Nelson v. Nissan North America, Inc.Nelson v. Nissan North America, Inc.
OPINION
Plaintiffs Tameka Nelson, Richard Creel, Karim Abdullah, Ruth Taplet, and Nancy Ebner initiated this action against Defendants Nissan North America, Inc. and Nissan Motor Company Ltd (collectively “Nissan”) for the alleged concealment of defectively designed transmissions in certain Maxima, Altima, and Quest vehicles.
I.
Certain Nissan vehicles contain a 5-speed automatic transmission known as the RE5F22A (“22A”). (Class Action Compl. ¶ 29.) The 22A transmissions rely on a complex maze of channels and passages that directs hydraulic fluid to numerous valves called the valve body, which, when properly designed, enables a smooth shift to the appropriate gear. (Id. ¶ 30.) The transmission problems underlying this action allegedly result from the improper design and function of the 22A valve body, which caused delayed shift patterns, excessive heat buildup, slippage, harshness, premature internal part wear, metal debris, and catastrophic transmission failure. (Id.) Allegedly, a faulty Transmission Control Module also contributed to the 22A transmission failures. (Id. ¶ 31.) According to the Class Action Complaint, the defective transmissions not only fail well in advance of their expected useful life, but also pose significant safety risks due to an unpredictable acceleration response and sudden total transmission failure. (Id. ¶¶ 5-6.) As detailed below, the five named Plaintiffs in this action all experienced transmission problems in their Nissan vehicles.
Plaintiff Tameka Nelson purchased a pre-owned 2006 Nissan Maxima in August
Plaintiff Richard Creel purchased a new 2005 Nissan Maxima in August 2005 from Bowser Nissan
After the shifting problems continued to worsen, on March 3, 2011, with 86,943 miles, Creel brought the vehicle to Bowser Nissan seeking repairs. (Id ¶ 66.) Again, Creel was told that nothing was wrong with the transmission. (Id) On March 18, 2011, Creel sent a complaint letter to Nissan North America. (Id ¶ 67.) For a fee of $89.00, Creel took his vehicle to a different Nissan dealership for a diagnostic test. (Id) Pittsburgh East Nissan informed Creel that the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $3,346.57. (Id ¶ 67.) Creel ultimately had the transmission replaced at an independent transmission center for a cost of $1,457.30. (Id. ¶ 69.)
Plaintiff Karim Abdullah purchased a pre-owned 2004 Nissan Maxima with approximately 37,000 miles from Acura of Turnersville in January 2006.
Plaintiff Ruth Taplet purchased a used 2006 Nissan Maxima on August 6, 2007 from Nissan of South Holland in South Holland, Illinois. (Id. ¶ 82.) Taplet also purchased a 60 month/100,000 miles Gold Preferred Plan Service Agreement (“Service Agreement”), which allegedly covered all internal and external components for her transmission until the earlier of February 18, 2011 or 100,000 miles. (Id ¶ 84.) On November 18, 2010, with 82,983 miles, Taplet noticed transmission problems. (Id ¶ 85.) Taplet brought the vehicle to Kelly Nissan, and was told that the transmission needed replacement. (Id ¶ 85.) However, Kelly Nissan refused to do the work under the Service Agreement and
Plaintiff Nancy Ebner purchased a new 2004 Nissan Maxima in October 2003 from Fred Martin Nissan, LLC in Akron, Ohio. (Id. ¶ 95.) Beginning in April 2004, with approximately 11,000 miles, Ebner began experiencing transmission problems; however, Fred Martin Nissan was unable to duplicate the problem. (Id. ¶ 97.) In September 2004, with approximately 22,400 miles, Ebner brought the vehicle to Fred Martin Nissan, which reprogrammed the Transmission Control Module. (Id. ¶ 98.) In March 2005, with approximately 30,600 miles, Ebner brought the vehicle back for transmission problems, but Fred Martin Nissan was again unable to duplicate the problem. (Id. ¶ 99.) On June 5, 2011, Ebner filed a complaint with Nissan North America regarding her transmission problems. (Id. ¶ 100.) Her claim was denied on the basis of the expiration of the 5 year/60,000 mile express warranty. (Id.) In January 2010, with approximately 122,-000 miles, Ebner’s vehicle became inoperable because of the transmission problems. (Id. ¶ 101.)
