Opinion ID: 426343
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Terms of the Reimbursement Warranty

Text: 68 Under the regulations, parts manufacturers are obligated to provide reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred as a result of honoring a valid performance warranty claim which arose because of the use of a certified part. 40 C.F.R. Sec. 85.2117(b) (1982). The terms reasonable expenses and valid emission performance warranty claim are nowhere defined in the regulations, but are likely to become terms of art under the reimbursement scheme. MVMA and APRA contend that these terms are too vague to provide meaningful guidance to those engaged in a reimbursement dispute. We agree that EPA has failed to respond adequately to their concerns. EPA should apply its expertise in this area and flesh out these terms in the regulations to give guidance to parts and vehicle manufacturers. Alternatively, these terms could be clarified through the adversarial process in the forum selected by EPA to resolve disputes. Whatever method is chosen, EPA must make a reasonable effort to minimize the ambiguities that could lead to costly, protracted disputes over the amount of money owed in particular cases. 69