of us that leave our trucks stock and need warranty work done. The dealers become suspicious of everyone.

If you mod your truck, take responsibility for your actions. Don't expect me to pay for your screwup through higher prices for vehicles, cause it's not free. We all pay for it when we purchase a new vehicle.

I agree with you 100%, however, I like being able to make my truck look neat and stuff. Plus I'm not smart enough to burn the dealership....But, if you guyz remember my stereo issue that is still an existing gripe, the dealerships are some shady folks as well!! I think not only are they suspicious, theyre cheap and dont want to have to go through the warranty process...then they cant mark up their swag!!! Just my 2 cents, if I'm wrong.....well, it wouldnt be the first time would it!

 

[Deibs]

Kinda what i figured,, i told my salesman from day 1 that i had no interest in an extended warranty as i was going to mod the truck asap. Plus i have no interest in taking this Viper-Truck to a dealership that wouldn't know their a.. from a hole in the ground if they had to fix something on it. Closest Viper Tech is in Calgary or Edmonton, which doesn't help if something breaks.

 

[94rt10ohio]

Your Hemi would have had a 7/70 powertrain....

 

[JTS VENOM PERFORMANCE]

This warrantyl deal has been gone over a billion times and the end result is...

like perm said, they should not be able to void your engine if you put on a lowering kit, but dont expect them to replace a shock.

It is not legal to remove factory cats, dealers will wreak havooc on this, but put in hi flows and most wil overlook it.

but it really depends on the service manager, some places are gold, and overlook mods depending on what they are, if you have a paxton and blow the engine, dont look for a new one.

but another example is I took my TT ram in for the 6 disc cd not working , and after gawking under the hood, they replaced the radio no problem.

Be nice to your service manager and it will go a long way..

 

[AWDisuzu]

you gotta take it to a different dealer. the dealer here recommended headers and the chipped computer when I bought it. I've done a few mods and the only issues I've had so far was my 2nd gear blowing out which they fix under warranty. I wish the trannys were a little stronger!

 

[Bone]

Here's what Art Kendrick (Henson Motors) replied back to me. I took my truck to Bill Butler Dodge BTW:

Personally I would have asked to speak to the service manager or even go over his/her head to the dealer principle the minute they said that. They can't void your warranty, even the chrysler rep himself for their area couldn't do that. It doesn't matter what you do to the truck, whether it be nitrous, boosted, bolt on, stroker whatever they cannot void your warranty. They can tell you they are going to restrict your warranty, but all that means is that chrysler reserves the right to inspect any failure you have to ensure that whatever you bolted on didn't cause the part to break. Cats can't effect anything in regards to your warranty really, they would have to be able to prove that the cats not being there caused a failure in something and other than possibly fouled plugs because it was running richer I'm not sure they could prove cats caused anything that would warranty them not covering a part. Its stuff like that which makes dealerships look worse than they already do in most cases.
-Art Kendrick
Henson Motors Net Sales Mngr
(800)530-5337 or (936)348-3618
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Central Time

 

[Bone]

Your Hemi would have had a 7/70 powertrain....

Yeah, it does, but I plan on taking it down to Sun Coast Transmissions soon anyhow.