How often are HOAs involved in lawsuits?

I think most lawsuits brought by HOAs pertain to collection of assessments from those HOA members who are past due by a lot.

I suspect the second leading category of lawsuits brought by HOAs pertain to violations of covenant-based use restrictions. Said restrictions and challenges to enforcement of same involve everything from fences to unapproved structures to short term rentals to chickens to drainage to flag display to more. By my reading, use restriction disputes are the HOA lawsuits that seem to land in the appeals courts the most often. Maybe this is because the enforcement of use restrictions often involves discretionary decision-making by the Board. HOA members are perhaps more willing to dig in, as defendants, when the members think a Board is being unreasonable in exercising its discretion.

It costs time, energy and money to bring legal actions.
Typically, unless someone has all of that OR is taking legal action on principal, actual action against HOAs (I think) are very few vs the threats of legal action.

That said, legal action taken by HOAs against members happen a lot.
Mostly, as has already been posted, it's based on lack of assessment payments.

There are a fair number of cases concerning covenant violations brought by HOAs as well.

Do a google search, you will get an idea.

The OP's post declares the thread is about HOAs suing members. Is a HOA suing a member the same as the HOA suing itself and all members? By your reasoning, yes.

HOA's are ONLY funded by it's members for it's members. So suing your HOA where do you think the HOA gets their money to sue or defend itself in a lawsuit? Even if your answer is "insurance", HOA dues pay for that insurance or deductible. That money is coming from the HOA budget.

So if you can't understand there are consequences to your actions when you file a lawsuit be it a HOA or as a HOA member, then your just hurting everyone. Accept those consequences then you may have a reason to take those actions. That is my litmus test for most valid lawsuits.

My HOA we would not file lawsuits because they are not beneficial. Lien or foreclosure is a better option. A lawsuit has limits. Which means a person can refuse to pay up their settlement and skip town. Nothing holding them to the payments or the HOA if they can sell their home and move. Believe have to renew it every 7 years. Who is going to remember to do that with so many board changes to go pursue? The HOA can't have someone's social security # so collecting from their paycheck will be difficult.

A court can only make one "whole". It rarely would be punitive. The court decides whom collect their legal expenses. You could be left holding the bag for paying for the lawyer and/or court costs if your lawsuit is frivolous.

In my opinion, it'd be far cheaper in both time and money to join your HOA board to make whatever change you feel is important rather than to file a lawsuit against the HOA.