Florida Dealerships Sued For Selling Used Cars As New originally appeared on Autoblog.
Two Florida dealerships are facing legal trouble over allegations that they sold used vehicles as new—an accusation that, if proven true, could land them in serious violation of state consumer protection laws.One of the lawsuits, filed in early July, accusesSun ToyotainHoliday, Florida, of selling a 2024 Toyota Land Cruiseras “new” despite the vehicle allegedly having prior use. The buyer, Shawn Crowley, claims the Land Cruiser was represented as a brand-new model with just “10 factory miles” on the odometer. But according to court documents, Crowley later discovered that the SUV had been used by dealership staff and should have been sold as a used vehicle.A second, separate lawsuit has been filed against another Florida dealership over similar allegations—though the details of that case are still sealed or pending full release.
ToyotaA Pattern Of Misrepresentation?
In both cases, the plaintiffs argue that the dealerships violated theFlorida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA), which prohibits businesses from making false or misleading claims about a product’s condition, history, or use. While some dealers lean on “as-is” clauses to cover themselves, state law is clear: you cannot legally sell a used vehicle while representing it as new—especially when mileage, documentation, or vehicle history suggest otherwise.The cases mirror a larger trend of automotive legal action across the US. From mechanical defects to misleading sales practices, frustrated consumers are increasingly turning to the courts when dealerships or automakers fail to deliver honest transactions. Just last month,GM was sued over claims its vehicles can be stolen in under 30 seconds, thanks to reportedly hackable keyless entry systems.
Lawsuits Mounting Across The Industry
Legal action isn’t limited to just dealerships. Ford is currently fending off aclass action lawsuit from EcoBoost owners who allege the company has ignored persistent engine defects. Rather than issuing proper fixes, the lawsuit claims Ford applied temporary patches and software updates that did little to address the root cause—often after warranty coverage expired.And Mazda is under fire too. CX-90 lessees have sued the company overnoisy, juddering brakes that reportedly won’t stay fixed, even after multiple dealership visits and service bulletins. Plaintiffs argue that the persistent issues amount to a defect in all 2024–2025 models.In that context, the Florida lawsuits—though centered on sales tactics rather than mechanical problems—highlight a growing wave of scrutiny toward all corners of the automotive industry. Whether it’s faulty parts or misleading paperwork, consumers are becoming more assertive in demanding accountability.
Getty ImagesWhat Buyers Can Do
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the Florida dealership cases are asking for damages, court costs, and—most importantly—a ruling that confirms the vehicles were misrepresented. If the court sides with the buyers, it could trigger further investigations or additional claims from other customers who purchased vehicles from the same dealers.In the meantime, experts recommend that consumers shopping for “new” vehicles double-check thevehicle history report,confirm mileage, andask whether the car has been used as a demo or staff loaner. If anything seems off, walk away—or at least consult a lawyer before signing.
Florida Dealerships Sued For Selling Used Cars As New first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 10, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
