A New York City woman who just finished 36 monthly payments on a Jeep lease says the bank told her she could still owe thousands of dollars after she hands back the keys. The bank explained that it would send the vehicle to auction after her lease expires, and if the car sells for less than its projected value, she is on the hook for the difference.
Commenters with industry experience say the claim doesn’t match how a standard consumer lease works, and several urged her to get a lawyer.
Carmela (@carmelaa666), a hair stylist in New York City, posted the one-minute, 21-second TikTok with on-screen text reading, “Car leasing IM CONFUSED.” The video has drawn thousands of views and a flood of replies from self-identified car salespeople, lease brokers and former Jeep employees, nearly all of whom told her something is wrong.
“The Bank Can’t Lose Out On Money”
Carmela says she leased a brand-new Jeep with zero miles from a dealership on a 36-month term through Stellantis, the parent company’s financial services arm. Her lease matures on June 6 and she has made all her payments. She also says the bank actually charged her for 37 months rather than 36.
