Warranty 101 - The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))

This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers!!! The essence of this law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle makers brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:

“No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name....” (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)).

http://www.sema.org/warranty/atta.cfm

This law is one of the few ones specifically designed to maintain the innocence of a consumer before VW attempts to prove you guilty. Unfortunately, most often they assume that you are automatically guilty until you prove your innocence, rather than the other way around, which is how the law reads.

In short, the burden of proof is on the manufacture or the dealer and not on the consumer.

[This message has been edited by Turbo Steve (edited December 04, 2000).]

Steps to Take if Your Vehicle Warranty Claim is Denied http://www.sema.org/warranty/

Also, if there is a major problem, take your TDI to an independant mechanic FIRST and then take your chances with the fox in the hen-house, whose only desire is to protect VW's chickens (us).

Steve, not everything you said is inaccurate, but the "essence" of the act is that a dealer can't deny warranty coverage IF you use say, a fram (heaven forbid!) oil filter instead of the VW one.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act does NOT cover after market MODIFICATIONS to your car. Do a search, we have discussed this before for example, it isn't even 100% clear that VW can't deny warranty coverage if you say, use a high performance air filter for example.

As you quoted the SEMA site "the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided."

The real purpose behind this act is to prevent manufacturers from REQUIRING you to have service performed at their shop, and conditioning their warranty on it. This allows you to go to Jiffy Lube and still be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. If Jiffy Lube forgets to tighten or strips the oil pan plug and your engine dies, VW does not have to fix it for free, you'd have to go against Jiffy Lube. Or if that fancy oil soaked air filter fails and you suck a ton of junk into the MAF, VW won't fix it for free.

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Jeff Teolis
2000 Jetta GL TDI
Black/Black
In-Dash CD Player
Delvac 1

Completely Stock