The Class Action Complaint alleges that Nissan was well aware of the alarming failure rate of the 22A transmissions based on its own records of customer complaints, dealership repair records, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records, complaints through consumer affairs websites, and its own durability testing. (Id. ¶ 38.) Plaintiffs assert that “Nissan actively concealed the material defect” and that the existence of the transmission problem was exclusively within Nissan’s knowledge and control. ■ (Id. ¶ 41.)
Plaintiffs initiated this action on September 30, 2011. On December 5, 2011, Plaintiffs filed the instant Class Action Complaint asserting claims for breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, unjust enrichment, and consumer fraud act claims under the state laws of New Jersey, California, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Defendant Nissan North America filed a Motion to Dismiss on January 9, 2012.
II.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) provides that a court may dismiss a complaint “for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” In order to survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must allege facts that raise a right to relief above the speculative level. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly,
While a court must accept as true all allegations in the plaintiffs complaint, and view them in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, Phillips v. County of Allegheny,
When evaluating a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the Court considers “only the allegations in the complaint, exhibits attached to the complaint, matters of public record, and documents that form the basis of a claim.” Lum v. Bank of America,
III.
A federal court in a diversity case must apply the forum state’s choice of law rules. Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Elec. Mfg. Co.,
A. Breach of Express Warranty
Plaintiffs allege that Nissan expressly warranted that its dealerships would repair transmission defects during a 5 year/ 60,000 mile warranty period. Plaintiffs contend that Nissan breached this express warranty because (1) Nissan was aware of the transmission defect and did not disclose it during the warranty period, and (2) even when the transmission problem manifested during the warranty period, Nissan refused to make any repairs. (Class Action Compl. ¶¶ 42^14.) Plaintiffs further allege that “[s]ince the Transmission Problem typically manifests shortly outside of the warranty period for the Class vehicles — and given Defendants’ knowledge of this concealed design defect, failure to disclose it, and superior bargaining power— Nissan’s attempt to limit the warranty with respect to the Transmission Problem is unconscionable here.” (Id. ¶ 9.)
Nissan moves to dismiss Plaintiffs’ claims for breach of express warranty arguing that transmission problems requiring repair did not manifest until after the applicable time or mileage periods in the warranty had elapsed.
A threshold issue concerns the nature of the express warranty that Plaintiffs allege was breached. In the Class Action Complaint, Plaintiffs allege that “Nissan expressly warranted that its dealerships would repair any defects in the powertrain (including the transmission) during the warranty period of 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever came first.” (Class Action Compl. ¶ 42.) Nissan’s Warranty Information Booklets for the years 2004-2006 provide that “[t]his warranty covers any repairs needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship of all parts and components of each new Nissan vehicle supplied by Nissan....” (Healy Cert. Exs. A-C at 4.) Thus, the express warranty is a warranty to repair defects in materials or workmanship during a fixed time and mileage period.
With this in mind, a review of the allegations in the Class Action Complaint demonstrates that Plaintiffs have generally alleged that transmission problems such as delayed shift patterns and slippage manifested during the warranty period. (See Class Action Compl. ¶¶ 56, 63-65, 75, 85, 97-99.) However, only Plaintiffs Creel and Ebner make specific allegations that they sought transmission repairs from Nissan within the express warranty period. (Id. ¶¶ 64-65, 97-99.) While Plaintiffs Ebner and Abdullah did not seek repairs during the pendency of the warranty period, the Court does not find this fatal to their express warranty claims. The Class Action Complaint alleges that Nissan knew
Moreover, the Court declines to apply the rule in Abraham v. Volkswagen of America, Inc.,
In further support of their breach of express warranty claims, Plaintiffs also argue that the 5 year/60,000 mile limit on the warranty is unconscionable. In support, Plaintiffs contend that the warranty limit is procedurally unconscionable
because of the uneven bargaining power of Nissan and the consumers that buy Nissan vehicles; because the warranty limit is presented to customers on a take-it-or-leave-it basis; because the warranty is not even provided to customers until after they purchase the vehicle; because the vehicles are purchased from Nissan dealerships which do not have authority to negotiate the terms of the warranty with customers; and because the warranty language is not prominent or conspicuous, but rather is buried within voluminous documentation given to customers after vehicle purchase.
