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Emission Warranties
on New Vehicles |
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THE MYTH: A manufacturer's new-vehicle warranty is automatically voided
once an aftermarket part (non-original equipment) is installed. |
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THE TRUTH: Rarely does the use of aftermarket parts violate a
new-vehicle warranty. |
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THE RULES: Federal law, (the Clean Air Act), requires two emissions
warranties: a "defect" warranty and a "performance" warranty. |
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"Defect" warranties require the vehicle manufacturer to produce a
vehicle which, at time of sale, is free of defects that prevent it from
meeting required emissions levels for its useful life, as defined in the
law. |
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"Performance" warranties require that vehicle manufacturer make repairs
- at no cost to the owner - should a vehicle fail to meet certain levels
of emissions performance during the warranty period. This period ranges
from 2 years (or 24,000 miles) to 5 years (or 50,000 miles) for most
parts, and up to 8 years (or 80,000 miles) for certain
emission-controlled parts, specifically, the catalytic converter, the
electronics emission-control unit and the on-board diagnostic device
(check owner's manual for specifics on your vehicle). |
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Consumers are protected under a parts self-certification program
administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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a parts maker self-certifies it's parts under this program, the vehicle
manufacturer cannot void the emissions warranty even if the certified
part fails and/or is directly responsible for the emissions warranty
claim. In this situation, the vehicle manufacturer must arrange a
settlement with the parts manufacturer, but the new vehicle warranty is
not voided under the law. |
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a parts maker chooses not to self-certify it's parts, the only case
where a vehicle manufacturer can void the emissions warranty is if a
non-certified aftermarket part is proven to be responsible for an
emissions claim. |
