ECU Mods and Warranty...

[Joelc]

I live in Toronto and was speaking with Pfaff Tuning which specializes in the tuning of Audi and Porsche vehicles...I called them to discuss having my TTRS chipped and they told me that bout 1-month Audi sent out a bulletin advising their dealers -- as Pfaff is also an Audi dealer -- that chipping the car would void the warranty...has anyone else about this...

Thanks,


Joel

[sr_erick]

As I understand, they can only deny warranty claims if they can prove that said modification to the ECU caused a component failure. They can not just flat out deny warranty coverage because an ECU was modified.

I could be totally wrong though. It just seems whacky that warranty could be covered in the case of some aftermarket tunes (like Stasis) but not others.

[mtbscoTT]

This subject is debated/has been debated here a bunch.
The facts:
1. Audi has recently added a code to their newest ECU's that logs an error code TD1 if a scan shows that the programming has been altered. The car is then "flagged" to corporate.
1A. The TT-RS does not have the newer type ECU and does not send the TD1 code.
2. At least in the US (can't speak for sure of Canada), a chip tune does not, and cannot legally equal a blanket "denial of warranty." On the other hand, if something in your engine/drivetrain blows and you've got a chip tune, good luck collecting under warranty. The only "proof" they're going to need to show a judge or jury or arbitrator is that "the customer changed the safe operating parameters of the drivetrain as determined by our engineers." Essentially you did brain surgery on your car. Are you feeling lucky?
2A. Chiptuning companies wouldn't have much business if they routinely blew people's cars up. I am quite confident that APR, GIAC, Revo, etc., are quite able to increase performance without making reliability suspect.
3. Stasis is not covered under Audi's warranty. They offer up their own supplementary warranty that will cover any blown engine/drivetrain parts that their chiptune could conceivably cause that Audi would deny coverage for.


Bottom line, there IS some risk associated with getting your car chiptuned. Just depends on your personal quotient for risk taking if it's worth it.

[TT412GO]

Stasis is not covered under Audi's warranty. They offer up their own supplementary warranty that will cover any blown engine/drivetrain parts that their chiptune could conceivably cause that Audi would deny coverage for

That's why Stasis charges an extra thousand dollars or so for their chip - you are eseentially buying a supplemental insurance policy.

[Joelc]

Appreciate the assistance, thanks to all...now I just need to decide between APR, AWE and GIAC all three of which are offered locally...

[JimInSF]

This subject is debated/has been debated here a bunch.
The facts:
1. Audi has recently added a code to their newest ECU's that logs an error code TD1 if a scan shows that the programming has been altered. The car is then "flagged" to corporate.
1A. The TT-RS does not have the newer type ECU and does not send the TD1 code.
2. At least in the US (can't speak for sure of Canada), a chip tune does not, and cannot legally equal a blanket "denial of warranty." On the other hand, if something in your engine/drivetrain blows and you've got a chip tune, good luck collecting under warranty. The only "proof" they're going to need to show a judge or jury or arbitrator is that "the customer changed the safe operating parameters of the drivetrain as determined by our engineers." Essentially you did brain surgery on your car. Are you feeling lucky?
2A. Chiptuning companies wouldn't have much business if they routinely blew people's cars up. I am quite confident that APR, GIAC, Revo, etc., are quite able to increase performance without making reliability suspect.
3. Stasis is not covered under Audi's warranty. They offer up their own supplementary warranty that will cover any blown engine/drivetrain parts that their chiptune could conceivably cause that Audi would deny coverage for.


Bottom line, there IS some risk associated with getting your car chiptuned. Just depends on your personal quotient for risk taking if it's worth it.

And unfortunately as I've found, Audi is less than great about warranty repairs as it is *without* mods - just ask anyone who's had DSG problems. Add in an excuse for them to deny coverage, and you should assume they will refuse to cover anything that could be even remotely related to the engine if you get a tune.

[Joelc]

I was back at the Audi dealer where I purchased the car [i.e. not Pfaff] today to get my windows tinted -- going with 35% as recommended -- and asked about the 'dealer notice" that Pfaff claims has recently been sent...I was told that they would check into it and come back to me on Monday when I pick up my car so stay tuned [pun intended]...

[oldster1]

Dear Audi Dealer:

Recently, there has been some discussion surrounding Audi dealer participation with aftermarket suppliers, particularly in regards to STaSIS Engineering, a company that is currently selling its products through more than 80 Audi Dealerships in North America. Audi believes that for some customers, the availability of aftermarket accessories at the dealership can help drive enthusiasm for our products. At the same time, our S and RS lines do fulfill most customers’ desires for added performance and custom features. For customers who do wish vehicle modifications offered by STaSIS through our dealers, we believe it is imperative to have a clear understanding of our mutual responsibilities.

Audi’s policy on aftermarket products and specifically STaSIS has been in place for some time:

1. Neither Audi of America, nor its affiliated companies, recognize ANY aftermarket supplier of performance parts as a “partner,” preferred vendor, or approved tuner. More specifically, no aftermarket supplier is currently approved, endorsed or otherwise sanctioned by Audi of America, or any of its affiliated companies. Regarding STaSIS, we have and will continue to work with them to make this clear in their marketing and communications.

2. Audi does not warrant any aftermarket parts, accessories, alterations, modifications or consequential damage to the vehicle due to modifications. We understand that STaSIS provides warranty coverage on its products that is comparable to Audi’s own coverage. While it is true that we specify in our warranty system when a car has been altered with STaSIS parts, this information is provided to enable faster diagnostic capability, better customer service and transfer of coverage to STaSIS if a claim is necessary. Through proper communication, we expect that under no circumstance will a customer be delayed or denied repair in situations involving STaSIS and Audi products when repair is appropriate.


3. Dealers that actively promote the sale of and/or installation of aftermarket parts to Audi-brand vehicles that are still under the manufacturer’s new car limited warranty, or under a certified pre-owned limited warranty MUST inform their customers that the addition of aftermarket parts and accessories may void such limited warranty as to any aspect of the vehicle which may have been affected by such alterations or modifications. In the case of STaSIS products, the customer may have rights under a STaSIS warranty.

4. Consistent with this, Audi cannot take responsibility for legal liabilities related to STaSIS or other supplier products. Audi of America may refuse to defend or indemnify Dealers where the sale and/or installation of ANY aftermarket tuning parts and accessories is a factor in a “lemon law” and/or warranty claim. Audi of America may also refuse to defend or indemnify such Dealers for product liability claims and may seek indemnification from such Dealer in the event that warranty or product liability claims are brought against Audi where the presence of such aftermarket parts may have reasonably contributed to the circumstances giving rise to such claims. In the case of STaSIS products, the Dealer is referred to the STaSIS Release of Liability document that requires customer signature at the sale of any STaSIS product.

5. Of course neither Audi nor its dealers can participate in modifications of our vehicles that adversely affect compliance with safety or emissions regulations. This is reflected in Article 5 of the Audi Dealer Agreement Standard Provisions.

Finally, the history that Audi of America enjoys with STaSIS has been and continues to be positive. We realize that a segment of the Audi customer base will continue to request customization of their Audi vehicles. Please be advised that those customers and Dealers that choose to use aftermarket parts from STaSIS need to be informed and understand the clear delineation between the responsibilities of Audi of America and those of STaSIS Engineering.

Please contact your local Audi representative if you have any questions regarding these matters.

Sincerely,



Mark del Rosso
Chief Operating Officer

Peter Donnellan
Director After Sales
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