$30K Lease for a Car I Can’t Drive — Lucid Ghosted Me

[stratus]

Motorist’s Vestibular Disorientation Syndrome (MVDS)—Proposed Diagnostic Criteria - PMC

Motorist’s vestibular disorientation syndrome (MVDS) is a disorder in which patients experience dizziness while driving. MVDS is under-reported in the literature, and in clinical practice, it often goes unrecognized. We identified clinical ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Something to consider; however, this would not adequately explain why this happens in only a Lucid.

 

[kopik]

I've seen two ENTs, two audiologists, and a vestibular physical therapist. No one's been able to identify the "medical" cause yet, but more appointments are in the queue.

Also, if your theory were correct, I probably wouldn’t be able to drive other vehicles without experiencing the symptoms. But I can.

I'm glad you are seeking help and hope they find a cause and you will get well soon! I am pretty sure none of the specialists that you mention was able to tell you that they suspect a particular car is causing your symptoms. It just doesn't make much sense medically. Remember Havana syndrome (with many people reporting similar symptoms, and not just one person)? So far, after years of research and much money spent, they have not been able to identify the cause...

 

[knewman]

Can you offer any more details on how Lucid ghosted you? Aside from the validity of your concern, I'm more interested to hear how Lucid has communicated with you. Did they say at any point that they can't help with your medical issue, or did they really straight up stop responding? Communication hasn't been their strong suite in these fringe scenarios unfortunately.

 

[Babyrocko1908]

Have you seen a doctor?

My first thought as well.

 

[joec]

I have a host of inner ear issues, and while mostly minor, I noticed immediately upon driving my new Lucid away from the Torrance lot a month ago that specific pressurization level in the enclosed cabin really made me feel like I was in an over-pressurized 747. If I roll one window down, it warbles my ear canal and would be disorienting if I left it like that for too long. So, I sympathize with your plight.

This happens to me in literally any car with only one window open. I don’t know how anyone drives with a single window even cracked in a car. It feels like my head is going to wobble off my neck. I have to crack a second window somewhere to create a cross breeze, and then it goes away entirely.

Air can’t get in and out of the car simultaneously from the same opening at high speeds.

 

[Steveinarizona]

Thanks for the responses. I want to offer a few clarifications:

First, this issue appears to be unique to Lucid. I haven't experience anything like it in other vehicles. My previous car was an Audi S4, and I’ve also recently driven a Honda Ridgeline and a Tesla Model 3 — none of them caused any symptoms.

Second, the cause of the symptoms remains unknown. What we do know is that they consistently arise when I drive the Lucid Air. My best guess is that it may have something to do with the vehicle’s high- or low-frequency sounds or vibrations, but neither I nor my physicians have been able to identify the exact trigger.

Third, regardless of the cause, Lucid’s response has made their position very clear: they’re indifferent to whether their cars make people sick and seem to believe it’s reasonable for a consumer to bear the full cost of a three-year, $30,000+ lease — even when the issue was reported within the first week.

I understand your pain and sympathize with it. But you may be the only person with this problem which does suggest that somehow the problem is not a design or build problem but an interaction between you and the vehicle.

If it were me, I would be looking for doctors who love a puzzle and will search for the answer. Too many doctors are essentially doing painting by the numbers looking for a match between symptoms and medical needs. You don't say where you are but a place like the Mayo clinic would be good.

Have you tried opening a window while you drive? If your problem does have to do with the vehicles high or low frequency sounds and your reaction to those, perhaps bringing in new sounds and letting current sounds escape the vehicle will work. If nothing else, it will help you make a differential diagnosis.

 

[EVCar]

For unusual symptoms, having a second opinion is worth considering, for new perspectives.
That said, good as medicine is in 2025, there are still patients for whom no diagnosis could be established, frustrating both patients and physicians.