Tow Package Upgrade Voids Warranty ????

[Jason L]

i really dont have to prove anything

Yet I found the information I seek and if you want it, go ahead and find it yourself. It answered the questions for me and it also states that the OP is out of luck as the caveat on warranty is written and well published. Good luck to him on winning this one, he's going to need it.

Went through the warranty, there is no caveat that has anyone out of luck.

Sponsored

 

[Jason L]

Spoke with my dealer today who assured me that the warranty remains valid even if an after market hitch is installed (provided the after market part can not be shown to have caused the damage itself) and is certainly still in effect if a Ford OEM Accessory is placed on the vehicle as Ford Warranties the accessory as well. I reviewed the warranty myself and see no mention that a Ford OEM part would void the warranty.

Finally, he pointed out the number of trucks that have OEM and after market hitches installed on trucks after manufacture, and clearly there are not hundreds of thousands of trucks running around with voided warranties.

 

[joeb427]

Spoke with my dealer today who assured me that the warranty remains valid even if an after market hitch is installed (provided the after market part can not be shown to have caused the damage itself) and is certainly still in effect if a Ford OEM Accessory is placed on the vehicle as Ford Warranties the accessory as well. I reviewed the warranty myself and see no mention that a Ford OEM part would void the warranty.

Finally, he pointed out the number of trucks that have OEM and after market hitches installed on trucks after manufacture, and clearly there are not hundreds of thousands of trucks running around with voided warranties.

Too bad you can't call and tell the idiots that told you the opposite or talk to their manager.

 

[Jason L]

Too bad you can't call and tell the idiots that told you the opposite or talk to their manager.

Aside from being a truck owner, this bothers me because I own Ford stock. Sucks that they have manager level people that have no problem providing false information and are telling people Ford trucks can't tow. Not related to towing, but he also told me I am not Ford's customer, the dealer is... horrible customer positioning, these folks need training.

 

[Vandave]

Spoke with my dealer today who assured me that the warranty remains valid even if an after market hitch is installed (provided the after market part can not be shown to have caused the damage itself) and is certainly still in effect if a Ford OEM Accessory is placed on the vehicle as Ford Warranties the accessory as well. I reviewed the warranty myself and see no mention that a Ford OEM part would void the warranty.

Finally, he pointed out the number of trucks that have OEM and after market hitches installed on trucks after manufacture, and clearly there are not hundreds of thousands of trucks running around with voided warranties.

How could this not be the case?

It sounds like the employees were trained to know the exceptions to the rule, without realizing they were exceptions.

 

[Airwelldone]

My vehicle was purchased off dealer stock without the tow package. Frustrated with the run-around trying to get part numbers and estimated availability for the Tow Package upgrade, I reached out to Ford Customer Service.

The first representative I spoke with searched my VIN and informed me that my Ranger XLT FX4 was not rated for towing, that no tow package was available for the vehicle, and that it was not capable of towing any weight rating. I proceeded to tell him he was an idiot, at minimum the bumper can tow a few thousand pounds, and a receiver was listed as an aftermarket accessory on the Ford site. He insisted I could not legally tow anything with my Ranger, at which point I asked to speak with a manger.

I got a call today from that manager today (a week later). After 20 minutes of being placed on hold while he researched my VIN, he came back and told me my Ranger was not equipped with the tow package, was not rated for towing, and if I install the receiver even through a Ford dealer my entire vehicle warranty would be void. I admit my response was a little heated, and I tried to explain that the Ranger was advertised as best in class towing, the receiver was listed on the ford accessories site, and it makes no sense that installing a Ford factory accessory would void my Ford warranty. He then told me the conversation was being recorded, and that any installation of the Ford towing receiver would immediately void my factory warranty. I asked for that in writing or to be given a copy of the audio recording, and he told me no. I asked him to repeat the message so I can record it. He told me my warranty was void and he was ending the call because I was being unprofessional in using the term "BS". I then told him to F off... and he hung up.

So... here is the question for the Ranger community:

• Can we install a Ford receiver and if so does it in fact void the factory warranty?
• What is the tow rating of the vehicle if you install the receiver after the fact?
• Is there anything on the vehicle spec that suggests that even with the receiver addition, the vehicle can only tow the factory tow rating without the receiver (bumper rating)?
• How are all these after market receivers and factory receivers being installed on trucks, F150, etc. is everyone voiding their warranties?

https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/ford/

There ya go fella. Send a professional email and they will get back to you shortly.

