Vehicle Warranty Information

Magnuson Moss Warranty Act

YOU CAN MAINTAIN YOUR NEW-CAR WARRANTY AT KWIK KAR

Some car owners fear they’ll void their new-car warranty if the car isn’t serviced by the dealer.

According to the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. SS 2301-2312 (1982), you can have your car serviced by any competent independent service station, shop or garage and still maintain your warranty. In addition, you can use any name-brand, quality parts to service the car. The carmaker cannot require you to use original equipment brand spark plugs, filters, oil, belts, hoses, brakes, wiper blades or any other parts unless they supplied for FREE!

So if you’re told that only the original equipment part, filter or oil will not void the warranty, request that the OE part be supplied free of charge. If you are charged for the part, the manufacturer will be violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or other applicable law.

All you have to do to keep your warranty in force is have the car serviced at the intervals specified in your Owner’s Manual or Warranty Booklet, and keep careful records. Read all the fine print about service requirement s. Note that the carmaker’s definition of “severe service” (which requires more frequent oil and filter changes, and certain other service) may be what you consider normal driving.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law that applies to consumer products. The Federal Trade Commission has authority to enforce the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, including obtaining injunctions and orders containing affirmative relief. In addition, a consumer can bring suit under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

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In August 2010 American Honda Corporation (“Honda”) issued a statement that not only denigrated non-Honda parts and service, but also clouded the issue of whether using non-Honda parts and services would violate warranty coverage. Since such OEM missives often confuse consumers into giving up their right to choose independent automotive service providers like Kwik Kar.

Honda’s statement was challenged under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act by the Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA).

In response to AOCA’s case, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a brand new official statement of consumer rights under the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. Among other things, the statement makes crystal clear that (1) OEM vehicle warranties cannot be voided by the mere use of independent parts and services; and (2) the burden of proof is on the OEM and/or dealer who tries to claim an independent part or service provider caused a problem that would void warranty coverage.