As of October 3, 2026, we checked for new court activity in the Kindig-It dispute and found no confirmed ruling, settlement, or trial result. The most recent reporting we could verify, from late 2025, describes a group lawsuit filed in 2022 by more than 30 chiropractors and wellness professionals over a 1974 Dodge Charger build, with roughly $230,000 in deposits at issue. Those reports said the case was still in discovery and that a trial remained possible in early 2026 if a settlement failed. We have not found confirmation of any outcome since. We will update this page when a verifiable development is reported.
Last updated: October 2026
The Kindig-It lawsuit refers to legal disputes involving Kindig-It Design, the Salt Lake City custom car shop owned by TV personality Dave Kindig. Customers have raised serious allegations ranging from unfinished builds to lost deposits.
These disputes hit especially hard because many clients paid tens of thousands of dollars upfront. The gap between the glamour shown on Bitchin’ Rides and real-world customer experiences has fueled growing legal scrutiny.
In this article, you’ll learn what the lawsuits involve, who is affected, what Utah law says about your rights, and what steps you can take in 2026 if you’re one of the people left holding an unpaid contract.
What Is the Kindig-It Lawsuit?
The Kindig-It lawsuit is a term that covers multiple legal disputes filed by customers against Kindig-It Design, a high-end custom automotive shop based in Salt Lake City, Utah. These are primarily individual civil claims, not a single unified class action, though patterns across cases are strikingly similar.
Customers allege they paid large sums for custom car builds that were never completed, significantly delayed, or returned in worse condition than when dropped off. Some disputes center on non-refunded deposits.
The shop gained national visibility through the Discovery Channel show Bitchin’ Rides. That visibility created a client base willing to pay premium prices for what they expected to be premium results.
When those results didn’t arrive, legal action followed.
| Basic Case Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Shop Name | Kindig-It Design |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Owner | Dave Kindig |
| Primary Allegations | Breach of contract, unfinished builds, deposit disputes |
| Legal Venue | Utah civil courts |
| Case Type | Individual civil suits (not certified class action as of 2026) |
What Is the Kindig-It Design Lawsuit About?
The Kindig-It Design lawsuit is about customers who claim the shop took their money, failed to deliver completed vehicles, and in some cases stopped communicating entirely.
The dollar amounts at stake are not small. Custom builds at Kindig-It Design regularly run between $50,000 and several hundred thousand dollars. When those projects stall, clients are left without their cars and without their money.
Several recurring themes emerge across reported disputes:
- Vehicles held at the shop for years with little visible progress
- Customers unable to get updates or speak with anyone in charge
- Deposits paid upfront with no clear contractual timeline for completion
- Finished prices climbing well above original quotes with no written explanation
The shop’s celebrity status made many clients trust the brand without scrutinizing the contract terms. That’s where things went wrong for a number of people.
Think of it like hiring a famous architect who’s been on television. The name recognition feels like a guarantee. But without ironclad contract protections, even famous names can leave you waiting.
Key stat: Some clients report waiting 3 to 7 years for builds that were originally promised within 12 to 18 months.
Dave Kindig Lawsuit: The Man Behind the Brand
Dave Kindig is the founder of Kindig-It Design and the face of the Bitchin’ Rides franchise. Any lawsuit against the company also puts scrutiny on him personally as the principal figure behind the business.
Dave Kindig built his reputation over decades in the custom car world. His design work is widely respected in the industry. His business operations, however, have attracted a different kind of attention.
Legal complaints often name the business entity directly. Whether personal liability attaches to Dave Kindig depends on how the company is structured and whether courts find he acted with individual negligence or bad faith.
| Dave Kindig at a Glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Kindig |
| Role | Founder, Lead Designer |
| Show | Bitchin’ Rides, Discovery Channel |
| Business | Kindig-It Design, Salt Lake City UT |
| Litigation Status | Named in civil disputes as of 2025 and 2026 |
Utah law does allow courts to “pierce the corporate veil” in some cases. That means if a business owner uses company funds for personal use or ignores legal obligations, personal assets can become fair game in litigation.
Kindig’s public profile has made settling quietly more complicated. Cases that might otherwise disappear in a quick private agreement become news.
Kindig-It Bitchin’ Rides Lawsuit: Did the Show Play a Role?
