Krol v. FCA US, LLC

273 So. 3d 198
CourtDistrict Court of Appeal of Florida
DecidedMay 10, 2019
DocketCase No. 5D18-2149
StatusPublished

This text of 273 So. 3d 198 (Krol v. FCA US, LLC) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court of Appeal of Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Krol v. FCA US, LLC, 273 So. 3d 198 (Fla. Ct. App. 2019).

Opinion

ORFINGER, J.

Les Krol appeals an order compelling arbitration of the written warranty claims that he brought against Gibson Auto Sales, Inc. ("Gibson Auto") under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act ("MMWA").1 Because we conclude that the MMWA does not prohibit binding arbitration of written warranty claims and the arbitration agreement here does not violate Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") disclosure rules, we affirm the order compelling arbitration.

BACKGROUND

This case arises from Mr. Krol's purchase of a used truck from Gibson Auto. As part of the sale, the parties executed an installment sales contract and a separate retail purchase order that included a binding arbitration agreement for any dispute related to the truck's purchase.2 Gibson Auto also extended an express written warranty on the truck.

A few months after purchasing the truck, Mr. Krol sued Gibson Auto under the MMWA, asserting several causes of action related to alleged defects in the truck that Gibson Auto was unable to remedy. In response, Gibson Auto moved to stay the proceedings and to compel arbitration in accordance with the parties' agreement. Mr. Krol opposed the motion, asserting the same arguments he makes in this appeal. Following a hearing, the trial court entered an order granting Gibson's motion to stay and compelling arbitration.

ANALYSIS

We review a trial court's ruling on a motion to compel arbitration de novo. Tropical Ford, Inc. v. Major, 882 So. 2d 476, 478 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004). When deciding whether to compel arbitration according to an agreement, a trial court must consider: "(1) whether a valid written *201agreement to arbitrate exists; (2) whether an arbitrable issue exists; and (3) whether the right to arbitration was waived." Seifert v. U.S. Home Corp., 750 So. 2d 633, 636 (Fla. 1999). Mr. Krol's appeal centers on the second factor. He argues that no arbitrable issue existed here because MMWA claims are exempt from binding arbitration. Alternatively, he posits that the arbitration agreement is unenforceable because it violates the FTC's disclosure rules since the arbitration clause does not appear in a single document with the other warranty terms.

I. The Arbitrability of MMWA claims.

The United States Supreme Court has not addressed whether MMWA claims are arbitrable, and state and lower federal courts are divided on the issue.3 However, both federal circuit courts to consider the issue have concluded that the MMWA does not prohibit binding arbitration of written warranty claims.4 Davis v. S. Energy Homes, Inc., 305 F.3d 1268, 1272 (11th Cir. 2002) (holding that MMWA permits enforcement of binding arbitration agreements related to written warranties); Walton v. Rose Mobile Homes LLC, 298 F.3d 470, 479 (5th Cir. 2002) (holding that "MMWA does not preclude binding arbitration of claims pursuant to a valid binding arbitration agreement, which the courts must enforce pursuant to the [Federal Arbitration Act]").5 After considering the MMWA and its legislative history, the federal policy favoring binding arbitration, and the persuasive federal circuit court opinions, we conclude that the MMWA permits pre-dispute binding arbitration of written warranty claims.

A. MMWA.

Because product warranties often left consumers with "little understanding of the frequently complex legal implications of warranties on consumer products," 40 Fed. Reg. 60168 (Dec. 31, 1975) (quoting *202S. Rep. No. 93-151 (1973)), Congress enacted the MMWA "[t]o provide minimum disclosure standards for written consumer product warranties; to define minimum federal content standards for such warranties; to amend the federal trade commission act in order to improve its consumer protection activities; and for other purposes." Magnuson-Moss Warranty-Federal Trade Comm'n Improvement Act, Pub. L. No. 93-637, § 356, 88 Stat. 2183 (1975). The MMWA requires warrantors to "fully and conspicuously disclose in simple and readily understood language the terms and conditions of such warranty." 15 U.S.C. § 2302(a) (2012). It also creates a private right of action for those consumers who have been "damaged by the failure of a ... warrantor ... to comply with any obligation under this chapter, or under a written warranty, implied warranty, or service contract." Id. § 2310(d)(1). An aggrieved consumer has the option to sue for damages and equitable relief in either state courts or federal district courts. Id. If the consumer prevails, he or she is entitled to attorney's fees and costs. Id. § 2310(d)(2).

Along with a private right of action, the MMWA encourages warrantors to settle consumer claims "fairly and expeditiously" through informal dispute settlement procedures. Id. § 2310(a). While the term "informal dispute settlement procedures" is not defined in the MMWA, Congress authorized the FTC to establish minimum requirements for any such procedures that are incorporated into the terms of a written warranty. Id. § 2310(a)(2). If a warrantor establishes an informal dispute settlement procedure, it may include within the written warranty "a requirement that the consumer resort to such procedure before pursuing any legal remedy." Id. § 2310(a)(3)(C).

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273 So. 3d 198, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/krol-v-fca-us-llc-fladistctapp-2019.