Consumer complaint received 2025-09-23 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Lease
Issue: Problems at the end of the loan or lease — Excess mileage, damage, or wear fees, or other problem after the lease is finished
Company: Tesla, Inc.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I returned my leased Tesla XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/year>. The next day, Tesla issued a final invoice for {$8600.00}, broken down as follows : Excess wear & tear : {$1900.00} Mileage overage : {$6000.00} ( XXXX miles {$0.00} per mile ) Tax : {$700.00} Late fee : {$37.00} Total balance : {$8600.00} final invoice XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX - XXXX then removed the vehicle from my Tesla app, preventing me from accessing my account or reviewing charges directly.

Shortly after, Tesla attempted a lump-sum ACH debit of {$8600.00} from my bank account. My bank account was only authorized for monthly lease payments, not a one-time post-lease debit. I did not provide explicit authorization for this transaction.

When I contacted Tesla to dispute or negotiate : I was told no payment plans are allowed. 

My hardship ( single mother, XXXX children, currently divorcing ) was ignored. 

My request to re-review or reduce charges was brushed off with automated replies. 

Tesla escalated my account to collections within XXXX weeks of return, threatening to send it to a third-party agency. 

Tesla also refused to consider any goodwill adjustment for the mileage charge, or to waive the {$37.00} late fee even though the final invoice timing and app removal contributed to delays. 

Finally, XXXX wear & tear process was unfair : the {$1900.00} estimate was only provided the hours before return ( XX/XX/year> inspection ), leaving me with no chance to make independent repairs as contemplated in the lease and NY law. 

Why I believe this is wrong : Unauthorized debit : I only agreed to recurring monthly payments, not a lump-sum final ACH withdrawal. 

Excess wear charges unfairly imposed : I had no practical opportunity to repair before return. 

Refusal of hardship consideration : Tesla declined to provide payment flexibility, despite my financial circumstances. 

Collections escalation : Tesla is threatening credit damage without addressing my disputes. 

Unfair process : I was left without account access ( vehicle removed from app ), making it impossible to review or pay properly. 

What I want Tesla Finance to do : Reverse or credit the unauthorized ACH debit ( if posted ), and block future debits without explicit consent. 

Remove the {$37.00} late fee caused by invoice timing. 

Review and reduce the {$1900.00} excess wear charges ( or allow me to arbitrate under XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX program ). 

Offer a reasonable monthly payment plan for any valid remaining balance. 

Pause collections and refrain from credit bureau reporting while this dispute is pending. 

Provide a full written explanation of Teslas authority to debit the account and Teslas compliance with NY XXXX XXXX XXXX for lease wear & tear disputes. 

Documents I will upload : Lease agreement ( NY, showing $ XXXX clause and wear & tear provisions ) Lease - NY ( XXXX ) Inspection report ( XX/XX/year> ) with {$1900.00} charges XXXX XXXX - XXXX - Final invoice ( XX/XX/year> ) showing {$8600.00} balance final invoice XXXX Emails from Tesla ( XXXX on XXXX, XXXX & XXXX from collections, XXXX from inspections ) Bank record of the ACH debit attempt/posting Screenshots of Tesla app showing account removal My closing statement : I am not refusing to pay what is fair, but Tesla has handled this process with automation, no flexibility, and no meaningful review of my challenges. I am devastated by how dismissive this process has been. I ask the CFPB to require Tesla Finance to properly review my account, reverse any unauthorized debit, adjust the unfair charges, and work with me on a fair resolution.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation