DARCARS Honda to Pay Millions in Consumer Refunds Following Settlement with Maryland Attorney General

DARCARS Honda in Bowie, along with its parent company Mariam, Inc. and owners John Rahmangholi Darvish and Jamshyd Darvish, has agreed to a settlement with Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown’s Consumer Protection Division. The settlement requires the dealership to provide full refunds to consumers who were charged unauthorized fees, paid more than advertised vehicle prices, or unknowingly purchased add-on products. The total amount of consumer refunds could reach several million dollars.

This article was updated 3/7/2025 with a statement from Honda of Bowie.

The settlement stems from civil charges that DARCARS Honda improperly charged “sales commission” fees and failed to disclose markups and add-on products. Refunds will be provided to consumers who purchased or leased vehicles between January 1, 2019, and May 10, 2022, and those who unknowingly paid for additional products during or after that period. Eligible consumers will be contacted by a third-party claims administrator or can reach out to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

“While Honda of Bowie reached an agreement with the Attorney General’s office, we were fully prepared to prove in court that our practices are consistent with the law and industry standards,” said a Honda of Bowie Spokesperson. “Today’s resolution is simply a business decision that allows the dealership to avoid the expense and distraction of litigation. We remain committed to offering our customers exceptional value and service on their vehicle purchases, as has always been our mission. Any Honda of Bowie customer that has a question about this agreement can contact us at 1-866-841-9300.”

The Final Order by Consent prevents DARCARS from continuing these practices. The dealership must not charge sales commission fees, must accurately advertise vehicle prices including all markups and equipment charges, and must not complete sales without providing clear itemization of all charges. Additionally, add-on products cannot be sold without full disclosure of the vehicle’s price without these products, and the consumer’s consent must be documented separately.

In addition to the consumer refunds, DARCARS will also pay $3 million to the Attorney General’s Office. The settlement reinforces Maryland’s commitment to protecting consumers from unfair business practices and ensuring transparency in car sales.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors.

---