(Class Action Compl. ¶ 46.) The Plaintiffs also argue that the warranty period is substantively unconscionable because
Nissan knowingly sold vehicles with the Transmission Problem, knowing that the Transmission Problem would frequently manifest just after the expiration of the warranty period, and that even when the Transmission Problem manifested before the expiration of the warranty period, Nissan dealerships could deny the existence of the problem until the warranty period expired. Additionally Nissan knew about the Transmission Problem before the first vehicle with the Transmission Problem was sold, and knew with certainty that it would cause premature failure of the transmission.
(Id. ¶ 47.)
The Court finds these allegations insufficient to state a claim for uneonscionability of the warranty limits. First, there is nothing substantively unconscionable or unreasonable about a 5 year/60,000 mile warranty. The cases relied on by Plaintiffs in which substantive uneonscionability claims survived motions to dismiss are distinguishable. See In re Samsung DLP
Second, the allegations of unequal bargaining power with respect to the terms of the warranty are also insufficient to state a claim for unconscionability. See Alban v. BMW of North America, LLC,
The Court further finds that Plaintiff Taplet has stated a claim for breach of express warranty. Taplet alleges that she first began experiencing transmission problems not during the warranty period, but during the Service Agreement, which the Class Action Complaint refers to as a “warranty.” (Id. ¶¶ 84-92; Pis’ Opp. at 5.) Taplet’s Service Agreement is issued by Nissan Extended Services North America, Inc. not Nissan North America, and expressly states that “THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT A WARRANTY, AN EXTENSION OF A NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY, OR AN IMPLIED OR GENERAL WARRANTY....” (Defs’ Reply at Ex. E.) While Defendant Nissan North America, Inc. does not appear to be a party to the Service Agreement, the Court declines to dismiss Taplet’s express warranty claim at this time without discovery on the relationship between Nissan Extended Services North America and Defendant Nissan North America.
Accordingly, Nissan’s Motion to Dismiss will be granted with respect to all claims for unconscionability. The Motion will be denied with respect to all claims for claims for breach of express warranty.
B. Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability
As an initial matter, Plaintiffs are no longer pursuing breach of implied warranty claims under Illinois, California, or Ohio laws. (See Pis’ Opp. at 11 n. 12.) Thus, the Court will limit its analysis to Plaintiff Creel’s breach of implied warranty under Pennsylvania law and Plaintiff Abdullah’s claim under New Jersey law. Nissan moves to dismiss these claims arguing that (1) the vehicles were fit for their ordinary purpose because the transmissions did not need replacement until after expiration of the 60,000 mile express warranty; (2) the implied warranty of merchantability was conspicuously limited to the terms of the express warranty; and (3) the claims are barred by the statute of limitations.
“Pursuant to the implied warranty of merchantability, a merchant warrants that goods sold are fit for the ordinary purposes for which the goods are used.” In re Ford Motor Co. E-350 Van Prods. Liab. Litig.,
Both Creel and Abdullah allege that they began experiencing transmission problems within the 5 year/60,000 mile period and that these problems caused slippage, hesitation and an unpredictable acceleration response. (See Class Action Compl. ¶¶ 5, 63-65, 75, 195.) Plaintiffs have further alleged that the Nissan factory maintenance schedules did not even require having the transmission fluids flushed or changed during the life of the vehicle, unless it was used for towing or driving through rough or muddy roads. (Id. ¶ 34.) At this stage in the litigation, viewing the allegations in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs, this Court finds that Plaintiffs Creel and Abdullah have stated a claim for breach of the implied warranty of merchantability.
In addition, the Court does not find Nissan’s limitation of the Implied Warranty of Merchantability to the terms of the express warranty, specifically the time/mileage limitation, fatal to Plaintiffs’ claims. Both Plaintiffs allege that the transmission problems began prior to the expiration of the express warranty period. At the pleading stage, the Court finds sufficient allegations to support a plausible claim that Creel and Abdullah’s vehicles failed to provide a minimum level of quality even prior to the expiration of the 5 year/60,000 mile period.
C. Unjust Enrichment
Nissan moves to dismiss Plaintiffs’ unjust enrichment claims arguing that they are precluded by the express warranties, which control the relationship between the
D. State Consumer Protection Claims
As an initial matter, Nissan moves to dismiss Plaintiffs’ state law consumer protection claims on the basis that the allegations do not satisfy the heightened pleading standard of Fed.R.Civ.P. 9(b).
Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 9(b), “[i]n alleging fraud or mistake, a party must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake.” A plaintiff must state the circumstances of the alleged fraud “with sufficient particularity to place the defendant on notice of the ‘precise misconduct with which [it is] charged.’ ” Frederico v. Home Depot,
Plaintiffs’ fraud claims are based on Nissan’s failure to disclose the alleged transmission defects to consumers. The Class Action Complaint specifically alleges the material information Nissan knew and withheld from consumers. (Class Action Compl. ¶¶ 1-2, 8-9, 33, 154, 190.) Plaintiffs further allege that Nissan possessed exclusive knowledge of information about the problem, (id. ¶¶ 2, 38-39, 41, 105-06); the materiality of that information (id. ¶¶ 4-6, 10, 56, 63, 76, 85, 97, 134, 153); Plaintiffs’ reliance on the materiality of the non-disclosed information (id. ¶¶ 49-50, 122, 134); and damages, (id. ¶¶ 4, 7, 10, 48, 52, 58-59, 70, 79, 90, 102-03, 124, 196). Courts have held similar allegations to be sufficient to satisfy Fed.R.Civ.P. 9(b). See, e.g., Maniscalco v. Brother Int’l Corp.,
1. New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act
To state a claim under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (“NJCFA”), a plaintiff must demonstrate (1) unlawful conduct by the defendant; (2) an ascertainable loss by the plaintiff; and (3) a causal connection between the defendant’s unlawful conduct and the plaintiffs ascertainable loss. Payan v. GreenPoint Mortg. Funding, Inc.,
In moving to dismiss Abdullah’s NJCFA claim, Nissan essentially argues that Abdullah has not sufficiently alleged a knowing omission. In making such an argument, Nissan relies on Perkins v. DaimlerChrysler Corp.,
Second, the Court does not find the holding in Perkins instructive given key factual differences from the instant action. The Perkins court affirmed dismissal of NJCFA claims stemming from a vehicle’s allegedly faulty tubular steel exhaust manifold, holding that “the failure of manufacturer or seller to advise a purchaser that a part of a vehicle may breakdown or require repair after the expiration of the warranty period cannot constitute a violation of the [NJJCFA.”
Because the Court finds that Abdullah has stated a claim for relief pursuant to the NJCFA, Nissan’s motion to dismiss this claim will be denied.
2. California Consumer Protection Claims
i. Consumer Legal Remedies Act (“CLRA”) claim
The CLRA prohibits specified “unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices” in transactions for the sale or lease of goods to consumers. Cal. Civ.Code § 1770(a). Plaintiffs allege that Nissan violated the CLRA by “knowingly and intentionally concealing from Plaintiffs and class members that the class vehicles suffer from a design defect....” (Class Action Compl. ¶ 128.) For an alleged omission to be actionable under the CLRA “the omission must be contrary to a representation actually made by the defendant, or an omission of a fact the defendant was obliged to disclose.” Daugherty v. Am. Honda Motor Co., Inc.,
Nissan moves to dismiss Nelson’s CLRA claim arguing that she has failed to allege (1) a defect that manifested during the warranty period and (2) a defect posing an unreasonable risk to personal safety. The Court does not agree. Viewing the allegations in the Class Action Complaint in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs, the Court finds that Nelson has alleged a defect posing an unreasonable risk to personal safety, and one which first manifested prior to the expiration of the express warranty. (See Class Action Compl. ¶¶ 56, 5.)
The Court further finds Nissan’s arguments that Nelson lacks standing to bring a claim for fraudulent non-disclosure of a defect unavailing. Nissan argues that Nelson has failed to plead that she experienced an unreasonable risk to personal safety, or suffered a personal injury as a result of the defect or that she was unable to stop her vehicle. A review of the Class Action Complaint indicates that Nissan’s arguments are simply not correct. As not
ii. Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) claim
To prevail on a claim for a violation of the UCL, a plaintiff must establish that defendant engaged in an unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business practice. See Cal. Bus & Prof.Code § 17200, et seq. With respect to an unlawful business practice, the UCL “borrow violations of other law and treats them as unlawful practices that the unfair competition law makes independently actionable.” Cel-Tech Comms., Inc. v. Los Angeles Cellular Tel. Co.,
Plaintiffs claim that Nissan violated the UCL by knowingly and intentionally concealing a design defect. Plaintiffs further allege that Nissan had an affirmative duty to disclose the design defect and that Plaintiffs could not be reasonably expected to learn or discover the true facts related to the transmission defect. (Class Action Compl. ¶ 133.) Nissan moves to dismiss the UCL claim, arguing that Nelson has not sufficiently alleged an unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business practice. The Court does not agree.
