Dave Kindig turned rust into muscle. He took broken cars and gave them new life. His designs mixed classic looks with modern power. People saw beauty in his work. His shop, Kindig-It Designs, earned praise from fans and critics.
The company grew fast. TV shows made it a household name. Clients from across the country lined up. They wanted their dream cars built by the best.
Then lawsuits started stacking up. Clients raised red flags. Some said they lost money. Others said their cars sat untouched for months. A few said they never got their cars back at all.
Accusations followed. Clients claimed fraud and false promises. They questioned how the shop ran its projects. Some even said the team misled them about timelines and costs.
The shine started to fade. The brand once known for quality now faced serious doubt. The truth behind the chrome started to show cracks.
What Sparked the Kindig-It Lawsuit?
Two major legal battles hit Kindig-It Designs. Each one raised serious questions about how the business operated.
The first fight started in 2015. A company called Creative Controls sued Kindig-It. They said Dave Kindig’s shop used their patented mobility tech without permission. That case focused on copyright and patent laws. It showed how risky design reuse can become in custom car work.
The second case hit even harder. In 2022, more than 30 chiropractors sued Kindig-It. They claimed the company took over $230,000 for a car project that never reached completion. They said the work barely started. They also accused the team of fraud and emotional harm.
These lawsuits shook the brand. They exposed delays, poor updates, and broken promises. The problems went far beyond one client or one mistake. They pointed to deeper issues inside the business.
What Was the 2015 Copyright Fight About?
Creative Controls sued Kindig-It Designs in 2015. The company makes mobility systems for disabled drivers. It said Kindig-It used its patented tech without permission.
Kindig-It fired back. They said Creative Controls stole Dave Kindig’s visual designs. The court rejected some claims but allowed the case to move forward.
The lawsuit faded after 2017. Most likely, both sides settled it quietly.
Why Do Copyright Rules Matter in Custom Car Shops?
Custom car builders don’t just fix vehicles. They create art. Every line, paint color, and shape reflects personal vision. These ideas carry value. USA law protect them under copyright and patent rule.
Design like logo body shape or control system belong to their creator. You need permission to use those designs. A license gives legal access. Without it, you risk legal trouble.
Even small changes won’t protect you. If the core idea comes from someone else, it may still count as theft. That’s what happened in the Kindig-It case. The company used tech from another firm. The lawsuit followed quickly.
This shows the risks in custom work. Shops must stay alert. They must protect their own ideas and respect others. Copyright law is not optional. It sets the rules for fair competition in the industry.
What Started the Chiropractors’ Lawsuit in 2022?
In 2022, a group of more than 30 chiropractors took legal action against Kindig-It Designs. They had hired the shop to fully customize a 1974 Dodge Charger. The deal totaled $670000. They paid more than $230000 upfront to start the project.
The group expected steady progress. Instead, they saw delays and silence. After many months, they received only a stripped-down car shell. The engine was missing. The interior was untouched. Nothing inside the vehicle worked.
They asked for updates. They emailed. They called. Most of their messages got no reply. When they did hear back, the answers felt vague and empty. Timelines kept shifting without reason.
Their trust broke down. They believed the shop had no plan to finish the job. They said Kindig-It kept taking payments even when the work stopped. That led to claims of fraud, contract breach, and emotional harm.
The group finally decided to sue. They felt misled, ignored, and financially drained.
What Did the Timeline Look Like?
2019: Kindig-It took the job
Early 2020: Clients paid the deposit
2020–2021: Work paused due to delays
Mid-2021: Complaints increased
2022: Lawsuit was filed
The group tried mediation first. They asked for refunds. They got nothing.
What Proof Did the Plaintiffs Show?
The chiropractors brought solid proof to court. Their lawyers shared photos of the car. The pictures showed nothing but a bare shell. No engine. No interior. No visible progress after the initial teardown.
They also submitted invoices. These records showed large payments made early in the project. Despite the money spent, the build had barely moved forward.
The group said this wasn’t just poor service. They called it fraud. They claimed the shop kept accepting money without doing real work.
They also described the emotional toll. Some said they lost sleep. Others said they felt misled and anxious. The lawsuit used the word “stonewalled” to explain how Kindig-It stopped replying.
