William S. Thorn V. Sunset Chevrolet, Inc.

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
June 8, 2021
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
WILLIAM S. THORN and DARLENE A. THORN, No. 53739-7-II
husband and wife and the marital community
comprised thereof,
Respondents,
v.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
SUNSET CHEVROLET, INC., a Washington
corporation, also known as SUNSET RV OF FIFE,
also known as SUNSET’S WHITE RIVER RV;
PHILIP MITCHELL and JANE DOE MITCHELL,
husband and wife, and their marital community
comprised thereof; FOREST RIVER, INC., a
foreign corporation,
Appellants.
SUTTON, J. — William and Darlene Thorn bought a recreational vehicle (RV) from Sunset
Chevrolet that was manufactured by Forest River, Inc. The Thorns claim that the RV was sold as
new, after Forest River notified Sunset Chevrolet that it was cancelling its warranty because the
RV had been on the lot for too long. Sunset Chevrolet did not inform the Thorns that the warranty
had been cancelled and sold the RV as new. When the RV developed problems, Forest River
refused to pay for repairs because it had cancelled its warranty.
The Thorns argue that Forest River was required to provide a manufacturer’s one-
year/12,000 mile express warranty at sale as required under Washington’s Lemon Law, chapter
19.118 RCW, and that Forest River wrongfully cancelled the warranty. The Thorns sued Forest
No. 53739-7-II
River for unfair and deceptive practices under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), chapter 19.86
RCW.1 A jury found that Forest River did not violate the CPA. The Thorns moved for a new trial
under CR 59(f) based on the trial court’s failure to give three jury instructions related to the
warranty. The trial court determined that its failure to give the instructions was erroneous and
granted the motion for a new trial, overturning the jury’s verdict. Forest River appeals.
Forest River argues that the trial court failed to give reasons in law and fact for its ruling
as required under CR 59(f). Forest River argues that the trial court properly declined to give the
proposed warranty jury instructions and erred in granting a new trial because Washington’s Lemon
Law does not mandate that manufacturers provide a one-year/12,000 mile warranty; it only extends
the warranty, when provided, to one-year/12,000 miles when the actual warranty is less in duration.
Therefore, Forest River lawfully cancelled the warranty before the sale of the RV to the Thorns
and it was not required to provide a warranty to the Thorns.
We hold that the trial court gave definite reasons in law and fact for the order granting a
new trial, and thus, it complied with CR 59(f). However, we also hold that the law did not require
Forest River to provide an express warranty, it lawfully cancelled the warranty before the sale, and
the proposed jury instructions misstated the law. Thus, the Thorns were not entitled to the
proposed instructions, the court did not err by declining to give these instructions, but the court
erred by granting the motion for a new trial based on its erroneous ruling that it did err by declining
to give the proposed instructions. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s order granting a new
trial and we remand for entry of judgment upon the verdict.
1
The Thorns also sued Sunset Chevrolet, but settled those claims before trial.
2
No. 53739-7-II
FACTS
I. BACKGROUND
A. FOREST RIVER AND SUNSET CHEVROLET
Forest River is a final stage manufacturer and distributer of RVs. It purchases RV
components from hundreds of vendors and assembles them into motor homes and travel trailers.
Forest River typically provides a one-year/12,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty on all new RVs,
primarily covering the living room portion of the RV. This type of warranty is common in the RV
industry. The other vendors for each RV component separately provide warranties independent of
any warranty provided by Forest River. Consumers wanting additional protection often purchase
service plans from a third-party provider.
Forest River presumes that all of its RVs that have not been sold within two years by the
dealership to be “presumptively defective.” 4 Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) at 596. As
a result, for RVs not sold within two years, Forest River has a “warranty cancellation policy” that
eliminates its costs regarding claim disputes and repairs when it determines that the warranty claim
is attributable to “lot rot” rather than a defect in the product it delivered.2 6 VRP at 880, 979-80.
