Consumer complaint received 2026-01-22 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Lease
Issue: Problems at the end of the loan or lease — Unable to receive car title or other problem after the loan is paid off
Company: Mercedes Benz Financial Services

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to formally document and demand resolution regarding XXXX XXXX XXXX  failure to properly release the title to my vehicle despite full payoff having been completed more than XXXX years ago. 

Below is a detailed timeline of events : XX/XX/XXXX I contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX to pay off my leased XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The payoff amount, including sales tax, was wired and confirmed as received. 

XX/XX/XXXX I discovered that the vehicle title had never been sent to me. Upon contacting XXXX XXXX, I was informed that an odometer statement was required before the title could be released. The odometer statement was promptly completed and emailed as requested. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received paperwork from XXXX XXXX, including the vehicle title and a cover letter. I presented these documents to the California XXXX to transfer the title into my name. At that time, the XXXX advised that sales tax needed to be paid. I informed the XXXX that sales tax had already been paid to XXXX  XXXX  at payoff. The XXXX advised that I must obtain a Statement of Fact from XXXX XXXX confirming the tax payment and further stated that a financial institution should not have collected California sales tax directly, as it is typically paid to the XXXX during title transfer. 

XX/XX/XXXX I contacted XXXX XXXX via email requesting the required XXXX of XXXX. No response was received. 

XX/XX/XXXX I followed up by phone and spoke with XXXX, who stated I would receive a call back. No call was received. 

XX/XX/XXXX I called again and spoke with XXXX, who stated someone would contact me. No follow-up occurred. 

XX/XX/XXXX I again contacted XXXX XXXX and spoke with XXXX regarding the unresolved matter. 

XX/XX/XXXX I was referred to XXXX in the XXXX XXXX Department. XXXX stated XXXX XXXX was unable to provide the XXXX of XXXX requested by the California XXXX. I was advised that my only option was to pay the vehicle sales tax a second time and submit proof of payment for XXXX XXXX review. I explained that XXXX XXXX should not have collected the tax initially and that I should not be required to pay it again with the hope of later reimbursement. XXXX stated there were no alternative solutions. I stated that keeping the sales tax that belongs to state of California is illegal. I was told that the paid sales tax will not be sent directly to California XXXX. 
I requested escalation to a supervisor. 

XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, returned my call and reiterated that there was nothing further she could assist with. 

XX/XX/XXXX A formal demand letter requesting for sales tax to be reimbursed was mailed to XXXX XXXX XXXX and confirmed as delivered on XX/XX/XXXX. 

To date, no response has been received. 

Despite having paid the vehicle in fullincluding sales taxover XXXX years ago, I still do not have the vehicle title in my name. This ongoing failure has caused significant inconvenience and is preventing lawful ownership transfer.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation