Responding to heavy pressure by a number of auto industry trade groups - including the Tire Industry Association - the Federal Trade Commission has issued a consumer alert countering claims made by Honda about warranty service.
The FTC alert - "Auto Warranties, Routine Maintenance and Repairs: Is Using the Dealer a Must?" - argued against statements made by Honda in a August 2010 statement that “only by purchasing Honda genuine parts through an authorized U.S. Honda dealer can you be assured of the replacement part’s authenticity, reliability and compatibility.”
In an Aug. 25 letter to the FTC, the AAIA charged that the Honda statement was “in direct conflict with the Magnuson-Moss statute,” which prohibits the conditioning of a warranty on the use of the manufacturer’s brand products.
“We are pleased that the FTC has put out valuable guidance to U.S. car owners regarding their rights under their new car warranties,” said AAIA president and CEO, Kathleen Schmatz. “Vehicle manufacturers like Honda continue to put out misleading information that confuses car owners as to their ability to choose where and with what parts their vehicle is serviced and still protect their new vehicle warranty. Most surveys have shown that absent the warranty, the vast majority of consumers choose the independent aftermarket based on quality, price and convenience; and this FTC Alert will ensure they will have the peace of mind to exercise that choice.”
“TIA will continue to push back against any infringement on our members in the aftermarket repair business by the vehicle manufacturers,” said Roy Littlefield, executive vice president, TIA. “It is a deliberate attempt to garner an unfair advantage and we are grateful that the FTC has reacted to this apparent trend.”
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