by Lucid Lease Payment Scandal
A customer who leased a Lucid Air vehicle received a bill for thousands of dollars for minor cosmetic damage. The highest amount was charged for replacing the right rear taillight due to a tiny crack that did not let water in and was barely noticeable.
Claim Details
According to the inspector’s report, the front bumper required complete replacement due to 10 minor stone chips, a one-inch long crack, and a scratch of the same size. For this, the customer was billed $2400. However, the most impressive was the demand to pay $4900 for a rear taillight with a microcrack along the bonding line.
An additional $100 was charged for damage to the left headlight, which seems inconsistent given the stated need for complete replacement, and $200 for a seven-inch scratch on the front wheel. The total assessment amount was $7600.
Lease end inspection – $7600 estimated byu/Key-Cartoonist-9290 inLUCID
Damage Assessment System
Lucid Financial Services, the automaker’s division responsible for leasing, collaborates with Bank of America. The bank, in turn, hires third-party inspection firms to assess the condition of vehicles after the end of lease agreements.
Customer Reaction
Similar stories are leading to growing outrage among potential buyers. On Reddit, users report canceling plans to lease Lucid due to excessive payments. One of them noted that they canceled an order for the Gravity model specifically because of this problem, while another canceled switching from Rivian to Lucid, promising to return only if the situation is resolved.
Company Response
Lucid Motors acknowledged the problem and sent customers a letter of apology and explanations regarding lease payments. It stated that the company is reviewing recent charges to ensure their accuracy and compliance with policy. Changes were also made: scratches smaller than 3.5 inches on the body and wheels are not charged, and the fee for larger wheel damages is reduced to $200.
The company offered customers to contact Lucid Financial Services at the specified phone number to verify bills. Despite attempts to rectify the situation, trust in the brand remains at risk, and the future of lease programs will depend on real changes, not just public apologies.
The problem with lease payments highlights a broader trend in the automotive industry, where vague contract terms and aggressive wear-and-tear assessment can lead to unexpected financial losses for customers. It also demonstrates how quickly negative information spreads through social media, influencing buyer decisions and manufacturer reputations. Lucid, as a young player in the market, faces the challenge of balancing financial goals with maintaining consumer trust, which could determine its long-term success.