The Kindig-It Bitchin’ Rides lawsuit connection is real and worth examining. The Discovery Channel show gave Kindig-It Design enormous exposure and helped the shop command prices that smaller, less-known builders could not.
That same exposure created unrealistic expectations on both sides.
Customers saw pristine builds completed quickly on television. What they didn’t always account for is that TV production timelines are compressed, footage is edited, and builds shown on camera are not always representative of the full scope of a typical client project.
The show ran for multiple seasons and generated a waiting list that reportedly stretched years into the future. Some clients placed orders partly because they believed being a Kindig-It customer meant premium treatment.
- Bitchin’ Rides debuted on Discovery Velocity in 2014
- The show ran for 6 seasons, increasing the shop’s national profile significantly
- Demand for builds reportedly far outpaced the shop’s production capacity
- Several clients claim they were accepted as customers during active filming periods but their builds were never featured or completed
Key Takeaway: The show was a marketing machine that may have contributed to an overflow of client commitments the shop couldn’t fulfill.
Kindig-It Design Complaints: What Customers Are Saying
Kindig-It Design complaints follow a consistent pattern. Customers across multiple platforms describe experiences involving poor communication, project delays, and feeling ignored after making large payments.
Online forums dedicated to car enthusiasts contain threads spanning years with customers documenting their experiences in real time. The Better Business Bureau has also received complaints against the business.
Common complaint themes include:
- No response to emails or phone calls for weeks or months
- Unexpected cost increases well above the original quote
- Cars returned with new damage not present at drop-off
- Broken promises about completion dates
- Lost or misplaced parts during the build process
One pattern worth noting is that complaints often spike in clusters. Multiple customers report similar issues at similar time periods, suggesting the shop may have taken on more work than it could handle during certain years.
| Complaint Category | Frequency Reported |
|---|---|
| Communication failure | Very High |
| Project delays beyond 2 years | High |
| Costs exceeding original quote | High |
| Unfinished or returned vehicles | Moderate |
| Damage to customer vehicles | Moderate |
The gap between what clients expected and what they received is at the heart of most of these disputes.
Kindig-It Customer Complaints: Patterns and Common Issues
Kindig-It customer complaints are not random one-off grievances. They reveal systemic issues with how the shop manages client relationships, project timelines, and financial commitments.
When you look at the full picture, several structural problems emerge.
First, the intake process reportedly lacked detailed written contracts in some cases. Verbal agreements and handshake understandings replaced proper documentation. That’s a serious problem when disputes arise.
Second, the shop’s capacity appeared strained. Taking on celebrity builds for television while maintaining a commercial client queue created scheduling conflicts that hurt paying customers.
Third, turnover in the shop’s staff reportedly contributed to builds losing momentum. When key fabricators left, projects they were working on sometimes stalled with no clear handoff.
- Some customers report receiving no written contract at all
- Others describe contracts so vague that enforcing timelines was nearly impossible
- A number of clients were unable to locate anyone willing to discuss their project’s status
- Requests for their vehicles back were reportedly met with delays or ignored
Bold Fact: In custom automotive work, the absence of a written delivery deadline is one of the most common reasons customers lose in court when they try to sue.
Is Kindig-It Design a Scam?
Whether Kindig-It Design is a scam is a question many frustrated customers are asking, but the legal and factual answer is more specific than a simple yes or no.
A scam typically involves intentional deception from the beginning, where the seller never intended to deliver what was promised. What the Kindig-It situation appears to involve, based on documented complaints, is closer to gross mismanagement and failure to perform rather than deliberate theft.
That said, Utah law doesn’t require intent to defraud in every consumer protection case. If a business takes money and fails to deliver services within a reasonable time without justification, legal remedies may still apply.
The distinction matters for how you pursue recovery:
| Allegation Type | Legal Standard | Likely Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Fraud | Must prove intentional deception | Criminal referral + civil damages |
| Breach of contract | Must prove failure to perform | Refund + consequential damages |
| Consumer fraud | Deceptive business practices | Statutory damages under Utah law |
| Unjust enrichment | Shop kept money without delivering value | Return of funds paid |
Calling something a scam publicly without a court finding can create defamation exposure for the person making the claim. Stick to documented facts when discussing your case.
Key Takeaway: “Scam” is a loaded legal term. The better framing is breach of contract and consumer protection violation, which gives you a clearer path to recovery.
Kindig-It Design Unfinished Car: What Happens to Your Build?
