Court Opinion

ID: 9717051
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 06:56:51.406907+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:50.885475
License: Public Domain

DeBRULER, Justice,
dissenting.
On April 22, 1976, the front axle of Cal-lender’s new four-wheel drive pickup truck broke under use. Repairs of the truck were completed in October, 1976. Repairs of the axle were completed by July when Callen-der took the truck into his possession and successfully drove it into Michigan for a two week long vacation. These repairs proved insufficient, as a transfer case was then identified as being the source of additional problems. Much of the delay of the car agency in getting the whole job completed stemmed in point of fact from the difficulty in getting parts from Ford throughout the repair process. However, some of the delay of the car agency was occasioned by its desire to get warranty authorization from Ford before making actual repairs, even though Ford did not require such authorization. Delay in making repairs on this latter basis supports the breach of contract determination and award of compensatory damages but, like the Court of Appeals, I find nothing in this conduct which supports an award of punitive damages for a serious tortious wrong.
The award of compensatory damages should be affirmed and the award of punitive damages set aside.
PRENTICE, J., concurs.