Dangerous Mods That WILL Void Your Tesla Warranty

Use links below for discount to auto apply!

My Carbon Fiber rear spoiler

Tsportline's tool kit and jack puck kit.



Follow Kim On Social:

Kim's Favorite Tesla Only Accessories:

Kim's Tesla Accessories With Discounts:

SCENT WEDGE (10% off with Code KIMJAVA)

Kim's Favorite Car Accessories:

Kim's Filming Accessories:
#Tesla

[dannym]

I had my power steering go out after 2 months on a new model Y. Tesla Service here denied the warranty because I had a powered frunk and the back display in the center console. I took it to a closer service center, with those components disconnected. They tried to say the warranty was voided because of those aftermarket items. So I quoted them the federal law that states they can't void the warranty on unrelated aftermarket parts. I asked them which aftermarket part SPECIFICALLY caused the power steering to fail. Several days later they said they weren't able to conclusively prove it was the rear display or the powered frunk (I know, shocking...). So they fixed it under warranty. The actual gears in the power steering unit were bad. It really pisses me off that they tried to void the warranty knowing full well there was no chance it was anything I installed. Those parts have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the power steering... I told them that up front, and told them before and after that I'd share my "experience" with everyone. Basically, they were hoping I'd just accept their "diagnosis" and pay the $3000+ for a bad part on my new car. It wasn't until I called them on it and demonstrated I knew the law and was willing to go to the press and file a lawsuit if necessary, that they decided to hold to their obligations under the warranty. Not a good look for them.

[hyprmax]

NAILED IT! Warranty denial is based on the claim and NOT the whole warranty as long as the aftermarket part is directly associated to the claim. If your part has a direct corealtion to the issue then the claim is denied. People need to learn this. Great topic, lots of non car folks can learn here.

[mincooper]

From a common sense and legal perspective there are mods that "should" not void your warranty but what a Tesla Service Center chooses to do is often not based on the common sense nor law (ie Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act). I had problems with my side repeater cameras and clearly my power frunk/trunk kits are not in any way linked to functionality of the side repeater cameras nor my T-Sportline Smart Instrument Cluster. Tesla told me they are clamping down and said they are not going to warranty my car with any electrical mods even though the service advisor said it's unlikely these have any impact to the side repeater cameras. Even a 12v bypass connector tap to the cigarette lighter power to run a radar detector was questioned. My SC said Tesla is clamping down on all mods that tap into power or OBD/Canbus (such as screens). After a lot of convincing (and it was not easy) they agreed that if I disconnected the power to my trunk kit, frunk kit, and Smart Instrument Cluster, they would warranty my cameras. "Invasive" is really a subjective word. My frunk and trunk kits are plug and play other than a power connection. Like the Smart Instrument Cluster, the trunk kit taps into the OBD system which Tesla does not like even though they know it's not an issue. I am reasonably confident that anyone took Tesla to court under the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act could win but most people don't have the energy or time to take legal actions so it boils down to a fruitless argument with the service center.

To be clear, Tesla can void the warranty on anything that interfaces with the electronics. The power trunk and frunk kits have no more higher chance of voiding warranty compared to any other electronics (ie, screens) that T-Sportline sells. If anyone wants clarification ask your local service center - I'd be surprised that they would sanction some electronics and not others.

[tesladura]

Gotta disagree with the comments about power trunk kits "cutting into the harness" and being "invasive". Mine is in fact, plug and play. It's basically the same as the factory power trunk that later Model 3's have from the factory. Tesla China is even doing power trunk retrofits. I've never felt like going with a power frunk for the simple reason that I simply don't use the frunk enough to justify it. So far, I am loving the convenience of a power trunk and hopefully it will perform as designed long term.

[ChrisPolg]

Thanks Kim. Few questions;
1) I want the yoke for my M3P. What is recommended? I feel like I want one by Tesla and nobody else. It’s such a big safety piece. Am I wrong for thinking that?
2) Now that I know not to do a power hood, is changing the suspension Ok?
3) I’m one year in with my Tesla, where can I find an event like you where at in this video?

[GXKid]

My power frunk was plug and play and has been great.

[cybyr_]

Loved the section with Matt Henrichsen, the dust storm story was pretty cool. What a legend for keeping the model 3!

[taiwoegun]

CyberTruck
Also yea its “under wraps” they’re definitely using that vinyl paint looking wrap for the cyber truck. Its going to look sick

[tjhouston]

A lot of these features are what’s supposed to be in this car💀. You just made me fully realize, why am I paying premium car money for a car that’s not very premium.

[kylenorris]

A Fronk swappable Battery expansion would be sick

[IdiocracySpace]

Adding camber arms to my Model X - mechanics says it voids warranty. But I don’t think any issue would be related. Doesn’t make sense. Better to save tire wear.

[Ilithyia_and_Chelsie_Marie]

Love my nose cone and the personalized upgrades to make my car the best reflection of me 💖

[sorka]

Tesla might say warped rotors or other heat related brake failures aren't covered due to airflow difference from after market wheels.

[professorking]

Does tinting the top glass void the warranty? I went to get the window tint last time and the staff told me that tinting the top glass will void the warranty……….. is that true? I ended up tinting the 4 windows only…….

[unforgiving]

my 2023 Y-p is awesome. I see no need to modify any thing of it. Especially if it'll Fk anything up warranty wise. It's not like you can just take your car to any mechanic you want.

[u.e.u.e.]

How about aero parts for improving efficiency and reducing noises?
@Kim If you install orange seatbelts the exact same color should be mirrored somewhere. That could be in bi-color seats, dashboard or doorpanel parts, floormats or at least the stitching in the seats or floormats. How about one single pinstripe on the spoke of the wheel that's closest to the valve? An orange pinstripe to accentuate the contur of the body? 😉

[oncorpse]

My new Model Y couldn't install updates for over half a year long. 4 appointments at Tesla service center and nothing resolved. They said a part of the car needs to be replaced. It had to be ordered so I ended up waiting 4 months. It was replaced but still nothing. The car just couldn't install new updates. Finally, after +6 months and 6 service center appointments, one of Tesla technicians said the reason is the subwoofer I had installed in the car. I said it has nothing to do with anything but they refused and made me pay 570€ . I was so angry. I am still angry sharing it now.

[vforillo]

The FTC already stated that it’s illegal to claim that you can void your warranty by customizing your property, breaking the sticker, does not avoid the warranty

[infinitegary]

HI there. Just watched your video. So i brought my 2020 model 3 LR into tesla sc in st pete florida recently due to a clicking sound coming from rear axles. I have aftermarket wheels and they denied doing a warranty reapir bc i have aftermarket wheels. They said my rear hub and drive axle should be replaced to get rid of sound but wont do it bc of my wheels. The lead tech said put my facory ones on and try to bring it in again? They blatently are violating this law you are referring to. I also have the messages from the chat from them saying they are denyinmg the claim bc of wheels.

[immersivevr]

Are there aftermarket headrest adjustments for model 3. I’m 6’6” tall and would love to be able to adjust the headrest up.