ComplaintsforCentral Maine Toyota

• Initial Complaint

  03/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My experience is with purchasing a used car and the sales rep was ********************* on 3/20/24 paid a very average (slightly high) price for a used 2013 rav4. Low- ish miles for the year, and seemed in very nice condition.Less than a month later, the car is having transmission issues. Brought it in to be looked at and was told "because technically, the state inspection guarantee dosen't cover the transmission" that I have to pay 2000$ to have it fixed. They offered to give a 50% discount on the repairs, but that still leaves me with a 1000$ repair on top of 15,000$ car purchase a month ago. Kinda crazy, that this is a known issue with this particular model and year and wasn't maybe looked at before the car was sold.I really like the car, the sales process was both smooth and professional, and the service staff are very pleasant. Unfortunately none of that matters if my transmission is about die unless I pay another 1000$.I initially held off of writing a review until I was able to speak with someone at Central Maine Toyota. I was hoping for a more understanding and human response. They quite literally told me " we would NOT have sold the car to you if we knew about that problem". Okay, cool,.. fix it then. This is a known problem with the 2013 rav4 and it should have been caught before you sold it. "nah, you gotta pay 1000$ even though you bought the car a month ago."I think when you pay 15,000$ for a 10 year old car. It should run well for awhile. I had to bring in my car 2 times within 30 days of purchasing it to get it looked at.

  Business response

  03/16/2024

  The customer purchased the 2013 Rav4 AS-IS with a new state inspection sticker, they signed the following disclosures:
  1-A stamped buyers order stating No express warranty except that vehicle meets State Inspection Standards. The dealer accepts no responsibility for repairs except those necessary to pass State Inspection.
  2-A product disclosure stating the declined a service contract.
  3-A Used Car Buyers Guide again stating No express warranty except that vehicle meets State Inspection Standards. The dealer accepts no responsibility for repairs except those necessary to pass State Inspection.
  4-A 20% off voucher stating yet again the above verbiage.
  
  Also- we did already covered a $200 bill (without customer participation) to run an ECU scan for historical codes at the customers request after they found some with their own scanner,and balance the rear wheels.  
  

  We offered a one time 50% discount to replace the torque converter.

  We also offered to trade the customer into another pre-owned vehicle.

  I dont believe we misrepresented the vehicle and have offered a fair compromise given the circumstances. 

  
  Sincerely,

  ***********************

  General Manager 

  Central Maine Toyota

  Customer response

  03/16/2024

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  

  
  A sales manager literally told me verbatim "we would not have sold you that car if we had known about that issue" looking online that is a very common issue for that year and model. we bought the car because I liked that car. I want to keep the car, and I don't want to feel ripped off. I want the car repaired. I don't want to pay another 1,000$ to have it repaired. Unless they have another green 2013 ray4 limited with low miles, or some how have a tacoma for the same price, I'm not interested in trading in. 
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *****

   

   

  Business response

  03/19/2024

  I'm confused, the customer called on Saturday, March 16 to schedule to repair.

  The repair is scheduled for July, as the customer stated that they needed time to save up for their half of the repair cost.

  As for the customer's statement quoting me that we would not sell a vehicle with a known defect, if you ****** any used vehicle, it will likely have a known defect of some kind, especially one that is 11 years old.

  Known defects typically do not effect all vehicles of a certain make or model.

  We road test off of our pre-owned vehicles. At the time, no vibration was noted.

  Thank you,

  ***********************

  General Manager

  Central Maine Toyota

   

   

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