National Auto Complaint Lawyer – $35,843 Judgment
If you have a National Auto complaint after purchasing a used car from National Auto in Waldorf, Maryland, Whitney, LLP’s lawyers can help file suit and recover compensation. Whitney, LLP’s National Auto complaint lawyers have represented multiple consumers who were upset after purchasing a used vehicle from National Auto in Waldorf. Buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions most families will ever make. Unfortunately, some consumers in Maryland have had such an unpleasant experience and felt taken advantage of to the extent they felt the need to search the internet and find a lawyer to sue National Auto.
On behalf of our clients, Whitney, LLP has filed filed multiple lawsuits in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Charles County as well as multiple arbitrations against the used car dealer National Auto at 2183 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD 20601. We have recovered thousands of dollars for multiple consumers in National Auto settlements.
As discussed below, in an arbitration hearing that occurred in 2022, Whitney, LLP obtained an arbitration award of $35,843 against National Auto in a matter where the arbitrator, an experienced retired Maryland judge, found that National Auto’s actions constituted a false or deceptive trade practice in violation of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act. The arbitrator awarded $11,000 to the customer, including compensation for emotional distress, and $24,843 in attorney’s fees.
Whitney, LLP’s National Auto complaint lawyers have represented customers of National Auto in numerous claims involving a variety of allegations arising out of alleged deceptive advertising and sale practices.
As discussed further below, the National Auto complaint lawsuits and arbitrations filed by Whitney, LLP include allegations of:
- false low advertised price prices;
- price increases above the advertised price;
- thousands of dollars in what are alleged to be illegal fees added to the price of the vehicle;
- deceptive financing practices; and
- pre-existing mechanical problems.
National Auto denies all such allegations.
Contact Whitney, LLP’s National Auto complaint lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation at 410 583 8000, or use our Quick Contact Form.
Watch our YouTube Channel to learn about the cases we handle and some of our results, including a $60,000 settlement for unauthorized credit inquiries. We have found that many car dealers in Maryland run customer credit without permission. Whitney, LLP’s Truth in Lending Act lawyers also bring Truth in Lending Act claims against many car dealers for misrepresentation in financing.
Whitney, LLP’s auto fraud lawyers represent clients in cases against new car dealers and used car dealers across Maryland, including in Waldorf, Baltimore, Marlow Heights, Laurel, Frederick and Glen Burnie. We also represent car dealer employees in wage claims against car dealers.
Prior results do not guarantee future results, and all cases are different.
$35,843 Judgment Against National Auto
One customer of National Auto found Whitney, LLP for his National Auto complaint after being scammed out of $6,000 while trying to purchase a used car from National Auto. In this National Auto arbitration filed by Whitney, LLP’s National Auto complaint lawyers, the customer alleged that a National Auto employee provided a phone number to him that was supposedly for Cash App, so he could transfer money to purchase a vehicle.
However, the phone number was not for Cash App, and after following the instructions of the person on the other end of the phone, the customer was scammed out of $6,000. Although National Auto denied liability, the arbitrator, a retired judge, found that National Auto’s actions constituted a false or deceptive trade practice within the Maryland Consumer Protection Act. Read about a $22,465 Whitney, LLP arbitration award against Koons Volvo for misrepresenting an EV tax credit.
The arbitrator awarded $11,000 to the customer, including compensation for emotional distress, and $24,843 in attorney’s fees. After National Auto refused to pay the judgment, a Writ of Garnishment was filed against National Auto’s bank accounts. National Auto then paid the judgment. Of course, all cases are different, and past results do not guarantee future performance.
Multiple Allegations of National Auto False Price Advertising
Generally speaking, when a car dealer advertising a price to attract attention and get a customer to drive to the dealership, and later increases the price on the customer, it is considered a classic bait-and-switch tactic.
Multiple consumers have contacted Whitney, LLP and claimed that National Auto advertised one price online, only to have the price increased by thousands of dollars once the buyer sat down to sign the paperwork. Some consumers allege they did not realize the price had been increased until they got home and carefully reviewed their contract paperwork.
The Maryland Consumer Protection Act prohibits merchants from advertising goods for sale at a price without the intent to sell the goods at that the price.
Maryland administrative regulations specifically prevent Maryland-licensed car dealers from engaging in false, deceptive, or misleading advertising, and provide additional strict regulations as to advertising. COMAR 11.12.01.14.Nonetheless, Whitney, LLP has filed many lawsuits and arbitrations against new and used Maryland car dealers that engage in false, deception or misleading advertising, or other prohibited unfair business practices.