Here, as noted supra, Nelson has adequately pleaded claims for breach of warranty and under the CLRA. Accordingly, an unlawful business practice under the UCL has been adequately alleged. Because a plaintiff need only plead an unlawful, or unfair or fraudulent business practice to state a claim under the UCL, the Court need not consider at this time the sufficiency of Plaintiffs’ allegations that Nissan also engaged in unfair and fraudulent business practices as well. Accordingly, because Nelson has adequately alleged that Nissan engaged in an unlawful business practice, Nissan’s, motion will be denied.
3. Pennsylvania Consumer Fraud Claim
Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (“UTPCPL”) prohibits “unfair methods of competition” or “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” in the conduct of trade or commerce. 73 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 201-3. The statute creates a private right of action for persons upon whom unfair or deceptive acts or practices are employed and who, as a result, suffer an ascertainable loss. Id. § 201-9.2. The Class Action Complaint alleges that Nissan engaged in the following unlawful practices under UTPCPL § 201-2(4):
(v) Representing that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits or quantities that they do not have or that a person has a sponsorship, approval, status, affiliation or connection that he does not have;
(vii) Representing that goods or services are of a particular standard, quality or grade, or that goods are of a particular style or model, if they are of another;
(xiv) Failing to comply with the terms of any written guarantee or warranty given to the buyer at, prior to or after a contract for the purchase of goods or services is made; and (xxi) Engaging in any other fraudulent or deceptive conduct which creates a likelihood of confusion or of misunderstanding.
(Class Action Compl. ¶ 174); 73 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 201-2(4)(v), (vii), (xiv), (xxi).
Nissan moves to dismiss Creel’s UTPCPL claim arguing that he has failed to identify any representation that his
The Court finds that Creel has alleged a UTPCPL claim premised on a breach of warranty. Creel specifically alleges that he brought his vehicle into Bowser Nissan complaining of transmission problems twice during the warranty period, and was told that nothing was wrong with the transmission. (Class Action Compl. ¶¶ 64-65.) For the purposes of a motion to dismiss, Creel has sufficiently alleged a colorable UTPCPL claim and Nissan’s Motion to Dismiss will be denied.
4. Illinois Consumer Fraud Claim
To state a claim under the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act (“ICFA”), a plaintiff must allege “(1) a deceptive act or practice by the defendant, (2) the defendant’s intent that the plaintiff rely on the deception, (3) the occurrence of the deception in the course of conduct involving trade or commerce, and (4) actual damage to the plaintiff (5) proximately caused by the deception.” Avery v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co.,
Nissan moves to dismiss Taplet’s ICFA claim, arguing that the allegations fail to show that Nissan knew of the alleged transmission defect prior to the time of Taplet’s purchase. A review of the allegations in the First Amended Class Action Complaint indicates that Plaintiffs have alleged generally that Nissan was aware of the transmission defect prior to Taplet’s purchase. (Compl. ¶ 47.) However, the Complaint also refers to specific customer complaints that were made prior to Taplet’s purchase. (Id. ¶ 106.) Viewing the allegations in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs, the Court finds that Taplet has stated an ICFA claim. Accordingly, Nissan’s Motion to Dismiss will be denied.
5. Ohio Consumer Protection Claims
Ebner brings claims under the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (“OCSPA”) and the Ohio Deceptive Trade Practices Act (“ODTPA”). The Court will consider each in turn.
