Leased Items Equal Exorbitant Payments: Customer Pays $1,450 for Minuscule Glass Chips
In a recent development, electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors has acknowledged inconsistencies in how it charges lease customers for wear and tear upon vehicle return. This inconsistency has led to some lessees being billed for minor damages considered insignificant or even within normal wear limits.
One notable case involved a customer who was charged $1,450 for tiny windshield chips deemed normal by inspection standards. Lucid has admitted that it has not been consistent in these charges and has taken some “goodwill” steps, such as waiving contested fees, but has not yet clearly committed to systemic changes.
To address these issues, Lucid currently uses a two-step inspection process. A pre-inspection before lease return is conducted to identify potential excessive wear and use, followed by a final inspection by their partner AutoVIN after the vehicle is turned in. Lessees remain responsible for charges identified at final inspection even if they weren’t noted initially. However, lessees report that some damage charges are applied post-return without prior notification, causing frustration and surprise bills.
Lucid's support materials advise customers to perform a factory reset on the vehicle, return all original items, and be prepared for the final inspection and billing process, which is handled by Lucid Financial Services. The company has at least recognized the problem publicly but has yet to outline specific steps to standardize lease turn-in damage assessments and billing to avoid what customers describe as “nickel-and-diming” for insignificant damages.
Customers demand clearer, fairer, and more consistent policies from Lucid to prevent inconsistencies in lease turn-in damage assessments and charges. Further reports will be needed to confirm if systemic improvements are made.
| Issue | Lucid’s Current Handling | Customer Concerns/Actions | |-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Inconsistent damage charges | Acknowledged; some waived charges as “goodwill” gestures[1] | Surprise fees for minor damages; forum discussions[1][4] | | Inspection process | Pre-inspection and final inspection by AutoVIN after return[3]| Damage sometimes not noted during pre-inspection[1] | | Lease turn-in instructions | Factory reset, return all items, confirmation at delivery center[3] | Customers often unclear about standards | | Steps toward standardization | No clear published new standards yet; ongoing issue as of July 2025 | Customers demand clearer, fairer, more consistent policies|
The vehicle inspections for returns of rentals and leases have seen a decrease this year. Lucid is collaborating with its banking partner, Bank of America, to resolve disputes regarding lease turn-in standards. Some lessees have been charged for insignificant damages that do not meet the automaker's own standards for excessive wear and tear.
As of now, Lucid appears to be aware of the problem and is taking some corrective actions on a case-by-case basis, but has not yet implemented formalized, uniform standards to prevent inconsistencies in lease turn-in damage assessments and charges. Further reports will be needed to determine if the automaker is prepared to take responsibility for these incidents and implement systemic improvements.
[1] Lucid Motors Acknowledges Inconsistencies in Lease Damage Charges, Electrek, July 2025. [2] Lucid Air Lessee Charged for Minor Damages, Tesla Owners Online Forum, July 2025. [3] Lucid Motors Lease Turn-In Instructions, Lucid Motors Support Materials, July 2025. [4] Lucid Air Lessee Faces Surprise Charges for Minor Damages, EV News Today, July 2025.
The banking partner of Lucid Motors, Bank of America, is collaborating with Lucid to address disputes about lease turn-in standards, following reports of lessees being charged for insignificant damages that don't meet the automaker's standards for excessive wear and tear. Despite Lucid being aware of the issue and taking corrective actions on a case-by-case basis, there is a need for the company to implement formalized, uniform standards to prevent inconsistencies in lease turn-in damage assessments and charges, in line with customer demands for clearer, fairer, and more consistent policies.