The evidence painted a clear picture. The clients believed they were ignored, stalled, and cheated out of both money and trust.
How Did Kindig-It Respond?
Kindig-It did not stay silent. The company responded through its legal team. They blamed global problems for the delays. They said the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply issues. Parts arrived late. Shipping lines were backed up. Staff shortages also made things harder.
They claimed the money was not wasted. Most of it went to vendors, bodywork, and rare parts. They said progress was slow but real. The project had not been abandoned.
Kindig-It also defended its reputation. They pointed to past builds that turned out well. They reminded the court of their success on television and in custom car circles.
The company said the lawsuit came too early. They called the claims unfair and said the plaintiffs rushed to judgment. They asked the court to consider outside factors that were beyond their control.
Were Other Clients Affected Too?
More clients came forward after the 2022 lawsuit. Some shared stories that sounded just as troubling. One customer said they waited over three years for a Camaro rebuild. The car never moved past the bodywork stage.
Another client said their calls and emails went unanswered. They felt ignored. They said they paid large sums and saw little progress.
No new lawsuits have been filed yet. Still, the pattern raised concern. Legal experts said repeated complaints could damage the brand. Even without more court cases, public trust might drop.
The stories showed more than delays. They revealed possible cracks in how the company handled projects. Fans started to ask the same question—was Kindig-It taking on too much at once?
What Legal Issues Does Kindig-It Face?
Fraud
The court needs proof that Kindig-It took money without plans to deliver. If that’s true, the penalties could be steep.
Breach of Contract
The deal between Kindig-It and the clients had clear deadlines. The lawsuit says those promises were broken.
Emotional Distress
This claim is hard to win. The plaintiffs said the process caused mental harm.
How Could This Hurt Kindig-It’s Business?
Brand Reputation
Kindig-It’s reputation made it famous. Legal fights now make people question that image.
Internal Problems
Lawsuits mean audits. Emails, invoices, and records all go to court. That pressure hits staff and leadership.
Future Costs
If the court sides with the plaintiffs, Kindig-It might pay big. That include refund legal fee and damage control.
What Happen Next in the Lawsuit?
As of mid 2025 the case is still going. Both sides are in discovery. They are sharing records and taking depositions.
Next steps include:
Forcing Kindig-It to release financial documents
Filing expert reports
Choosing a jury
Analysts expect a private deal. That could happen before trial. If not, court will begin in 2026.
What Can You Learn from This?
Custom cars are not like factory models. Timelines and costs shift. You should protect yourself early.
Use these tips:
Sign a contract that pays after each build stage
Keep all emails and records
Hire an expert to check progress
Understand the refund terms before you pay
These steps won’t prevent every problem. They will lower your risk.
Is Kindig-It Done?
Kindig-It is still in business. The shop has not closed. Cars still come in. Crews still work. But the pressure is rising fast.
The lawsuits exposed real problems. Delays, poor updates, and client frustration now follow the brand. Dave Kindig must face these issues directly. He can’t ignore them.
He needs to take fewer jobs. He must focus on quality over quantity. He also needs better communication. Clients want clear updates and honest timelines.
The shop must prove it still delivers top work. That means fixing project delays and meeting promises.
Public action could help. Clear changes, policy updates, and client outreach may rebuild trust. If that does not happen more lawsuit may follow. The brand future depend on what happens next.
Final Word on the Kindig-It Lawsuit
Kindig It Design built more than cars. It built a name that stood for style, power, and craftsmanship. The shop turned rough frames into dream machines. Fans trusted the brand. Clients spent big money to be part of that magic.
Now the story looks different. The lawsuits pulled back the curtain. They showed delay missed deadline and unhappy client. They also showed what happen when a shop stretche itself too thin.
The brand still has value. The work still draws praise. But the trust once built through flawless projects now sits on shaky ground.
Dave Kindig has a choice. He can own the mistakes and rebuild from the inside. He can bring in better systems, fewer builds, and honest communication. If he does that, the brand can recover.
If he stays silent or resists change, more damage may follow. What comes next will decide the legacy of Kindig-It Designs.
