Anyone with warranty problems after boost controller?

[surfinflorida]

I just got a Greddy Profec boost controler and I was about to install it when my check engine light came on. Turns out I didn't have my gas cap on tight enough so the check engine thing was nothing. Anyway, the dealer was not too happy about my AEM intake. Without telling him I had the boost controller at home I was like, "So I have this friend with an MSP and he has a boost controller, etc." The guy was pissed off at my "friend" and said he would turn hiim down for ANY warranty work without even blinking. Said he had done it before to others and he will do it again. I told him he had to show the aftermarket parts cause the problem but he said he had never heard that and he didn't care anyway. Also told me I should put the stock intake pieces back on!
Has anyone had problems like this before and what do you do to avoid fighting with the dealer about warranty issues? Should I hold of on mods until the warranty is up?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

I just got a Greddy Profec boost controler and I was about to install it when my check engine light came on. Turns out I didn't have my gas cap on tight enough so the check engine thing was nothing. Anyway, the dealer was not too happy about my AEM intake. Without telling him I had the boost controller at home I was like, "So I have this friend with an MSP and he has a boost controller, etc." The guy was pissed off at my "friend" and said he would turn hiim down for ANY warranty work without even blinking. Said he had done it before to others and he will do it again. I told him he had to show the aftermarket parts cause the problem but he said he had never heard that and he didn't care anyway. Also told me I should put the stock intake pieces back on!
Has anyone had problems like this before and what do you do to avoid fighting with the dealer about warranty issues? Should I hold of on mods until the warranty is up?

if matty were here, he'd scream "magnusson-moss" law

 

[Matthew]

no man...they have to prove whatever you have done caused the problem...its the law, and you can print it out and shove it in his stupid face. or, just take it to a different dealer.

 

[jersey_emt]

I'd find a different dealer.

Actually I take that back, I would stick it to them, and prove them wrong, just for the fun of it. An intake will not cause any part to malfunction, unless you install it incorrectly.

 

[celdridge]

I just got a Greddy Profec boost controler and I was about to install it when my check engine light came on. Turns out I didn't have my gas cap on tight enough so the check engine thing was nothing. Anyway, the dealer was not too happy about my AEM intake. Without telling him I had the boost controller at home I was like, "So I have this friend with an MSP and he has a boost controller, etc." The guy was pissed off at my "friend" and said he would turn hiim down for ANY warranty work without even blinking. Said he had done it before to others and he will do it again. I told him he had to show the aftermarket parts cause the problem but he said he had never heard that and he didn't care anyway. Also told me I should put the stock intake pieces back on!
Has anyone had problems like this before and what do you do to avoid fighting with the dealer about warranty issues? Should I hold of on mods until the warranty is up?

Here you go ... simple as this ... no MAZDA dealship can deny you warranty work due to any aftermarket modification unless they can undoubtably PROVE that the aftermarket part caused the problem. They will try like hell, but you have to throw it in their face every single time. Dont let them push you around because they want to be lazy. You paid them alot of money to own your car and not the other way around. If you have any issues, just raise a huge stink for them ... call the BBB, local TV station, newspaper... whatever it takes. If that doesnt work ... just call a lawyer. I had some serious warranty issues with my Eclipse GST and one letter from the lawyer made the dealer change their tune.

 

[celdridge]

I'd find a different dealer.

Actually I take that back, I would stick it to them, and prove them wrong, just for the fun of it. An intake will not cause any part to malfunction, unless you install it incorrectly.

Jersey ... you and I seem to be on the same schedule. Or are you like me and just have nothing better to do.

 

[jersey_emt]

Great minds think alike.

 

[celdridge]

Great minds think alike.

Haha ... and you just posted on my other thread like 2 seconds before i did.

 

[jurgs01]

It is the law that they have to prove the part caused the problem, but a boost controller would be pretty easy thing for them to prove caused any engine problems. I wouldn't worry as much about the intake, but if you have engine work done take your boost controller off before you take it in to the dealer. Just keep a spare hose that fits so it look like it's back to the stock setup. They can prove that upping the boost causes all sorts of problems from the turbo and engine to the clutch and tranny. I really don't worry about it because if anything on mine goes bad it just gives me an excuse to replace it with an aftermarket upgrade.(headbang)

 

[Matthew]

I really don't worry about it because if anything on mine goes bad it just gives me an excuse to replace it with an aftermarket upgrade.(headbang)

my view exactly

 

[ONRAILS]

Does anyone have a link to that law? I'd like to print that bad boy out!

 

[MetalSpeed]

Does anyone have a link to that law? I'd like to print that bad boy out!

Here it is (laugh)

Magnuson Moss Act

​

FEARS:

You want to upgrade your vehicle with aftermarket equipment, but youre worried about putting the vehicles warranty at risk. Its no wonder. How many times have you heard someone at a automobile dealership say that unless the dealer installs your aftermarket equipment you will automatically void your new car warranty? This common misconception has been repeated often enough to be widely believed though it is completely false.

FACT:

Dealers dont like warranty work, because it pays less than normal repair work. By promoting the myth that aftermarket equipment automatically voids warranties, some dealers avoid such low-paying work. Instead, they attempt to charge customers the prime service rate for work which is rightfully done under warranty.

