by Problems with Leased Vehicle Returns
Lucid often offers attractive lease terms that at first glance seem like a convenient way to drive an Air without long-term commitments. However, as has been repeatedly observed, these offers often hide unpleasant surprises. If not a significant down payment, then problems arise when returning the car after the lease term ends.
Company’s Acknowledgment of Problems
Back in August, Lucid itself acknowledged the existence of problems in its leased vehicle return program. The company stated that the process is not consistent.
Damage assessments were conducted very differently, and some customers received unexpectedly high bills for barely noticeable defects.
Current Customer Complaints
After two months, the situation does not seem to have improved. At least two owners have shared alarming stories, and one of them even contacted regulatory authorities. A little over a week ago, one customer posted on Reddit under the title “Just got my excess wear report and it’s ridiculous.” Many people are upset about having to pay additional fees after the lease ends, but this case seems particularly compelling.
Just got my excess wear report and its ridiculous.
byu/TackleTurbulent9134 inLUCID
Bill Details
Photographs of the underside of the Lucid Air along with a digital bill from the company show that a $2,400 charge was levied for scratches on the car’s underbody panel. This is not about a panel torn into several pieces, with a large hole or missing elements. These are ordinary scratches that almost every owner of a low car has. The owner claims he had no accidents or serious incidents while driving, and these marks were left by minor things like speed bumps. “I guess we should only drive on perfectly smooth roads without speed bumps and always ‘research’ every driveway before entering,” said the angry owner.
Interestingly, Lucid decided not to charge for the missing owner’s manual.
Another Case with Similar Problems
This is not the only recent example of lease problems at Lucid. Another customer, who was billed $585, has an even more compelling reason to complain. According to the owner, a Lucid representative did not find any damage during the vehicle return procedure. However, less than two weeks later, a third-party company conducted a “final inspection” and found $785 worth of wear and tear.
The owner reported that Lucid waived a $200 charge for the wheel, but still demanded payment of the remaining $585.
Lucid charged me $585 for “damages” 2 weeks after I returned my lease — DFPI complaint filed
byu/Accomplished_Move637 inLUCID
Loss of Trust in the Brand
Further Actions
For now, Lucid must explain how it conducts vehicle assessments after the lease term ends and what steps it plans to take to restore customer trust. If you have leased a vehicle of this brand yourself, share your experience in the comments. These stories point to a systemic problem in the management of lease operations, which could have serious consequences for the brand’s reputation in the face of growing competition in the electric vehicle market. Such cases may deter potential customers who consider leasing a convenient alternative to purchasing, especially when it comes to premium models. Transparency in financial matters and consistency in vehicle condition assessments are becoming key factors in maintaining consumer trust.
