Hawaii Lemon Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Hawaii lemon law attorneys who can force manufacturers to refund or replace your defective vehicle.

Free to use — if you win, the other side pays your attorney
Matched with a Hawaii attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Hawaii lemon law case review

A Hawaii attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your Hawaii lemon law case

When you submit a Hawaii lemon law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A lemon law matter needs someone who handles lemon law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Hawaii law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Hawaii who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a lemon law claim in Hawaii

Day 0
The same problem keeps coming back.
Keep every repair order and note dates, mileage and days out of service. Those records are the case.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Hawaii lemon law attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
Repair history is reviewed.
Your attorney checks the repair attempts and days down against Hawaii’s lemon law standard and the manufacturer’s warranty.
Months 1–3
Demand to the manufacturer.
A formal demand for repurchase or replacement. Manufacturers often settle here once counsel is involved.
Before the 2-year deadline
Suit is filed if it has to be.
Hawaii gives 2 years from the date it happened. Filing keeps your leverage; missing it ends the claim.
Resolution
Refund, replacement or cash.
If you win, the law shifts your attorney’s fees to the other side. You keep your recovery.

State Lemon Law Citation: Motor Vehicle
Hawaii Motor Vehicle Lemon Law, HRS § 481I-1 to § 481I-7
Coverage Period / Mileage: 2 years
2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever first (new vehicles)
Presumption Trigger: 3 repairs
3 or more repair attempts for the same defect (1 for serious safety defects), or 30 cumulative business days out of service
Federal Backup: Magnuson-Moss
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.
Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years after the Lemon Law rights period expires; 4 years for UCC breach of warranty under HRS § 490:2-725
Typical attorney fee: Fee-shifting
Fee-shifting — if you win, the other side pays your attorney’s fees

Hawaii’s Motor Vehicle Lemon Law (HRS § 481I-1 to § 481I-7) covers new motor vehicles for 2 years or 24,000 miles and provides for refund or replacement when the manufacturer cannot repair a substantial defect after 3 attempts (1 for serious safety defects), or the vehicle has been out of service for 30 cumulative days. Hawaii operates a state-administered arbitration program through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The state’s salt-air corrosion, volcanic dust, and limited dealer network on outer islands make defect repairs especially burdensome. An experienced attorney pairs the Hawaii statute with the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2301) to maximize leverage and shift attorney fees to the manufacturer.

Exhibit B

When to call a lemon law attorney in Hawaii

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Lemon Law cases we take in Hawaii

Which one is closest to yours?

Engine failures

Oil consumption, head gasket failures, and stalling — common Hawaii claims with parts-availability complications.

Sound like yours? A Hawaii attorney reviews it free — and if you win, the other side pays your attorney.

Start my free review

Exhibit D

How much do Hawaii lemon law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Hawaii · Lemon Law

Fee modelManufacturer Pays Fees

Attorney feepaid by the other side if you win

Your recoverykept in full

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

In Hawaii lemon law cases the law can shift your attorney’s fees to the other side — you keep your recovery.

Hawaii’s Motor Vehicle Lemon Law (HRS § 481I-4) and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2)) are fee-shifting — the manufacturer pays the prevailing consumer’s reasonable attorney fees on top of the recovery. Most Hawaii lemon law attorneys take cases with no fee deducted from the consumer’s refund or replacement.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Hawaii lemon law compensation can include

A Hawaii lemon law recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Full Refund

Full purchase price (taxes, registration, finance charges, shipping if applicable) less a reasonable use offset under HRS § 481I-3.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Hawaii lemon law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Hawaii attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

Under HRS § 481I-3, a vehicle is presumed a lemon if, within 2 years or 24,000 miles, the manufacturer cannot repair a substantial defect after 3 attempts (1 for serious safety defects), or the vehicle has been out of service for 30 cumulative business days.

Hawaii’s Lemon Law applies only to new vehicles. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Hawaii’s UCC implied warranty of merchantability protect used buyers with a written warranty.

Yes. HRS § 481I-2 defines consumer to include lessees obligated to make payments.

Hawaii operates a state-administered arbitration program through the DCCA. Consumers must use the program before suing in many cases. Awards are binding on the manufacturer; consumers can pursue further remedies in court.

The consumer. HRS § 481I-3 gives the consumer the right to select refund (less a reasonable use offset) or a comparable replacement.

HRS § 481I-4 and 15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2) are both fee-shifting — the manufacturer pays the prevailing consumer’s reasonable attorney fees and costs.

Hawaii’s Lemon Law generally applies to vehicles registered in Hawaii. Magnuson-Moss applies nationwide as a backup.