Originally Posted by
Lightingguy
A quickie Google search on outback.org and forester.org had the same opinion that adding an aftermarket hitch will not void a Subaru factory warranty. Since this is an '05 it's not under warranty anyway.
Mine is the one that was mentioned as being an '05; I don't think the OP ever said.
Either way though, it's been a long established legal precept that manufacturers cannot void warranties based on third-party work--otherwise, you'd be unable to get your car serviced by non-dealer mechanics. Occasionally you'll hear about dealers that try to claim that if you get an oil change/etc done elsewhere it voids the warranty, but that is in no way, shape, or form true. Obviously if you go to a quick-fill kind of place and they forget to reinstall the drain plug they're on the hook for the direct an indirect damages, but that's a different situation.