Ohio Woman Blocks Kia Dealership from Using Its Name After Legal Fight

Tiah McCreary, an Ohio resident, has turned her frustration into a legal victory of sorts after her car was repossessed by Taylor Kia of Lima just one month after purchase. Faced with what she saw as a violation of trust, McCreary discovered that the dealership had not renewed the registration of its name with the Ohio Secretary of State. Seizing the opportunity, she registered the name "Taylor Kia of Lima" under her own name and sent a cease-and-desist order to the dealership, effectively blocking them from using the name they had used since 2012 [1].

The case quickly escalated into a legal battle. The dealership argued that an arbitration clause in McCreary’s purchase agreement rendered the court case invalid. A lower court initially agreed, but the Third District Court of Appeals overturned the decision. The appeals court determined that the arbitration clause applied only to the repossession matter and did not extend to McCreary’s claim over the name of the dealership. The court emphasized that her claim was a separate issue, unrelated to the car purchase itself, and therefore not subject to arbitration [1].

The decision has sent the case back to a lower court for further proceedings and has sparked broader interest in the way consumers may now assert control over corporate identities in specific legal contexts. While the case does not establish a clear legal precedent, it highlights a potential gap in how dealership names are protected and renewed, and the opportunities individuals may find in navigating these legal loopholes [1].

McCreary’s actions have also drawn considerable attention on social media and in the news, with many describing her strategy as a bold and unconventional form of consumer advocacy. The case reflects a growing public interest in consumer rights, particularly in the automotive industry, where issues such as repossession, misleading financing terms, and dealer transparency remain prevalent [1].

Although the legal battle is not yet concluded, McCreary’s case has already demonstrated how consumers may creatively leverage legal tools to seek accountability and redress. It remains to be seen how courts will further interpret the boundaries of such claims, but the case has already opened a conversation on the legal and ethical responsibilities of dealerships and the protections afforded to consumers.

Source: [1] Fortune - Ohio woman who had her car repossessed by the dealer ... (https://fortune.com/2025/07/31/tiah-mccreary-taylor-kia-lima-ohio-repossession-revenge-ownership-dealership-name/?itm_source=parsely-api)