Desert Toyota of Tucson has agreed to settle a consumer-fraud lawsuit filed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes that alleged the company engaged in deceptive advertising practices before 2020.
The attorney general alleged that DT Automotive Center Inc., which does business as Desert Toyota of Tucson, failed to honor prices offered online once customers arrived at the dealership at 7150 E. 22nd St.
As part of a consent decree with the state, the company agreed to halt the challenged practices and pay $10,000 to a customer restitution fund, $40,000 as an administrative penalty and $10,000 in legal costs.
The stateβs complaint alleges that, prior to 2020, Desert Toyota engaged in false advertising by advertising vehicles with a low price online and refused to sell the vehicle for that price.
For new vehicles, Desert Toyota did not include dealer-installed βadd-onβ accessories, such as exterior protective coating, door edge guards, door cups, and window tint, in the online vehicle price and then refused to sell the vehicles unless consumers purchased the already installed add-ons.
For used vehicles, Desert Toyota in some cases charged a βreconditioning feeβ higher than what was advertised.
An attorney representing the dealership did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
βDealerships cannot lure consumers in with a low online price, then fail to honor that price once consumers arrive at the dealership,β Mayes said in news release. βAll mandatory βadd-onβ accessories must be included in any advertised vehicle price.β
Any consumers who believe they have been harmed by Desert Toyotaβs conduct should file a complaint by July 31 to be eligible to receive restitution.
Complaints may be filed on the attorney generalβs website, azag.gov.
To get a complaint by mail, call the Attorney Generalβs Office in Tucson at 520-628-6648, in Phoenix at 602-542-5763, or outside those metro areas toll-free at 800-352-8431.