A third-party dealer, Sunset Chevrolet, purchased the new Berkshire XL RV from Forest
River in 2014. The Berkshire remained unsold on Sunset Chevrolet’s lot for more than two years.
On June 8, 2016, Forest River sent a letter to Sunset Chevrolet stating that it would “no longer
participate in a warranty repair nor offer a warranty” due to the passage of time which made it
2
“Lot rot” describes defects that can arise in unsold vehicles due to exposure to the elements,
extended periods of non-use, poor maintenance, and general degradation of materials. 6 VRP at
980.
3
No. 53739-7-II
difficult to distinguish a manufacturing defect from a routine maintenance defect. Clerk’s Papers
(CP at 37). In consideration for Sunset’s agreement to sell the RV “used, as-is” Forest River
included a $1,500.00 check, which Sunset cashed. CP at 37. The agreement with Sunset Chevrolet
did not alter the other warranties provided by other component manufacturers of the RV, such as
the warranty that applied to the chassis.
B. THE THORNS PURCHASE OF THE BERKSHIRE
On March 31, 2017, the Thorns purchased the Berkshire from Sunset Chevrolet. Sunset
Chevrolet advertised and sold the Berkshire as a new RV.
Sunset Chevrolet assured the Thorns that the Berkshire was fully covered by a Forest River
manufacturer’s express warranty. On the day of delivery, the Thorns signed a manufacturer’s
warranty registration form provided by Sunset Chevrolet. Per its practice, after the sale, Sunset
Chevrolet tried to register the Berkshire in Forest River’s computerized warranty program, but was
unable to do so because Forest River had entered “NO FACTORY WARRANTY” under “owner’s
name” on the registration form. Exhibits 15, 23. Sunset Chevrolet did not tell the Thorns about
this for four months. Sunset Chevrolet also did not inform Forest River that it had sold the RV to
the Thorns or that it had assured the Thorns that there was a manufacturer’s warranty on their RV.
The Thorns discovered a number of problems with the RV shortly after they purchased it.
These problems included “a defective step tread, torn fabric on the coach door, a defective propane
tank float gage, and a defective slide tray in the ‘basement’ of the RV.” CP at 12. They dropped
the RV off for repairs and picked it up upon completion. Sunset Chevrolet did warranty repairs
on the Berkshire without charge as it would ordinarily do for a new RV under warranty. The
Thorns then discovered additional defects, including a generator that did not work, a global
4
No. 53739-7-II
positioning system that did not work, slides that would not fully extend, and batteries that would
not take a charge. Again, the Thorns returned the RV for repairs which were made.
In August 2017, Sunset Chevrolet first notified the Thorns that the RV was not covered by
a Forest River manufacturer’s express warranty, and thus, they would be charged for all of the
additional repairs. The Thorns declined to pay for the repairs and left the RV at the dealership.
II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
A. THE CPA ACTION
The Thorns filed suit against Sunset Chevrolet and Forest River, alleging CPA violations.
The Thorns settled with Sunset Chevrolet before trial. The case against Forest River proceeded to
trial.
B. TRIAL
1. Testimony
At trial, the Thorns argued that Forest River violated the CPA by entering into an agreement
with Sunset Chevrolet to sell the Berkshire without a Forest River warranty, asserting that
Washington’s Lemon Law requires a one-year/12,000 mile express warranty be given for any new
RV.
William, Darlene, Ben, and Barbara Thorn and an expert witness, Douglas Walsh, testified.
The Thorns testified that they would not have purchased the RV if they had known that Forest
River had cancelled the warranty, nor would they have purchased the RV if Sunset had sold the
vehicle used, as-is.
Forest River’s corporate representative, Dan Evans, testified that RV dealerships may add
wear and tear to RVs by using them as “demonstrator” RVs. He testified that Sunset Chevrolet
5
No. 53739-7-II
drove the Berkshire a high number of miles, 872 miles, before selling it to the Thorns, and Forest
River’s policy only allows up to 500 miles, suggesting that the Berkshire that the Thorns purchased
may have been used as a “demonstrator.” RP at 953.
