If you’re planning on getting a lift kit for your new truck, you might be worried that it might void your warranty. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the common issues that can occur when installing a lift kit on your vehicle.
Getting a lift kit can add a couple of inches to your vehicle’s overall length, and it can help you navigate through rough terrains. However, some people are worried that this might ruin their warranty agreement.
Do Lift Kits Void A Car Warranty?
Although a lift kit won’t automatically void your vehicle’s warranty, it can be considered a contributing factor to the issues that your vehicle might experience. If the dealer believes that the issue was caused by the lift kit, then they might not uphold the warranty agreement.
Example: If your vehicle’s radio breaks, the manufacturer might not be able to deny your claim for the warranty because you lifted it. However, if there’s an issue with a component that’s directly related to the lift kit, the dealer might not uphold the warranty agreement.
Here’s a handful of reasons lift kits might threaten your vehicle warranty agreement:
- Besides violating the warranty agreement, lifting a vehicle is also an unnecessary modification. According to car dealer, adding a lift kit to your vehicle will void your contract. However, you can still request a local vehicle warranty if you buy a pre-owned vehicle from a dealership.
- The installation of a lift kit can make your vehicle less comfortable to drive, which can lead to more accidents. This is why the manufacturer wants to avoid using the warranty if there are more accidents. Since lift kits can affect some drivers, dealerships might not allow them in their contracts.
- Services that install lift kits on your vehicle are also liable to ruin the vehicle if they don’t follow the manufacturer’s warranty. These companies can cause more harm than good by making a huge mistake or not knowing what they’re doing.
- High-rise lift kits are known to expose your vehicle’s internal and mechanical components to external damage and rust. They can also cause various problems, such as corroding and scraping the underside of your truck. Since car manufacturers don’t want to spend extra money on repairs after a lifted vehicle wreck, they won’t allow you to get a cash rebate for a lifted car.
- According to SMF Legal, lifted vehicles can increase the likelihood of getting into an accident. It claims that these vehicles make it harder to stop, which can lead to hydroplane, rear-end, or roll over accidents. Some drivers might argue this, but it’s hard to disagree with a proven legal team.
Many drivers consider lifting vehicles as an integral part of their off-roading lifestyle. However, voiding a vehicle warranty can be very stressful and expensive. Although lift kits are generally legal, they’re not an ideal option financially.
What Do I Do To Protect My Warranty?
Certain manufacturers have approved lift and level kits that won’t void the warranty. These are made with high-quality components and won’t cause severe damage to the existing parts of your vehicle.
The dealer will charge a higher price for these lift and level kits, but hey, paying a few hundred dollars more is like paying a little extra for more warranty coverage.
Some third-party lifting companies will also offer warranties to cover problems with the lift kit that the manufacturer won’t. The original warranty on your car won’t cover these problems because the contract says it won’t. Although the original manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t cover these issues, the new company should offer this service.
What Else Can Void Your Vehicle’s Warranty?
When it comes to your vehicle’s warranty, lifting your vehicle is a delicate matter. Since the manufacturer will typically cover certain parts, you should have a warranty on all of them if you do it correctly. However, other actions and mods can void your agreement.
Here are some of the reasons why your car warranty is no longer valid.
- According to car dealer JD Power, intentional misuse of your vehicle, such as off-roading and Overlanding, can void the warranty. While this can happen with any vehicle, it can be especially problematic if you have an off-roading package.
- If you’re not taking the necessary care of your vehicle, it can also void the warranty. One of the most important steps that you should take is to regularly inspect and get your vehicle fixed. Doing so can help prevent excessive wear and tear.
- After-market modifications and third-party installations can also void your agreement. Doing so can lead to a limit or void of the manufacturer’s warranty. It’s important to ensure that all of your modifications are covered by a third-party warranty.
- Another issue that can void your agreement is if your vehicle is lowered. This modification can affect the way it drives and can lead to an accident. Having a lowering service that covers all of the components related to the modification should be a good idea.
Conclusion
If your agreement with the manufacturer has been voided due to third-party modifications, you should get a new one from the company that provided the service. Doing so can help minimize the stress and time you spend on getting a new one. If you’re not planning on doing the lift, you might want to add some All-Terrain tires to your already extensive equipment list.