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Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act

2025-08-13T00:05:23Z

2600:1700:2E20:2850:9442:10F1:9714:8905: corrected a typo (labile to liable)

[[Category:Legislation]]
[[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>
===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>

===Key provisions===
Warranty disclosure standards
:Warranties must be written in clear, simple language and disclose terms conspicuously, they must specify:
:*Coverage details and duration.
:*Remedies available.
:*Exclusions and limitations.
:*Procedures for obtaining service.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title= |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/businesspersons-guide-federal-warranty-law |website= }}</ref>
===Full vs. limited warranties===
'''Full warranty'''
:Must meet federal minimum standards including free repair/replacement, no time limits on implied warranties, and option for refund/replacement after reasonable repair attempts.<ref name=":1"></ref>
'''Limited warranty'''
:Any warranty that doesn't meet full warranty standards must be conspicuously designated as "limited".
'''Implied warranties'''
: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===
*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= |url=https://www.autocare.org/government-relations/current-issues/Magnuson-Moss-Warranty-Act |website= }}</ref> <ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title= |url=https://ecogard.com/resources/articles/magnuson-moss-protection-consumers-installers/ |website= }}</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>
===Consumer remedies===
Legal action: Consumers can sue for breach of warranty and recover:
*Damages
*Costs and expenses
*Attorney's fees (a significant provision making lawsuits economically viable).<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===
*Applies only to consumer products (tangible personal property for personal/household use) costing more than $15.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title= |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/93/s356/text |website= }}</ref>
*Does not require products to have warranties, can be sold "as is".
*Primarily covers written warranties, oral promises are excluded.<ref name=":1"></ref>
*Does not preempt state laws, working alongside state lemon laws and UCC provisions.<ref name=":1"></ref><ref name=":2"></ref>
==Historical enforcement incidents==
*General Motors Engine Interchange Litigation (1981): A class action alleged GM breached warranties by using Chevrolet engines in Oldsmobiles without disclosure. The case involved both written warranty and implied warranty claims under The Act.<ref name=":1"></ref>
*Skelton v. General Motors (1981): The 7th Circuit ruled that general advertising claims don't constitute "written warranties" under The Act, limiting the scope of actionable warranty statements.
*Kolev v. Porsche Cars North America (2011): Initially found pre-dispute mandatory arbitration clauses violated The Act, though this decision was later withdrawn.
*Hyundai/Kia Theta II Engine Case (2018): The FTC issued compliance warnings against Hyundai and Kia for attempting to require use of OEM parts to maintain warranty coverage, violating tie-in sales prohibitions. The companies revised their warranty language after FTC intervention.<ref name=":1"></ref><ref name=":5"></ref>
*FTC's 2018 Industry-Wide Compliance Warnings: The FTC issued warnings to six major companies about illegal warranty terms, particularly regarding tie-in provisions and improper warranty voiding practices.<ref name=":5"></ref>
''The Act'' is an important piece of legislation, but its enforcement is a mixed bag. Although it is enforced, often the fines are little to nothing, which encourages manufacturers to disregard it. This effectively prevents the act from properly keeping vendors accountable.

Toyota held liable for all damages in used car's in-warranty repair case - June 16, 1992. <ref name=":10">[https://web.archive.org/web/20250129195115/https://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/court-of-appeals/1992/9110dc643-1.html "Ismael v. Goodman Toyota"] - archive.org - archived 2025-01-29</ref>

"Due to the purchase of the subject vehicle in used `as is' condition, the Defendant (Toyota) dealer assumed and bore no responsibility for subsequent repair of the vehicle or its road worthiness. " the plaintiff (vehicle owner) was found to be correct and the defendant (Toyota) was found liable for damages plaintiff (vehicle owner) suffered as a result of that violation<ref name=":10" />

==References==
<references />
[[Category:US legislation]]

Cameras bricked on iPhone 13 series after iOS update

2025-08-12T23:45:00Z

2600:1700:2E20:2850:9442:10F1:9714:8905: fixed a typo (coomunity to community)

Following the iOS 18 release on September 16, 2024, many users of the iPhone 13-series of products noticed that their rear-facing-cameras were no longer functional. One user filed a Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaint<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=24 Sep 2024 |title=Apple Inc. BBB Case #: 22331190 |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/cupertino/profile/home-electronics/apple-inc-1216-198239/complaints?page=233&sort=recent&status=#1216_198239_22331190 |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |website=Better Business Bureau}}</ref> and Apple actually responded; claiming that according to the Software License Agreement, they were not responsible for hardware failure due to issues with their own provided software or software update.

No responsibility was taken, and no resolution was ever reached with this incident.

==Background==
Many users of the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max, and iPhone 13 Mini, report widespread camera issues after updating to iOS 18, and some later iOS 18 updates. This is not only limited to Consumer Releases, but also releases that were distributed as part of the iOS 18 Beta Testing Program. These issues can range from visual glitches on the camera, "part not recognized" warnings, one or two of the 3 rear-facing-cameras not working, or total rear camera bump failure, with absolutely no camera usability or image output. Some example photos of what this failure might look like appear below:
[[File:CameraBlackout.webp|thumb|Failure 1: Camera Blackout]]
[[File:Vertical-lines.webp|thumb|Failure 2: Vertical Lines]]
[[File:Unrecognized-camera-part.webp|thumb|Failure 3: Unrecognized Part]]
[[File:Framing-issues.webp|thumb|Failure 4: Misc. Framing Issues]]

==Widespread Camera Failure Incidents==
'''Camera Blackouts:'''

