Do NOT use CARFIX in Oak Ridge…read more
We took our daughter's 2017 Honda Accord to CARFIX because the air conditioning stopped working only one month after purchasing the vehicle. CARFIX told us the AC compressor AND the engine fuse box both needed to be replaced, with an estimated repair cost of around $2,000.
Thankfully, we contacted the dealership where we purchased the car before approving the repairs. The dealership agreed to fix the AC issue. However, when we picked the car up from CARFIX to take it to the dealership, we immediately noticed the radio console, backup camera, and charging port were no longer working.
My husband went back inside to speak with them. CARFIX admitted they would "look into it" and explained that Hondas can sometimes have radio issues after disconnecting power. They said they would order a replacement radio that would arrive in about a week. The repair total was supposedly around $1,100, but they offered to cover 80% of the cost, leaving us to pay $224 out of pocket. At the time, my husband agreed.
Once the dealership inspected the vehicle, they confirmed the ONLY thing wrong was the AC compressor. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the fuse box CARFIX claimed needed replacing.
At the end of the week, CARFIX called saying the radio had arrived. I brought the car in and was told it would take about an hour. After waiting over two hours, I overheard employees discussing how they couldn't install the radio because they needed the anti-theft passcode. They admitted they had called Honda dealerships and corporate trying to get the code and told me it would have to wait until the next business day.
Four days passed with zero communication from them. When my husband finally called, they said they still hadn't heard back from Honda and were "just going to order another radio." We picked the car up for the weekend and waited again.
A week later, they finally contacted us saying the part was in. I returned the vehicle and was told it would take an hour and a half. Thirty minutes later they said it was done and demanded the $224 payment.
I explained that after weeks of inconvenience, multiple trips, conflicting diagnoses, and the damage that occurred while the car was in their possession, I didn't feel we should have to pay anything. Robert became rude and dismissive, insisting we had already agreed to pay. I pointed out that:
* We brought the car in ONLY for air conditioning issues
* Additional problems appeared only after CARFIX worked on it
* Their diagnosis about the fuse box was apparently incorrect
* The dealership fixed the problem by replacing ONLY the compressor
They claimed they offered to pay 80% "just to help us out," not because they caused the issue.
At that point, I said I would pay but mentioned I would be leaving a bad review, they said "Just give her the keys and be done with it".
After leaving, I discovered even more problems:
* I couldn't connect my iPhone because multiple phones were already paired to the system
* Meaning they installed a USED radio, despite implying it would be new
* The dashboard was also cracked around the radio installation area
Looking at the invoice later, I noticed they put into the invoice to be charged:
$1,024.50 for parts
(NO WHERE STATED USED)
$15.75 labor
$48.88 shop/environment fees
Total: $1,195.32
This entire experience was frustrating, unprofessional, and dishonest. I would strongly recommend getting a second opinion before trusting CARFIX with your vehicle.
