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If you currently have or are considering purchasing a Harley-Davidson extended warranty plan at the time of purchase on a new bike with the Milwaukee-eight motor, you may reconsider now and into the future if things stay in their current state. If you are planning on adding specific performance upgrades, it may void both the two-year manufacturer's warranty and any 3 or 5-year Harley extended warranty you purchased, commonly referred to as an “extended service plan”. These new strict warranty policies really only pertain to 2017 & newer Harley's with the Milwaukee-Eight motor. Those of us that own earlier models really haven't had to deal with what I'm about to reveal to you. (This is a guide only. Read the actual warranty paperwork for yourself.)
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60 Day Service & Warranty Registration (SWR)
Let's first talk about the 60-day warranty rule, which is referred to as a “Sales & Warranty Registration” or “SWR”. If within the first 60 days of your new Harley purchase you purchase Harley Screamin' Eagle parts and have them installed by a Harley dealership mechanic, all parts and labor will be covered during the two-year manufacturer's warranty and during any extended service plan you purchase. Also, all the parts and labor will be tracked under the vehicle identification number (VIN) and can be tracked for the life of the bike. It's as if the bike came from the factory with the parts. An example would be a Screamin' Eagle stage four install. You can often finance the Screamin' Eagle parts and labor at the time of purchase of your new Harley.
Now, you can still purchase Harley Screamin' Eagle parts after that 60 days and have a dealership mechanic install them and your warranty will remain intact, however, only the 1-year Screamin' Eagle parts warranty will apply and labor will not be covered in the future if there is a related problem.
Note: You can purchase a 3 or 5-year extended service plan, which attaches to the end of the two-year manufacturer's warranty. That means, if you purchased the 3-year extended, you'd be covered for 5 years. Likewise, if you purchased the 5-year extended, you'd be covered for 7 years. Then, as long as you don't exceed 75,000 miles you can renew your extended service plan for an additional 5-years for a total of 12 years risk-free engine work/labor. But, this all comes with a price tag of course. And a reminder that you've been forced to only use overpriced Harley parts.
What Voids Your Harley Warranty?
If you or anyone else besides a certified Harley dealership technician installs Harley Screamin' Eagle parts or any other brand performance engine parts on your Harley, any warranty you have is technically voided. We'll talk further about that later.
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As an example, and very technically speaking here, if you install simple aftermarket slip-on mufflers and an aftermarket stage-one air intake your two-year Harley manufacturer's warranty and any extended service plan you purchased is voided. Certainly, if a non-Harley certified dealership mechanic or you install a stage four kit of any brand, your Harley warranty will be voided.
Further, if you or anyone else install an aftermarket electronic fuel injection (EFI) tuner, your entire Harley warranty is immediately voided.
How Does Harley Decipher These Things?
Some things are going to vary from dealership to dealership on how they choose to handle some of these issues and how they choose to treat their local customers.
But first, what you need to know is that if you take your Harley to any dealership and they need to plug your Harley's engine control module (ECM) into their proprietary Digital Technician II software, it is going to automatically start reading things. If the software determines you have current EFI map/tuning changes in your ECM from an aftermarket non-Harley EFI tuner it will immediately & automatically send that info to the Harley servers and will be forever locked to your VIN. Thus, your entire Harley warranty will be voided!
The dealership will plug your ECM into Digital Tech for simple things like flashing your Boom Box Infotainment system after adding a speaker and amp system or adding a Wireless Headset Interface Module (WHIM) for wireless Bluetooth headset pairing with you Boom Box. Or, they may need to read the ECM to diagnose fuel and/or air issues and many other things.
Simple installs like aftermarket slip-on mufflers or an air intake will not be read by Digital Technician as those alone cause no changes to the ECM. On the other hand, EFI tuners do change the air/fuel settings in the ECM and so it can be read by Digital Technician.
Dealerships do have some options on how they handle things.
Essentially, the aftermarket mufflers and air intake are visual to a dealership and not read by Digital Technician, thus nothing is sent to Harley servers and a dealership mechanic can certainly just move along with business and not report such things. But, after adding an exhaust system and air intake you'd want to re-map your EFI for optimal performance anyways. You could consider paying the Harley tax for a simple stage one EFI download, which would not void the warranty. Or, you can continue and pay more Harley taxes by buying the Harley Screamin' Eagle EFI tuner, which is not as good as the Vance & Hines FuelPak 3 or others, and pay a Harley mechanic to install it for the sake of keeping your Harley warranty intact.
These new strict Harley warranty issues are making customers very upset.
So, it seems Harley is forcing customers to use their Screamin' Eagle parts exclusively and only allowing their mechanics to install them. And that is not sitting well with Harley's long time, once brand loyal customers. Many long-time loyalists are leaving Harley because of moves like this and other recent moves that leave their true paying customers very unhappy.
