Key Issues & Policies

Related FAQs

• What is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and how does it affect me?

  The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal consumer protection law enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. It sets the terms that a written warranty has to spell out clearly:

  • Who's covered by the warranty
  • A clear description of what's covered
  • What you and the warrantor are each responsible for, including where repairs and maintenance can be performed
  • When the warranty expires
  • How to resolve a dispute with the warrantor

  The Act also blocks manufacturers from voiding your warranty just because you used an aftermarket part. They can only deny a claim if they can prove that a specific part caused the problem.

  For the full text, see the FTC's Businessperson's Guide to Federal Warranty Law. You can also watch the Car Care Council's explainer video.

• What is the difference between aftermarket and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts?

  OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are made by or for the vehicle manufacturer and carry that manufacturer's name. Aftermarket parts are made independently of the vehicle manufacturer and sold under the part maker's own brand.

• Do aftermarket parts meet OEM specifications?

  Many do, some meet or exceed OEM requirements. If you have questions about a specific part's quality, ask your repair shop or the retailer selling it.

• Am I required to follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in order to maintain my factory/dealer warranty?

  Yes. But you can get that maintenance done at any qualified independent repair shop, not just the dealer. Non-warranty service is never required to happen at a dealership.

• What is the difference between my manufacturer/dealer warranty and my insurance policy?

  • A warranty covers mechanical breakdowns and the parts and labor to fix them.
  • Insurance covers damage from a specific event, like an accident or theft.
  • For warranty questions, contact the manufacturer or dealer. For insurance questions, contact your agent.

• Do warranty-covered repairs have to be completed at the dealership?

  If a repair is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer may require that the repair be performed by a specific shop. Outside of that, you can get your vehicle serviced anywhere. You're never required to use the dealership for non-warranty work.

• If I do not get my vehicle serviced at a dealership, how will I be able to prove I have done the recommended maintenance on my car?

  Keep dated records and receipts for every service, with an accurate description of the parts used and work performed. And remember the burden of proof runs the other way: if a manufacturer or dealer wants to deny a claim because you used an independent service or a non-OEM part, they have to prove that part or service caused the failure. It's not on you to prove it didn't.

• Does my right to get my vehicle serviced anywhere extend to newer vehicles with built-in technology?

  Increasingly, no, not automatically.

  Modern vehicles generate diagnostic data that independent shops need just to start some repairs, and manufacturers control access to it. State and federal right to repair laws are starting to change that. Maine passed one in 2026 requiring automakers to open up that data, an early example of what these laws look like once they're on the books. Other states are moving on similar legislation, and the federal REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566 / S. 1379) would set the same baseline nationwide. Until a law like this applies where you live, what data you can get depends on the manufacturer.