2. Jury Instructions
The Thorns proposed three jury instructions3 to support their argument that Forest River,
as the final stage manufacturer, was required to provide a one-year/12,000 mile warranty on the
Berkshire.
Proposed instruction number 35 stated in part,
A manufacturer’s written warranty shall be at least one year after the date
of the original delivery to the consumer of the vehicle or the first twelve thousand
miles of operation, whichever occurs first.
CP at 279 (citing RCW 19.118.031(3), RCW 19.118.120).
Proposed instruction number 47 stated:
A Washington statute provides that: A manufacturer’s written warranty
must be at least one year after the date of the original delivery to the consumer of
the vehicle or the first twelve thousand miles of operation, whichever occurs first.
CP at 29l (citing RCW 19.118.041).
Proposed instruction number 64 stated:
The manufacturer’s written warranty shall be at least one year after the date
of the original delivery to the consumer of the vehicle or the first twelve thousand
miles of operation, whichever occurs first.
CP at 435 (citing RCW 19.118.031(3), RCW 19.118.041(2)).
The trial court declined to give any of these proposed instructions.
3
Proposed jury instruction numbers 35, 47, and 64.
6
No. 53739-7-II
Based on the Uniform Commercial Code’s (UCC) limitation on the exclusion of express
warranties, the Thorns also proposed instruction number 43 which stated:
A Washington statute provides: Words or conduct relevant to the creation
of an express warranty and words or conduct tending to negate or limit warranty
shall be construed whenever reasonable as consistent with each other; but negation
or limitation is inoperative to the extent that such construction is unreasonable.
CP at 287 (citing RCW 62A.2-316(1)). The trial court also declined to give instruction number
43 because it was confusing.
Defense counsel argued in closing:
Now, one thing you didn’t hear in the jury instructions was an instruction
stating that the law requires all vehicles like this to be warranted for a minimum of
one year and 15,000 (sic) miles or anything like that. It’s because there is no law
that states that. And if there was, it would be in the jury instructions.
9 VRP at 1389. This argument violated the trial court’s ruling prohibiting Forest River from
arguing that no law requires a manufacturer to provide a new motor vehicle warranty. Outside the
presence of the jury, counsel argued over whether defense counsel’s argument was improper. The
court ruled that Forest River’s counsel’s argument was improper and instructed the jury to
disregard it stating:
During closing, the defense commented that Washington law does not require all
new motor vehicles to be sold with a manufacturer’s warranty. This statement by
counsel was improper and you are instructed to disregard it.
10 VRP at 1433; CP at 474.
The Thorns reiterated their request for proposed instruction number 64 after Forest River’s
closing argument, asserting that it was necessary to correct Forest River’s statement that the law
does not require a manufacturer’s warranty on new vehicles. The trial court said that it was
7
No. 53739-7-II
“struggling” with whether to offer proposed instruction number 64 and it needed to consider it
overnight. 9 VRP at 1407. Ultimately, the trial court declined to give it, explaining:
So when I kept thinking about this issue -- when I really got down to the
bottom line of this case, I thought; should I be giving [i]nstruction [n]umber 64? In
my mind, I cannot do that. And the reason I could not do that is that that would be
a direct comment on what [defense counsel] said in closing argument and in essence
saying to the jury, he was wrong. And I think that that would unduly prejudice the
defense case.
....
So I’m going to allow this case to go to the jury. I’m going to allow them
to deliberate to a verdict if that’s possible. And if the case is a defense verdict by
the jury saying either there was no violation of the Consumer Protection Act or
there was no proximate cause, I would consider a motion posttrial for a new trial
based on this circumstance.
10 VRP at 1423-24. The Thorns objected to the court’s ruling.
3. Jury Verdict
During deliberations, the jury asked, “Is Forest River required to provide a warranty to the
first titled owner for new vehicles regardless of [the] age of [the] vehicle under Washington law?”
