Hi Chris,

We received your email on Thursday evening, May 15th , after we were closed. It was read sometime Friday, and forwarded to me. I sent a reply back to you on Monday, the 19th, and also spoke to you by phone. I will reiterate the information we replied back to you with.

Under federal law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)), no manufacturer can legally void your vehicle’s warranty simply because you installed a programmer or other aftermarket component. The only way that GM can legally deny a warranty claim is if it is proven that the aftermarket part(s) caused the malfunction.

GM Tech Service bulletin #09-06-04-026G details their procedure for verifying if an aftermarket calibration has been used. This service bulletin, as well as the General Motors Corporation New Vehicle Warranty, both state that the use of “aftermarket engine performance enhancement products or modifications may not be covered under your vehicle warranty”. This bulletin only states that UNAUTHORIZED warranty repair is not permitted. It does not state that a warranty repair will be automatically denied for the presence of an aftermarket calibration. The dealership would require GM authorization prior to repairing the vehicle under warranty.

A detailed inspection of the engine and drivetrain components is ultimately needed to establish cause of failure. In most cases, GM doesn’t follow this procedure, and automatically denies warranty repair when an aftermarket calibration is detected. Furthermore, there is no way from the procedure outlined in the bulletin that GM can tell what tuning device was installed. All they can determine is that it is a non-GM modified calibration. They cannot determine what brand tuning product was installed.

Engine damage can be caused by many factors, including insufficient or improper maintenance, contaminated or poor quality fuel, abusive use, racing or competition, or from aftermarket parts such as turbochargers, superchargers, nitrous oxide, etc. It can also be caused by bad aftermarket tuning calibrations. Our engineers take particular care to design tuning calibrations that optimize power while maintaining safe engine and drivetrain operating parameters, and maintain operation of all emissions equipment within federal emission standards. As long as you aren’t abusing your vehicle, or haven’t installed other aftermarket modifications, there is simply not a reason for Hypertech tuning to cause this type of failure.

We outlined Hypertech’s procedure for handling these issue in our email reply to you. The first step is to supply us a copy of the original purchase receipt of the Hypertech programmer, and the serial number from the product used. Any service records from the dealership will be needed as well, including any warranty repairs, maintenance records, and repair receipts. We would also need to know if there were any other aftermarket modifications to the vehicle. We may also need to have the programmer updated to verify some information from it.

The next step would be to contact the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center, and the GM regional service representative, and request a written explanation for denial of warranty repair. If they provide an explanation in writing, then forward that information to Hypertech. If they don’t provide any written explanation, the next step would be to contact an attorney that can possibly help to get GM to repair the vehicle, and reinstate the warranty. We can recommend an attorney that we have used before that has been successful at representing Hypertech customers with warranty issues when dealing with OE manufacturers.

Kenny

 

Pro’s and Con’s<O</O
I was a sceptic about adding any type of programmer on my ‘03 Z71 1500, but I decided to go ahead and try the Hypertech Max Energy. My truck had a 6” lift and 35” tires. When I got it I was getting around 12.5 to 14 PMG (max going downhill) I was driving 150 miles for drill every month, and I was very particular about mile mileage.
<O</O
Pro: After adding the Hypertech, I could feel a difference, but it was more about noticing the difference for me. I went to getting an average of 15-16 MPG’s. (I’ve gotten up to 17 MPG a few different times.) I had it on there for approximately 2 years… I am a firm believer in the Hypertech programmer.
<O</O
Con: I was told before selling my truck I should put it back to stock, so I could keep the programmer, and exchange it for a different one that will fit my new vehicle. I was told as long as it unlocked they would only charge me shipping and handling charges. (I figured it would be $20-$30) BUT… Oh was I wrong. When I called Hypertech to get one for my new truck I was told it was going to be $250. WOW!!! What a shock!!! New they are only a tad over $300. (I’ve seen them on sale for $299) To charge me a little under what a new one costs, well, that was just irritating. So basically they will take mine and sell it as a new one to someone else.
<O</O
I am now looking for another brand because of that reason. I really like Hypertech but to treat their customers that way made me a little Jaded towards them.
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Also Note… I have a programmer if anyone is interested… Fits 03 Chevy 5.3 engines. LOL<O</O

 

SteveLNew: Might check Blackbear Performance next time.

 

If you currently have a Max Energy we charge 200.00 plus frt to exchange the unit for a different vehicle.