 

[RodSlinger]

yeah we all can read a propaganda pamphlet too. thanks for the added effort

I was generalizing, and although I dont have hard proof that the Ranger doesn't have anything extra, generally a vehicle destined for the tow life does. And until someone pulls out more published and verified data to say otherwise, I will not concede defeat.

Well you could look up the parts and see that things like radiator, cooling fan, alternator, battery or other under hood bits dont have different part numbers for tow equipped vehicles.

 

[RodSlinger]

I specifically said that to him, and his response was even though it is an OEM accessory, it was not factory installed and therefore counts as an after market modification even if installed by the dealer, which voids the warranty.

Then ask him what happens to your warranty if you replace wiper blades with a non-factory installed version.

 

[Mark Lally]

I have been trying for some time to determine if the towing package on the Ranger included any additional cooling for the engine/oil/transmission and have seen no literature indicating this from Ford or any other publication. My guess is that all Rangers have the cooling capacity to tow the full 7500 lbs, as I would think that the $495.00 in cost would not cover anything else other than a class 3 hitch and a harness. All rangers come with the same axle ratio. I ordered a Ranger that will be here in the first week of June; I ordered the tow package of course, I can't see how any responsible dealer would order a stock truck without it.

 

[Neil S]

Transmission already has an oil cooler installed and there is no special hearing for towing.

 

[George R. Helfrick]

My vehicle was purchased off dealer stock without the tow package. Frustrated with the run-around trying to get part numbers and estimated availability for the Tow Package upgrade, I reached out to Ford Customer Service.

The first representative I spoke with searched my VIN and informed me that my Ranger XLT FX4 was not rated for towing, that no tow package was available for the vehicle, and that it was not capable of towing any weight rating. I proceeded to tell him he was an idiot, at minimum the bumper can tow a few thousand pounds, and a receiver was listed as an aftermarket accessory on the Ford site. He insisted I could not legally tow anything with my Ranger, at which point I asked to speak with a manger.

I got a call today from that manager today (a week later). After 20 minutes of being placed on hold while he researched my VIN, he came back and told me my Ranger was not equipped with the tow package, was not rated for towing, and if I install the receiver even through a Ford dealer my entire vehicle warranty would be void. I admit my response was a little heated, and I tried to explain that the Ranger was advertised as best in class towing, the receiver was listed on the ford accessories site, and it makes no sense that installing a Ford factory accessory would void my Ford warranty. He then told me the conversation was being recorded, and that any installation of the Ford towing receiver would immediately void my factory warranty. I asked for that in writing or to be given a copy of the audio recording, and he told me no. I asked him to repeat the message so I can record it. He told me my warranty was void and he was ending the call because I was being unprofessional in using the term "BS". I then told him to F off... and he hung up.

So... here is the question for the Ranger community:

• Can we install a Ford receiver and if so does it in fact void the factory warranty?
• What is the tow rating of the vehicle if you install the receiver after the fact?
• Is there anything on the vehicle spec that suggests that even with the receiver addition, the vehicle can only tow the factory tow rating without the receiver (bumper rating)?
• How are all these after market receivers and factory receivers being installed on trucks, F150, etc. is everyone voiding their warranties?

https://consumer.findlaw.com/consumer-transactions/what-will-void-a-warranty-.html

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/bus...sons-guide-federal-warranty-law#Magnuson-Moss
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the federal law that governs consumer product warranties. Passed by Congress in 1975, the Act requires warrantors of consumer products to provide consumers with detailed information about warranty coverage. In addition, it affects both the rights of consumers and the obligations of warrantors under written warranties.

To understand the Act, it is useful to be aware of Congress' intentions in passing it. First, Congress wanted to ensure that consumers could get complete information about warranty terms and conditions. By providing consumers with a way of learning what warranty coverage is offered on a product before they buy, the Act gives consumers a way to know what to expect if something goes wrong, and thus helps to increase customer satisfaction.

Second, Congress wanted to ensure that consumers could compare warranty coverage before buying. By comparing, consumers can choose a product with the best combination of price, features, and warranty coverage to meet their individual needs.

