Lucid Faces Backlash Over Costly Lease Return Charges—Customers Say It's Unfair and Inconsistent

EV maker Lucid Motors is facing growing criticism from lease customers after reports emerged of unexpectedly high charges for minor wear and tear during Lucid Air lease returns—including a $1,450 fee for tiny windshield chips. Customers say the company’s lease inspection process lacks consistency, and many are questioning Lucid’s standards and transparency.

Lease Returns Spark Frustration Over Surprise Fees

The issue came to light in June when a Lucid Air lessee shared on the Lucid Owners Forum that he had been billed $1,825 after returning his lease. Of that amount, a staggering $1,450 was attributed to three small glass chips found on the windshield. These minor blemishes weren’t disclosed at the time of return, and the customer, despite having full glass insurance coverage, was given no chance to file a claim.

Other reported “damage” included a sun visor issue that forum users couldn’t even identify in the inspection photos. The billing process added insult to injury—the customer received repeated invoices via mail, was told to pay online or by phone, but couldn’t log in after his account was deactivated. Calling the number led him directly to a collections agency, and Lucid Financial Services failed to return his calls for weeks.

Some Customers Hit With Bills Exceeding $5,000

Additional reports followed, with one lessee receiving a $5,800 charge well after returning his vehicle—without an initial explanation. Ironically, the Lucid staff member who accepted his lease reportedly described it as “one of the cleanest returns” she’d seen. The customer didn’t request a pre-inspection because, according to Lucid’s public guidelines, his vehicle showed no signs of excessive wear.

When he finally received itemized charges, they included $585 for a paint speck described as “dirt in paint,” $1,200 for missing inner fender plastic, and $200 for worn rubber in the smartphone tray. Many forum members questioned whether these items genuinely violated Lucid’s own damage policies.

Lucid’s Wear and Tear Guidelines Raise Eyebrows

According to Lucid’s lease guidelines, charges apply to repainted body panels with debris or defects, or if paint chips exceed 11 in number. For scratches, the threshold is “larger than a credit card.” The “dirt in paint” noted on one return seems to fall well below these criteria. Inside the cabin, Lucid’s policy allows charges for “any tears, holes, or burns regardless of size”, giving inspectors wide latitude and leading many to feel the standards are overly strict—or vague by design.

Lucid Responds but Offers Few Concrete Solutions

When The Drive reached out, Lucid acknowledged inconsistencies in how lease return charges have been handled. In a statement, the company said:

“We are aware of some instances where our lease turn-in standards have not been interpreted consistently. We are collaborating with our banking partner to resolve disputes and sincerely apologize to those who have been inconvenienced.”

However, Lucid declined to clarify what specific steps are being taken to improve oversight or realign inspection practices with published policies. Lease financing is operated by Lucid Financial Services, a trade name for Bank of America, and inspection services are handled by AutoVIN, further complicating accountability when customers seek support.

Customers Struggle With Confusing Communication Channels

One frustrated customer summed it up:

“You get bounced around between Lucid, LFS, BoA’s collections department, and no one knows who’s responsible. Even the employees seem unsure who to contact internally.”

This fragmented process has left many lessees feeling helpless. Some say they’ve received charges months after return, with little to no explanation or way to dispute them easily.

One Small Win—But It Came With a Catch

One forum member reported success after cc’ing Lucid executives in a final appeal email. A $200 charge for a 1.5-inch wheel scuff—a size Lucid’s own documentation says is not chargeable—was eventually waived. In the reply, a Lucid Financial Services manager referred to the refund as an act of “goodwill.”

While the customer appreciated the outcome, he was unimpressed with the framing:

“It’s disappointing they treated the correction like a favor instead of simply doing what’s right.”

He added that he’s currently leasing another Lucid but won’t be renewing it.

Uncertainty Remains as Pressure Mounts on Lucid

As customer frustration grows, Lucid now finds itself under pressure to standardize its lease inspection process, clarify responsibility across its service providers, and ensure that minor wear and tear isn't penalized unfairly. For now, EV drivers returning their Lucid Air leases may want to document every inch of their vehicle—and brace for unexpected charges.