Millions Headed Back To Customers
Several Nissan dealerships across New York were caught padding customer lease buyouts with hidden fees, bogus repair charges, and inflated line items that customers never agreed to. The NY Attorney General‘s office uncovered the scheme after digging through thousands of buyout transactions, and now Nissan Motor Acceptance Company (NMAC) is on the hook to make it right. So far, 15 dealerships have been hit with over $1 million in penalties, and more than $4.5 million has already gone back to over 3,100 customers, with that number expected to grow. Anyone affected doesn’t need to file a claim. NMAC is auditing dealers statewide and issuing refunds through 2026, including extra interest paid by buyers who financed those inflated amounts.
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What The Junk Fees Actually Looked Like
Leases come with a set buyout price written into the contract. Investigators say some dealers tacked on extra costs once customers showed up to actually buy the car. Some of the inflated numbers are pretty outrageous. One buyer was billed $2,563 for electrical tape that dealership records valued at 8 cents. Another paid roughly $3,200 for recall work, even though federal law requires that to be free. Some Certified Pre-Owned “repairs” were reportedly just a quick wash with a hose, yet still cost over $2,500. Dealers also bundled real charges with hidden markups under one vague line, so a $1,000 warranty and a $500 repair might show up as “$2,000 in aftersales products.” Out of nearly 10,000 buyouts reviewed, more than 3,000 had improper charges.
A Pattern Across The Industry
Nissan isn’t the first automaker caught in this kind of mess, and it likely won’t be the last. Junk fees, add-on products, and mystery line items have drawn scrutiny from regulators and consumer groups across the auto industry for years. Buyers shouldn’t take a final number at face value. Compare it against the buyout price in the original lease contract, ask for an itemized breakdown of every charge, and question anything described in vague terms. If recall work shows up on a bill, that’s an immediate red flag, since it should never cost a dime.
About the author
Simran Rastogi
Senior Editor