One of the first widespread reports of this incident was made by a [[Reddit]] user in September of 2024, stating that their iPhone 13 Pro Max rear-facing-cameras were completely unresponsive after updating to the brand new iOS 18.0 release.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=@jumpman977 |date=23 Sep 2024 |title=iPhone 13 PM Cameras not working after iOS 18 update |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1fnnxuf/iphone_13_pm_cameras_not_working_after_ios_18/ |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |via=Reddit}}</ref> This post received <u>over 250 replies</u> from other users who had the exact same problem after updating their iPhone. Just a few months later was posted a screenshot of the same issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Winter_Composer8446 |date=16 May 2025 |title=iPhone 13 Pro Max rear camera stopped working after updating to iOS 18.5! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/iPhone13/comments/1knnblh/iphone_13_pro_max_rear_camera_stopped_working/ |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |via=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@generic-ibuprofen |date=12 Jul 2024 |title=13 Pro can't access the camera using 18.3 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ios18beta/comments/1e116jt/13_pro_cant_access_the_camera_using_183/ |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |via=Reddit}}</ref>

'''Visual Glitches & Unrecognized Part Errors:'''

Another post, dated May 2025, shows vertical lines spreading across the camera viewfinder in the iOS camera app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@LordOfThePings000 |date=3 Mar 2025 |title=Is Anyone Else Experiencing Camera Glitches After iOS 18.3.1 Update? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/1j2j04o/is_anyone_else_experiencing_camera_glitches_after/ |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |via=Reddit}}</ref> Customers running the beta version of iOS 18.1 experienced an error showing an unrecognized part on an OEM phone camera.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Affectionate-Use1801 |date=27 Sep 2024 |title=Camera not recognised after updating to 18.1 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ios18beta/comments/1fqti5r/camera_not_recognised_after_updating_to_181/ |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |via=Reddit}}</ref>

A phone repair shop owner started seeing this issue on a regular basis among customers with not only the iPhone 13 line of models, but also the iPhone 14 line as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Mountain_Performer22 |date=10 Apr 2025 |title=iOS 18 camera glitch? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/phonerepair/comments/1jw7545/ios_18_camera_glitch/ |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |via=Reddit}}</ref>

All the issues above have also been brought up on the official [[Apple]] community website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@ainur1647 |date=2 Jul 2023 |title=iPhone 13 Pro camera is not working |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254968331?sortBy=rank |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |via=Apple Community}}</ref>

Through such a large consumer response to this issue (at least hundreds of customers), we can eliminate the possibility of this being a contained one-off issue.

==BBB Complaint & Apple's Response==

On September 24th, 2024, a customer filed a complaint to the Better Business Bureau after his iPhone 13 Pro Max camera failed due to the original iOS 18.0 update.<ref name=":0" /> (This is the same person who created the initial reddit post)<ref name=":1" />

Not only did the camera fail due to a software issue, but the complainant also noted that the employee at the Apple Store deemed it was "permanently physically damaged" and implied that the customer's device was "really old" and that he should consider buying a new model instead.

Apple responded to the BBB complaint, claiming that according to Section 8 of the Software License Agreement, Apple was not responsible for any hardware failure caused by issues within their own provided software, even hinting that the problem may have even stemmed from the customer's "Inability to use the Apple Software" (this is their own exact wording!)

You can read Apple's Full Response to the incident below:<blockquote>BBB Case #: 22331190

Dear Better Business Bureau:

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the above-referenced case number.

The following iOS AND iPadOS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT excerpt(s) may be viewed at <nowiki>https://www.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iOS18_iPadOS18.pdf</nowiki>:

“8. Limitation of Liability. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS LICENSE, TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL APPLE, ITS AFFILIATES, AGENTS OR PRINCIPALS BE LIABLE FOR PERSONAL INJURY, OR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, CORRUPTION OR LOSS OF DATA, FAILURE TO TRANSMIT OR RECEIVE ANY DATA (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION COURSE INSTRUCTIONS, ASSIGNMENTS AND MATERIALS), BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE APPLE SOFTWARE AND SERVICES OR ANY THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE, APPLICATIONS OR SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE APPLE SOFTWARE OR SERVICES, HOWEVER CAUSED, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) AND EVEN IF APPLE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.”

Apple, based on the iOS AND iPadOS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT, declines the customer’s compensation request.

The following Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty excerpt(s) may be viewed at <nowiki>https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.html</nowiki>:

“WHAT IS COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY?

Apple Inc. of One Apple Park Way, Cupertino, California, U.S.A. 95014 (“Apple”) warrants the Apple-branded iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV or HomePod hardware product and the Apple-branded accessories contained in the original packaging (“Apple Product”) against defects in materials and workmanship when used normally in accordance with Apple's published guidelines for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original retail purchase by the end-user purchaser ("Warranty Period"). Apple’s published guidelines include but are not limited to information contained in technical specifications, user manuals and service communications.”

Apple records confirm the customer’s iPhone 13 Pro Max was purchased on April 8, 2022, and it was covered by the Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty through April 7, 2023. The customer’s iPhone 13 Pro Max is approximately eighteen months outside of the Warranty Period. As such, Apple declines the customer’s request for a covered repair or replacement.</blockquote>[[File:BBB Complaint & Response.png|thumb|BBB Complaint and Response for iPhone 13 Camera Issue]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Apple iPhone 13]]
[[Category:Apple iPhone 13 Pro]]
[[Category:Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max]]
[[Category:Apple iPhone 13 Mini]]