Empire State Today

New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced settlements totaling more than $1.9 million with five Nissan car dealerships in New York City and on Long Island for overcharging over a thousand New Yorkers who wanted to purchase their leased vehicles at the end of their lease term. Attorney General James stated, “Ignoring agreements and adding bogus fees harms New York consumers, and that is something my office won’t allow to go unchallenged.”

The investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) uncovered that the dealerships added junk fees or falsified the price of vehicles between 2020 and 2023. Consumers were found to have been substantially overcharged, with some instances showing overcharges as high as $7,000 on an $18,000 vehicle. The dealerships involved in the settlements include Baron Nissan, Nissan of Kings, Nissan of Queens, Nissan of Staten Island, and Nissan of Westbury.

State Senator Monica R. Martinez praised the actions taken by Attorney General James, stating, “When buying out a vehicle lease, the only thing that should be taken for a ride is the car.” Similarly, Senator Kevin Thomas commended the Attorney General for taking action against deceptive practices, emphasizing that preying on hardworking New Yorkers is unacceptable.

Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages expressed her satisfaction with the settlements, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment for consumers, especially during times of financial strain. Assemblyman Charles Lavine also thanked Attorney General James for prioritizing consumers and ensuring justice for those who were cheated by unethical business practices.

Assistant Attorney General Alec Webley, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jane M. Azia and Deputy Bureau Chief Laura J. Levine, handled this matter. The Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, part of the Division of Economic Justice, played a crucial role in securing the settlements.

Consumers entitled to restitution do not need to take any action to receive the payment, as the dealerships have already begun issuing refunds through mailed checks. Additionally, the dealerships have committed to reforming their invoicing practices to prevent overcharging and provide accurate receipts in the future. Attorney General James urges any consumers affected by deceptive lease buyout practices to file a consumer complaint online.