That is so not true. Not in Texas. Apartment complexes tow vehicles on a daily basis. It's private property. They do as they want.
So are the cars. This is a contract dispute. The apartment has to have a court ruling that the tenant is in breach before confiscating their vehicle. They can’t evict the tenant without a court order. I don’t believe they can tow the car without one either. Maybe they’ve been getting away with it for a long time, but towing a vehicle that is in compliance with the law is theft.
Unless there is a law that gives landlords rights to tow ugly vehicles without a court order, I think they may be in trouble if they do it.
Whether the car is or is not in compliance with a rental contract is a question for the courts. If the landlord thinks the tenant is in breach, they can file a case with the courts. This is why we have courts.
Same in Ohio.