A Kindig-It Design unfinished car situation puts customers in a particularly frustrating legal position. The car is physically at the shop. You’ve paid for work that hasn’t been done. Getting it back requires knowing your rights.
In Utah, a customer has the right to demand return of their property, even if work is ongoing. The shop may claim a mechanic’s lien for any labor or materials already applied. But that lien doesn’t give them the right to hold your car indefinitely.
Here’s how the typical unfinished car situation plays out:
- Step 1: Customer requests vehicle return in writing
- Step 2: Shop asserts a mechanic’s lien for partial work performed
- Step 3: Customer disputes the lien amount based on work not done
- Step 4: A court or mediator resolves the lien value
- Step 5: Vehicle is released and financial dispute continues separately
Utah’s mechanics lien laws (Utah Code Title 38) set specific requirements for shops asserting liens. If those requirements aren’t followed precisely, the lien may be unenforceable.
Getting the car back is usually the first priority. Fighting over money comes second.
Bold Warning: Do not remove your vehicle without documentation. Photograph and video the car’s condition at pickup. Any new damage becomes part of your claim.
Kindig-It Design Breach of Contract: Understanding Your Rights
Kindig-It Design breach of contract is the most common legal theory used by customers pursuing claims against the shop. Breach of contract occurs when one party fails to fulfill their obligations under an agreement.
In a custom car build context, that means the shop agreed to do specific work, by a specific time, for a specific price, and failed on one or more of those points.
To win a breach of contract claim in Utah, you generally need to prove:
- A valid contract existed (written or verbal)
- You fulfilled your obligations (paid the agreed amounts)
- The shop failed to fulfill theirs
- You suffered financial damages as a result
The harder cases are ones where contracts were vague. If no completion date was specified, courts may look at what a “reasonable time” would be given the scope of work.
| Contract Element | Strong Position | Weak Position |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery date | Specific date written in contract | No date or “when ready” language |
| Total price | Fixed price in writing | “Estimate” or “approximately” language |
| Scope of work | Detailed written description | Verbal description only |
| Payment terms | Documented payment receipts | Cash payments with no receipts |
Verbal contracts are still enforceable in Utah for amounts below the statute of frauds threshold, but proving what was agreed becomes much harder without documentation.
Can You Sue Kindig-It Design?
Yes, you can sue Kindig-It Design in Utah civil court if you have a valid legal claim based on breach of contract, consumer fraud, or unjust enrichment.
The venue would typically be the Third District Court of Utah, which covers Salt Lake County where the shop operates. The specific court level depends on the dollar amount of your claim.
| Claim Amount | Court Level | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Under $11,000 | Utah Small Claims Court | Simplified, no attorney required |
| $11,000 to $300,000 | Utah District Court | Standard civil litigation |
| Over $300,000 | Utah District Court | Full civil litigation with discovery |
Small claims court is a realistic option for customers who lost deposits in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. The process is designed for non-attorneys and moves faster than full civil litigation.
For larger claims, an attorney experienced in commercial litigation or consumer protection is worth consulting. Many attorneys take these cases on contingency when the facts are strong.
Utah’s statute of limitations for breach of contract is 6 years for written contracts and 4 years for verbal contracts. Don’t sit on your rights.
Key Takeaway: The right court for your case depends entirely on how much money is at stake. Small claims is accessible and fast for smaller amounts.
Kindig-It Design Utah Consumer Protection Laws Explained
Utah consumer protection law provides meaningful rights to people who feel a business took their money without delivering promised services.
The primary statute is the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act (UCSPA), found at Utah Code Section 13-11-1 and following. This law prohibits deceptive and unconscionable acts in consumer transactions.
Under the UCSPA, customers may be entitled to:
- Actual damages: The money you lost
- Treble damages: Up to three times actual damages in egregious cases
- Attorney’s fees: If the court finds the violation was willful
- Injunctive relief: A court order requiring the shop to stop certain practices
The Utah Division of Consumer Protection also accepts complaints and can investigate businesses that appear to engage in patterns of deceptive conduct. A pattern of complaints from multiple customers strengthens the regulatory case significantly.
| Protection Available | Governing Law |
|---|---|
| Deceptive trade practices | Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act |
| Mechanic’s lien disputes | Utah Code Title 38 |
| Contract enforcement | Utah Uniform Commercial Code |
| Fraud claims | Utah common law + statutory fraud |
| Regulatory complaints | Utah Division of Consumer Protection |
Filing a complaint with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection costs nothing and creates an official record. That record can support your civil case.
