What modifications can be done without voiding warranty?

Chance Neel · February 21, 2017

Curious what mods can be done without voiding the warrant and which ones are worth getting? Does a cold air intake actually make much difference? How does GM know if you tuned the vehicle?

Krusty · February 21, 2017

There are a couple dozen computers in a modern vehicle - it all tattles on you,,,,,,,,,

Even the Range V-4 disable would leave a trace - by not having V-4 logs..........

Truly you cannot do better than the original air filter - especially compared to oiled units. Of course the sellers of these products will tell you differently.

Sometimes it is best to leave things be - I left my 2007.5 Duramax stock and it never let me down in 10 years - and is now serving the next owner just as faithfully.........

Sierra 5.3 · February 21, 2017

Here we go....

Technically no modification voids warranty, the dealer has to prove that your modification led to the warranty being breached. If you install a CAI and your tailgate breaks, you still have the bumper-bumper coverage on this. Now if you install a CAI and your throttle body stops working properly, you will probably be at fault.

http://lehtoslaw.com/will-modifications-void-new-car-warranty/

Back in a Bowtie · February 21, 2017

There are a couple dozen computers in a modern vehicle - it all tattles on you,,,,,,,,,

Even the Range V-4 disable would leave a trace - by not having V-4 logs..........

Truly you cannot do better than the original air filter - especially compared to oiled units. Of course the sellers of these products will tell you differently.

Sometimes it is best to leave things be - I left my 2007.5 Duramax stock and it never let me down in 10 years - and is now serving the next owner just as faithfully.........

bEAST 003.JPG

ugh... you sound like my dad. "leave it stock... don't touch your truck!! wahhh!!! factory knows best"

Andy Seibel · February 21, 2017

Here we go....

Technically no modification voids warranty, the dealer has to prove that your modification led to the warranty being breached.

I don't know if the dealer HAS to prove anything to anybody. If they even suspect that a mod you did caused a failure, they can deny the repairs. (that's why it pays to have dealers install lifts, etc.)

Basically, by modding your truck anywhere other than exterior styling YOU are taking a risk of "voiding" some part of your truck from warranty repairs. The bumper to bumper has a lot of exclusions, have you read it?

Now in real life, can you make a lot of changes and still get warranty work done? Yes. Lots of people modify their vehicles in some way, as have I.

But be aware that any fiddling with the engine, drive-train and suspension may get you denied in the future. I am aware that if my front suspension components are shot next year, I'll probably have to pay for them due to the large red thing in my picture.

One last thing- a mod won't automatically sabotage your entire warranty, just a specific part or set of parts. Again- up to dealers discretion.

Andy Seibel · February 21, 2017

ugh... you sound like my dad. "leave it stock... don't touch your truck!! wahhh!!! factory knows best"

well, the factory has incentives to make vehicles as efficient as possible. So if you want to make yours louder and less efficient, MOD AWAY!!!

Back in a Bowtie · February 21, 2017

well, the factory has incentives to make vehicles as efficient as possible. So if you want to make yours louder and less efficient, MOD AWAY!!!

they also have an incentive to make vehicles as cheap as possible so that plays in lol

Krusty · February 21, 2017

ugh... you sound like my dad. "leave it stock... don't touch your truck!! wahhh!!! factory knows best"

LOL - U repeat yourself......... I have old cars to get my mods out on..........

Krusty · February 21, 2017

But I did spend mods money on the Duramax - just not on engine mods. Pin striping - Katzkin - bed cover - etc.......

Krusty · February 22, 2017

ugh... you sound like my dad. "leave it stock... don't touch your truck!! wahhh!!! factory knows best"

“Luke, I am Your Father”

Rosedog · February 22, 2017

I remember seeing something in my paper work about aftermarket exhaust voiding your warranty. I'm choosing to go with the dealer install of the borla exhaust as to not void it. I also had the dealer install the GM performance cai (iirc got that and installation for about $330 out the door). I did ask about a catch can and they did tell me that would void the warranty (but they did offer to install it :/). I'll just wait until I'm out of warranty for anything like that,if I even care by then.