AAIA Issues Complaint to FTC in Defense of Aftermarket Parts - BodyShop Business

AAIA Issues Complaint to FTC in Defense of Aftermarket Parts

Last week, American Honda released position statements on Honda and Acura Genuine Parts, which state that failing to repair Honda and Acura vehicles with OEM parts could compromise vehicle safety and performance, along with warranties. As a result, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) announced that it has filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in response to Honda’s position statements.

AAIA claims that Honda stating "failure to use Honda replacement parts will cause consumers to lose warranty coverage on their vehicle" is a violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
 
In its complaint to the FTC, AAIA claims that Honda’s statements are a direct attempt to market replacement parts for Honda under the guise of an unsubstantiated warning to consumers regarding the use of non-OEM parts.
 
“We request that FTC take immediate action to require that Honda withdraw the statement and issue a correction that use of non-Honda parts will not cause an owner to violate their warranty,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO.
 
In a statement issued on Aug. 20 by American Honda for both its Honda and Acura vehicle lines, the company said, “American Honda will not be responsible for any subsequent repair costs associated with vehicle or part failures caused by the use of parts other than Honda Genuine parts purchased from an authorized U.S. Honda dealer.”
 
“We contend that Honda’s statements are in violation of prohibitions in the Magnuson-Moss Warranty-FTC Improvement Act (Public Law 93-637) from conditioning a consumer warranty on the use of non-original equipment parts and are misleading to consumers regarding their rights and choices under the law,” Schmatz said. “To our knowledge, Honda has provided no specific evidence to support their claim that there are problems with use of non-Honda aftermarket parts for their vehicles or that use of such parts creates warranty-related issues for their customers.”
 
Honda’s position statements are reprinted below in their entirety:

HONDA GENUINE PARTS
 
The original parts used on a Honda automobile are designed and built to work together within their respective systems to provide optimum performance, safety and system integrity.
 
American Honda recommends that all maintenance and repairs are performed using Honda recommended procedures and Honda Genuine parts, which are designated for use in the specific Honda vehicle.   

Other parts – whether aftermarket, counterfeit or gray market – are not recommended.  The quality, performance and safety of these parts and whether they are compatible with a particular Honda vehicle are unknown. Only by purchasing Honda Genuine parts through an authorized US Honda dealer can you be assured of the replacement part’s authenticity, reliability and compatibility.

American Honda’s new vehicle warranty and replacement parts warranty do not apply to any part which is not purchased from an authorized US Honda dealer. American Honda will not be responsible for any subsequent repair costs associated with vehicle or part failures caused by the use of parts other than Honda Genuine parts purchased from an authorized US Honda dealer.

ACURA GENUINE PARTS
 
The original parts used on an Acura automobile are designed and built to work together within their respective systems to provide optimum performance, safety and system integrity.
 
American Honda recommends that all maintenance and repairs are performed using Acura recommended procedures and Acura Genuine parts, which are designated for use in the specific Acura vehicle.   
 
Other parts – whether aftermarket, counterfeit or gray market – are not recommended. The quality, performance and safety of these parts and whether they are compatible with a particular Acura vehicle are unknown. Only by purchasing Acura Genuine parts through an authorized US Acura dealer can you be assured of the replacement part’s authenticity, reliability and compatibility.
 
American Honda’s new vehicle warranty and replacement parts warranty do not apply to any part which is not purchased from an authorized US Acura dealer. American Honda will not be responsible for any subsequent repair costs associated with vehicle or part failures caused by the use of parts other than Acura Genuine parts purchased from an authorized US Acura dealer.


More information:

Honda Recommends Against Repairing with ‘Aftermarket, Counterfeit or Gray Market’ Parts

You May Also Like

Body Bangin’: The Disengagement Epidemic with Kevin Wolfe

Micki Woods interviews Leaders Way Owner Kevin Wolfe on why 73% of work professionals are disengaged today and what we can do about it.

Micki Woods, master marketer for collision repair shops and owner of Micki Woods Marketing, has released the latest episode of "Body Bangin'," the video podcast that is taking the industry by storm!

In this episode, Woods interviews Kevin Wolfe, owner of Leaders Way and former mechanical shop owner, on how he became the shop everyone wanted to work at. Wolfe also points out that 73% of work professionals today are disengaged — an all-time high — and discusses why that is and how we can fix that.

Body Bangin’: I Thought We Were Doing It Right with Josh Piccione

Micki Woods interviews Josh Piccione on repairing vehicles correctly — according to manufacturer guidelines.

Body Bangin’: Be a Star Not a Hamster with Robert Snook

Micki Woods interviews popular keynote speaker Robert Snook on how to differentiate and grow your business.

Body Bangin’: Know Me, Know My Car with Mike Anderson

Micki Woods interviews Mike Anderson on the importance of building an emotional connection with your customers.

Body Bangin’: Fighting for Consumer Safety with Burl Richards

Micki Woods interviews Burl Richards on his personal mission to fight for consumers’ rights and safety.

Other Posts

Body Bangin’: The Employer-Student Disconnect

Micki Woods interviews Raven Hartkopf, lead collision instructor at Collin College in Texas, on what students want from a shop employer.

Body Bangin’: Why Follow OEM Repair Procedures?

Micki Woods interviews Logan Payne of Payne & Sons Paint & Body Shop on the importance of following OEM repair procedures.

Body Bangin’: Getting Paid for Calibrations

Micki Woods interviews Andy Hipwell and James Rodis of OEM Calibration on how to get started doing ADAS calibrations.

Body Bangin’: What Are The Consolidators Up To With Laura Gay

Micki Woods interviews Laura Gay of Consolidation Coach on the current state of auto body shop consolidation.