Harley-Davidson tries to blame all these new warranty issues on the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pressures. Yes, Harley has had to make changes ordered by the EPA in the past several years as they are the big dog. I understand that, but to then take it as far as voiding a customer's warranty for simply installing slip-on mufflers or an air intake is extreme in my opinion & completely unnecessary. I can tell you that Screamin' Eagle EFI tuners, air intakes, and slip-on mufflers are the same as many other aftermarket options. Screamin' Eagle often times are not as good as other aftermarket options and always a higher price (the Harley tax).
I certainly understand major engine work like a Harley stage four kit being installed and the requirement to use their parts and their mechanics to maintain a warranty. Those are major engine changes, but slip-on mufflers-really Harley?
Note: If you are buying an used Harley from someone with a transferrable warranty, I'd make an appointment to have the Harley ECM plugged into Digital Tech to verify the warranty is intact prior to making a deal.
I'll never buy another Harley Warranty!
Make no mistake about it, Harley makes a large amount of money by pushing extended service plans at the time of purchase. Not to mention, now they're making you buy their parts and paying their mechanics. I've had Harley warranty's over the past years and I can remember only one time actually using it and it was a $200 bill. Most will tell you they've never used their Harley warranty. Harley would not be pushing these extended warranties if they were not making large amounts of money on them. I'll also mention, that is a testament to the high quality of a Harley when you buy it.
Because of these new Harley warranty issues and them trying to force me not to work on my own bike, I'll never give Harley another penny for an extended warranty service plan ever again! If we all do that, it will send a very strong financial message to Harley that this is an unacceptable practice. I will continue to work on my own Harley and put the parts I want and not pay the Harley Screamin' Eagle tax.
Harley riders buy a bike and then they customize it and personalize it with aftermarket parts to include their choice of exhaust, stage one air intake, and EFI tuner. And so many of us enjoy wrenching on our own Harley and we take great pride in such. It's been done this for so many years and this is one of the big draws for even purchasing a Harley in the first place. It's part of the Harley culture!
Take those things away and Harley will continue to lose their very loyal core customers.
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Very informative except for the fact that Harley has changed the rules again. If you want to purchase an extended warranty the mileage on your bike now can not be over 60,000 miles instead of the 75,000 that was the standard for many many years.
Good to know. 👍
Hi, I have a 2021 Softail Standard and I just ordered some cobra mufflers the neighbor haters LOL from what I understand is I don’t have to do a tune if I leave the stock air filter, and simply just put these Mufflers on, my question is will that void my warranty?
Hello Ryan, your a great guy and I love the way you try hard to help the Biker Community. Since you and me both will not pay another dime to Hatley for their extended warranty, have you done any research on the other after market warranty companies that we may want to utilize? I have heard nightmare stories on some of them as well.
COACH
Thanks for the shout out. I have not researched or tried others. I’m more in the camp of self warranty at this point…….. I figure that hardly anyone actually uses an extended warranty, which is why they sell them. I now just put money aside in a fund that’s there and ready should I need it. I know that many not work for everyone.
Question. I have a 2019 FTBOB 114. HAD A CLUTCH BEARING BREK INSIDE THE CASING AND MESS EVERYTHING UP INSIDE. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID ITS MY FAULT. I ONLYHAVE 3200 MILES ON BIKE AND ITS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. NOW THEY CAME BACK WITH HD WILL COVER ALL THE PARTS BUT NOT THE LABOR WHAT SHALL I DO? IM PRETTY PISSED OFF THAT HD WOULD HANDLE SOMETHING LIKE THIS THE WAY THEY ARE SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE NOT BACKING UP THEIR BIKES
Go to another dealer. I know it sounds like a generic answer, but HD is a franchise. That said they have independent owners who may or may not be able to recognize The proper terms of your warranty, or it might be selective scumbags. If you live in Ulster County, New York there is Woodstock Harley, they are amazing.
I am putting on vance and hines big shot pipes on my new 2020 harley Davidson deluxe. The dealer wants me to use a screaming eagle fuelpak. I here vance and hines has a better product. They said if I use that it will void my warranty. I say if they do that, I will see them in fucking court.
Hey there,
I have a brand new 500 miles 2020 fat bob 114 and I put on a Vance & Hines Hi output exhaust, with a K&N air filter and then did the FuelPak3 from Vance and Hines and Harley says they have to void my warranty, I’m furious and considering suing them in court.
Hey Ryan.
I wanted to put on a stage 1 with tuner, Vance & Hines short shots, & K&N filter on my 2020 street bob.
The parts guy was happy to take my money.
When all the parts came in, I called to make the appointment.
the service department said that they would have some trouble installing the pipes.
