I purchased a used 2018 Toyota Highlander from this dealership and within the first two weeks began…read moreexperiencing multiple issues including warning lights, brake switch problems, "braking power low" warnings, and electrical/safety related concerns that at one point left the vehicle unable to start or move properly.
When I contacted the dealership for assistance, I explained that I have children and that this was a major safety concern. I also explained that I could not safely get the vehicle there myself and could not afford a tow truck. Initially, I was told they would need to ask the owner about helping with a tow, but nobody ever followed up with me. When I called back, I was then told there was "no way" for them to get a tow arranged.
Because of this, I was forced to manually bypass the warning/code issues myself just to get the vehicle drivable enough to make it from Mount Vernon to Lynnwood. During that drive, I had no functioning brake lights or turn signals, which made the situation even more dangerous. Despite explaining all of this, I felt my concerns were brushed off. When I finally arrived, I was told they "didn't HAVE to help" me, but that they would once the vehicle was there.
At one point, after expressing frustration and mentioning possible legal action, I was also told that if I pursued that route they would not help me or fix the issue.
Since purchasing the vehicle, I have also discovered that both the engine air filter and cabin air filter were extremely dirty and appeared to have been neglected for quite some time. These are basic maintenance items that should have been inspected or replaced prior to sale.
I also later learned the vehicle originated from Canada, which explained why there was limited history available through Carfax. While I did notice scratches and dents at the time of purchase, I was disappointed to later realize there may have been additional history I was unable to fully verify beforehand because Canadian vehicle history does not always appear the same way on U.S. reports.
To be fair, the dealership ultimately did fix the issue and paid for the repair. However, the way the situation was handled from the beginning -- especially considering the safety concerns involved -- left me with very little trust in this business moving forward.
What makes this even more disappointing is that I traded in my nearly brand new Toyota with only around 25,000 miles on it because I trusted this dealership and expected the vehicle I purchased to be properly inspected and reliable. I would have never traded in my dependable, nearly new vehicle for something this unreliable had I known the condition this vehicle was actually in.
I understand that once a used vehicle leaves the lot, responsibility largely falls on the buyer. However, customers still expect vehicles to receive thorough inspections and to be reasonably safe and reliable at the time of sale. Unfortunately, this experience was stressful, disappointing, and has left me questioning how carefully these vehicles are actually inspected before being sold.
