Hawaii · Auto-Repair Consumer Rights
Hawaii Auto Repair Laws & How to Sue a Mechanic
If a Hawaii shop overcharged you, did unauthorized work, or botched a repair, state law is on your side. Here are the statutes that protect you, your small-claims limit, and free tools to get a refund or fix — no lawyer needed.
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Failed to properly repair the vehicle (defective workmanship)
- Hawaii common law of contract (breach of contract / breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing) — Common law breach of contract
Possible remedy: Compensatory contract damages (cost to redo/correct the repair and foreseeable consequential losses). Treble damages and attorney's fees are not available on the contract theory alone but are available if the same conduct is pleaded under HRS 480-13.
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-11 (Prohibited practices), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (gross negligence / departure from professional standards)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages (e.g., cost to redo the repair) plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Misrepresented the quality or origin of the parts used
- Hawaii Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-2; private remedy Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-13 — Unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP)
Possible remedy: Greater of $1,000 or treble (threefold) actual damages, mandatory for a prevailing consumer, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs (HRS 480-13). Elder consumers (65+) may recover the greater of $5,000 or treble damages.
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-13 (Invoices; supplying crash parts or used parts; customer's copy), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (failure to disclose crash/used/rebuilt parts)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Falsely advertised services or prices
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-11.5 (Advertising) and Section 437B-11(1), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (false/misleading advertising; unlicensed advertising)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
- Hawaii Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-2; private remedy Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-13 — Unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP) - false advertising
Possible remedy: Greater of $1,000 or treble (threefold) actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs (HRS 480-13).
Refused to release the vehicle without payment when the consumer disputed the work/fees
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-20 (License condition precedent to lien) and Section 480-2; private remedy Section 480-13 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act / UDAP (improper lien / wrongful retention of vehicle)
Possible remedy: Loss of lien/right to sue for an unlicensed shop (HRS 437B-20). Under HRS 480-13, the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages (including loss-of-use damages) plus attorney's fees and costs; injunctive relief and board restitution also available.
- Hawaii common law of conversion — Common law conversion
Possible remedy: Compensatory damages for conversion (value of the vehicle and/or loss of use); possible punitive damages for egregious conduct. Treble damages and fees available only under the parallel HRS 480-13 claim.
Failed to comply with its stated warranty to repair the vehicle
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-13 and Section 437B-11(8); UDAP remedy Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-2 and Section 480-13 — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act / UDAP (failure to honor warranty)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages (cost of the warranty repair) plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
- Hawaii common law of contract (breach of express warranty / breach of contract) — Common law breach of express warranty / breach of contract
Possible remedy: Compensatory contract damages (cost to obtain the warranted repair plus foreseeable consequential losses). Treble damages and fees available only under the parallel HRS 480-13 claim.
No written estimate for labor and parts before work
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-15 (Estimate for labor and parts), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (prohibited practice / failure to give written estimate)
Possible remedy: Board may order restitution to the customer and fines of $100-$2,500 per violation under HRS 437B-12. Through HRS 480-13, the consumer may recover the greater of $1,000 or threefold (treble) actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
No authorization before proceeding with repairs or further repairs
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-15 (Estimate for labor and parts), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (performing unauthorized labor/parts beyond estimate)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Exceeded the authorized estimate without the consumer's consent
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-15 (Estimate for labor and parts), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (overcharge beyond the statutory estimate tolerance)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Through HRS 480-13, the greater of $1,000 or treble the overcharge as actual damages, plus attorney's fees and costs.
Failed to provide an invoice / documentation for services performed
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-13 (Invoices; supplying crash parts or used parts; customer's copy), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (failure to provide itemized invoice / customer's copy)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Failed to return replaced parts though requested at the work order
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-14 (Return of replaced parts; exceptions), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (failure to return replaced parts on request)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Failed to perform the agreed-upon repairs or services
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-11 (Prohibited practices), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (charging for work not performed; fraud / false promises)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Caused additional damage to the vehicle
- Hawaii common law of negligence (tort duty of reasonable care in performing repairs) — Common law negligence
Possible remedy: Compensatory tort damages for the additional damage caused (repair cost, diminution in value, loss of use). Treble damages and fees are available only if the conduct is also pleaded as an unfair or deceptive practice under HRS 480-13.
Failed to properly diagnose the problem
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-11 (Prohibited practices), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (gross negligence / departure from professional standards in diagnosis)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages (e.g., charges for the wrong repair) plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Made repairs that were not authorized or not needed
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-11 (Prohibited practices), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (false promises / fraud / unauthorized work)
Possible remedy: Board restitution and fines under HRS 437B-12. Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Charged excessive fees for the services or repairs
- Hawaii Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-2; private remedy Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-13 — Unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP) / unfair practice
Possible remedy: Greater of $1,000 or treble (threefold) actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs (HRS 480-13). Board may also order restitution under HRS 437B-12.
Bait-and-switch tactic
- Hawaii Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-2; private remedy Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-13 — Unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP) - bait and switch
Possible remedy: Greater of $1,000 or treble (threefold) actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs (HRS 480-13). Board restitution also available under HRS 437B-12.
Not properly licensed/registered with the state regulatory authority
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 437B-7 (License required) and Section 437B-20 (License condition precedent to lien), Regulation of Motor Vehicle Repairs — Violation of the Motor Vehicle Repair Act (operating without a license)
Possible remedy: Unlicensed shop forfeits any lien and the right to sue on the contract (HRS 437B-20); injunction (HRS 437B-19); misdemeanor liability (HRS 437B-22). Consumer recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Charged excessive storage fees while holding the vehicle
- Hawaii Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-2; private remedy Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 480-13 — Unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP) - unfair/excessive storage charges
Possible remedy: Greater of $1,000 or treble (threefold) actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs (HRS 480-13). Board restitution also available under HRS 437B-12.
Inspection station issued a fraudulent inspection certificate
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 286-30 (False certificates), Highway Safety — Statutory violation - false/fraudulent certificate of inspection
Possible remedy: Criminal penalty under HRS 286-30 (fine up to $1,000 or up to 30 days). Consumer civil recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13.
Inspection station failed to properly perform the safety/emissions inspection
- Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 286-26 (Certificates of inspection), Highway Safety — Statutory violation - improper safety inspection
Possible remedy: Regulatory enforcement under HRS 286-26/286-30 (including criminal penalty for a false certificate). Consumer civil recovery of the greater of $1,000 or treble actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs under HRS 480-13; board restitution under HRS 437B-12.
Free tools for your Hawaii dispute
Hawaii auto-repair FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, you can generally sue in small claims court for up to $5,000 without a lawyer. Auto-repair disputes commonly fall within this limit.
Can I sue a mechanic in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii consumer-protection and auto-repair laws give you grounds to recover for overcharges, unauthorized work, and faulty repairs — often starting with a demand letter before small claims court. We track 25 Hawaii statutes that may apply.
Who regulates auto repair shops in Hawaii?
Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO), Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs oversees auto-repair consumer issues in Hawaii. You can file a complaint with them in addition to (or instead of) sending a demand letter.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Hawaii?
No. A clear, statute-citing demand letter is something you can send yourself — it is often what gets a shop to refund or fix the problem before court.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not a substitute for a licensed attorney. Court rules, dollar limits, and filing fees vary by county — confirm yours before filing.