i. OCSPA Claim
The OCSPA prohibits suppliers from committing either unfair or deceptive consumer sales practices or unconscionable acts or practices. See Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1345. The OCSPA “defines unfair or deceptive consumer sales practices as those that mislead consumers about the nature of the product they are receiving, while unconscionable acts or practices relate to a supplier manipulating a custom
Nissan moves to dismiss Plaintiff Ebner’s OCSPA claim arguing that she has failed to allege that Nissan’s conduct was previously declared deceptive or unconscionable in an administrative rule or judicial decision, as required by OCSPA jurisprudence when such a claim is brought on behalf of a class. A review of the allegations in the Class Action Complaint indicates that Plaintiff Ebner has alleged that Nissan acted in the face of prior notice that its conduct was deceptive, unfair or unconscionable. (Class Action Compl. ¶ 171.) Further, in their opposition brief, Plaintiffs cite several judicial decisions that have sustained OCSPA claims where a manufacturer made similar material omissions and misrepresentations regarding a product. (See Pis’ Opp. Br. at 35.) Accordingly, the Court will deny Nissan’s motion to dismiss the OCSPA claim.
ii. ODTPA Claim
The ODTPA proscribes certain “deceptive trade practices” which create a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding as to the source, sponsorship, approval or certification of goods or services. Ohio Rev.Code § 4165.02(A)(l)-(2). The statute confers standing on persons injured by deceptive trade practices and defines a person as an “individual, corporation, government ... or any other legal or commercial entity.” Id. § 4165.03(A)(l)-(2), § 4165.01(D).
Nissan moves to dismiss Ebner’s ODT-PA claim arguing that as an individual consumer she lacks standing to sue. The Court notes that this is an unsettled question of state law and in the absence of guidance from the Ohio Supreme Court, other courts are split on whether ODTPA governs only conduct between commercial entities as opposed to conduct between a commercial entity and a consumer. See McKinney v. Bayer Corp.,
The leading case on this issue from the Ohio appellate court affirms the well-established rule that Ohio courts look to the federal Lanham Act when interpreting claims under the ODTPA. Dawson v. Blockbuster, Inc.,
In the absence of clear guidance from the Ohio Supreme Court and in light of the conflicting case law on the issue and the plain statutory language, this Court will decline to dismiss Ebner’s ODTPA claim on the basis of standing at this time.
IV.
For the foregoing reasons, Nissan’s Motion to Dismiss will be granted in part and denied in part. Nissan’s Motion to Dismiss will be granted with respect to (1) all claims for unconscionability; (2) Nelson, Taplet and Ebner’s claims for breach of implied warranty of merchantability; and (3) Abdullah’s unjust enrichment claim under New Jersey law.
An appropriate order will be issued.
Notes
. The Court exercises subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(2) and (6) and 28 U.S.C. § 1367.
. The Court notes that the Motion is filed only on behalf of Nissan North America, Inc., and it does not appear that Nissan Motor Company Ltd has entered an appearance in the case or been served with the Complaint.
.The named Plaintiffs bring this action on their own behalf and on behalf of persons or entities in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio and Illinois who are current or former owners or lessees of Nissan Maxima (2004-2006), Nissan Altima (2005— 2006), and Nissan Quest (2004-2007) vehicles equipped with the 22A automatic transmissions. (Class Action Compl. ¶ 109.)
. The Class Action Complaint also refers to Bowser Nissan as Bowser Pontiac, Inc. (See Class Action Compl. ¶¶ 61, 64-66.)
. At the time of purchase, Abdullah was a resident of New Jersey; he subsequently moved to Maryland. (Class Action Compl. ¶ 73.)
. Given Plaintiffs' allegations of fraudulent concealment of the alleged transmission problems by Nissan, and Creel's allegations that he repeatedly brought the vehicle in for transmission repairs even before the express warranty expired, the Court will decline at this stage of the litigation to make a determination regarding the timeliness of Plaintiffs’ implied warranty of merchantability claims. While the statute of limitations for such a claim is four years from the tender or sale of the allegedly defective product and not from the time the breach is discovered, see NJ.S.A. § 12A:2-725 and 13 Pa.C.S.A. § 2725(a), (b), New Jersey and Pennsylvania state courts have recognized equitable tolling doctrines based on fraudulent concealment and the so-called repair doctrine. See Amodeo v. Ryan Homes, Inc.,
. The Court notes that while unjust enrichment is not an independent cause of action under California law, see McBride v. Boughton,
. Nissan also argues that Creel's claim is barred by the economic loss rule. The Court does not agree. With respect to the argument that this claim is barred by the economic loss rule, the Court does not agree. The economic loss doctrine “prohibits plaintiffs from recovering in tort economic losses to which their entitlement flowers only from a contract." Duquesne Light Co. v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp.,