(CLEVELAND)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced five lawsuits his office filed against Northeast Ohio car dealerships for failing to deliver motor vehicle titles as required by law. The Attorney General is seeking more than $32,000 in total reimbursements from the dealerships for payments made to resolve consumers’ complaints.
“When consumers have trouble receiving a title from a dealership, our goal is to resolve the matter,” Attorney General DeWine said. “Typically, we’re able to work with the dealership to reach a resolution, but sometimes to help consumers we will make payments from a fund called the Title Defect Recision Fund. Now we are seeking reimbursement to that fund from these dealerships.”
The Attorney General filed lawsuits against the following dealerships and/or their owners. (The amount of reimbursement sought is indicated in parentheses):
- Auto Bahn, 13305 Lorain Ave., Cleveland ($15,854.25)
- The Car Shack, 355 ½ Arlington St., Akron ($2,048.50)
- R&M Auto Service & Sales Inc., 3559 W. 140th St., Cleveland ($3,474)
- Selective Auto Mart, 4675 Warner Road, Garfield Heights ($8,510)
- Y-Town Auto Sales, 3205 Market St., Youngstown ($2,266.50)
According to the lawsuits, the dealerships violated Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act by failing to obtain titles in the purchasers’ name within the required timeframe. In the lawsuits, the Attorney General seeks full reimbursement to the Title Defect Recision Fund, injunctive relief, and civil penalties.
Attorney General DeWine reminded consumers to contact the Attorney General’s Office if a car dealership fails to provide a title within 30 days of the sale.
Consumers who believe they have been treated unfairly should file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General's Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
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Documents
Auto Bahn Lawsuit
The Car Shack Lawsuit
R&M Auto Service & Sales Inc. Lawsuit
Selective Auto Mart Lawsuit
Y-Town Auto Sales Lawsuit
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840