Procal Tune voids Ford Extended Warranty?

TechnicalDisaster

Jul 01, 2025

Tue at 3:17 pm

I don't want to make too big a deal out of this (yet), but I got some interesting news from my dealer. My buddy called me to tell me not to install the Ford Procal tune because it voids the Ford extended warranty. In his case, he was having engine troubles and took his Bronco to the dealership. They entered his VIN and told him his VIN is flagged and they are not honoring his extended warranty.

I called the dealership to schedule the install of my Procal tune, and the service manager scared me off. He said that the tune voids the factory warranty and replaces it with a different, limited warranty that is not as good as the full Ford factory warranty. He then told me that it would completely void my factory extended warranty for the power and drive train. My Bronco has not been very reliable and I don't want to risk losing my expensive (but worth it) extended warranty.

I called Ford customer service to return the Procal tune, but they refused. It is a non-refundable part. I think this pretty unfair since Ford does not disclose anywhere on their website that there is material ramifications of installing this part. I'm not going to sacrifice any part of my $2,000+ warranty for a $700 tuner. But now I have a very expensive brick.

Even here on Bronco Nation, there is no disclosure that the ProCal tune will void important parts of the Ford Extended warranty, and there is no information about the limits of the warranty that is applied when using the tuner.

I've initiated a case to my credit card company to try and get my money back. Ford is clearly not informing buyers how their official performance parts installed by factory authorized mechanics have significant change to the warranty.

BuckYeah, Johnny Mo

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Wed at 5:58 pm

#20

TechnicalDisaster
New information - I have talked to two different Ford warranty representatives that have stated the Procal Tune voids the Ford extended warranty. I recorded the phone calls so I can share the audio later. The second representative was very straight forward and told me not to install the tune or I would lose my extended service plan.

I still say BS! :-)
So per your call, the dealer is saying you no longer have coverage on say, your alternator, AC, power steering, electric window motor?

Google AI result:
No, Ford cannot automatically void your entire warranty for installing a Ford Performance tune. However, they can deny warranty claims if the tune is found to be the direct cause of the issue. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers, requiring manufacturers to prove the aftermarket part caused the damage before denying a warranty claim according to CountyOffice.org.
Elaboration:
Ford Performance Tune and Warranty:Ford Performance tunes, like the Ford Performance calibration with Procal 4, come with their own warranty, typically 3 years/36,000 miles, specifically covering issues caused by the tune. Impact on Factory Warranty:The factory warranty remains intact, but Ford can deny specific warranty claims if they can prove the tune directly caused the damage. Burden of Proof:The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act places the burden of proof on Ford to demonstrate that the tune was the cause of the problem before denying a warranty claim.

Wed at 7:31 pm

#21

TechnicalDisaster
New information - I have talked to two different Ford warranty representatives that have stated the Procal Tune voids the Ford extended warranty. I recorded the phone calls so I can share the audio later. The second representative was very straight forward and told me not to install the tune or I would lose my extended service plan.

This is odd. I called Granger about the ProCal after I purchased it for my Braptor and the woman I spoke with said it the ProCal would not affect their warranty since it was a Ford backed part installed by a licensed dealer. I didn't pull the trigger on the warranty as I'm waiting till I'm closer to the 36K miles mark. If what you're saying is the case glad i saved the money.

Wed at 8:30 pm

#22

RobWTx
I still say BS! :)
So per your call, the dealer is saying you no longer have coverage on say, your alternator, AC, power steering, electric window motor?

Google AI result:
No, Ford cannot automatically void your entire warranty for installing a Ford Performance tune. However, they can deny warranty claims if the tune is found to be the direct cause of the issue. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers, requiring manufacturers to prove the aftermarket part caused the damage before denying a warranty claim according to CountyOffice.org.
Elaboration:
Ford Performance Tune and Warranty:Ford Performance tunes, like the Ford Performance calibration with Procal 4, come with their own warranty, typically 3 years/36,000 miles, specifically covering issues caused by the tune. Impact on Factory Warranty:The factory warranty remains intact, but Ford can deny specific warranty claims if they can prove the tune directly caused the damage. Burden of Proof:The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act places the burden of proof on Ford to demonstrate that the tune was the cause of the problem before denying a warranty claim.

If Ford claims that the Procal tune caused the failure then the burden of proof is on you not them. They have all the ammunition like ability to access your CPU to read all of your data like driving habits, average RPM, Boost and so on. They also have a legal team. Pretty sure a new engine is cheaper than fighting them. Many people don’t understand these warranties but it’s pretty clearly stated. Why would Ford cover any drivetrain related issue on a tuned vehicle after 3/36 from inception? They want people to buy this tune as it makes and saves them a ton of money.
There’s no free lunch.

Rydfree

Wed at 9:06 pm

#23

The more we investigate, the stranger it becomes. I shared the recording with my friend who got his warranty flagged, so he called the same numbers I did. The two different people he spoke to told him his extended warranty was not flagged and not voided.

But he literally has a screen shot from the dealership with the warning notification - yet Ford corporate couldn't see any of that indicated on their end.

So we are getting a run around. He's having warranty coverage issues from the dealership, and I'm still stuck with a tuner that Ford won't return.

Pardon my french, but for FUCKS sake. Nothing with Ford is ever easy. I love my Bronco, but I cannot stand Ford.

Wed at 9:06 pm

#24

extra toasty
If Ford claims that the Procal tune caused the failure then the burden of proof is on you not them. They have all the ammunition like ability to access your CPU to read all of your data like driving habits, average RPM, Boost and so on. They also have a legal team. Pretty sure a new engine is cheaper than fighting them. Many people don’t understand these warranties but it’s pretty clearly stated. Why would Ford cover any drivetrain related issue on a tuned vehicle after 3/36 from inception? They want people to buy this tune as it makes and saves them a ton of money.
There’s no free lunch.

The bold is NOT an accurate statement, read up on Magnuson-Moss

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers, requiring manufacturers to prove the aftermarket part caused the damage before denying a warranty claim according to CountyOffice.org.

Wed at 9:12 pm

#25

calebparkin3
This is odd. I called Granger about the ProCal after I purchased it for my Braptor and the woman I spoke with said it the ProCal would not affect their warranty since it was a Ford backed part installed by a licensed dealer. I didn't pull the trigger on the warranty as I'm waiting till I'm closer to the 36K miles mark. If what you're saying is the case glad i saved the money.

Ford is mailing me a physical copy of the Extended Service Plan that contains the exact language that the two people cited when they said the tuner cancels the warranty. Something to the affect of "the tuner is considered a major engine modification that voids the ESP." I will know for sure when I have that in hand.

What I am learning while going through this process is there is at least three different warranty administration systems at Ford. Ford Factory, Ford Performance, and Ford Extended Service Plans. NONE of them will speak on behalf of the other. You have to be very specific as to which warranty you are inquiring about. The Ford Performance warranty on the Procal Tuner has NO RELATIONSHIP to the Ford Factory or Ford ESP plan. You have to specifically call each of those business units to determine how the Procal will effect those plans individually.

This is directly from Ford Performance:
"When it comes to the Ford Extended Service Plan, that is not related to the Ford Performance Parts Limited Warranty in any way. We can provide information on our own warranty we provide, however if you want to know the affects on your ESP policy when it comes to installing aftermarket parts (Ford Performance or otherwise) on your vehicle, I would recommend talking to the Ford Extended Service Plan customer assistance team as they are your provider for that coverage. I will post their contact information below."

Deano Bronc

Wed at 9:25 pm

#26

TD, if they send you something in writing saying installing the tuner cancels your warranty, get a lawyer, they would have a field day with that!

Anyway, not here to argue, if you are not comfortable installing any parts, performance or not, peace of mind has no price.

Wed at 9:38 pm

#27

RobWTx
TD, if they send you something in writing saying installing the tuner cancels your warranty, get a lawyer, they would have a field day with that!

Anyway, not here to argue, if you are not comfortable installing any parts, performance or not, peace of mind has no price.

I just want a refund on the tuner that I have not installed. Going to a lawyer over $700 is a total waste of time and money. But maybe someone else who will be really harmed by this policy can take the information I'm providing and use a lawyer for substantial relief.

Deano Bronc, Sven

Wed at 10:28 pm

#28

RobWTx
The bold is NOT an accurate statement, read up on Magnuson-Moss

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers, requiring manufacturers to prove the aftermarket part caused the damage before denying a warranty claim according to CountyOffice.org.

What is the burden of proof for a warranty claim?
The onus is on the plaintiff to prove a breach of warranty. The plaintiff must prove that (i) the defendant had an obligation, (ii) breached the obligation and (iii) as a result, the plaintiff suffered damages. Jun 6, 2024

If you are out of your 3/36 from inception warranty on your tune, Ford specifically states that your warranty doesn’t apply if they state it contributed to drivetrain damage or failure. The tune creates more stress when extra boost is applied. You waved your normal warranty rights installing the tune, a lift, bigger tires, or any number of other modifications.

Wed at 11:04 pm

#29

From researching it for questions when it first came out, I was aware it came with its own warranty, but I didn't realize it voids an ESP.

I was looking back at Melissa's article (Tune Your Bronco: Installing the Ford Performance Calibration). Her statement "We reached out to Ford Performance Parts for more information on the warranty and were told that any warranty-related repairs were up to the decision of the Ford dealer" is how I figured it would play out for most people, especially since it seems all kinds of warranty repairs are handled on a dealer case by case basis.

The answers you've been given still feel a little nebulous, which no owner wants, so I hope the printed material clears that up, but also, that's not the outcome tune + ESP holders would want.

~~2021 Oxford White 2-door non-Sas Mid package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top~~
2021 Carbonized Gray 2-door Sas High package 2.7L/10-speed Badlands with MIC top
Keeping the Jeeps: ~~stock '89 XJ and~~ 3.5" lifted '00 XJ on 31s and '89 MJ

raqball, Deano Bronc

Yesterday at 2:16 am

#30

After listening to the recorded calls with the warranty groups, I don't believe they had the confidence in their determination concerning the tuner. I'm going to call again tomorrow with more specific questions.

I'm not trying to be flakey here. I'm just being honest after stepping away and listening to the call 12 hours later with an open and reasonable mindset.

raqball, Deano Bronc

Yesterday at 11:35 am

#31

TechnicalDisaster
I just want a refund on the tuner that I have not installed. Going to a lawyer over $700 is a total waste of time and money. But maybe someone else who will be really harmed by this policy can take the information I'm providing and use a lawyer for substantial relief.

I'm thinking more class action type lawsuit, if they blindly cancel your warranty because it's installed. Like those commercials or emails about Facebook selling your private data when you said not too, or (or Google, I forget).

Yesterday at 12:04 pm

#32

RagnarKon
My understanding... based on what my dealer told me. This also matches with what Bronco Nation has listed on the Gear Store, and what Ford Performance has on their website. Not an expert on it, so I could be wrong, but it all lines up and makes sense once you read all of the materials.

The ProCal tune—when installed by an ASE certified tech/dealer—comes with it's own 3-yr/36,000 miles warranty that starts when the vehicle is put in-service (date of first sale). This basically works in tandem with the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, but it's technically a different warranty.

After that first 3-yr/36,000 miles, the warranty on the tune (and the factory bumper-to-bumper) expires. The factory 5-yr/60k mile powertrain warranty continues, and obviously any extended warranty you buy also continues. But any issue related to or caused by the Ford Performance tune may not be covered. The factory warranty and extended warranty generally only covers factory configurations/components, and the Ford Performance tune is obviously not factory. It's effectively treated as an aftermarket part.

I guess I am confused.. If it retains the same factory 3/36 and 5/60 then why even have a different warranty for it to begin with?

If they want to warranty the actual tuner hardware (not the tune) then just slap a 3 year warranty on the tuner itself.

Maybe I am missing, or not understanding, something here but there has to be a reason they are giving it it's own 3/36.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Yesterday at 12:10 pm

#33

RobWTx
I'm thinking more class action type lawsuit, if they blindly cancel your warranty because it's installed. Like those commercials or emails about Facebook selling your private data when you said not too, or (or Google, I forget).

Class actions are a complete waste of time.. The only people who get paid any amount of cash are the lawyers.. The claimants will get a check for $1.47 five years later.

In the case of this thread, it could be the dealer erroneously flagged the VIN in their internal system and that's why Ford is not seeing it as flagged?

I would assume that adding a performance tune WOULD cause issues with the factory warranty (that's why the tune comes with it's own) and extended warranties because that is NOT how Ford built and designed the vehicle to operate.. My .02

I always assume when I modify something my warranty is toast and that anything that can fail as a result of that mod is also toast.. My Bronco is heavily modified so I assume I don't have much left that's actually covered.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc

Yesterday at 12:33 pm

#34

RobWTx
The bold is NOT an accurate statement, read up on Magnuson-Moss

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers, requiring manufacturers to prove the aftermarket part caused the damage before denying a warranty claim according to CountyOffice.org.

Lets be real here.. While technically true, the onus is on Ford to prove the tune caused the issue but you can bet that Ford will have documented everything they need. They can see the stats and specs on everything that vehicle has ever done.

They also have a heavily staffed legal department who are salaried employees. It basically costs Ford nothing for the litigation as they are already paying their Attorneys.

You, as the person denied the repair, will need to shell out thousands on a private attorney. Plus you'd need to shell out cash to get a second, third, etc opinion from private, and reputable, mechanic.

Ford can drag this along in court for years, costing you even more and more in Attorney fees..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc, Rydfree

Yesterday at 12:52 pm

#35

raqball
Lets be real here.. While technically true, the onus is on Ford to prove the tune caused the issue, you can bet that Ford will have documented everything they need. They can see the stats and specs on everything that vehicle has ever done.

They also have a heavily staffed legal department who are salaried employees. It basically costs Ford nothing for the litigation as they are already paying their Attorneys.

You, as the person denied the repair, will need to shell out thousands on a private attorney. Plus you'd need to shell out cash to get a second, third, etc opinion from private, and reputable, mechanic.

Ford can drag this along in court for years, costing you even more and more in Attorney fees..

