I heard that doing any type of exhaust modification before the cat. would void the warranty?

So what exactly could you do? Just throw and X pipe on and a pair of mufflers?

Not sure how warranty works in the US, but in Aus it's really between you and the dealership as to what level of mods they'll deem acceptable regarding warranty work. As the dealership has to foot the bill for warranty work until GM reimburses them the costs.

My dealership is OK with exhaust replacement (full), PCM retune, CAI filters.

However the closest dealership to home wont accept ANY mods when it comes to warranty claims.

A cat back replacement is a generally accepted mod over here. Replace the standard cat back with a stainless 2 1/2 inch mandrel bent system with an x pipe a hotdog and rear mufflers.

I heard that doing any type of exhaust modification before the cat. would void the warranty?

So what exactly could you do? Just throw and X pipe on and a pair of mufflers?
There's no room between the cats and headers to do anything except burn your fingers.

As per federal law (which SEMA was nice enough to get for us), unless the dealer can PROVE that the modification was the cause of the failure, they CANNOT void the warranty. I highly doubt that a highflow cat or headers will void the warranty, unless you manage to damage the O2 sensors, which they wouldn't cover.

From my experience, the dealer WILL charge you extra if they have to remove aftermarket parts that cause more labor time they factory parts, while doing a warranty job. This is the case, even with recall issues. They have the right to do this, but in all honesty, nothing you do it going to cause that labor to increase by more then a few hours.

As stated in the warranty booklet,.....

Just about the only way to have the warranty voided would be if a vehicle received a Branded Title.

An alterantion or modification would have coverage denied for any failure believed to be caused by the alteration or modification.

Even a GM Performance Part Cat-back system will not assure you from potential damage to the engine from the exhaust modification. Let me re-phrase to make sure you understand completely:

Purchase any GM Performance parts installed at time of purchase and the parts get a longer warranty than if purchased and installed after vehicle purchase - however no such parts are guaranteed or warranted not to cause or induce collateral damage to engine or drive train that GM may not be obligated to cover.

Now, the exhaust, in particular. Messing with the exhaust in front of the CAT is actually a violation of emissions law, according to several sources. Cat-back systems should have a 49 state certification (zero mods in CA???) or you run risk of failing an emission test if your locale requires them. You can replace the CAT, the auto parts stores sell generic replacements all the time and , for example, your exhaust system rusts out you are not requires by federal law to replace it with only OEM parts. You basically just have to not increase emissions or noise above legal limits.

If you put an exhaust on, then your windows stop working, its under warranty because the windows not workin had nothing to do with your exhaust. Now if you blew your engine, maybe. Its very fine line with warrantys and what you can and cannot do.

You basically just have to not increase emissions or noise above legal limits.

This depends on the state you live in. Massachusetts states that the exhaust cannot be modified with the pure intent of making the exhaust louder. It's pretty easy to argue the performance/fuel saver side, as I've had friends do so and get out of a ticket. Also, its been pretty effective to just show the "50 state legal" CARB listing for the part, and get off as well. But, each state is different. Maine actually has a dB limit, which is relatively easy for them to test.


Of course, the other item is the federal warranty on the cats. If you replace them, you're on your own if they go bad. This is pretty normal for cars over the age of 5 years, in cold weather areas. Winter fuel sucks pretty bad and has the tendancy to eat up cats a lot quicker, then say, what a car down in Texas would endure.

I did say - drive train, as any modification that increases horsepower or torque beyond factory specs, even if purchased from GM, can be and sometimes is listed as cause for failure of downstream drive train components. If you install a CAI, and boost hp by even a few, and the diff goes out, or even a wheel bearing, GM has a case to deny coverage although they have to prove it. That's why you want an understanding dealer that won't immediately note any mods on a warranty submission.

Thank you fellas, ill ask the dealer today and see what they say.

As per federal law (which SEMA was nice enough to get for us), unless the dealer can PROVE that the modification was the cause of the failure, they CANNOT void the warranty.

If you make a major modification to the design of the vehicle the burden of proof is on you.

If you simply use a non GM replacement part the burden of proof is on the dealer/GM.

If you make a major modification to the design of the vehicle the burden of proof is on you.


I wouldn't consider exhaust to be a major modification.

I agree that it all depends on your dealer if they want to cooperate or not. With my Mazda6, I did the TB ground & airbox mod and my dealer just put stickers under the hood that said "accepted mod" and the date.

I was quite surprised and curious as to why they would even bother with that. The stickers looked like their own and not a Mazda authorized decal.

I heard that doing any type of exhaust modification before the cat. would void the warranty?

So what exactly could you do? Just throw and X pipe on and a pair of mufflers?


Does that include the engine cover?



Mu ha ah..............:judge:

Does that include the engine cover?



Mu ha ah..............:judge:

o yea ofcourse :)
according to my dealer here ( they are just a buncha ... :drink: ) if u take that cover off the temp might migrate to the hood and then reflect back into the car and rewin ur stereo system lol :judge:

As per federal law (which SEMA was nice enough to get for us), unless the dealer can PROVE that the modification was the cause of the failure, they CANNOT void the warranty. I highly doubt that a highflow cat or headers will void the warranty, unless you manage to damage the O2 sensors, which they wouldn't cover.



Technically this is correct. It doesn't play out like that unless you are ready to spend a ton of money in court.

Technically this is correct. It doesn't play out like that unless you are ready to spend a ton of money in court.

All depends on how much damage needs to be covered. If it falls under small claims court, you can represent yourself and most likely, they'll just do the damn work.