Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act: Difference between revisions
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<!-- TODO: Would like someone to look over the law's textand give a more robust summary; until then the summary is from Wikipedia. -->[[wikipedia:Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act|The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act]] (The Act) is a landmark U.S. federal law (15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.) enacted on January 4, 1975, to govern consumer product warranties. Sponsored by Senator Warren G. Magnuson and Representative John E. Moss, the Act was designed to address widespread misuse of warranties by manufacturers, particularly through unfair disclaimers and misleading practices.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Michael |date= |title=Magnuson-Moss Overview |url=https://www.autosafety.org/magnuson-moss-overview/ |website=autosaftey.org }}</ref> | <!-- TODO: Would like someone to look over the law's textand give a more robust summary; until then the summary is from Wikipedia. -->[[wikipedia:Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act|The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act]] (The Act) is a landmark U.S. federal law (15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.) enacted on January 4, 1975, to govern consumer product warranties. Sponsored by Senator Warren G. Magnuson and Representative John E. Moss, the Act was designed to address widespread misuse of warranties by manufacturers, particularly through unfair disclaimers and misleading practices.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Michael |date= |title=Magnuson-Moss Overview |url=https://www.autosafety.org/magnuson-moss-overview/ |website=autosaftey.org |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101060738/https://www.autosafety.org/magnuson-moss-overview/ |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref> | ||
===Purpose=== | ===Purpose=== | ||
The intention of The Act is to establish federal standards for warranty content and disclosure, make warranties more transparent and enforceable for consumers, and to enhance the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) consumer protection capabilities.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Conn |first=Elliot |date=August 26, 2023 |title=Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: A Guide for Consumers |url=https://connlawpc.com/blog/magnuson-moss-warranty-act/ |website= }}</ref> | The intention of The Act is to establish federal standards for warranty content and disclosure, make warranties more transparent and enforceable for consumers, and to enhance the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) consumer protection capabilities.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Conn |first=Elliot |date=August 26, 2023 |title=Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: A Guide for Consumers |url=https://connlawpc.com/blog/magnuson-moss-warranty-act/ |website= |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251024142031/https://connlawpc.com/blog/magnuson-moss-warranty-act/ |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref> | ||
===Key provisions=== | ===Key provisions=== | ||
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:*Remedies available. | :*Remedies available. | ||
:*Exclusions and limitations. | :*Exclusions and limitations. | ||
:*Procedures for obtaining service.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Businessperson's Guide to Federal Warranty Law {{!}} Federal Trade Commission |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/businesspersons-guide-federal-warranty-law |website=ftc.gov}}</ref> | :*Procedures for obtaining service.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Businessperson's Guide to Federal Warranty Law {{!}} Federal Trade Commission |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/businesspersons-guide-federal-warranty-law |website=ftc.gov}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260114172714/https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/businesspersons-guide-federal-warranty-law Archived])</ref> | ||
===Full vs. limited warranties=== | ===Full vs. limited warranties=== | ||
'''Full warranty''' | '''Full warranty''' | ||
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:The Act preserves state-law implied warranties (merchantability and fitness for particular purpose) and prohibits their disclaimer when a written warranty is provided.<ref name=":3"></ref> | :The Act preserves state-law implied warranties (merchantability and fitness for particular purpose) and prohibits their disclaimer when a written warranty is provided.<ref name=":3"></ref> | ||
===Prohibitions=== | ===Prohibitions=== | ||
*Tie-In sales provisions: Manufacturers cannot require use of specific brands/parts (e.g., OEM parts) unless provided free of charge.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA) |url=https://www.autocare.org/government-relations/current-issues/Magnuson-Moss-Warranty-Act |website=Auto Care Association}}</ref> <ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-07-31 |title=Navigating Aftermarket Parts and Car Warranties |url=https://ecogard.com/resources/articles/magnuson-moss-protection-consumers-installers/ |website=ECOGUARD}}</ref> | *Tie-In sales provisions: Manufacturers cannot require use of specific brands/parts (e.g., OEM parts) unless provided free of charge.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA) |url=https://www.autocare.org/government-relations/current-issues/Magnuson-Moss-Warranty-Act |website=Auto Care Association}}</ref> <ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-07-31 |title=Navigating Aftermarket Parts and Car Warranties |url=https://ecogard.com/resources/articles/magnuson-moss-protection-consumers-installers/ |website=ECOGUARD |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017193056/https://ecogard.com/resources/articles/magnuson-moss-protection-consumers-installers/ |archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref> | ||
*Deceptive warranty terms: Warranties cannot mislead consumers about coverage or contain unfulfillable promises.<ref name=":3"></ref> | *Deceptive warranty terms: Warranties cannot mislead consumers about coverage or contain unfulfillable promises.<ref name=":3"></ref> | ||
*Disclaimer of implied warranties: When a written warranty or service contract is offered, implied warranties cannot be disclaimed.<ref name=":3"></ref> | *Disclaimer of implied warranties: When a written warranty or service contract is offered, implied warranties cannot be disclaimed.<ref name=":3"></ref> | ||
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Alternative dispute resolution: The FTC encourages informal settlement procedures, though pre-dispute mandatory arbitration clauses are controversial.<ref name=":1"></ref> | Alternative dispute resolution: The FTC encourages informal settlement procedures, though pre-dispute mandatory arbitration clauses are controversial.<ref name=":1"></ref> | ||
===Scope and limitations=== | ===Scope and limitations=== | ||
*Applies only to consumer products (tangible personal property for personal/household use) costing more than $15.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Text of S. 356 (93rd): Magnuson-Moss Act (Passed Congress version) |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/93/s356/text |website=GovTrack}}</ref> | *Applies only to consumer products (tangible personal property for personal/household use) costing more than $15.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Text of S. 356 (93rd): Magnuson-Moss Act (Passed Congress version) |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/93/s356/text |website=GovTrack |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018000952/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/93/s356/text |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> | ||
*Does not require products to have warranties, can be sold "as is". | *Does not require products to have warranties, can be sold "as is". | ||
*Primarily covers written warranties, oral promises are excluded.<ref name=":1"></ref> | *Primarily covers written warranties, oral promises are excluded.<ref name=":1"></ref> | ||