THE TRUTH:

Most vehicle owners are not aware they are protected by federal law: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturers original warranty, unless the warranty clearly and conspicuously states that aftermarket equipment voids the warranty. Most states have warranty statutes, as well. Which provide further protections for vehicle owners.

In other words, that means a dealer cant wiggle out of his legal warranty obligation merely because you install aftermarket equipment. To find out if any aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicles warranty, check the owners manual. It is likely the language you are looking for appears under a heading such as What Is Not Covered Although the language seems negative, remember your vehicle manufacturer is simply saying he does not cover the aftermarket products themselves. He is not saying that the products would void the vehicle warranty.

VEHICLE DEALERS OBLIGATIONS:

Suppose your modified vehicle needs repairs while still under warranty. Without analyzing the true cause of the problem, the dealer attempts to deny warranty coverage. He made his decision simply based on the fact that youve installed aftermarket equipment a convenient way to dodge low-paying warranty work.

An example of how ridiculous this can get is the man who was denied warranty coverage by a dealer on his power door locks, because he had improved his exhaust system! Sounds nuts? It really happened because that man did not know his rights and challenge the dealers decision.

Fact: A dealer must prove not just say that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before he can deny warranty coverage on that basis.

YOUR RIGHTS:

Point out to the dealer the provision of the Magnuson-Moss Act- Require that he explain to you how the aftermarket equipment caused the problem. If he cant or his explanation sounds questionable it is your legal right to demand he comply with the warranty.

Fact: If you are still being unfairly denied warranty coverage, there is recourse. The Federal Trade Commission, which administers the Magnuson-Moss Act, monitors compliance with warranty issues. Direct complaints to the FTC at (202) 326-3128.

SECURITY SYSTEMS:

Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act, a vehicle manufacturer may not make its vehicle warranty conditional on the use of any brand of anti-theft device unless the manufacturer provides the anti-theft device free of charge or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has specifically published that only the vehicle manufacturers product may be used. To challenge a false claim, ask the person to put it in writing, or request the vehicle manufacturers security system free of charge. If you are charged for the anti-theft device, or they refuse to give you a written statement, this is a violation of Federal law.

This is the actual language of the act:

No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this sub-section may be waived by the Commission if

1. the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and

2. the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.

The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction of any action brought by the Attorney General (in his capacity as such), or by the Commission by any of its attorneys designated by it for such purpose, to restrain (A) any warrantor from making a deceptive warranty with respect to a consumer product, or (B) any person from failing to comply with any requirement imposed on such person or pursuant to this chapter or from violating any prohibition contained in this chapter.

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[Demonic-Speed]

It all depends on the dealer...the dealer I go to likes when I mod it, because 2 of the tech have speeds as well...Both running 9.5 psi with homemade boost controllers....but it depends on the dealer..

 

[celdridge]

It all depends on the dealer...the dealer I go to likes when I mod it, because 2 of the tech have speeds as well...Both running 9.5 psi with homemade boost controllers....but it depends on the dealer..

Im the same as you man ... my dealership loves my car so they always want to see what im doing with it. I guess things really do depend on who you know.

 

[CommieSpeed]

Wow...this dealer sounds like a real asshole! Yeah, I would go with giving him a copy of MM...and then tell him he sucks and go to another dealer. Do you have many dealer options in your area or is that the only "Mazdaspeed" approved dealer around?

 

[project_msp]

heh, same problem happened to me with injen intake. turns out mazda still holds the right to void your warrenty regardless of the magnum-moss act. this is even stated in your mazdaspeed manual. so heh, take it for what it's worth. i suggest going to another dealership to get it serviced, or try talking to the service manager and complain, complain, complain. Best thing to do, if they told you to put the stock peices back on, would be to put them back on. then go back and hit them with everything you find wrong with your car. if they want to be a b****, be a b**** right back i'm sure you can thing of some tid bits you don't like about your car so far

 

[Wiggles422]

Anyway, the dealer was not too happy about my AEM intake.

Mazda ( www.mazdausa.com ) has a link to the Injen website. So I'm thinking if they support Injen then therefore they support intakes, which would include AEM's intake
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=perLinksDirectory#aftermarket

 

[surfinflorida]

The guy said any aftermarket parts must be installed by Mazda and they must be Mazda parts. The only problem is when I asked what they could offer me for my car they only have bras, wings, etc. No go fast parts.
I'm in Tampa and I think there is only one Mazdaspeed certified dealer. The first dealer I went to said they didn't work on them.
I'm just worried they will put me in thier special blacklist database and cut me off.
Thaks for the reference to the MM Act. I'll print that out and show it to them. I'm in law school so maybe I'll stretch the truth a bit and say I'm a lawyer. (naughty) I just hate to keep the car stock just so I can get the warranty I paid for!!

 

[Emode]

Your lucky, the last time I went to a dealer they went through my glovebox and found someone elses boost controller I had, and have claimed my warranty voided now, literally every aspect of it, which I know is bulls***. I havent had the time yet to go back and deal with them, so Im gonna wait until I need to go in and deal with it then. So damn frustrating.