Earlier this month, several trade organizations wrote to Consumer Reports to rebut an article about aftermarket parts voiding vehicle warranties. The magazine addressed the complaint with a new article published on June 9 – “Can an Aftermarket Part Void My Car Warranty?”
The Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Tire Industry Association complained the original Consumer Reports article was based on a 2012 technical bulletin from Kia that violates the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
In its latest article, Consumer Reports clarifies “in the protections for reasonable use in the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the right for consumers to have the vehicle serviced at a business of their choice and the option to use aftermarket parts, meaning potentially money-saving alternatives to those that came on the car, while retaining the original warranty. The automaker is not allowed to void a warranty just because a nonfactory part is used.”
The associations have also called on the Federal Trade Commission twice – once in 2012 and once in light of the article – to address the Kia technical bulletin.
