While KATO models are manufactured to the highest quality standards, occasional issues or unforeseen damage may occur. KATO USA provides repair and warranty services to address such matters. Please review the following information carefully before submitting your item for service.
If you have the technical skills to work on your own locomotive at home, we encourage you to check out our online parts store. Here you will find a vast selection of pieces used for your N and HO Scale locomotives. Another option is to inquire your local hobby dealer, some dealers offer repair services in house.
In the event that repair services are not available locally, consumers can send their KATO locomotives or rolling stock to KATO USA for repair. Replacements will NOT be offered unless the product is deemed to have a manufacturing defect and is considered “unrepairable” by our technician and is within KATO’s manufacturing warranty period. Warranty does not cover user error, this includes dropping the locomotive or handling it incorrectly.
By submitting for repair you agree to all terms and conditions.
Kato USA does NOT offer estimates of repair costs. The Bench Fees can be found listed below the FAQ section. Non-Warranty Repairs will incur a Bench Fee and addition cost for parts used in the repair.
The current wait time for repairs is about 6-8 weeks.
This limited warranty exclusively covers defects in materials and workmanship. Damage incurred during transit, improper handling, or misuse is not covered under this warranty.
Please note that this warranty applies to products purchased new from a hobby retailer. Items purchased “as-is” or in second hand sales (including all purchases from Ebay) will be covered at the discretion of Kato USA.
Items purchased through Amazon must be returned to Amazon through their warranty service and will NOT fall under warranty.
All repairs must be sent to Kato USA only.
Kato USA
Attn: Repairs
100 Remington Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
While it is unfortunate, Kato USA reserves the right to refuse any product returned to us for repair in the following cases:
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- If the item is submitted without a typed or written description of repair(s) needed.
- If the item is received not “as described” in the written description of the malfunction.
- If the item has been damaged beyond economical repair.
Refused products will be returned to you without repair at no cost to you.
Note that by submitting any product to Kato USA for repair, both warranty and non-warranty, you agree to pay any charges that Kato USA issues for such repair. These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.
Repair Cost:
Items that are sent in for repair that are not qualified for warrantee service will have a service charge based on the following chart (applicable to both N & HO items): NEW PRICES EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 10th, 2024
| Product: | Cost-Analog | Cost-DCC | Cost-DCC Sound |
| Diesel Locomotive (N/HO) | $45 | $55 | $70 |
| Steam Locomotive (N/HO) | $55 | $70 | $85 |
| Product: | Standard | Lighting Installed | |
| Rolling Stock (N/HO) | $45 | $55 | |
| Product: | Standard | ||
| Electric Turntable (#20-283) | $150 | ||
| Sound Box (#22-101-1) | $85 | ||
| Automatic Crossing gate (#20-652-1) | $85 | ||
| Power Pack SX (#22-018-1) | $85 | ||
| The cost of parts will be separate from the service charge and will be added onto the total value of the repair. | |||
For all non-warranty repairs, an invoice for repair will be issued upon completion of the repair and payment is expected upon completion.
Products that are returned to us that ARE within KATO’s manufacturing warranty period and are presented with a valid manufacturing defect (see our Warranty info), will be repaired at no cost to the sender.
A copy of a receipt from a hobby retailer or wholesaler MUST be sent along with the product to be considered for Warranty repair.
Repairs that are sent in for either DCC or Sound installed locomotives will ONLY be repaired if they were installed by Kato USA. Kato USA will not accept repairs for after-market DCC or Sound installations.