Quebec Owner Wins Buyback After Lucid Allegedly Claimed the Air Wasn’t Designed for Outdoor Winter Parking

A Quebec driver has successfully forced Lucid to take back his 2024 Lucid Air Pure after prevailing in a consumer arbitration case, ending what he described as the worst vehicle ownership experience of his life. The owner shared details of the case on a Lucid owners forum, explaining that he used Canada’s CAMVAP (Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan) process rather than pursuing a traditional court action. The arbitration ultimately resulted in Lucid cancelling the remainder of his four-year lease approximately 18 months into the agreement, although he was still required to cover excess mileage charges. According to the owner’s account, the arbitration was notable not only because of the number of issues he experienced with the vehicle, but also because of several explanations allegedly provided by Lucid’s legal representatives during the proceedings. Long List of Reliability Concerns The Quebec owner said he meticulously documented problems throughout his ownership with photos, videos, timestamps, and service records. Among the issues cited were multiple towing incidents, recurring wheel alignment problems, electrical faults, trim pieces falling off, GPS and audio interruptions, weatherproofing failures, and what he described as dangerous Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) behaviour. One of the most serious complaints involved the vehicle’s steering assistance system. The owner claimed the system would unexpectedly attempt to guide the vehicle toward oncoming traffic on certain roads. During arbitration, Lucid’s legal team allegedly argued that the issue could have been related to the driver’s failure to use turn signals or the vehicle’s interior monitoring system detecting inattentiveness. The owner also claimed Lucid suggested frequent wheel alignments were normal due to the vehicle’s weight. However, he disputed that explanation, noting his Air Pure weighed significantly less than some previous vehicles he had owned without similar issues. “Not Designed To Be Parked Outside In Winter” Perhaps the most surprising claim discussed during the arbitration involved a malfunction related to the vehicle’s frunk and cold-weather operation. According to the owner’s account, Lucid argued that snow and ice accumulation could interfere with sensors that determine whether the frunk is open or closed. He further claimed the company stated the vehicle was not designed to be parked outdoors during freezing winter conditions. ALSO READ: Lucid Buys Back YouTuber’s Air After Months of Software Issues The owner said neither he nor the arbitrator responded to the assertion, which quickly became one of the most widely discussed aspects of the case online. Quebec’s harsh winters make outdoor parking a reality for many drivers, making the alleged statement particularly controversial among EV owners. Quality Concerns Extend Beyond One Vehicle While this arbitration involved a single customer, Lucid has faced several recalls in recent years affecting both the Air sedan and the newer Gravity SUV. Recent recalls have addressed issues ranging from drivetrain components and power inverter failures to seatbelt anchor concerns and faulty heaters. The company has also been forced to buyback an Air sedan from a prominent YouTuber over repeated software issues. Despite his frustrations, the Quebec owner acknowledged that the Air remained an impressive vehicle on paper, describing it as comfortable, technologically advanced, and visually appealing. However, those strengths ultimately weren’t enough to overcome the repeated reliability and service challenges he experienced. Following the arbitration victory, he replaced the Air with a Kia EV4 and says he is relieved to no longer be responsible for the vehicle.