A South Lyon couple says a now-shuttered Wixom used-car lot sold them a muscle car, forged a signature and quietly changed loan terms, then left them holding the bag for thousands of dollars in repairs.
Nathaniel and Kimberly Johnson say the trouble started after they bought a Dodge Scat Pack in August 2024 and later learned the car had serious mechanical problems during follow-up inspections. They have filed complaints with Wixom police and the state’s auto dealer watchdog and say an investigation is still active.
What the buyers say happened
The Johnsons told investigators the dealership ran their credit four separate times, dropping their scores from about 815 to 798, and then altered the loan terms without getting their approval. They also say the Texas title they received was only a certified copy, not an original.
According to the couple, a Dodge service center inspection brought even more bad news. Technicians reportedly found the rear differentials “completely shredded” and the differential fluid full of metal shavings. The Johnsons reported the alleged forgery to the state’s Regulatory Monitoring Division as well as to Wixom police, according to ClickOnDetroit.
State report: management admitted a forgery
A report from the state’s Regulatory Monitoring Division says dealership management acknowledged that an employee forged a buyer’s signature and told investigators the mistake “would not happen again.” The report notes that the employee was no longer working at the lot.
The Johnsons say their police report was initially closed, then reopened only after they pushed for more action, according to ClickOnDetroit.
How to report a dealer
In Michigan, the Department of State oversees dealer licensing and customer complaints through its Regulatory Monitoring Division. The agency posts step-by-step complaint instructions and contact details for car buyers who think something is off with a sale.
Secretary of State guidance says dealers must show buyers the vehicle title and complete an odometer disclosure before the sale is finalized. Consumers who suspect a violation are directed to contact the Regulatory Monitoring Division at [email protected]. More information is available on the dealer page at the Michigan Department of State.
Online reviews echo similar complaints
Online reviews suggest the Johnsons were not the only ones with concerns about the now-closed Wixom Motors. Customer posts describe undisclosed issues with vehicles, billing disputes and trouble getting paperwork.
One September 2025 review, posted under the name Nathaniel Johnson, lays out complaints about forged paperwork and major mechanical failures that closely track the Johnsons’ account. That and other customer reports on DealerRater indicate the dealership was facing buyer disputes months before the state probe ramped up.
Legal stakes for dealers
Under Michigan law, dealers must provide accurate odometer information when a vehicle is transferred. An improper odometer statement is treated as prima facie fraud under MCL 257.233a.
Dealers are also required to show the title and complete odometer records before delivering a vehicle. Violations can bring license sanctions or open the door to civil remedies, according to the Michigan Legislature and state dealer guidance.
The Johnsons say they hope other buyers with similar experiences will speak up while investigators continue to review their case. Consumers who believe they were misled by a dealer can contact local police and the Michigan Department of State’s Regulatory Monitoring Division to report problems and ask for help.