CP at 445. The court’s response to the jury stated, “Please refer to your notes and jury
instructions.” CP at 445.
The jury returned a verdict in favor of Forest River.
4. Motion for a New Trial
Following the verdict, the Thorns filed a motion for a new trial under CR 59(f) or
alternatively, for a judgment on liability notwithstanding the verdict. They argued that the trial
court’s failure to instruct the jury as proposed in jury instructions 35, 43, and 64 prevented them
from arguing to the jury that Forest River violated state law with its warranty cancellation policy,
8
No. 53739-7-II
and its attempt to negate or limit its warranties on an RV already sold to a dealer, here Sunset
Chevrolet. The trial court clarified that the Thorns were making this motion due to
[An] error that I committed, not because of any error or misconduct or anything of
the jury. But the point is that the [c]ourt should have either determined as a matter
of law that there was liability or on some kind of directed verdict or summary
judgment or something else, but as a matter of law; or given those instructions on
the UCC.
12 VRP at 1467. The court reiterated that it had erred and further explained that:
[T]his is where I was most troubled on the legal analysis of whether or not the
[c]ourt should have done something different, either -- even when the defense
brought the halftime motion and for directed verdict; even when plaintiff brought
summary judgment, not timely, for the first day of trial; even when the [c]ourt had
before it each of these various instructions that the [c]ourt declined to give and tried
to simplify it; I’ve been troubled by it, I have been. I’ve second guessed myself
quite a bit since this jury verdict came.
12 VRP at 1468.
The trial court entered an order granting the motion for a new trial and denying without
prejudice the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
Forest River appeals the trial court’s order granting the Thorn’s motion for a new trial and
reversing the jury’s verdict in Forest River’s favor.
ANALYSIS
I. STANDARDS OF REVIEW
CR 59(a)(8) states that a trial court may vacate a verdict and grant a new trial upon motion
when an error in law occurred at the trial and the error was “objected to at the time by the party
making the application.” “[W]hen an error of law is cited as grounds for a new trial under
CR 59(a)(8), we review the alleged error of law de novo.” M.R.B. v. Puyallup Sch. Dist., 169 Wn.
App. 837, 848, 282 P.3d 1124 (2012). “The error of law complained of must be prejudicial.”
9
No. 53739-7-II
M.R.B., 169 Wn. App. at 848. “We review a trial court’s denial of a new trial more critically than
we do its grant of a new trial because a new trial places the parties where they were before, but a
decision denying a new trial concludes their rights.” M.R.B., 169 Wn. App. at 848.
We review a trial court’s grant of a new trial for failure to give a jury instruction for an
abuse of discretion, unless that grant is based on an error of law. Teter v. Deck, 174 Wn.2d 207,
215, 274 P.3d 336 (2012). “Whether to give a particular instruction to the jury is a matter within
the discretion of the trial court.” Stiley v. Block, 130 Wn.2d 486, 498, 925 P.2d 194 (1996).
“[A] trial court’s refusal to give a requested instruction is reviewed only for abuse of
discretion.” Stiley, 130 Wn.2d at 498. “A trial court abuses its discretion if its decision is
manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds or untenable reasons.” Teter, 174 Wn.2d
at 215. The court abuses its discretion in refusing to give a jury instruction when it adopts a
position that no reasonable person would take. Hickok-Knight v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 170 Wn.
App. 279, 322, 284 P.3d 749 (2012).
II. PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Forest River argues that the trial court erred by granting a new trial after it wrongly
concluded that the Lemon Law requires final stage manufacturers, such as Forest River, to provide
a one-year/12,000 mile express warranty for all new motor vehicles already sold to a third-party
dealer.4 Forest River argues that RCW 19.118.031(3) creates a minimum time period for
consumers to report vehicle defects and obtain warranty repairs when a manufacturer actually
4
Forest River initially argues that the trial court’s order should be reversed because it failed to
state definite reasons of law and fact as required by CR 59(f). We hold that the court’s order and
oral ruling articulated its reasons in law and fact and the order complies with CR 59(f).
