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Business Profile

Used Car Dealers

Equity Auto Center

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Used Car Dealers.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 4 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/17/2025

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Purchased a vehicle from this auto center with no disclosure that it was a salvage title and paid the proper value of the car under the given impression it was not in any accidents.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/31/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    We purchased an 2021 Kia ** on March 4th, 2023 finance for $26,918.44. Down payment in cash for $7,000. The dealership provided the Vehicle History report from Carfax, which didn't show the car had been in an accident nor had a salvage title. We attempted to trade the car in, and the dealership advised the car had a salvage title; they pulled the report from Experian.The car dealership did disclose to us any structural damage and any salvage title issues when selling us the car.The failure of the car dealer to disclose is a fraud, misrepresentation, and a violation of the unfair, deceptive trade practices act.I want my money back or for them to contact the finance company and lower the money owed to $9,000 because that is how much the car is worth with a salvage title.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/23/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Hello, I am filling a formal compliant about a couple experiences I have encountered with Equity Car Sales. In April of 2022, I purchase my first vehicle from this dealership. Shortly after purchase I started noticing some performance issues like the engine overrunning, jerking and delayed gear changes. At the time I was not sure what the issue was. I eventually had someone look at the car and I was told the issues I was experiencing was due to a bad transmission. At this point the car turns off while in traffic and in some cases requires that I turn the car on a couple times before it will drive. This is extremely dangerous... I took the car back to Equity and they attempted to knowingly sell me another lemon. This was only avoided because I looked at the CarFax and found that the car was listed as a lemon on the report. Even having this information, they still attempted to sell me the vehicle until I brought it to their attention. The transmission for the 2019 ****** is over $3000 and the purchase is less than a year old. After reaching out by email explaining that their salesperson knowingly tried to sell me a lemon recently and they had also sold me a vehicle with a bad transmission, they did nothing to address the issue. This was my first car purchase and this company should be exposed for continuously attempting to sell cars that are not in good condition. I am in a vehicle that is not safe to drive and I am literally risking my life every time I drive it all because Equity is knowingly selling cars that do not perform.

    Business Response

    Date: 04/02/2023

    Equity Auto Center is no longer in business and has shut down.  

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:09/24/2022

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I recently purchased a car from Equity auto center with intentions to finance it through my bank. After signing a purchase order and back up contract I was given 72hours pay them through my finances or it would be done through them at a 25% rate with is 15% more than what they intentionally said I would be rated at and 19% more than what my bank was financing it for. My bank rejected the loan because an auto check showed the vehicle had significant damage. I was unaware because the carfax provided was vague and only stated the cost exceeded $1000 at the time there was no report of frame damage and they currently have not replaced the frame damage. Two days after having the vehicle it completely shut off and would not move. My step father had to rush home and give it a jump so that I could make it to school on time. However, it was too late I missed school. After that I had decided I no longer wanted the vehicle especially if my bank wasnt financing it so I called the dealer and notified them about me no longer wanted to purchase the vehicle. I told them we could discuss alternatives like a cheaper car or just no purchase at all. It turns out that I had been sold a lemon and enraged my parents called the place to tell them I would not buy the car. We then physically dropped the car off at the dealership and havent had it since Wednesday. I called them to come to an understanding and cancel the transaction however they continued to disregard what *** stated and presented and intend to continue the purchase through the backup contract. They already proceeded to go through a lender and have the loan approved without my knowledge I found out through them via phone call because it is not listed in the contract. Im now, on the 31st of October, expected to pay 390 for a vehicle I no longer have do not wish to have and has issues. I did not want to drag this I just dont want it affecting my credit score and I dont want my name attached to that vehicle or any they have

    Business Response

    Date: 10/04/2022

    To Whom It May ******************** letter is in response to a complaint filed by *************************.  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention, ***************** Singed a valid contract and everything was disclosed to her at time of purchase.  **************** took delivery of the vehicle then decided she no longer wanted it.  If ***************** would like to trade the vehicle for another vehicle Equity Auto Center is willing to give her 100% of the selling price toward the purchase of another vehicle on our lot.


    Equity Auto Center
    51645 **********************
    ******* ** 885023..

    Customer Answer

    Date: 10/06/2022

    To whom it may concern,
    Do to the deceptive business practice of this dealership
     I dont feel comfortable with further doing business with them.
    They basically tried to sell me a car without giving me a car fax that clearly states this vehicle was in a major accident and had Severe damage to the frame which the dealership purposely failed to disclose. 
    Also when this information was brought to their attention they didnt deny they knew but instead tried to force me to keep this severely damage vehicle.

    Business Response

    Date: 10/07/2022

    Tell us why here...To Whom It May ******************** letter is in response to a complaint filed by *************************.  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention, ***************** Singed a valid contract and everything was disclosed to her at time of purchase.  ***************** took delivery of the vehicle then decided she no longer wanted it.  If **************** would like to trade the vehicle for another vehicle Equity Auto Center is willing to give her 100% of the selling price toward the purchase of another vehicle on our lot.


    Equity Auto Center
    51645 **********************
    ******* ** 885023

    Customer Answer

    Date: 10/14/2022

    As I have said before, they had me sign the contract with no knowledge of the existing issues with the vehicle. A vehicle that I returned and has been in their possession since. The exchange between myself and the business has been hostile. There is so much tension that I don't feel safe going to their establishment to conduct further business with them. They have been deceitful and uncooperative. I no longer wish to do business with them or buy any more half-working vehicles from them. My family is grieving at the moment, and the last thing I need is to drag this out when all I want is to go our separate ways because this is unnecessary stress. I'm trying to be civil because bringing it to court is draining, and I no longer have the energy. However, I do not intend to do any business with this company. All I ask is that they respect my wishes. 

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