Examples of National Auto Complaints of Alleged Price Increases
The following allegations, all of which National Auto denies, have been made in lawsuits and/or arbitrations filed Whitney, LLP on behalf of our clients against National Auto in Waldorf, Maryland:
Price increase from $33,995 to $39,995
In April 2025, a potential buyer alleges they found a 2020 Dodge Charger advertised at $33,995 and confirmed that price upon arrival at the dealership. However, after electronically signing the documents they were presented with, they discovered the price of the vehicle had been increased by $6,000 to $39,995.
Price increase from $21,995 to $26,640
In February 2024, Roderick G. saw a 2019 BMW X3 advertised by National Auto on its website for $21,995. He alleged as follows: After confirming the price of the Vehicle, he was directed to work with a National Auto finance manager to complete financing for the vehicle. The finance manager entered information about the deal into her computer and then represented her printer was not working, and did not provide him a copy of any of the documents. When he returned to the dealership a few days later to get a copy of his documents, he realized the price had been increased from the advertised price of $21,995 to $26,640.
Price increase from $2,995 to $4,995
In January 2024, Timothy M., who was employed as a car detailer for National Auto at the time he purchased a 2005 Acura TL from National Auto, alleged that he saw the vehicle advertised online for $2,995 and tried to purchase it at that price; however, a manager completed the finance contract on her computer and e-signed his signature to it without his permission. Later, he realized that the price had been increased from $2,995 to $4,995.
Price increase from $10,500 to $12,500
In October 2023, Alyson T. found a used 2015 VW Jetta advertised by National Auto on its website for $10,500. She alleged that after the price was confirmed upon arrival at the dealership, the price was increased to $12,500 on the contract paperwork, which National Auto attempted to justify by claiming the added $2,000 charge was for a “Maryland State Inspection”, which is not a fee that a Maryland dealer may add to the advertised price of a vehicle.
Price increase from $14,400 to $16,675
In February 2022, Timothy M. found a 2013 Nissan Quest advertised by National Auto on its website for $14,400. Upon arrival at the dealership, he alleged he began working with a National Auto finance manager, who confirmed the advertised price of the vehicle as $14,400. He alleged that the manager then entered information into her computer and then presented the document to him for his e-signature, which he did, and only later, upon reviewing the contract once he received a copy, he realized the price had been increased from $14,400 to $16,675.
If you purchased a vehicle from National Auto in Waldorf and discovered you were charged more than the advertised price, you may be able to recover compensation.
Maryland Law Protects Consumer Car Buyers
As stated by former Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh regarding an April 2022 $1,000,000 settlement with another Maryland car dealer, Koons Kia, who allegedly engaged in adding illegal fees to advertised prices, “Car dealers must honor the price they advertise for their vehicles.”
Similarly, as stated more recently on March 5, 2025 by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown regarding a $3,000,000-plus settlement with DARCARS Honda and its owners, “Buying a car is one of the most expensive purchases that someone makes in their life. Marylanders shouldn’t pay even more because of a dealer’s unauthorized sales practice.”
Maryland law is clear: car dealers must honor the prices they advertise.
Under Md. Code Ann., Com. Law §13-301 and Transportation §15-313, it is illegal to:
- Advertise vehicles without the intent to sell them as advertised.
- Add illegal fees not allowed by law.
- Misrepresent material facts during the sales process.
If you signed a buyers order or finance contract that included a higher vehicle price than what was advertised or represented by National Auto, Whitney, LLP’s National Auto Complaint Lawyers can help you fight back and recover amounts you should not have been charged.
Compensation for Deceptive Car Dealer Practices
Beyond the financial loss, deceptive sales tactics cause serious stress and anxiety. Consumers often feel tricked and powerless after discovering they were taken advantage of. At Whitney, LLP, we recognize the toll this conduct takes. Our attorneys fight to recover not only economic damages but also compensation for emotional distress.
If you were taken advantage of by a car dealer, and depending on the facts, you make be entitled to:
- the amount of a price increase, plus tax and interest on that amount;
- the return of the amount an illegal fee or charge, plus tax and interest on that amount;
- emotional distress;
- attorney’s fees;
- return of the vehicle if there is a breach of contract;
- cancel the contract if Maryland laws were not followed requiring the fully executed contract to be provided to the customer before delivery,and other similar laws; and
- punitive damages.
Daniel W. Whitney, Jr. of Whitney, LLP
Why Choose Whitney, LLP’s National Auto Complaint Lawyers
Whitney, LLP has successfully represented multiple Maryland consumers in cases and claims against National Auto in Walford, Maryland. We have experience with how National Auto operates and have insight into their practices from litigation, arbitration and deposition testimony involving National Auto.
If you purchased a car from National Auto in Waldorf and suspect you were overcharged, pressured, or misled, don’t wait. Contact a National Auto Complaint Lawyer at Whitney, LLP for a free legal case evaluation.
Contact Whitney, LLP for a Free National Auto Complaint Case Evaluation at 410 583 8000, or use our Quick Contact Form.