Dave Kindig Legal Trouble: A Full Timeline
Dave Kindig’s legal trouble did not arrive overnight. It built over years as the gap between the shop’s public image and its operational reality widened.
Here is a documented timeline of notable events based on reported information:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Bitchin’ Rides premieres on Discovery Velocity; shop demand increases sharply |
| 2015 to 2017 | Customer wait lists reportedly grow to multi-year lengths |
| 2018 | Early online complaints begin appearing on automotive forums |
| 2019 | Multiple BBB complaints filed; pattern of communication failures documented |
| 2020 | Pandemic slows shop operations; existing delays worsen for waiting clients |
| 2021 | Civil complaints filed in Utah courts by multiple customers |
| 2022 | Additional legal disputes reported; shop’s public response is limited |
| 2023 | Consumer protection complaints increase; Utah Division of Consumer Protection receives filings |
| 2024 | Individual cases proceed through Utah civil courts |
| 2025 | Multiple cases reach resolution or remain pending |
| 2026 | Ongoing litigation; new filings from customers still seeking recovery |
Dave Kindig has maintained a public presence through social media and industry events throughout this period. The business continues to operate.
That the business continues operating does not mean customers cannot recover. Civil judgments can be collected even from active businesses.
Is There a Kindig-It Design Settlement?
There is no publicly announced single class action settlement involving Kindig-It Design as of early 2026. However, individual cases have reportedly resolved through private settlement agreements.
Private settlements are common in these types of disputes. Both sides often prefer confidential resolution over the cost and exposure of a full trial.
What that means for you as a potential claimant is that you should not wait for a mass settlement announcement that may never come. Your best path is pursuing your individual claim.
Key factors that influence settlement value:
- Amount paid to the shop
- Documented damages beyond the original payment
- Strength of your contract and supporting documentation
- Duration of delay beyond any promised completion date
- Condition of your vehicle if it was returned
| Settlement Influencing Factor | Impact on Value |
|---|---|
| Written contract with clear terms | High positive impact |
| Large deposit or total payment | Increases base settlement amount |
| Evidence of intentional delay | May increase damages |
| Vehicle damage documented | Adds to total claim |
| Multiple unanswered communications | Supports pattern of neglect |
Individual settlements in custom automotive disputes at this level typically range from partial refunds to full refunds plus additional damages. The final number depends entirely on facts specific to each case.
Key Takeaway: There is no single class action settlement to wait for. Each affected customer needs to pursue their own claim or group with others to file together.
Kindig-It Deposit Refund: Can You Get Your Money Back?
Getting a Kindig-It deposit refund is possible, but it requires a clear legal strategy and good documentation. The deposit is often the first thing customers want back when a project fails.
Whether a deposit is legally refundable depends on what the contract said and what work, if any, was actually performed.
Utah courts generally hold that a deposit is refundable if:
- The business failed to perform the agreed services
- The deposit was not clearly designated as non-refundable in writing
- No meaningful work was begun using the deposit funds
If Kindig-It Design accepted your deposit and did no work, the legal case for a full refund is strong. If some work was done, the shop may offset its lien for completed work against the refund owed.
| Deposit Scenario | Refund Likelihood |
|---|---|
| No work performed, no written “non-refundable” clause | Strong claim for full refund |
| Some work done, partial completion | Partial refund after deducting legitimate costs |
| Written “non-refundable” clause signed | Harder to recover, but consumer protection claims may still apply |
| Verbal agreement only | Refundable, but harder to prove without documentation |
Gather every record of your payment. Bank statements, wire transfer receipts, checks, and any written communication from the shop about your project are essential.
Bold Tip: If the contract says “non-refundable,” that clause may still be void if the shop’s failure to perform was the reason the project didn’t proceed. Courts do not always enforce non-refundable clauses when the business bears the blame for non-performance.
Kindig-It Refund Lawsuit 2026: What Is Happening Now?
The Kindig-It refund lawsuit 2026 picture is one of ongoing individual litigation with no single resolution event on the horizon. Multiple cases from customers in various stages of the legal process remain active in Utah courts.
New filings are also occurring in 2026 as customers whose statute of limitations had not yet expired bring forward claims.
