Mazda Motor of America has been accused by 14 states of running misleading advertisements that promised customers no-money-down leases.

In separate lawsuits, the states allege Mazda's advertising campaign is deceptive because consumers must pay up to US$900 in up-front fees on the Mazda leases advertised as 'zero down' or 'penny down'.

'You don't have to be a financial genius to know that zero down and $900 down have different implications for family budgets,' said Minnesota Attorney-General Hubert Humphrey, whose office led the investigation.