Why do Dealers Give Enthusiasts a Hard Time?

[Millefune]

Why do dealerships give enthusiasts a hard time for warranty work if their car has mods on it? I mean seriously, they still get paid to do warranty work, and they get happy customers in the process that want to come back. It's ridiculous. My dealer tried to give me a hard time over some BS about having long tube headers on my GTO when I had to get a faulty thing fixed with my steering, that had nothing to do with the powertrain. And no, at the time,I NEVER raced my car on anything. Sometimes I drove a little spirited, but nothing that constitues as "abuse." The most extreme thing I've done with the car would be going 35 mph on what was a suggested 25 mph sweeper off-ramp.

[GMCSonoma]

This is what GM says: GM warranty exceptions

So in order for a dealer to be paid by GM for your repair, they HAVE to follow what GM states, otherwise they risk a chargeback, or worse...a franchise pull (worse case scenario)

EVERY OE does this...I am sorry to tell you!!!!

[MrCritical]

Sonoma is absolutely right.

For even more fun if the dealer gets caught doing warranty work that GM says shouldn't be warranty work, that is considered fraud.

GM doesn't like fraud. Just ask one of our ex-local dealers who spent 5 years in prison.

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

Sonoma is absolutely right.

For even more fun if the dealer gets caught doing warranty work that GM says shouldn't be warranty work, that is considered fraud.

GM doesn't like fraud. Just ask one of our ex-local dealers who spent 5 years in prison.

I know I've burned a boat load of bridges (with customers, employers & fellow employees) over the last two decades for trying to be honest & upright in EVERY dealing I have with a customer...yes even those who seem to be the biggest *******s to deal with!!!!!

It's about following what the dealer agreed to do contractually in their franchise agreement!!!!!!!!!!!

[Millefune]

But then there's that law that protects modders that if the part isn't what caused the issue with the thing that got messed up, the warranty can't be voided. For instance, a cat-back exhaust doesn't cause electrical issues with the airbags. It's ridiculous that a dangerous think like a bolt in my steering system was falling out when I drive the car like a grandpa other than getting on it on the freeway (which is NOT abuse). Headers don't have anything to do with the steering rack. So it got fixed. I had to bitch about it, and pull up the law that if the modification can't cause the problem, it doesn't void the warranty. Of course, afterwards, I'll never go to that dealer again. "Burned bridge" as you say. And I told all the GTO guys here in NorCal in my area that they shouldn't go there. All set!

PS That GM warranty thing is retarded, because according to that, you can't even change your wheels.

[johnnyl321]

Originally Posted by Millefune

But then there's that law that protects modders that if the part isn't what caused the issue with the thing that got messed up, the warranty can't be voided. For instance, a cat-back exhaust doesn't cause electrical issues with the airbags. It's ridiculous that a dangerous think like a bolt in my steering system was falling out when I drive the car like a grandpa other than getting on it on the freeway (which is NOT abuse). Headers don't have anything to do with the steering rack. So it got fixed. I had to bitch about it, and pull up the law that if the modification can't cause the problem, it doesn't void the warranty. Of course, afterwards, I'll never go to that dealer again. "Burned bridge" as you say. And I told all the GTO guys here in NorCal in my area that they shouldn't go there. All set!

PS That GM warranty thing is retarded, because according to that, you can't even change your wheels.

most reputable dealerships like to avoid lawsuits. trying to go around the franchise laws set by manufacturers sets up problems down the road. why don't you just take the vehicle to a regular mechanic?

[Millefune]

Because I didn't want to pay for something defective that should be covered under warranty that I didn't do anything to have caused.

[afireinside7710]

Originally Posted by Millefune

Why do dealerships give enthusiasts a hard time for warranty work if their car has mods on it? I mean seriously, they still get paid to do warranty work, and they get happy customers in the process that want to come back. It's ridiculous. My dealer tried to give me a hard time over some BS about having long tube headers on my GTO when I had to get a faulty thing fixed with my steering, that had nothing to do with the powertrain. And no, at the time,I NEVER raced my car on anything. Sometimes I drove a little spirited, but nothing that constitues as "abuse." The most extreme thing I've done with the car would be going 35 mph on what was a suggested 25 mph sweeper off-ramp.

the thing is, alot of young kids mod their cars, do it wrong or do shotty work, it breaks the car, and then they expect (or try to scam) warranty work out of it. Now sure, there are mods that dont harm the warranty, like GMPP mods, and thats why GM makes them. there are alot more people who mod their cars and do a piss poor job at it then expect GM to fix the mistake. So i can totally understand a dealer giving people who mod their cars some grief, unless its GM parts they modded with

[Ttple]

You have some backwards hat wearing teenagers who mod their cars, and then the mod affects another part of the car, and then they expect someone else to pay for their mistake. My brother made the mistake of buying a Mustang that had the idiot blue lighting inside the car and now he has electrical problems up the ying yang.

