Banks Upgrade Question... Voids Ford Drive Train Warranty?

Corkey05 wrote:
From Federal Trade Commission on the Magnuson Moss Act.

FTC - Magnuson Moss Act

Will using 'aftermarket' or recycled parts void my warranty?

No. An 'aftermarket' part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer. A 'recycled' part is a part that was made for and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer, and later removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse. Simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void your warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket or recycled part. The manufacturer or dealer can, however, require consumers to use select parts if those parts are provided to consumers free of charge under the warranty.

Still, if it turns out that the aftermarket or recycled part was itself defective or wasn't installed correctly, and it causes damage to another part that is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer has the right to deny coverage for that part and charge you for any repairs. The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.

Take the time to investigate the entire document, not just the above quote.

Banks works very close with vehicle manufacturers to avoid warranty conflicts. There have been thousand of Banks kits sold and never heard the installations creating a warranty conflict.

Dealer denies warranty coverage.

You say - "Wrong! MM Act prohibits same!"

Dealer says, "We are correct - *you* are wrong. Prove otherwise".

Good luck. (Who has the rooms full of attorneys?).

May vary from dealer to dealer - but once denied, it's entered in history.

"Banks working closely with mfgrs" - and/or others success is immaterial.

Probably never have a problem - but if you do, and expect warranty coverage........:@

.

YES banks will void your warranty. Banks even tells you to use a "MOD" friendly dealer. Not only is Banks after market parts, it's after Market programming. Ford has built a "black box" into their computers to detect changes made to the programming.

Ford denied MANY warranties related to the 6.0 problems and aftermarket parts. I lemon lawed 2 Ford F350 Super Duties with the dreaded 6.0. During both cases they tried to accuse me of using a programmer on my trucks. Then they tried to blame the engine leaking oil on me changing my own oil and using the wrong oil.

Having a Banks system will give them a easy way out. Wait till the warranty is over then do it. Or you have to pay when you play. The thing you'd probably have a chance at is changing the exhaust system ONLY.

Ford would be silly not to void your warranty. You're changing the vehicle from the way, torque and horsepower it was designed to operate at.

Any fighting you do with them will involve an expensive attorney.

rkentzel wrote:
I doubt that you are going to gain much so why do it. Then no warranty problems. Had a 2006 with V10 the thing was a rocket what would the banks kit possibly do but lighten your wallet.

You doubt, but you do not KNOW. I KNOW. I had a 2002 V-10. Had the full Banks kit installed. IT made a huge difference in power and torque. Mileage was better if you kept your foot out of it and drove it the same way you drove BEFORE you installed the kit.

Best money you can ever spend!

People have been putting Banks PowerPack on the Fords for decades. I've never once heard a single story about even getting hassled. Ford dealers even install Banks products.

How does it affect the smog test here in California?

Having worked in a Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership I can tell you I've seen many cars/trucks come through with mods. Chips, exhaust, tuners, etc. never once did I see a denial in warranty work because of it. Now if there was a blower on the motor and it had a blown engine, trans or rear end, then that would be Grounds to look further into it to see if it had anything to do with the failure!

In the end a tuner will not give enough power to blow up an engine, trans or rear end. Yes a tuner does add more power, but again, not enough to warrant denial.

Personally with one year to go and knowing how strong the V 10 driveline is, I would go ahead and do it and enjoy it now!

One question though. Does the Banks kit address the shift schedule? I only ask because Ford left a lot to be bedesired in that area!

A full Banks kit installed on the old 460 V8 provided signicant benefits, but is not reported to do so much for later V10s, so a lot of money for little gain.

People say they never saw a warranty denied for mods. Then I suggest you go hang out at the Ford truck forums. Dozens and dozens of people with denied warranties. They tried on me and I had no mods. I would NEVER mod a ford.

phillyg wrote:
A full Banks kit installed on the old 460 V8 provided signicant benefits, but is not reported to do so much for later V10s, so a lot of money for little gain.

Banks is saying up to 56HP gain and 70 # tq on the new V-10s. Those are some pretty decent numbers.

There is no doubt Banks makes nice stuff.

As you mentioned, on the old 460s we did just the Stinger Kit and it was a huge improvement.

As to the warranty question, no matter what the law says and what actually failed, there is no doubt with the wrong dealer it would be a big finger pointing contest.

How many Ford V10s have you heard of having driveline problems? I haven't heard of any. How many have had problems because they did an upgrade with 5Star or Banks I can't point to one. I have NEVER heard of a warranty problem denied by Ford for any reason.
Bill