The initial sales experience was welcoming and professional. The purchase process itself was smooth, and we had no immediate concerns.
The problem began a few days later when we drove on the interstate. At highway speeds, a noticeable shudder could be felt through the floorboards, seats, and steering wheel. Both my wife and I felt it immediately. I returned to the dealership, but the salesman dismissed my concerns after driving, calling it a normal vibration and assuring me their inspection process would never allow a vehicle with unsafe tires to be test-driven nor purchased.
Wanting peace of mind, I drove straight to Walmart for a tire rotation and balance. Once the tires were removed, two technicians informed me that all four tires needed replacement due to uneven wear. More concerning, the two front tires had cords visible around the entire circumference — a serious and dangerous condition that could have resulted in a blowout at any time.
With photos and documentation in hand, I contacted the salesman. Communication between departments was limited, and there was little acknowledgment of the safety concern. Eventually, the dealership agreed to replace the TWO worst tires, but I was still held responsible for the other two — despite the clear safety risk and inconvenience.
When I arrived to pick up the vehicle, the promised alignment inspection due to the uneven wear had not been performed due to “not having enough time.” I was also charged more than my quoted amount, with tax and shop fees added by the shop technician at the desk. When I presented the written quote, it was dismissed. Needing my vehicle for work and with the dealership closing, I paid the extra amount just to leave.
The salesman later agreed I should not have been responsible for the additional charges and that they would be covered. (I have yet to see any reimbursement after numerous verbal interactions since).
While the sales process was smooth, the handling of a documented safety concern, the lack of internal communication, failure to complete agreed services, and billing discrepancies reflect poorly on the dealership’s commitment to customer safety and accountability. This situation should never have escalated to this level over something as serious as exposed tire cords, an obvious oversight on their part.
After finally getting the vehicle in for the assessment on the front and rear alignment, it was discovered that in fact it was out of alignment, which the salesman initially said wouldn’t be the case. The cost was covered by the dealership, but after the extent of this experience and the disregard for accountability, lack of apology, and simply not covering the entire issue with the four tires, I would look elsewhere for hopefully a better vehicle purchasing experience, and make sure friends, family, and co workers know of this as well.