Better Automotive Lighting Blog

Will installing LED headlight bulbs void my truck's warranty?

Written by BETTERAUTOMOTIVELIGHTING | Jan 26, 2017 5:00:00 AM

We hear it all the time from people; “Will installing LED headlight bulbs void the manufacturer’s warranty on my car (or truck)?”

Installing an LED headlight bulb like this one from GTR Lighting falls under the same realm of installing a regular halogen bulb that you simply didn’t buy from the dealer. They will do everything they can think of to scare you, or force you to buy parts from them…

This question gets asked all the time and it’s the same for LED headlight bulb replacements as well as HID conversion kit upgrades. The simple answer is NO. Here’s why:

“The FTC’s reference to aftermarket parts is equally applicable to specialty parts,” said Russ Deane, SEMA’s General Counsel. “Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the warranty cannot be conditioned to a specific brand of parts, services or vehicle modifications unless those parts or services are provided free of charge.”

 

In a Consumer Alert issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency confirmed that “The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket part.” The alert outlines key provisions in the law that provide protections to car owners. As defined by the FTC, an “aftermarket’ part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer.”

Basically, if a part does not interfere with the normal mechanical function of the vehicle, directly cause damage to the vehicle, or circumvent emissions systems on a vehicle, it has NOTHING TO DO with your warranty! Replacing your headlight bulb part with another aftermarket headlight bulb part falls into the same category as replacing it with another non-stock halogen bulb… It’s just a replacement part!

Now, let’s say you install a supercharger, bypass the catalytic converter and EGR, and spray nitrous into the engine…you might be voiding the warranty…

So next time you bring your car or truck to the dealer for repairs under warranty and they try to deny you service because you upgrade your headlight bulbs, tell them about Magnuson-Moss!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT.

You can install an LED headlight bulb replacement, or even an HID conversion kit without having to worry about if the dealer will continue to service your vehicle under warranty.

 

Disclaimer:

Street legal in the USA for Fog Light use.  Not compliant with DOT / FMVSS108 and not street legal in the USA for Headlights.  Certain specialty vehicles strictly limited to off-street use and not having DOT registration or license plates may use these products exclusively off-streets. International street legality varies by country. Note: This usage regulation is not unique to any specific bulbs, ALL LED and HID bulbs from all other brands, regardless of marketing claims, are prohibited from street use in halogen headlights in the USA.