Key developments to track in 2026:
- Individual civil cases moving through Utah Third District Court
- Utah Division of Consumer Protection complaint accumulation that could trigger regulatory action
- BBB patterns attracting media attention and additional complaints
- Potential for coordinated litigation if attorneys identify enough similarly-situated clients to bring a multi-plaintiff action
A multi-plaintiff action is different from a class action. It allows multiple clients with similar claims to sue together, sharing legal costs and presenting a unified case, without meeting the more complex certification requirements of a formal class action.
| 2026 Legal Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Individual civil suits | Active, multiple cases pending |
| Regulatory complaints | Filed, under review |
| Class action certification | Not filed as of early 2026 |
| Multi-plaintiff action potential | Developing |
| New 2026 filings | Ongoing as limitations periods run |
If you believe your claim is approaching the statute of limitations, 2026 may be your last window to file, depending on when your dispute arose.
How to File a Complaint Against Kindig-It Design
Filing a complaint against Kindig-It Design starts with organizing your documentation and choosing the right channel based on what you want to achieve.
There are three main paths: a regulatory complaint, a BBB complaint, and a civil lawsuit. Each serves a different purpose.
Regulatory Complaint (Utah Division of Consumer Protection):
- File online through the Utah Division of Consumer Protection website
- Describe the business conduct in plain language
- Attach copies of contracts, receipts, and communications
- This creates an official government record and may trigger investigation
- No attorney needed for this step
BBB Complaint:
- File through the BBB website for the Salt Lake City area
- The BBB contacts the business and requests a response
- Resolution through the BBB is voluntary, but public records of complaints matter
- Useful for documenting your experience and putting pressure on the business
Civil Lawsuit:
- Small claims for disputes under $11,000: file at your local Utah courthouse
- For larger amounts: retain a Utah civil litigation attorney
- Gather all contracts, payment records, photos, and correspondence first
Documentation checklist before filing:
- Written contract or any written agreement
- All receipts and proof of payment
- All email, text, and voicemail records with the shop
- Photos of your vehicle before drop-off and at any subsequent inspection
- A written timeline of events in your own words
- Any witnesses who can confirm key facts
Key Takeaway: Filing a regulatory complaint and a civil lawsuit are not mutually exclusive. Many successful claimants do both simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kindig-It lawsuit about?
The Kindig-It lawsuit involves customers who paid Kindig-It Design for custom car builds and claim the shop failed to complete the work, return deposits, or communicate about project status.
Most cases are individual civil claims alleging breach of contract, consumer fraud, or unjust enrichment under Utah law.
There is no single certified class action as of 2026, but multiple individual cases are active.
Can I get a refund from Kindig-It Design?
Yes, a refund is legally possible if you can show the shop took your money and failed to perform the agreed work.
Your strongest claim exists when no meaningful work was done and your contract lacked a clearly enforceable non-refundable clause.
Utah consumer protection law may also entitle you to additional damages beyond just the refund amount.
Has Dave Kindig been personally sued?
Dave Kindig has been named in civil disputes connected to his business, Kindig-It Design.
Whether personal liability attaches depends on the specific facts of each case and whether courts find grounds to hold him individually responsible beyond his role as the business owner.
Utah law allows courts to pierce corporate protections in limited circumstances where individual misconduct is proven.
Is there a class action lawsuit against Kindig-It Design?
There is no certified class action lawsuit against Kindig-It Design as of early 2026.
Disputes have proceeded as individual civil cases, though attorneys may be evaluating whether a multi-plaintiff action is viable given the number of similarly situated customers.
If a class action or multi-plaintiff action is filed, affected customers would likely be notified through public court records.
What do I need to file a complaint against Kindig-It Design?
You need your original contract or written agreement, all payment receipts, and a complete record of your communications with the shop.
Photos of your vehicle before and after, plus a written timeline of what was promised and what actually happened, strengthen your case significantly.
File with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection for regulatory action and consider small claims court for amounts under $11,000.
You Have Options. Use Them.
If you paid Kindig-It Design and didn’t get what you were promised, you are not alone and you are not without recourse.
Utah law gives consumers meaningful tools to recover money lost in failed contracts. The key is acting before your statute of limitations expires.
Gather your documents. File a regulatory complaint. Talk to a Utah civil litigation attorney about whether your case belongs in small claims or district court. The longer you wait, the harder recovery becomes.
