Hawaii Lemon Law - 2023 Honda Civic - SCAP WIN

Hawaii Lemon Law Refund – David J. Gorberg & Associates wins $34,234.28 Refund – June 13, 2024

June 13, 2024 – A Hilo, Hawaii resident, who owned a 2023 Honda Civic with a rear hatch water leak into the interior of his car, won a full Hawaii Lemon Law refund of $34,234.28 by the State of Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Despite numerous repair attempts to fix the rear hatch waster leak, Honda failed to repair it.  After receiving notice of Hawaii Lemon Law claim, Honda refused to repurchase the 2023 Honda Civic.

Approximately one year after our client purchased the defective 2023 Honda Civic, he hired the Hawaii Lemon Law Attorneys of David J. Gorberg & Associates to file a  lemon law complaint with the Hawaii State Certified Arbitration Program (SCAP) against Honda seeking a full refund.

On June 13, 2024 a Hawaii State Arbitrator ruled in favor of our client, awarding a full refund of $34,234.28 and payment of all attorney fees by Honda.  The Hawaii Lemon Law Refund was binding on Honda with no right appeal.

The Problems with the 2023 Honda Civic?

Our client, a resident of Hilo Hawaii, began experiencing  a rear hatch water leak with his 2023 Honda Civic immediately after purchase in 2023. A picture of the 2023 Honda Civic hatch water leak is below.

honda civic 2023 water leak

Despite many repair attempts, the rear hatch water leak was never repaired.  A Hawaii Lemon Law claim was filed with the Hawaii State Certified Arbitration Program (SCAP) seeking a full refund of the purchase price.

Hawaii Lemon Law and State Certified Arbitration Program (SCAP)

Hawaii’s lemon law program is administered by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, through the Hawaii State Certified Arbitration Program (SCAP). Through this program, a consumer may be awarded a refund or a replacement of their motor vehicle if it is determined to be a “lemon”.

Over $700,000 was recovered by Hawaii consumers through arbitrations or settlements with SCAP’s assistance.

Every year, many Hawaii consumers with defective vehicles under 2 years old or have fewer than 24,000 miles seek full refunds through the Hawaii lemon law.  In this Hawaii Lemon Law case, the consumer was awarded a full refund, and all attorney fees.

Hawaii Lemon Law Result – Consumer Wins Refund

The Hawaii State Certified Arbitration awarded in favor of our Hilo Hawaii client on June 13, 2024, entitling our client, the owner of the defective 2023 Honda Civic to a full refund in the amount of $34,234.28 including all attorney fees, under the Hawaii Lemon Law. The arbitrator wrote:

Within the Lemon Law Rights Period, the alleged nonconformity of rear hatch water leak had been subject to examination or repair at least three times by the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers. Such alleged nonconformity did continue to exist after this period. (HRS § 481I-3(d)(1)).

The Manufacturer shall repurchase the Consumer’s vehicle and provide a refund to the Consumer…within 30 days of receipt of this Decision.

The Lemon Law Repurchase award included sales taxes, dealer doc fees, floor mats, rental charges,  and various other fees such as vehicle title, and registration fees.

In addition to the Hawaii Lemon Law Refund award, the arbitrator awarded all attorney fees and costs to be paid by Honda.

Under Hawaii lemon law SCAP rules, refunds must be issued within 30 days following the date of the decision by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, through the State Certified Arbitration Program (SCAP).

Protecting Hawaii Lemon Law Rights

This HI lemon law case, involving a 2023 Honda Civic with a rear hatch water leak highlights the importance of using the Hawaii Lemon Law to get help for a defective car.

As a result of asserting her rights, through his Hawaii Lemon Law Lawyers of David J. Gorberg & Associates, our Hilo, Hawaii client was able to get a full refund for his defective Honda Civic under the Hawaii Lemon Law including payment of all attorney fees by Honda.

Our Hilo, Hawaii client joins a long list of other Hawaii clients winning lemon law cases in SCAP, represented by David J. Gorberg & Associates, who have obtained free Hawaii Lemon Law help for their defective cars.

See more Hawaii Lemon Law Settlements

The Hawaii Lemon Law Arbitration Program (SCAP) holds manufacturers accountable for defective cars allowing consumers to get a full refund of the purchase price and any other related fees or costs.

The Hawaii Lemon Law Attorneys

The Hawaii Lemon Law firm of David J. Gorberg & Associates has represented many clients throughout Hawaii, including all islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Lanai.

With offices located at 1050 Queen Street in Honolulu, Five Star Google Reviews, numerous HI Lemon Law Settlements and member of the Hawaii Trial Lawyers Association, we are the lawyers to turn to for your Hawaii Lemon Law case.

Contact us today for free Hawaii lemon law help.