First mods and possible issue with warranty

[P22Tyler]

Let me see if I have this correct, in the US you can do any modification you like to your car and the warrentee must be honoured...really?

I have a hard time believing that's true. law or no law.

I keep reading other forum posts where warrentee work is denid because of mods and they are from the US.

If there is such a law, then i guess you are correct, the question becomes are you prepared to take Kia to court when something goes wrong?

No, they just can't deny your claim simply because you have a mod on your car, they have to show that the mod caused the failure. If you put a mod on your car that blows up the engine they don't have to pay for it. But at the same time if you put on aftermarket wiper blades they can't refuse to replace a blown transmission simply because you used a non-OEM part somewhere on the car that had nothing to do with the failure.

 

[Helo58]

Well, the scenario you will likely run into is that the dealer CAN and might deny warranty work without proving anything. You will have a broken car that you will have to pay to fix on your own or you will have to contact a lawyer. If you contact a lawyer and they believe your case has merit, they will inform Kia that they need to fix the car or be prepared to prove that the mod caused the issue. This is a long and drawn out pissing contest that should be avoided if possible. AMHIK. From start to finish, for me to complete the Lemon Law buyback process, took 10 months. I had to drive the car with the bad brakes and LSD until Kia took back ownership of the car. Fortunately, I also have a truck. For the record, my car was not modded in any way but they did claim that my driving style caused both problems. It is very easy for them to say no. It is very hard for you to make them say yes.

 

[Luc343]

I understand, but even with a law, it is still a gray area and that's where the original question comes from.

I have also read that one forum member got his gearbox replaced even though this engine had a number of mods known to the dealer. He said his warrantee claim was denied 2 times and on the third time it was approved. I was amazed, he should should definitely go buy a Lotty ticket. On the other hand I have also read posts where they lost out and had to paid out of their own pocket.

This is a risk to me, sometimes you might be lucky and other times you will not.

Maybe you are correct to say the question should be whether or not you are prepared to take Kia to court in the US?

 

[DoctorStiches]

Give your stinger a set of semi enclosed intakes and a non recirculation bov to start. Then get a catch can for the pass. Side of the engine bay to reduce the oil into your intake (build up in the head)
Then get a cat back (msrb is a nice sound)

No warrenty issues for these small tweaks
Then your done unless you want to be reaaaal fast

 

[20StingerGTKN]

Give your stinger a set of semi enclosed intakes and a non recirculation bov to start. Then get a catch can for the pass. Side of the engine bay to reduce the oil into your intake (build up in the head)
Then get a cat back (msrb is a nice sound)

No warrenty issues for these small tweaks
Then your done unless you want to be reaaaal fast

Thank you Dr!

 

[Tommy T]

Give your stinger a set of semi enclosed intakes and a non recirculation bov to start. Then get a catch can for the pass. Side of the engine bay to reduce the oil into your intake (build up in the head)
Then get a cat back (msrb is a nice sound)

No warrenty issues for these small tweaks
Then your done unless you want to be reaaaal fast

Thank you Dr!

 

[Tommy T]

Have 2019 have less then 10000 mi l installed agency power cold air intake from what I’ve read very apprehensive about doing anymore modes due warranty issues. Scheduled oil changed next week wonder if I should reinstall factory intake.

 

[P22Tyler]

This is all true, to a certain extent you're hoping Kia won't be A-holes about it if you have a failure that's not related to a mod. Otherwise you will have to fight them, but at least at that point the burden of proof falls on them.

But as much as I want a JB4 I've been reluctant and only gone as far as an intake for these reasons. But it's still helpful to understand the law regardless.

 

[Tommy T]

This is all true, to a certain extent you're hoping Kia won't be A-holes about it if you have a failure that's not related to a mod. Otherwise you will have to fight them, but at least at that point the burden of proof falls on them.

But as much as I want a JB4 I've been reluctant and only gone as far as an intake for these reasons. But it's still helpful to understand the law regardless.

There shouldn’t be problem if I have stillen x haust installed like on 2020 models sure dealership would do it.

 

[P22Tyler]

There shouldn’t be problem if I have stillen x haust installed like on 2020 models sure dealership would do it.

I really wouldn't think an exhaust would be an issue unless they really just wanted to be jerks.

