Complaints

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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/27/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Sale and/or sharing of my personal information with third parties without my consent.On 27 February 2025, I took my car in for a diagnostic at South Coast Toyota's service department. After receiving an estimate, I declined service and the following day merely paid for the diagnostic and had my car towed to another service center. Less than a month later, I received solicitation from Sirius XM, referencing the date of service visit to Toyota on *********************************** authorized Toyota to sell and/or share my information with any affiliated or non-affiliated parties. I did not receive an option to opt-out of the sharing of my personal information at anytime. Furthermore, after a previous visit, I requested that my information be deleted from the mailing list as I did not want to receive solicitations from this dealership at all.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/03/2025

  Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We want to ensure your privacy is respected and are happy to assist with opting you out of our system. To proceed with your request, we kindly ask that you submit a formal **** OPT request. You can do so through the following link to our privacy policy, which contains the necessary details to submit your request: ******************************************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/12/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Dealer refused to offer the discount that has been posted publically as an offer.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/20/2025

  Were sorry for the confusion with our pricing and understand your frustration. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.We're reviewing the situation to remedy the issue in hopes it doesnt happen again. Information provided is believed accurate but all specifications,pricing, and availability must be confirmed in writing (directly) with the dealer to be binding. Neither the Dealer nor the website provider is responsible for any inaccuracies contained herein and by using our website applications you the customer acknowledge the foregoing and accept such terms.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/20/2025

  This bait and switch strategy and is not ethical.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/21/2025

  We understand your concern about a potential "bait and switch"tactic. We want to assure you that this was a genuine error in our online listing and absolutely not an intentional attempt to mislead our customers. We are committed to transparent and honest business practices. The incorrect price of was due to a briefly manual entry error. We have since corrected the error on our website and are taking steps to prevent similar issues from happening in the future.
  We sincerely apologize for any confusion or frustration this may have caused. We value your interest in our vehicles and would still be happy to answer any questions you may have about the 2025 Toyota 4Runner or any other vehicle in our inventory. We'd be glad to provide you with more details about the vehicle's features, condition, and financing options.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/11/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  South coast Toyota is a deception/ fraud. Firstly, We got fraud on the price of the vehicle which has a hidden markup fee without informing customers and play trick on discount offers. Secondly, we got fraud by paying a premium price for a fully loaded vehicle and we actually got a less loaded vehicle. We went to the South Coast Toyota car dealership on 04/07/2024 Sunday, and the salesperson showed us different cars including a ***4 prime XSE 2024. As we test drive this car, I asked specifically about the parking sensors if this car has and the salesperson ***************************** said yes. The only reason it was not beeping, is because there was nothing in front of the car. He told us that the *** 4 Prime XSE is like the top of the line. ****************** printed A4 paper with the **** of the vehicle $***** plus and some other numbers, and we started to negotiate the price from that point. We didnt see that big piece of paper, which is supposed to be posted on the window of the car with **** price and packages included. As we recall, **************** took that sheet off the window and put it inside the glovebox when we test drive the vehicle.We drove the new car back and I found that sheet hidden in the glovebox, with **** $ *****, and the total suggested retail price is $50034. And I noticed there is still no beeping sound and *************** said you might need to bring the car back tomorrow for technician to turn the parking sensor on..The next day we went back and asked about the parking sensors and that sheet of paper with **** on it. The salesperson ****** changed his attitude, stating The car is sold, and there is nothing they can change anyway. He and his sales managers stated this vehicle is sold at $ ***** plus, because the dealership has a 2000 markup dealership. We werent not told with the markup. There was no markup sign anywhere in that dealership, or anywhere written on the displayed cars in the parking lot.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/17/2024

  We are sorry to hear of your experience with us. On multiple occasions, our General Manager *********************** has personally tried to contact ********** without success. Please contact **** directly at ************ at your earliest convenience. We hope to hear from you. Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/23/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  On Wednesday 5/3/23 I made a 100% cash purchase ($6,400) of a used 2013 Nissan Sentra. After the agreed upon price and prior to transfer of money, I was informed by the car salesman that paper work had to be documented for record keeping. I asked if a hard inquiry would be made, and I was assured no credit check would be made since the purchase was to be paid in full in cash. South Coast also fabricated a false retail installment sale contract stating a loan was processed, but no loan was processed. Few days later I was noti?ed by Experian of a Hard Credit Inquiry from NCCINC/South Coast Toyota. Now, this hard credit inquiry will continue to appear on my credit report until June 2025. I have reached out numerous times via phone and email to South Coast Toyota, but the dealer claims they cannot dispute/remove the inquiry with Experian. Due to no loan being processed Experian requires a letter from South Coast Toyota, but the car dealer is also refusing to provide a letter to remove the hard credit inquiry. This unauthorized hard credit inquiry by NCCINC South Coast Toyota has negatively affected my ability to apply for credit by decreasing my credit score, and adding an unauthorized hard credit inquiry.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/05/2023

