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What should I do if a company won't honor a warranty?

Updated July 1, 2026United States

Short answer

Re-read the warranty to confirm what's covered, the time period, and the steps it requires, then make a written claim with your proof of purchase and evidence of the defect. If the company refuses, point them back to their own written terms — and note that, beyond a written warranty, many products also carry an "implied warranty" under state law. If it's still not honored, escalate to your state consumer protection office or attorney general, the Federal Trade Commission, and the BBB, and consider small claims. Warranty rights come from the written warranty plus state and federal law, so check what applies to you.

A warranty is a promise in writing — which means a refusal is usually met best with that same writing, quoted back, plus the record that you did your part.

Step by step

  1. Read the warranty carefully

    Confirm exactly what's covered, how long it lasts, what might void it, and the claim process it requires. Note whether it's an "express" (written) warranty, and keep the document itself.

  2. Confirm you followed the required steps

    Check whether you needed to register, use an authorized repairer, or claim within a timeframe, and gather your proof of purchase and evidence of the defect. Companies often deny claims on a missed step, so close those off first.

  3. Make a written warranty claim

    Reference the specific warranty terms, describe the defect, and state what you're asking for — repair, replacement, or refund. Keep a copy; the written claim is your record that you invoked the warranty properly.

  4. If refused, quote their own terms back

    Point to the exact clause that covers your situation, in writing. And note that beyond the written warranty, an implied warranty may apply under your state's law — its scope varies, so treat it as a point to check rather than a certainty.

  5. Know the federal angle

    The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act governs written warranties on many consumer products. You don't need to cite chapter and verse — but the Federal Trade Commission's guidance on it is a useful, authoritative reference when a written warranty is being ignored.

  6. Escalate

    Try both the retailer and the manufacturer, then your state consumer protection office or attorney general, the FTC, and the BBB (a private, non-government organization). For a documented amount within your state's limit, small claims is an option.

  7. Keep documenting

    Log every claim, denial, and communication with dates. A clear record of a valid claim being refused is exactly what an agency or a small-claims court wants to see.

Plain-English terms

Express warranty
The written or clearly stated guarantee a seller or manufacturer makes about a product — what it covers and for how long. It's the terms you hold them to.
Implied warranty
An automatic, unwritten guarantee under the law — for instance, that a product works for its ordinary purpose. Its scope varies by state and can be limited or disclaimed in some sales.
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
A federal law governing written warranties on consumer products. The Federal Trade Commission provides guidance on it — a useful reference when a written warranty is ignored.
Proof of purchase
A receipt or record showing you bought the product and when — usually required to make a warranty claim.
Consumer protection / FTC
State consumer protection offices and the federal FTC handle complaints about deceptive or unfair practices, including warranties that aren't honored.

The tool for this

buildmyevidence

This guide tells you what to do. buildmyevidence does it with you — the warranty, your proof of purchase, dated photos of the defect, and every claim and denial in one case file, so a refused warranty is documented start to finish. Every entry is dated for you.

  • Keep the warranty, proof of purchase and defect photos together
  • Log every claim, denial and communication with dates
  • Export a complete, organized record for the FTC, the AG, or small claims
See buildmyevidence

Related questions

This is general information to help you keep your own records — not legal advice. Warranty rights come from the written warranty plus state and federal law, and implied-warranty rules vary by state — check the FTC's warranty guidance and your state consumer protection office.