10
No. 53739-7-II
provides a valid express warranty, and this statute extends the warranty for this period. Forest
River emphasizes it did not make a warranty to the Thorns at the sale and it lawfully withdrew the
warranty prior to the sale. Thus, Forest River argues this statute does not apply here and the Thorns
were not entitled to proposed jury instruction number 64. Forest River makes the same argument
with respect to RCW 19.118.041(3), which also provides for a warranty extension period for
repairs. We agree with this interpretation and hold that the Thorns were not entitled to proposed
instruction number 64 because it misstated the law regarding warranties.
We review jury instructions de novo. Anfinson v. FedEx Ground Package Sys., Inc., 174
Wn.2d 851, 860, 281 P.3d 289 (2012). In general, “[j]ury instructions are sufficient when they
allow counsel to argue their theory of the case, are not misleading, and when read as a whole
properly inform the trier of fact of the applicable law.” Bodin v. City of Stanwood, 130 Wn.2d
726, 732, 927 P.2d 240 (1996). “Each party is entitled to have the trial court instruct on its theory
of the case.” Meredith v. Hanson, 40 Wn. App. 170, 174, 697 P.2d 602 (1985).
The Lemon Law, as remedial legislation, is to be interpreted broadly. Chrysler Motors
Corp. v. Flowers, 116 Wn.2d 208, 214, 803 P.2d 314 (1991). “Shall,” when used in a statute, “is
presumptively imperative and operates to create a duty, rather than to confer discretion.” In re
Parental Rights to K.J.B., 187 Wn.2d 592, 601, 387 P.3d 1072 (2017). “[A]pparently conflicting
statutes must be reconciled to give effect to each of them.” Tunstall ex rel. Tunstall v. Bergeson,
141 Wn.2d 201, 211, 5 P.3d 691 (2000).
A. PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NUMBER 64
RCW 19.118.031(3) provides a manufacturer’s obligation to make repairs to conform a
new vehicle to the required manufacturer’s warranty:
11
No. 53739-7-II
For the purposes of this chapter, if a new motor vehicle does not conform to the
warranty and the consumer reports the nonconformity during the term of the
eligibility period or the period of coverage of the applicable manufacturer’s written
warranty, whichever is less, to the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle
dealer who sold the new motor vehicle, the manufacturer, its agent, or the new
motor vehicle dealer shall make repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to
the warranty, regardless of whether such repairs are made after the expiration of the
eligibility period. Any corrections or attempted repairs undertaken by a new motor
vehicle dealer under this chapter shall be treated as warranty work and billed by the
dealer to the manufacturer in the same manner as other work under the
manufacturer’s written warranty is billed. For purposes of this subsection, the
manufacturer’s written warranty shall be at least one year after the date of the
original delivery to the consumer of the vehicle or the first twelve thousand miles
of operation, whichever occurs first.
(Emphasis added.)
RCW 19.118.041(3)(a) provides for the same warranty extension for repairs and states in
relevant part:
For purposes of this subsection each motor home manufacturer’s written warranty
must be at least one year after the date of the original delivery to the consumer of
the vehicle or the first twelve thousand miles of operation, whichever occurs first.
(Emphasis added.) These statutes apply only when an express warranty has been made, which did
not happen in this case.
We must construe the plain language of RCW 19.118.031(3) and RCW 19.118.041(3)(a)
together with RCW 19.118.010, which states in relevant part, “Every manufacturer of motor
vehicles sold in this state and for which the manufacturer has made an express warranty shall
maintain in this state sufficient service and repair facilities.” (Emphasis added.) RCW 19.118.010
also refers to express warranties that are mandated elsewhere in the chapter. See RCW
19.118.031(3), RCW 19.118.041(3)(a).
