Hey guys, looking for some insight as to what voids a warranty? As someone who has bought brand new and wants to do a few things, I’m wondering if there is anything I can do towards performance that does not void my warranty. Or, if there is a place someone can guide me to where I may be able to find that information. I’ve heard a lot of different things and just want some insight from people who may know much more than I do as it is my first time buying new. Thank you in advance!
Some dealers are more flexible than others. I always check if repairs will be covered under warranty before having a dealer work on my vehicle. If they won’t cover it, I go to a different dealer. What’s your plan? And what model year do you have?
Honestly didn’t think I would get any replies lol so I appreciate the time you took to ask but to answer your question there were things like a new cold air intake, blow off valve, possibly an AWE 0fg exhaust etc. just things that would help boost performance and sound here and there. But, since I’m new to all of this, I didn’t know what would void a factory warranty and what not lol.
Intake and blow off valve are easy enough to remove and reinstall stock parts before bringing the truck in for work if you’re worried about it.
In general, most dealers are willing to support warranty claims since warranty work is essentially easy income for them. However, some dealers can be uncooperative or shady, in which case you’re better off going to a different one.
That said, modifications themselves aren’t covered by warranty, and if it’s clear (or even reasonably implied) that a mod caused an issue, Ford will likely deny the claim. For example, if you add a supercharger and then blow the engine, that won’t be covered.
Borderline cases are more complex. If you add a cold air intake and later have worn piston rings, Ford could argue the CAI made the engine run rich, which could wash oil off the cylinder walls and lead to wear on the rings.
So, if keeping your warranty intact is a priority, avoid modifications between the air filter and catalytic converter. Tires and cosmetic changes are generally safer options.
Tuning is a big factor, and sometimes it’s out of our hands. Personally, I don’t mind as long as your modifications don’t end up costing me extra time (and therefore money). Mods like air intakes, exhausts, or blow-off valves don’t bother me—my goal is just to repair your truck and move on.
Tuning, however, can get tricky. If there’s a specific failure or certain diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) come up, Ford engineers may start asking for mode data and key cycle information from the truck we’re working on.
Whenever we connect to Ford’s diagnostic tool (FDRS), Ford can see our activities, and each session is recorded. We can tell if anything has been reprogrammed and track the key and drive cycles since that programming. So removing a tune after the engine fails won’t really hide anything.
A tune that alters the software in any way is the main concern. You could probably get away with things like an intake or exhaust, and maybe even a blow-off valve, though I’m not entirely sure if that would trigger any issues.
Ford Performance tune
OEM parts are covered under warranty, but if a third-party part replacement causes a failure, that specific claim could be denied.
The grey area comes into play with things like tuning, especially if you go in for issues like cam phasers. It’s up to the dealer’s discretion—some don’t care, while others do, which is why you hear negative stories online. Being difficult with them won’t help your case.
From my experience working at a dealership, small gestures like bringing donuts, a Starbucks gift card, or a food gift card every once in a while for service work can go a long way. It helps build a positive relationship, which could be beneficial for you in the long run.