On July 3, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission sent warning letters to eight companies — including electronics manufacturers ASRock, Zotac, and Gigabyte — giving them 30 days to remove warranty language that violates federal law.
The specific violation: "Warranty Void If Removed" stickers and similar language that tells consumers they'll lose their warranty coverage if they have a product serviced by someone other than an authorized dealer.
That's illegal. It's been illegal since 1975. And companies keep doing it anyway.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits manufacturers from voiding a warranty simply because you chose to have your product serviced or repaired by someone other than an authorized dealer — unless the manufacturer provides the parts or service for free.
In plain terms: a manufacturer cannot force you to use their service network as a condition of keeping your warranty intact. They can require you to use genuine parts for warranty-covered repairs. They cannot require you to only use their shops.
The FTC has been enforcing this more actively in recent years, but warning letters to eight companies in a single action is a notable escalation.
What This Means for Car Owners
The auto industry has long pushed consumers toward dealership service using warranty fear. "If you take it anywhere else, you void your warranty" is something car dealers have said for decades — and it's not true.
Under Magnuson-Moss, you can:
- Have your car serviced at an independent shop without voiding your warranty
- Use aftermarket parts for non-warranty repairs without affecting covered components
- Have routine maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations) done anywhere you choose
What the manufacturer can do is require that warranty-covered repairs use parts they supply, or that you document the maintenance was performed.
"The warranty void sticker is a scare tactic. Federal law has prohibited it for 50 years. That hasn't stopped companies from using it."
The Catch: Documentation Matters
If you're planning to make a warranty claim after having work done at an independent shop, keep records. Receipts showing what was done, what parts were used, and when — especially for scheduled maintenance items. If a manufacturer tries to deny a warranty claim based on independent service, those records are your defense.
The FTC's renewed enforcement signals that warranty intimidation tactics are getting less tolerated at the federal level. That's good news for independent shops, mobile mechanics, and every consumer who has been told they have fewer choices than they actually do.
EthicalMechanic.org is built around the idea that you should be able to have your vehicle serviced wherever you trust — without losing the protections you're legally entitled to.
The FTC letters gave companies 30 days to comply. Consumers have had these rights for 50 years. It's worth knowing them.