Court Opinion

ID: 9742098
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 21:06:43.640575+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:28.512838
License: Public Domain

White, J.,
concurring.
The majority assumes that Keating International negligently repaired the stack mover and that the repair was covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Given these assumptions, the majority states that the issue in this case is whether “a manufacturer is vicariously liable for a dealer’s negligent repair of the manufacturer’s product when the repair is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.” The majority concludes that a manufacturer is vicariously liable only if the manufacturer has the right to control the dealer, that is, only if the dealer is an actual agent of the manufacturer. I write separately because, given the assumptions of the majority, I believe this rule is too narrow.
A manufacturer’s warranty often promises that certain repairs will be performed free of charge. This promise usually requires that the repairs be performed by an authorized dealer. Essentially, the manufacturer leads the purchaser to rely upon the care or skill of the dealer designated by the manufacturer. In most situations, the purchaser does not know the precise relationship between the manufacturer and the dealer; the purchaser assumes that some relationship exists because the dealer is “authorized.”
If a manufacturer’s warranty holds out a dealer as being authorized to make warranty repairs, then a reasonable person might infer that the dealer is the manufacturer’s agent for the purpose of repairs. When a manufacturer’s warranty directs the purchaser to a particular dealer, and the dealer performs repairs under the warranty, the manufacturer should be estopped from denying liability for the dealer’s negligent repairs. Cf. Restatement (Second) of Agency § 267 (1958).
In the present case, there is no evidence that the *522manufacturer’s warranty instructed Kallhoff to have repairs made by an authorized dealer, and no evidence that Kallhoff relied on the manufacturer’s warranty when seeking repairs. In his deposition, Kallhoff testified that he did not receive any warranty materials and did not recall any discussions with the dealer regarding warranty materials. Furthermore, the manufacturer’s manual which accompanied the stack mover requires that to be eligible for warranty, a warranty registration form must be filed with the manufacturer within 5 days of delivery. There is no evidence that Kallhoff complied with these requirements.
I therefore concur in the result.