[Millefune]

Okay, I get that part. I knew it from the beginning, because it's common sense that the dealer wouldn't want to be scammed by some kids. But I am not a person who does those things, so when I'm lumped in with them... it's insulting and demeaning. I had some headers, which have nothing to do with the steering components. I never touched the steering components, and they weren't messed with when the headers were installed. So when I when it was discovered that some important bolt/pin/whatever (I'm not a mechanic) was coming loose, I would expect that my warranty covered it.

I PAID FOR the extended warranty (5yr./100k). I expect that I be treated as well as the damn brochure that came in the mail from GM makes it out to be being a "member" of the extended warranty club. If not, then I am going to ask if I can get a refund since I've only had the car for a year and two months, and am still under the 3yr./50k standard warranty.

[linton23]

I went through this with our zone rep. I had a customer that wanted leather added to a truck. No problem $1000 to do it. My service area rep says the warranty is now voided on the whole seat, seat belts, power seats, seat air bag sensors. Now all that is done is the seat cover is removed and the new seat cover put on. Its crazy but its GM's rules. We try and help our customers most of the guys in our town like lift kits and big tires. If you have a transmission go out and GM requests to send a tech to examine the vehicle your warranty is as good as voided. Our rep likes to say its Gm's ball,field,rules if you dont like it you can go play elsewhere. Of course I have had other companies tell me if I dont have my service work done at the dealership my warranty would be voided.

[mbukukanyau]

I always keep my cars stock. Makes life very easy. In fact, I always service my car at the dealers, rest they try to pull one on me. I usually say, Check your records, tell me where the car missed a service appointment.

[Millefune]

Okay, but aren't the governmental laws requiring proof that the part changed caused the problem higher in power than GM's "I don't want to touch it if it isn't bone stock" garbage? Obviously, my dealer didn't want to fight it too much once I cited the law (I said, "If you can prove the headers somehow cause my steering assembly to get stupid, fine, void the warranty. But if you can't, expect to go to court."), but why they just don't use common sense is beyond me. HEADERS ARE NOT PART OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY!

Originally Posted by linton23

I went through this with our zone rep. I had a customer that wanted leather added to a truck. No problem $1000 to do it. My service area rep says the warranty is now voided on the whole seat, seat belts, power seats, seat air bag sensors. Now all that is done is the seat cover is removed and the new seat cover put on. Its crazy but its GM's rules. We try and help our customers most of the guys in our town like lift kits and big tires. If you have a transmission go out and GM requests to send a tech to examine the vehicle your warranty is as good as voided. Our rep likes to say its Gm's ball,field,rules if you dont like it you can go play elsewhere. Of course I have had other companies tell me if I dont have my service work done at the dealership my warranty would be voided.

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by Millefune

Okay, but aren't the governmental laws requiring proof that the part changed caused the problem higher in power than GM's "I don't want to touch it if it isn't bone stock" garbage? Obviously, my dealer didn't want to fight it too much once I cited the law (I said, "If you can prove the headers somehow cause my steering assembly to get stupid, fine, void the warranty. But if you can't, expect to go to court."), but why they just don't use common sense is beyond me. HEADERS ARE NOT PART OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY!

Sure they aren't...however it's up to the dealer to honor it or not...

Magnuson Moss act states broadly if you use an aftermarket oil filter or air filter (for example) which is "identical" as a replacement part, it wouldn't hamper warranty coverage...

However elective modifications that alter how the vehicle was built...it's a fine line to deal with and again it's up to the respective dealer to honor it. Truthfully nowadays with such a sue-happy public with a more than willing legal community reading willing & able to increase their commissions...a dealer from any OE is going to be gunshy to go beyond the of their noses for fear it'd be a trap from the OE (which Chrysler has done frequently) or the opposite where someone has a rebuilt wreck that is all modded & chopped...

I always tell those who wish to modify as such...wait until the warranty is moot...then you have a free reign!

[goblue]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

Sure they aren't...however it's up to the dealer to honor it or not...

Magnuson Moss act states broadly if you use an aftermarket oil filter or air filter (for example) which is "identical" as a replacement part, it wouldn't hamper warranty coverage...

However elective modifications that alter how the vehicle was built...it's a fine line to deal with and again it's up to the respective dealer to honor it. Truthfully nowadays with such a sue-happy public with a more than willing legal community reading willing & able to increase their commissions...a dealer from any OE is going to be gunshy to go beyond the of their noses for fear it'd be a trap from the OE (which Chrysler has done frequently) or the opposite where someone has a rebuilt wreck that is all modded & chopped...

I always tell those who wish to modify as such...wait until the warranty is moot...then you have a free reign!

This is across all industries. Drill a custom mount into a TV and try to get it fixed under warranty. Heck, some products have warranty seals - ie you can't even open it, let alone mod it.

Vehicles are very, very complex now. Adding an alarm improperly, or even done right, can alter or damage the operation of the vehicle. Altering the engine can cause all sorts of ECM problems. Wheels of the wrong size play havoc with all the sensors. The list goes on, and with the computer integrating all of the systems - I can completely understand why GM doesn't want to deal with it.

Also, most enthusiasts don't mod cars. Enthusiast are people who view a car as more than transportation and enjoy driving, learning about vehicles, maintaining their own vehicles, etc. People who mod engines are a very small group.