Third, Congress intended to promote competition on the basis of warranty coverage. By assuring that consumers can get warranty information, the Act encourages sales promotion on the basis of warranty coverage and competition among companies to meet consumer preferences through various levels of warranty coverage.

Finally, Congress wanted to strengthen existing incentives for companies to perform their warranty obligations in a timely and thorough manner and to resolve any disputes with a minimum of delay and expense to consumers. Thus, the Act makes it easier for consumers to pursue a remedy for breach of warranty in the courts, but it also creates a framework for companies to set up procedures for resolving disputes inexpensively and informally, without litigation.

 

[Lloyd C]

My vehicle was purchased off dealer stock without the tow package. Frustrated with the run-around trying to get part numbers and estimated availability for the Tow Package upgrade, I reached out to Ford Customer Service.

The first representative I spoke with searched my VIN and informed me that my Ranger XLT FX4 was not rated for towing, that no tow package was available for the vehicle, and that it was not capable of towing any weight rating. I proceeded to tell him he was an idiot, at minimum the bumper can tow a few thousand pounds, and a receiver was listed as an aftermarket accessory on the Ford site. He insisted I could not legally tow anything with my Ranger, at which point I asked to speak with a manger.

I got a call today from that manager today (a week later). After 20 minutes of being placed on hold while he researched my VIN, he came back and told me my Ranger was not equipped with the tow package, was not rated for towing, and if I install the receiver even through a Ford dealer my entire vehicle warranty would be void. I admit my response was a little heated, and I tried to explain that the Ranger was advertised as best in class towing, the receiver was listed on the ford accessories site, and it makes no sense that installing a Ford factory accessory would void my Ford warranty. He then told me the conversation was being recorded, and that any installation of the Ford towing receiver would immediately void my factory warranty. I asked for that in writing or to be given a copy of the audio recording, and he told me no. I asked him to repeat the message so I can record it. He told me my warranty was void and he was ending the call because I was being unprofessional in using the term "BS". I then told him to F off... and he hung up.

So... here is the question for the Ranger community:

• Can we install a Ford receiver and if so does it in fact void the factory warranty?
• What is the tow rating of the vehicle if you install the receiver after the fact?
• Is there anything on the vehicle spec that suggests that even with the receiver addition, the vehicle can only tow the factory tow rating without the receiver (bumper rating)?
• How are all these after market receivers and factory receivers being installed on trucks, F150, etc. is everyone voiding their warranties?

I think it is highly unlikely that any Ford service department would not submit any warranty related repair work directly to Ford for payment because you have used your truck for throwing. I do not recal seeing a pickup of any model that does not have a hitch of some kind. Towing and pickups go hand in hand. Even if the Ford legal department in Michigan had some obscure legal argument about voiding a warranty your local dealer would not want it’s reputation damaged over such an argument about towing capacity. I would not take your Ford conversations back to your dealer and force the dealer to get involved. Tow and enjoy your truck it is a wonderful machine.

 

[Floyd]

I installed the tow package on my Transit Connect myself using all Ford components, just as the dealer would except for a couple of embellishments... RV plug, charge line, and brake controller.
They have honored my warranty without question.

 

[THLONE]

Jason L did you end this or are you going to go further with Ford upper level managers?

Those mid level managers usually get there positions by BS. They are stupid and worthless and should be exposed for the frauds that they are.

 

[Jason L]

Jason L did you end this or are you going to go further with Ford upper level managers?

Those mid level managers usually get there positions by BS. They are stupid and worthless and should be exposed for the frauds that they are.

My dealer assured me the guy was wrong and I wasn't going to make my dealer spend time on this. I am reasonably confident my warranty will be covered based on the warranty text itself, consumer protection law, etc.

I did call back customer service and asked for a copy of the audio, which they refused. I asked for a different manager to call me back, never got a call. I asked to file a complaint and was basically told they can log that I called with a complaint but there was no formal process or follow up. I considered emailing some C -Level folks, but doubt my email would get read given the number of consumer complaints they likely receive.

There are no "damages" to recover or anything I personally need fixed as I have the receiver and part numbers now, just a little disappointed to be treated that way after spending $40k of my hard earned money. Not sure there is a path here that will prove to be worth more of my time.

I guess my warranty can only be void if they prove they advised me using the audio. I would love nothing more than for that audio to be disclosed and made public

Sponsored