Hawaii Lemon Law Guide: Your Rights Under Hawaii Lemon Law

What Is the Hawaii Lemon Law? Hawaii's lemon law is codified at Haw. Rev. Stat. § 481I-1 et seq. The law protects consumers who purchase new motor vehicles that suffer from defects that substantially impair use, value, or safety and that are not repaired after a reasonable number of repair attempts. The statute establishes objective thresholds that, when met, create a presumption that the vehicle is a "lemon." The law provides remedies designed to place the consumer in the position they would have been in had the defect not existed—typically a refund repurchase or replacement, together with statutory allowances for incidental damages and, in many cases, recovery of attorneys' fees and costs. The Hawaii Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs enforces consumer protection laws and provides guidance to vehicle buyers. Consumers seeking general information about filing complaints and consumer rights may consult the Office of Consumer Protection at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: https://cca.hawaii.gov/ocp/. Which Vehicles Qualify Under Hawaii Lemon Law? Hawaii's lemon law applies specifically to new motor vehicles sold or leased in Hawaii that are still within the statutory coverage period. The key qualification points are: the vehicle must be new used vehicles are excluded from the statute, the defect must substantially impair the vehicle's use, value, or safety, and the defect must persist despite repair attempts by the dealer or the manufacturer. Coverage begins on the date of delivery to the original purchaser or lessee and continues until the earlier of 24 months from that date or the accrual of 24,000 miles on the odometer. This is a stricter and shorter window than some other states, so early action is often necessary. Because used vehicles are not covered under the Hawaii lemon law, buyers of used cars must rely on other protections—such as express written warranties, dealer return policies, or common law claims—for resolution. If you purchased a new vehicle and are experiencing recurring problems, it is essential to determine whether the vehicle is still within the 24 months / 24,000 miles coverage period and to begin documenting defects and repairs immediately. How Many Repair Attempts Are Required in Hawaii? Hawaii establishes specific thresholds that create a presumption the vehicle is a lemon. These thresholds are objective and should be evaluated against your repair records. The following table summarizes the repair-attempt thresholds under Hawaii law. | Threshold type | Hawaii requirement | |---|---:| | Same defect repair attempts | 3 unsuccessful repair attempts for the same substantial defect | | Days out of service | 30 cumulative days out of service for repair within the coverage period | | Coverage period | 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first | | Used vehicles | Not covered new vehicles only | If the same defect has been subject to three repair att