 

[Tommy T]

Thanks for input

 

[Helo58]

I understand, but even with a law, it is still a gray area and that's where the original question comes from.

I have also read that one forum member got his gearbox replaced even though this engine had a number of mods known to the dealer. He said his warrantee claim was denied 2 times and on the third time it was approved. I was amazed, he should should definitely go buy a Lotty ticket. On the other hand I have also read posts where they lost out and had to paid out of their own pocket.

This is a risk to me, sometimes you might be lucky and other times you will not.

Maybe you are correct to say the question should be whether or not you are prepared to take Kia to court in the US?

1) If you mod your car, have the money to fix your car. It really is that simple.
2) The dealer can refuse to work on your car in the short term even if you did nothing wrong to your car. If the chance exists that you caused the damage, they can deny work until you escalate the matter within the dealership, then with Kia, then with legal help.
3) Escalating the issue is simpler if your regular maintenance has been performed, your car is well maintained (clean), your car is not modded, and you are polite and INFORMED.
4) If your car is modded, you don't have to convince Kia that the mod didn't cause your damage. You have to convince your lawyer. If your case is weak and not straightforward, it is quite possible that you will not find a lawyer to represent you. The lawyer only gets paid if Kia agrees to a settlement or if you win in court (at least in NC). They don't make a ton of money doing this type of work and will not take work they can't get paid for.
5) Throughout this lengthy process (months), if your car is undriveable or unsafe to drive, you should have alternate transportation. You may choose to fix the car at your own expense and hope to be reimbursed afterwards. See rule #1 in the event that you don't "win."

Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of drivers will never have to deal with this and I hope it stays that way.

 

[cncBilly]

Have 2019 have less then 10000 mi l installed agency power cold air intake from what I’ve read very apprehensive about doing anymore modes due warranty issues. Scheduled oil changed next week wonder if I should reinstall factory intake.

No!

 

[Tommy T]

No!

Thanks for responding I’ll leave them on

 

[TheBusch]

The law posted here is pretty vague once you start getting into it. Yes there are obvious scenarios; like the wiper lade one mentioned, but that is not and probably will never be the type of situations at question. OP (and everyone else asking this question) is talking performance modifications, probably more specifically to do with the powertrain. It becomes pretty easy to "blame" faults in any area of the car that is attached to the powertrain if any one part of the powertrain is modified.

 

[P22Tyler]

The law posted here is pretty vague once you start getting into it. Yes there are obvious scenarios; like the wiper lade one mentioned, but that is not and probably will never be the type of situations at question. OP (and everyone else asking this question) is talking performance modifications, probably more specifically to do with the powertrain. It becomes pretty easy to "blame" faults in any area of the car that is attached to the powertrain if any one part of the powertrain is modified.

The wiper blade example I used was just an easy way to explain it and to show why a law like that would be enacted because if you allowed manufacturers to deny claims over things like that, some absolutely would.

The fact remains that the burden of proof still falls on Kia to prove that your mod caused the failure, they can't just say they think it did. Unfortunately to get to that point may require litigation, so it's up to you if you want to take the risk, but the protection is there and people should be aware of it.

 

[ChaneRZ]

Mod to your heart's content. You only live once.

 

[mirrorimage]

Hello all,
First time posting. I have had my 2020 stinger GT2 for a week or so now and I am in love. I own the car outright so its basically my forever car at this time. I would like to begin with some easy bolt on mods to get some more power and sound but do not want to screw the pooch when it comes to the warranty. Does anyone have any insight into that and/or suggestions around easy bolt on mods with some results. Thank you.

I have a 2020 Gt1 amd my Kia dealership actuially installs borsa s exhaust and my Stillen air intake. they gave me a 12000 mile or 12 month warranty on it as well.

 

[Tommy T]

I have a 2020 Gt1 amd my Kia dealership actuially installs borsa s exhaust and my Stillen air intake. they gave me a 12000 mile or 12 month warranty on it as well.

taken mine for oil change this weekend going to ask about price on stillen install

 

[MerlintheMad]

I have a 2020 Gt1 amd my Kia dealership actuially installs borsa s exhaust and my Stillen air intake. they gave me a 12000 mile or 12 month warranty on it as well.

Howdy. That's a good intro. Involving the dealer seems like a no brainer to me, if one is concerned about mods and warranty rejection.