Tennessee · Auto-Repair Consumer Rights
Tennessee Auto Repair Laws & How to Sue a Mechanic
If a Tennessee 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)
- Common law breach of contract and breach of the implied duty to perform repairs in a workmanlike manner — Breach of contract / breach of implied warranty of workmanlike performance
Possible remedy: Cost of repair/redoing the work, diminution in value, and consequential damages; no treble damages on the contract theory alone.
- Common law negligence (negligent performance of repair services) — Negligence (tort)
Possible remedy: Compensatory damages for the negligent repair and resulting harm; potential punitive damages for egregious conduct (in lieu of TCPA treble damages, not in addition).
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (cost to correct); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
No written estimate for labor and parts before work
- Tennessee Code Annotated Section 66-19-104 (automotive repair facility duty to inform consumer of rights) — Violation of automotive repair facility disclosure duty
Possible remedy: Loss of the shop's lien (vehicle and unauthorized charges released); when paired with the TCPA, actual damages, discretionary treble damages, and attorney fees.
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages under Section 47-18-109; up to three times actual damages for willful/knowing violations; reasonable attorney fees and costs.
No authorization before proceeding with repairs or further repairs
- Tennessee Code Annotated Section 66-19-104 (automotive repair facility duty to inform consumer of rights) — Violation of automotive repair facility disclosure duty
Possible remedy: Loss of lien on unauthorized charges (consumer not liable for them and may recover the vehicle); TCPA actual/treble damages and fees when the conduct is also deceptive.
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages; up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs under Section 47-18-109.
Exceeded the authorized estimate without the consumer's consent
- Tennessee Code Annotated Section 66-19-104 (automotive repair facility duty to inform consumer of rights) — Violation of automotive repair facility disclosure duty
Possible remedy: Consumer relieved of charges exceeding the 25% threshold and shop loses its lien; TCPA actual/treble damages and fees where deceptive.
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (the overcharge); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Failed to perform the agreed-upon repairs or services
- Common law breach of contract — Breach of contract
Possible remedy: Restitution of amounts paid plus the cost to complete the agreed repairs and consequential damages.
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (amounts paid for unperformed work); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Caused additional damage to the vehicle
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (cost to repair concealed damage); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
- Common law negligence (negligent performance of repair services) — Negligence (tort)
Possible remedy: Compensatory damages for the additional damage and loss of use; potential punitive damages for egregious conduct.
Made repairs that were not authorized or not needed
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b)(13); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Per-se unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (cost of unneeded repairs); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
- Tennessee Code Annotated Section 66-19-104 (automotive repair facility duty to inform consumer of rights) — Violation of automotive repair facility disclosure duty
Possible remedy: Consumer not liable for unauthorized charges and shop loses its lien on them; TCPA actual/treble damages and fees where deceptive.
Refused to release the vehicle without payment when the consumer disputed the work/fees
- Tennessee Code Annotated Section 66-19-103 (garagekeeper's lien) read with Section 66-19-104(d) — Wrongful assertion of garagekeeper's lien / improper retention of vehicle
Possible remedy: Release of the vehicle; damages for wrongful retention/loss of use; TCPA actual/treble damages and fees where the retention is part of a deceptive practice.
- Common law conversion — Conversion (tort)
Possible remedy: Return of the vehicle and damages for wrongful deprivation and loss of use; potential punitive damages for egregious conduct.
Failed to comply with its stated warranty to repair the vehicle
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (cost of the warranted repair); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
- Common law breach of express warranty / breach of contract — Breach of express warranty / breach of contract
Possible remedy: Cost of the warranted repair and consequential damages; no treble damages on the contract theory alone.
Charged excessive storage fees while holding the vehicle
- Tennessee Code Annotated Section 66-19-103 (garagekeeper's lien) — Wrongful/excessive lien charges
Possible remedy: Disallowance of unreasonable storage charges and release of the vehicle; TCPA actual/treble damages and fees where the charging is deceptive.
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (excessive storage charges); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Failed to provide an invoice / documentation for services performed
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages under Section 47-18-109; up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Failed to return replaced parts though requested at the work order
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b)(28); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Per-se unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages under Section 47-18-109; up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Failed to properly diagnose the problem
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b)(13); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Per-se unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (cost of the unnecessary/wrong repair and proper re-diagnosis); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Misrepresented the quality or origin of the parts used
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b)(7); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Per-se unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (price/value difference); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Charged excessive fees for the services or repairs
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages (the excess charged); up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Falsely advertised services or prices
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages; up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Bait-and-switch tactic
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b)(9); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Per-se unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages; up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Not properly licensed/registered with the state regulatory authority
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages; up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Inspection station issued a fraudulent inspection certificate
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages; up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Inspection station failed to properly perform the safety/emissions inspection
- Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, Tennessee Code Annotated Section 47-18-104(b); private remedy Section 47-18-109 — Unfair or deceptive act or practice (TCPA)
Possible remedy: Actual damages; up to treble damages for willful/knowing violations; attorney fees and costs.
Free tools for your Tennessee dispute
More Tennessee guides
Tennessee auto-repair FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, you can generally sue in small claims court for up to $25,000 without a lawyer. Auto-repair disputes commonly fall within this limit.
Can I sue a mechanic in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee 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 31 Tennessee statutes that may apply.
Who regulates auto repair shops in Tennessee?
Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs oversees auto-repair consumer issues in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
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.