Car owners are sometimes told by a dealership service writer or mechanic that using an aftermarket replacement filter will “void the warranty,” and that only the original equipment (OE) brand can be used during the warranty period. That claim casts doubt on perfectly good replacement parts, and it simply isn’t true.
Ask for that statement in writing and you won’t get it. Still, the claim can make do-it-yourselfers uneasy about installing their own filters, so it’s worth setting the record straight.
What the Law Says
Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2301–2312 (1982), and general principles of the Federal Trade Commission Act, a manufacturer may not require you to use any particular brand of filter, or any other part, unless the manufacturer provides that item free of charge under the warranty.
What to Do If You’re Told Otherwise
If you’re told only the OE filter will keep your warranty valid, ask for the OE filter to be supplied free of charge. If you’re charged for it, the manufacturer is violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and other applicable law.
The Filter Manufacturers Council shares this information to combat the false claim that non-OE replacement filters void a warranty.
Enforcement
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law that covers consumer products. The Federal Trade Commission enforces it, including through injunctions and orders for affirmative relief, and consumers can also bring their own lawsuits under the Act.