Warranty voided because of Borla Active Performance Sound?

[dtbaker61]

Hello, I just brought my 2021 mach e to the dealer due to a high voltage warning and 4 wheel drive fault which I believe is my second high voltage junction box failure, having already fixed it once, and they're telling me my Borla Active Performance Sound system is voiding my warranty so I have to pay. I installed the system 1 month ago and have had the warning light on for 5 months. Has anyone else had this issue or any other similar warranty issues? I don't know how to proceed. The sound system plugs into the 12 volt battery and into 1 plug under the steering column to get info from the car about what sound to play. Thanks.

I believe the burden would be on Ford to prove that the Borla system (with 12v draw) caused the HVBJB fault.

I suspect that if you get @Ford Motor Company involved and send your VIN and dealership info, they will approved the HVBJB work under warranty and the dealership will get paid by Ford... or go to a different dealership!

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[JohnFoxeSheets]

Depends. If the issue is with the high voltage system and the speaker is only connected to the 12V system, it could be a stretch to say that speaker is an issue.

I would go further and say it would be utter fiction to say that the sound system connected to the 12V battery could somehow impact the HVBJB. @steriomike, ditch the dealership and go to another. Oh, and report the dealership to Ford.

 

[zvez]

”Voiding your warranty” isn’t a thing. Tell them to look up the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. And yes, go to a different dealer.

absolutley this!! Dealers have been trying to pull this over for years. The warranty act was created to stop it happening. They have to be able to prove that the add-on actually caused the problem.

 

[garyd9]

absolutley this!! Dealers have been trying to pull this over for years. The warranty act was created to stop it happening. They have to be able to prove that the add-on actually caused the problem.

Why would a dealership deny it? The dealership MAKES MONEY when they do warranty work. Ford pays the dealership.

On the other hand, Ford saves money if a warranty is declined.

 

[steriomike]

Why would a dealership deny it? The dealership MAKES MONEY when they do warranty work. Ford pays the dealership.

On the other hand, Ford saves money if a warranty is declined.

I have a feeling that each time they can tell Ford that they don't have to pay for something, the dealership might get a bonus or something like they do when selling cars.

 

[Panzer948]

Why would a dealership deny it? The dealership MAKES MONEY when they do warranty work. Ford pays the dealership.

On the other hand, Ford saves money if a warranty is declined.

You would think and on paper it seems this is the case but in the mass confusion of how dealers make money, I don't think it is as simple as this. What I have heard is that dealerships still have to prove to Ford that it is a legitimate warranty repair and some don't feel like going the extra mile to make this happen. I would say that is especially true for high end dealerships that have plenty of business from your average car owner. They don't care to lose business from the small percentage of enthusiast customers (that would be into modifying their car). However, the internet/social media is leveling the playing field as now car enthusiasts have a new platform to let their grievances known, just like the OP is doing here. Most dealerships will reverse decisions if it comes to bad press, especially over something this trivial.

 

[garyd9]

You would think and on paper it seems this is the case but in the mass confusion of how dealers make money, I don't think it is as simple as this. What I have heard is that dealerships still have to prove to Ford that it is a legitimate warranty repair and some don't feel like going the extra mile to make this happen. I would say that is especially true for high end dealerships that have plenty of business from your average car owner. They don't care to lose business from the small percentage of enthusiast customers (that would be into modifying their car). However, the internet/social media is leveling the playing field as now car enthusiasts have a new platform to let their grievances known, just like the OP is doing here. Most dealerships will reverse decisions if it comes to bad press, especially over something this trivial.

My point is simply that we can’t assume it’s just the dealer refusing the warranty. The dealer might have sent info to Ford and Ford told the dealer to decline. It might not be a bad dealer like so many people replying in this thread have assumed.

 

[electric-in-the-desert]

"Ford Motor Company may deny you warranty coverage if your vehicle or a part has failed due to abuse, neglect, improper maintenance, or unapproved modifications."

