**1 STAR | FINAL UPDATE: OCTOBER 22, 2026 | PAYMENT RECEIVED, EXPERIENCE UNCHANGED**…read more
I've purchased around 10 Toyotas and dealt with dealerships across multiple states. Toyota of Gallatin has been the worst dealership experience of my life. From service to sales, we had to repeatedly chase employees to do their jobs, follow through on commitments, and provide basic communication.
My 2023 Camry XLE had approximately 15,000 miles when the check-engine light appeared. Twice they returned it as "fixed." Twice the light returned. First it was supposedly the catalytic converter, then a faulty replacement part. Despite my repeated requests for assurances before making another trip, the problem persisted. After a third occurrence and escalation to Toyota corporate, they ultimately replaced the catalytic converter.
The communication was equally terrible. Missed callbacks, inconsistent loaner arrangements, ignored service instructions, and constant follow-ups. After delivering a loaner and collecting my Camry, management actually asked me WHAT VEHICLE their employee had delivered. I had to send pictures so they could identify it.
I eventually lost confidence in the car and sold it to the dealership for $25,000.
**Even the closing was unbelievable.** I specifically requested the paperwork be ready before my wife and I arrived. It wasn't. We had to repeatedly request copies of our own documents.
Meanwhile, the sales manager talked about what he described as his family's "pot farm" and how the dealership was in a "lull" that was difficult to escape. Multiple employees also expressed frustration with Lithia's acquisition, blaming it for the dealership's decline. Those were their statements, not independently verified facts.
My wife and I left genuinely stunned by the experience.
The dealership owed us $3,396.19 after paying Truist. We were repeatedly promised our check within THREE CALENDAR WEEKS of the September 25 sale, overnighted with tracking.
Meanwhile, a third-party listing service reported our Camry advertised for resale by September 27. We saw it advertised on the dealership's website while our payment remained outstanding.
October 16 passed. No check. No tracking. No definite delivery date.
When I requested answers and explained that I would escalate to corporate and state regulators, management responded:
"That is up to you. I have other service parts customer duties that require attention. Not a sales issue. If you'll give me a little time before threats start I'll get the info. But again your choice."
Apparently, requesting accountability for money owed constitutes a threat.
I filed a formal complaint with the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission. The dealership acknowledged owing the money and provided an accounting copy of a check dated September 28. It then claimed company policy required waiting for Truist to deliver the title, supposedly not until early November.
**UPDATE: The $3,396.19 check finally arrived via FedEx on October 21. I deposited it, and the funds became available October 22.**
I don't know what prompted its release. What I do know is how much unnecessary effort went into receiving it, despite the repeated assurances and the later November estimate.
**Receiving payment does not erase what happened. It does not turn this experience into a misunderstanding, nor does it excuse the repeated failures across service, communication, management, and sales.**
Cars break. People make mistakes. But competent businesses take ownership, communicate, and honor their commitments.
After more than 20 years of purchasing vehicles, I've never encountered this degree of failed follow-through.
**The money has been received. My assessment of Toyota of Gallatin remains unchanged. I cannot recommend this dealership, and we will not return.**