It didn’t sit right with me so I talked to someone else.
They said that installing the whole system (with Screamin’ Eagle tuners) will void my warranty.
Funny how parts & prior service guy never told me about voiding the warranty
Considering just canceling the whole order at this point. $1500 order to avoid voiding the warranty on a 2 month old bike.
Pete,
You might ask them about HD pipes and intake? That shouldn’t void the warranty.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!
Any updates on people re-flashing their original maps back in prior to going to the dealership?
What about customers outside of the USA? Is this the same as we don’t have the EPA here?
Thank you for all your work on this issue
If Harley voids your warranty, is there a good third party warranty option? Thanks!
I know that this forum is addressing exhausts slip ons and Tuners regarding Screaming Eagle and Harley trying to void warranty. I’m just curious I bought a 2021 Softail Standard Milwaukee 107 and I added forward controls, and I want to put on a Memphis Shade, a 1-up seat, and crash bars since the Softail Standard is a beautiful but basic stripped-down bike that you’re able to build up what you like oh, I’m curious will I am’s like this void my two year warranty? If anybody knows play Shout Out.
Jim,
In our experience these add ons will not void your warranty. It’s the tuners, intakes, and exhaust that usually do.
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!
Hi, I have a 2021 Softail Standard and I just ordered some cobra mufflers the neighbor haters LOL from what I understand is I don’t have to do a tune if I leave the stock air filter, and simply just put these Mufflers on, my question is will that void my warranty?
Hey Matt I never thanked you for your message in August of 21! About the forward controls crash bars and step up seat, I appreciate that information did all those add-ons, I do have a question however about putting on COBRA neighbor hater mufflers but not changing the air box and from what I understand I don’t need to put a tuner on the bike if I just do slip-ons but I’m wondering if that would void a warranty just the mufflers and nothing else
The mufflers alone should not void your warranty. The concern is if the dealer can show that the aftermarket mufflers cause damaged to your motor they may decline your warranty request.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!
I voided mine on day two! I knew it and didn’t really care. $32k bike, I better be able to fix it. Typically myself.
This is an old post, but I’m compelled to weigh-in. I struggled with the warranty issue on my new bike when I got
It last year (2021). I decided to pull the trigger on parts after reading the Consent Decree though. I added Rinehart DBX45’s and the screamin eagle oval filter. I also self-tuned with a SEPST. The Moss-Magnuson act protects me in this case. None of the parts are racing only or for off-road use only. Also, I used the Harley tuner. The Consent Decree only mentions tuners, nothing more, nothing less. Harley will need to prove that any parts I put on we’re the direct result of their use. I encourage everyone to read their warranty information and read the Consent Decree: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-12/documents/harleydavidson-cd.pdf.
I got a 2021 Roadglide. It had problems like after 400 miles with electrical. I called the dealer to let them know. Well after losing all power gor about 5 minutes it turned back on. Well it happened at the Dealership when I took it in for the 1k service and it happened to the guy there. He said they would look at it.
Well after that I started adding blackout lights and Harley day maker fog light. Well now it’s in the shop now 45 days later and still they have no idea of what it is and since nothing was on paperwork from the 1k service about that problem they are saying it’s my fault since I added them fog lights, all bought from HD and just about all was plug and play. My bill is about 2500 now and my warranty is voided as per HD. Got a lemon law layer and hopefully it helps.
As of June 23, 2022, the FTC has taken action against H-D for its unfair trade practices. Under the Magnuson-Miss Warranty act H-D cannot require you to use only H-D parts and-or service unless H-D provides them for free. The use of an aftermarket part does not automatically void your warranty and saying that it does is illegal. H-D has to demonstrate with reasonable certain that the aftermarket part necessitated the warranty repair claim. So, an aftermarket exhaust, tune, handle bars, etc…do not automatically void the warranty. Not saying you may not still have to fight over it, but I would forgo stage 1 and maybe even stage 2 mods for fear of voiding my warranty.
Thanks for that great information, I’m reaching out to anybody that may know, I have a 2021 Softail Standard I just ordered some cobra neighbor hater mufflers only I wanted to try these first instead of putting the full exhaust system on, I have two questions will that void the remainder of my warranty which is about a year, and also I’m a little nervous putting them on now because a few things I looked up said that it could damage the Pistons putting on mufflers can heat up the Pistons and melt them, and so if that’s the case I’m wondering why the company would sell these mufflers that are compatible in this case with my bike? Anybody out there that knows some information I would appreciate your feedback!
Thanks for that great information regarding warranties and those HD illegal practices! I I’m wondering if it’s safe to put on aftermarket Mufflers on my 2021 Softail Standard I read somewhere where due to the back pressure it could heat up and melt one or two of the Pistons! Yikes!! I’ve already ordered these and I can’t turn back now