SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Harley-Davidson Motor Company faces a class action lawsuit that alleges it forces its customers to use only repair services or parts that it approves.
Tying those conditions to its warranties is illegal under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, says a lawsuit filed Aug. 5 in California federal court by attorneys at Gutride Safier who are representing plaintiff Scott Koller.
"Here, Defendant’s authorized dealers provide service at a price premium compared to the cost of independent service. And Defendant’s authorized parts are sold at a price premium compared to the cost of non-Harley-Davidson (generic) parts and supplies," the suit says.
"Defendant’s noncompliance is self-serving in that these misrepresentations help Defendant develop and maintain a monopoly on repairing the goods they sell, and on selling after-market parts because many purchasers will not attempt even simple, inexpensive repairs—or use inexpensive third-party repair services—if they believe doing so will void the warranties they purchased with their motorcycle."
All this forces customers to pay for more expensive repairs and parts, the suit says. Had they known the warranty included the repair restriction, they wouldn't have purchased their motorcycles or would have paid less for them, the suit says.