Warranty

[Junkyard Dog]

I still have only 4 digits on my mileage, but I will hit 5 digits soon.

Are there any horsepower modifications that do not void the engine warranty when something goes wrong?

Tune?

E85?

Headers?

Headers, camshafts, Cobra Jet Gen 2 intake manifold, and E85 tune like the Steeda car with 576 to the wheels?

Hellion Sleeper Twin turbo kit?

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[Junkyard Dog]

Ok, some of those are joking, but is an E85 tune out? Headers?

 

[smurfslayer]

You can get away with a cat back. Oh, and wheels, tires so long as they are the same approximate dimensions as stock. A lot depends on your dealer, and whether or not they're bringing in some regional rep to inspect - like a blown motor or similar expensive repair.
Most of them are going to look at - does this mod contribute to or cause the customer problem?
if not, does it complicate analysis and/or repair? Some dealers never get to question 2.
Will headers cause your differential to grenade? No, of course not. But here's the thing, if you are determined to go to the mat to get that covered, it's guaranteed that Ford or any other manufacturer will have an expert witness who will testify convincingly that your mod absolutely did contribute to the failure. It would then fall to you to refute that and be more convincing either yourself or via expert witness. If it goes that far, chances are you could have paid for it for less than going to court.

The good news is, this isn't the bad old days when the warranty on your 4x4 could be voided for excessive mud on it or abuse claimed for using your vehicle's maximum acceleration. Many court cases have been lost by manufacturers from their cool advertising as opposed to their lack of customer support and warranty coverage for replicating their ads over the years.

So only you can decide if a mod or mods are worth it for you. Because warranty 'coverage' can be a crap shoot.

 

[sdsteele2]

Anything that modifies the operating characteristics of some component has the potential to complicate warranty claims for that system and any related systems.

Examples:
Tune adds 50hp and your transmission happens to go out… Well, you increased the load beyond the engineering specifications. That’s on you. Potentially even if that part was going to fail anyway.

Tune adds 50hp and your radio stops working… probably not going to be an issue with a warranty repair.

 

[LouG]

The manufacturer can try to refute claims, but proof is needed actual, factual, tested proof.
Eg, Company - the diff failed because you added 50 hp.
Claimant - What's the rated maximum input torque of that diff?

 

[MAT1955]

......you can do almost nothing without voiding warranty which INCLUDES items installed by a Ford dealer who says it is covered by warranty. Ford Corporate is bound by NOTHING a Ford dealer promises as they are seperate entities. IF you want to conduct any sort of modification contact Ford corporate customer service, speak with a customer representative, get his/her name, ask your question, open specific file with your VIN and name on it get a case number and get a reply email with the specific OK mentioning in exact detail what you are going to do. I have done this. If you don't - any advice you get is likely BS and Ford (like all other vehicle manufacturers) will thank you profusely for giving them a 24 carat out that WILL stand up in court.

 

[Crew4991]

Wouldn't recommend touching a thing until the warranty expires.

 

[JimC]

The manufacturer can try to refute claims, but proof is needed actual, factual, tested proof.
Eg, Company - the diff failed because you added 50 hp.
Claimant - What's the rated maximum input torque of that diff?

The reality is that all Ford has to do is say your mod contributed to the failure. They don't have to "prove" anything until YOU start an action in court and bring in YOUR expert to say it was Ford's fault.

It isn't anywhere near as simple as you state.

 

[LouG]

The reality is that all Ford has to do is say your mod contributed to the failure. They don't have to "prove" anything until YOU start an action in court and bring in YOUR expert to say it was Ford's fault.

It isn't anywhere near as simple as you state.

Yes, of course it has to be contested in court. Then they have to prove you were the cause of the failure. And, if your system is similar to the Westminster civil system, the decision is on the balance of probabilities.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

Keep in mind that if something does go wrong and your dealer or Ford tells you to "have a nice day", and you decide to litigate the issue............................it comes down to repair cost vs lawyer cost.

Best of luck with what ever you do!

 

[MAT1955]

@Lou G ..... regardless of any state's consumer protection act assistance unless a consumer has deep, deep pockets to hire experts and lawyers they have zero chance if they have modified any product. This is not to be confused with clear manufacturer negligence that resuts in class action lawsuits etc.

 

[tktrain]

Whipple Superchargers offers a 3-year/36,000-mile limited powertrain warranty on select new, dealer-installed Stage 1 supercharger kits for Ford vehicles. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, often covering the engine and transmission if installed by an authorized installer.

 

[robvas]

Whipple Superchargers offers a 3-year/36,000-mile limited powertrain warranty on select new, dealer-installed Stage 1 supercharger kits for Ford vehicles. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, often covering the engine and transmission if installed by an authorized installer.

Read the fine print on that one...monetary limits on what they'll cover

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Whipple Superchargers offers a 3-year/36,000-mile limited powertrain warranty on select new, dealer-installed Stage 1 supercharger kits for Ford vehicles. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, often covering the engine and transmission if installed by an authorized installer.

Well, sort of . . .

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Stolen from Facebook, somebody else's post:

I currently elected to go with the Whipple Gen 6x Stage 1 with the Whipple PowerTrain Warranty over the Ford Performance Whipple. My reasons why:

1. To have the latest Gen 6x Whipple unit/technology.

2. After doing my research I uncovered that there’s a lot of “manipulation” going on in terms of people THINKING that IF it’s found that the “Ford Performance Whipple” is the cause of catastrophic engine failure, Ford is going to back you and supply you with a new engine because of the “Warranty” in tact. THIS is NOT true! Please understand and read over your original 5yr/60k Ford Factory Powertrain AND the Ford Performance 3Yr/36k LIMITED Powertrain Warranties. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. Yes these Ford dealerships are right, you will NOT void your original 5yr/60k Ford Factory Powertrain Warranty BUT it will ONLY come into play if there are any defects in FORD’S materials or workmanship not caused by the FP Whipple itself. It states this language throughout the paperwork. So in basic terms IF the Ford Performance Whipple blows your engine. Ford will then only offer you the “LIMITED Ford Performance 3Yr/36k Powertrain Warranty” that is basically optional on what Ford will give you towards a new engine and you will come out of pocket. I’ve heard and seen the horror stories.

3. After doing much research I’ve found that the Stage 2 Whipple and it’s HP is the cause of most Ford OEM Cat failures. The Ford Factory Cats are capable of handling the Stage 1 Whipple on the Whipple factory tune. People that upgrade to the stage 2 SHOULD also upgrade to either long tube headers to help the factory cats, remove the factory Cats (because there is no warranty with stage 2 units anyways) and go with high flow performance Cats like SPD Alpha Cats or GESI GSport, OR do BOTH long tube headers AND High Flow Cats. Along with installing a nice performance exhaust system after your high flow cats if you don’t already have one. And of course other modifications should also be made with the stage 2 like the fuel system.

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