12
No. 53739-7-II
Reading these related statutory provisions together, the language “and for which the
manufacturer has made an express warranty” refers not to all new motor vehicles but only to all
vehicles for which express warranties (mandated elsewhere in the chapter) have been made. RCW
19.118.010. In other words, these statutes extend the manufacturer’s warranty when provided to
a one-year/12,000 mile period during which the consumer must report any nonconformity, and if
reported, the manufacturer must timely repair the vehicle even if the warranty is due to expire.
Here, Forest River did not make an express warranty at the time of the sale; it had lawfully
withdrawn the warranty prior to the sale of the Berkshire to the Thorns. We agree with Forest
River that neither RCW 19.118.031(3) nor RCW 19.118.041(3)(a) required an express warranty.
Therefore, the Thorns were not entitled to proposed instruction number 64. The trial court
correctly declined to give this instruction but did err by granting a new trial on the basis that these
statutes required an express warranty be given by Forest River.
B. PROPOSED INSTRUCTION NUMBER 43
Forest River argues that the UCC provisions of RCW 62A.2-316 do not apply because it
did not provide an express warranty, and thus, the Thorns were not entitled to proposed instruction
number 43 and the trial court correctly declined to give this instruction and did not err. We agree.
RCW 62A.2-316(1) states,
Words or conduct relevant to the creation of an express warranty and words or
conduct tending to negate or limit warranty shall be construed wherever reasonable
as consistent with each other; but subject to the provisions of this Article on parol
or extrinsic evidence (RCW 62A.2-202) negation or limitation is inoperative to the
extent that such construction is unreasonable.
(Emphasis added.)
13
No. 53739-7-II
The Thorns argue that they were entitled to proposed instruction number 43 because it
supported their theory of the case that Forest River’s warranty cancellation policy violated the
Lemon Law, which they claim is a per se violation of the CPA. But this argument assumes wrongly
that Forest River was required to and did provide an express warranty at the sale. As discussed
above, Forest River was entitled to cancel its warranty before the sale to the Thorns. Under the
plain language of RCW 62A.2-316(1), the statute only applies when an express warranty is
provided. We hold that RCW 62A.2-316 does not apply, the Thorns were not entitled to proposed
instruction number 43, and thus, the court correctly declined to give this instruction.
C. TRIAL COURT’S ERROR
As we mentioned above, we review a trial court’s grant of a new trial for failure to give a
jury instruction for an abuse of discretion, unless that grant is based on an error of law. Teter, 174
Wn.2d at 215. “Whether to give a particular instruction to the jury is a matter within the discretion
of the trial court.” Stiley, 130 Wn.2d at 498.
Here, the trial court granted the Thorns a new trial based on what it thought to be its own
legal error. The court’s interpretation of the law was erroneous and, in turn, its grant of a new trial
was erroneous. Thus, the trial court did not err by declining to give the Thorns’ requested jury
instructions, but the court did err by granting a new trial.
ATTORNEY FEES
The Thorns request an award of reasonable appellate attorney fees under RCW 19.86.090.
Br. of Resp. at 49. RCW 19.86.090 provides for an award of reasonable attorney fees to a person
injured by a violation of the CPA who brings a civil action to recover his or her damages. Because
the Thorns do not prevail on appeal, we do not award them appellate attorney fees.
14
No. 53739-7-II
CONCLUSION
We hold that the trial court gave definite reasons in law and fact for the order granting a
new trial, and thus, it complied with CR 59(f). However, we also hold that the law did not require
Forest River to provide an express warranty, it lawfully cancelled the warranty before the sale, and
the proposed jury instructions misstated the law. Thus, the Thorns were not entitled to the
proposed instructions, the court did not err by declining to give these instructions, but the court
erred by granting the motion for a new trial based on its erroneous ruling that it did err by declining
to give the proposed instructions. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s order granting a new
trial and we remand for entry of judgment upon the verdict.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040,
it is so ordered.
SUTTON, J.
We concur:
GLASGOW, A.C.J.
MAXA, J.
15