Carpenter v. Chrysler Corp.

Brian Carpenter (plaintiff), a repeat customer, told a salesman at Chrysler-Plymouth West (CPW) (defendant) he wanted a reliable car for his teenage daughter; the salesman selected a specific LeBaron and told Carpenter it was reliable, without disclosing that CPW had previously repaired a power-steering leak on that exact car or that it was subject to an unrepaired recall for a wiring-harness defect. Carpenter sued CPW and Chrysler Corporation for breach of warranty and fraudulent misrepresentation; a jury awarded damages against both, but the trial court granted both defendants a new trial, and Carpenter appealed.