I’m not a lawyer so I could be totally wrong, but I think the “due to” is the key part. I read that as applying to all following items in the sentence. Otherwise it’s kind of circular since they could deny you due to the existence of a 3rd party part, however this aspect of the law is designed to protect consumers when a 3rd party part doesn’t contribute to the failure.

Now maybe ford has evidence this system increases strain on the HVJB (unexpected increased current draw maybe?), in which case they could rightfully deny the warranty claim.

 

[GatorGrowl]

With a vehicle that's all electric I doubt they would have to try hard to prove that.

Yea, but his issue is with the HV (400V) battery system, which only powers the mechanicals. The Borla system runs on the LV (12V) system and as I understand it the only mechanical connection is a sensor attached to the accelerator.
Unless the load on the LV system is somehow affecting the communication with the HV system, I don’t see how it could be causing the problem.

 

[Gloff]

You're most likely correct, but the car has been modified regardless of the system, to me it is fair to make the OP pay for the diagnosis at a minimum. The Borla modification of the vehicle indicates the owner is willing add non-conforming parts to the vehicle, so why would the dealer not suspect the HVB problem was caused by a modification that is either now removed or is undetectable.

Yeah, that's not how warranties work. You can't assume someone who's done one modification has done multiple. If it's undetectable, it's unprovable. That's like assuming a jaywalker is also a thief, like somehow one crime is connected to another.



My goodness, this is a lot of consternation. OP should find a different dealer.

MMWA is clear, the warrantor needs to prove that the failure was a result of damage or unreasonable use.

IANAL: It seems reasonable to me to add an aftermarket sound system that makes it sound like a gas powered vehicle. Aside from that, the HVBJB exists to connect the HV battery to the drivetrain. There's a separate DC-DC inverter for connecting the HV and LV systems. I'd ask them to prove that this Borla system caused a failure of a system it's not even connected to.

 

[hepidy]

I run the Borla exhaust 600w and a aftermarket 10in sub with 600 w no problems and dealer liked it as well but I will say I forgot to disconnect I had similar warranty issues and it’s a lease

 

[steriomike]

To anyone watching my thread, I got ahold of customer service over at Borla and was told that Ford sells the Shelby edition Mach E with the sound system installed from the factory and Ford also sells Mach E's to Hertz from the factory preinstalled with the same system. He said there is no possible way that it voids any warranty.

 

[RandyMache]

Hello, I just brought my 2021 mach e to the dealer due to a high voltage warning and 4 wheel drive fault which I believe is my second high voltage junction box failure, having already fixed it once, and they're telling me my Borla Active Performance Sound system is voiding my warranty so I have to pay. I installed the system 1 month ago and have had the warning light on for 5 months. Has anyone else had this issue or any other similar warranty issues? I don't know how to proceed. The sound system plugs into the 12 volt battery and into 1 plug under the steering column to get info from the car about what sound to play. Thanks.

It is Fords responsibility to show it's your add on. They can't simply say without evidence that it's your fault.

 

[Panzer948]

To anyone watching my thread, I got ahold of customer service over at Borla and was told that Ford sells the Shelby edition Mach E with the sound system installed from the factory and Ford also sells Mach E's to Hertz from the factory preinstalled with the same system. He said there is no possible way that it voids any warranty.

Great news and exactly like I thought, just goes back to a sorry dealership not wanting to help their customers. So even more reason to dump the place you were trying to go... and tell them why when cancelling your appointment. Its dealerships like that that get folks all confused on modifying a new car or not. Bottom line is they have to "prove" its the mod regardless of the type.

 

[Panzer948]

To anyone watching my thread, I got ahold of customer service over at Borla and was told that Ford sells the Shelby edition Mach E with the sound system installed from the factory and Ford also sells Mach E's to Hertz from the factory preinstalled with the same system. He said there is no possible way that it voids any warranty.

BTW, I have to ask... how does this mod work that is causing you this grief? I checked out your post when you installed it and its like 10 pages long now! I saw the clips but am still confused on how you activate it. Does it work with the accelerator pedal or manual, or both...

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