Wixom, MI. – An Oakland County couple says the now‑closed used car dealership Wixom Motors cost them thousands of dollars in repairs and forged their signature.
An investigation done by the state’s Regulatory Monitoring Division showed management at the dealership was made aware of the forgery claim and told the state it “would not happen again,” according to the report.
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Local 4 reached out to Wixom Motors for this story, after previously reaching out for earlier stories. The dealership did not respond regarding this story, but previously said the dealership closed in November for bankruptcy and many employees at Wixom Motors were contractors.
After publishing an earlier story, several viewers reached out with similar experiences.
“We wanted to give up so many times, and through His pushing us to continue, we got here, this opportunity with you, Kyla, to tell our story and try to hold these people accountable,” Kimberly Johnson said.
This couple’s saga started in August 2024, when they purchased a Dodge Scat Pack from the dealership.
Nathaniel and Kimberly Johnson, of South Lyon, had a credit score above 800 and they expected an easy financing process.
“About a week later, or so, we got something from the bank saying that we got denied,” Nathaniel Johnson said.
The couple says the denial came after Wixom Motors pulled their credit four times and changed the terms of their loan.
“It went from probably an 815 to 798,” Kimberly Johnson said.
The dealership, which has since closed, told Local 4 it shut down a few months ago because of bankruptcy, though the owner still has several other locations across the county.
The Johnsons said the Dodge, which started its life in Texas, was supposed to be ready for the road. Wixom Motors, they said, assured them it had passed safety inspections.
“I know this is not how this car is supposed to be driving,” Nathaniel Johnson said.
They shuttled the vehicle back and forth for repairs, collecting a growing stack of receipts.
Eventually, they took it to a Dodge dealership to be checked out.
“The rear differentials were completely shredded,” Kimberly Johnson said. “The fluid was black with metal shavings in it. All the filters were completely dirty.”
As they dug into the car’s history, the Johnsons realized they had never been given the original title.
“I immediately saw my signature had been forged, and, on top of that, the Texas title was a certified copy, not an original,” Kimberly Johnson said.
It was also dated the day that they walked out with the car, the Johnsons said.
The couple reported it to the state’s Regulatory Monitoring Division.
In the state’s investigation, management at Wixom Motors admitted an employee forged the signature and said that employee no longer worked there.
In the report, the investigation says management said it would not happen again.
“They ended up slapping them with a misdemeanor of improper odometer disclosure,” Kimberly Johnson said.
Out thousands of dollars and staring at a forged signature, the Johnsons went to Wixom police.
A report was opened, and officers called the person the state believed signed for Kimberly Johnson. When that person did not pick up, the case was closed.
The Johnsons pushed back, and the case was reopened. The person accused of signing for Kimberly Johnson denied doing it.
“What was the purpose?” Kimberly Johnson said. “If it was for your own financial gain, you just stole money from us.”
Even though they are finally able to enjoy the car, the couple said every drive is a reminder of what they went through.
“Dig deep and really find God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and clear their conscience so that they themselves won’t want to do this,” Nathaniel Johnson said.
The couple says there is still an active investigation into the case.
They say they hope sharing their story will encourage other people with similar experiences to come forward and feel less alone.