You are entirely correct. So many people think they can wave the Moss act in front of a dealer and they will bow down and back off immediately. It will be up to you to hire an attorney to push them to even acknowledge the existence of the Moss act, lol. I owned a custom shop for 20 years and invoked the Moss act 2 times with dealerships. Lost one and won one, and it would have been cheaper to just pay the repair charge to begin with.

2Dr Badlands - MIC - Area51 - 2.7 Auto - MGV - Headliner - High Pkg
Reserved 7/20/20 Delivered 5/6/23
"Ford said, hey we're gonna fulfill all reservations and pre-orders before we build stock units."

Deano Bronc, raqball

Yesterday at 1:02 pm

#36

Rydfree
You are entirely correct. So many people think they can wave the Moss act in front of a dealer and they will bow down and back off immediately. It will be up to you to hire an attorney to push them to even acknowledge the existence of the Moss act, lol. I owned a custom shop for 20 years and invoked the Moss act 2 times with dealerships. Lost one and won one, and it would have been cheaper to just pay the repair charge to begin with.

My thought process is that anytime I do a mod, I assume the warranty is void and that any secondary part that can fail as a result of the mod, is also void.

Don't get me wrong, I'd still take it to the dealer and hope they are in a good mood that day and repair it under warranty but if they deny my warranty claim, then I already prepared myself for that denial..

I am still confused about the tune warranty. There has to be a legal reason as to why it get's it's own 3/36.. My guess it that it heavily modifies the basic 3/36 and also would modify the 5/60..

It really should not be up to the whims of each private dealer. Ford should have a rock solid policy that dealers need to adhere to..

My .02

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2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Rydfree, Deano Bronc

Yesterday at 1:49 pm

#37

raqball
I guess I am confused.. If it retains the same factory 3/36 and 5/60 then why even have a different warranty for it to begin with?

If they want to warranty the actual tuner hardware (not the tune) then just slap a 3 year warranty on the tuner itself.

Maybe I am missing, or not understanding, something here but there has to be a reason they are giving it it's own 3/36.

This is the response from Ford Performance Warranty:

"The Ford Performance Limited Warranty is eligible for kit M-9603-B27 when purchased, installed and registered with Ford Performance Parts as directed. Details are in the link you had referenced earlier. Our Ford Performance Parts Limited Warranty that we manage is for 3 years / 36,000 miles from the warranty start date (in service date) of your vehicle. It covers the tune and any repairs that may need to be made caused by the installation of that tune for 3 years, 36,000 miles when used as directed."

This is a implicit acknowledgement that the tune may cause problems with the engine. I haven't seen the language in the ESP plan yet, but what was communicated to me was that major engine modifications, like performance tunes, voids the ESP.

This could create a huge problem for people who purchased the tune with a new vehicle along with an ESP. The dealer sold them a product (the tune) and also sold them a warranty that was immediately voided by that product. If that's the case, Ford has some big problems coming their way.

It seems that is what has happened to my friend. The dealership feels like they can't honor the ESP since his account is flagged.

Yesterday at 2:11 pm

#38

raqball
I always assume when I modify something my warranty is toast and that anything that can fail as a result of that mod is also toast.. My Bronco is heavily modified so I assume I don't have much left that's actually covered.

What muddies the waters is when you purchase warrantied accessories from the manufacturer.

Ford created the Ford Procal Tune.
Ford created the software for the Ford Procal Tune.
Ford owns the IP for the software used in the Procal Tune.
Ford created the warranty for the Ford Procal Tune.
Ford created the marketing for the Ford Procal Tune.
Ford uses the official Ford logo on the packaging for the Ford Procal Tune.
Ford requires Ford certified technicians to install the Ford Procal Tune.
Ford sells the Ford Procal Tune through official Ford Accessories sites (where I bought mine).
Ford builds business relationships to sell the Ford Procal Tune through hundreds of 3rd party resellers (Bronco Nation is one).

BUT.

When you need warranty work with the tune installed? This is from the Ford Performance Warranty:

Ford Performance parts are aftermarket parts.

I'm not entirely sure this is legally defensible.

Could you imagine if Boeing denied responsibility of their planes falling out of the sky, and used the excuse of "Those Boeings had Boeing Performance Parts installed. Those are considered aftermarket, therefore we don't have to cover them!"

What a loophole.

Rydfree

Yesterday at 3:43 pm

#39

TechnicalDisaster
It seems that is what has happened to my friend. The dealership feels like they can't honor the ESP since his account is flagged.

Has your friend checked with any other dealerships? It might just be that the one dealership internally flagged it, perhaps inappropriately?

Also, I know there is a user on Bronco6G who sells a TON of extended warranties for Granger over on that forum. Maybe reach out to him and ask for clarification? He sounds very knowledgable on the extended warranties..

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/members/zach-granger.13805/

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2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Deano Bronc

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