  Our store representatives have spoken to Mr. ***** on numerous occasions detailing the process to remove the credit pull. Please dispute the credit inquiry via the credit bureau and we will be sent a notification and will process the removal. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/07/2023

  I have informed South Coast Toyota numerous times via email and phone that the credit bureau Experian cannot process an order to dispute or remove Hard credit inquiries without a loan being processed. No loan was processed by South Coast Toyota. In fact a false loan application was made and a hard credit inquiry was run on a 100% cash purchase. Experian needs a letter from South Coast Toyota expressing the hard credit inquiry was not needed, and to have it removed from my credit report. In my opinion, South Coast Toyota seen an opportunity to take advantage of a customer and without hesitation was fraudulent.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/13/2023

  Our store representatives have spoken to Mr. ***** on numerous occasions detailing the process to remove the credit pull. Our store policy is to run credit for every vehicle purchase as risk mitigation. The credit application signed by Mr. ***** is on file at the dealership authorizing a credit inquiry. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/13/2023

  During the purchase it was confirmed by the car salesman that a hard credit inquiry would not be made. No such policy as verifying a person by a hard credit inquiry was disclosed. Prior to the test drive and well before the agreed upon purchase price, I was verified by providing South Coast Toyota my CA license. Running a hard credit inquiry was hidden from me. South Coast did not provide a Notice to Vehicle Credit Application disclosing my credit score, date, and statement that my credit scores may affect whether the I can obtain credit and the cost of that credit. If done so, South Coast would have revealed my credit score was ran. I was informed to fill out a form for record keeping purposes, and I did not agree to any hard credit inquiry. As mentioned numerous times, in order to resolve the situation, South Coast must provide a letter to Experian stating to have the hard credit inquiry removed. Or as Experian has stated, South Coast has the ability to make credit inquiries and South Coast Toyota has the ability to remove credit inquiries.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/12/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  On 3.18.23 I contacted South Coast Toyota of Costa Mesa inquiring about a Certified Used Vehicle as I reside 4hrs away from the location. I schedule a time to see the vehicle and traveled with my family to make the purchase. **************** was extremely polite that we even shared info regarding our children and my profession as a law enforcement officer. I explain we had traveled 4hrs to see the vehicle and make the purchase. She offered a service maintenance plan which I initially declined due to the price. She was persistent and related she could lower the price. She explained it would be one of her basic plans which included coverage of oil change and tire rotation. I explicitly asked since I lived 4hrs away if this plan could be used at my local dealer with full coverage. She related absolutely it would and even pulled up my dealership and confirmed it was a certified dealership. I left the dealership a happy customer until I had to do my first service. I called my local dealership, took part of my mooring off work only to find out this plan would not cover the oil change and rotation, as described by my dealership it was only at South Coast Toyota. I was not only absolutely embarrassed as I had to drive away, but left without a service and given fraudulent information by South Coast Toyota of Costa Mesa. I tried contacting the finance department multiple times, left voicemail to general manager, contacted Toyota Corporation for complaint (#************) and follow up and they were as well unable to get ahold of anyone at the dealership. I was obviously LIED to and SCAMMED on a maintenance plan purchase. Why would I purchase a plan where I would have drive 4hrs away. They were interested in selling than damaging their brand. I am requesting my plan to be canceled and refunded of maintenance plan as I have not used it. This is clearly a scam being done to sell a plan that does not state any information such. Not even a simple reply has been attempted

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/22/2023

  When we submitted your extended warranty to Toyota, the incorrect code was inputted in the computer system by our personnel. This has been resolved and should update in Toyotas system. Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/24/2023

  The issue has been fixed, after 3 mo the of purchase, multiple calls from my end, calls to corporate, and communication to the BBB. I was not contacted after the the issue was fixed. I was promised constant communication and not one courtesy was done to inform me it was completed. Would not recommend this dealership, extremely poor follow up and customer service 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/01/2023

  Our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused. We checked the status of the warranty after the correction was made, and can confirm it is processed and active. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/12/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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, on Wednesday, 3/15/23 my son and I bought a 2020 ****** Altima from South Coast Toyota for $18,387.51. There was a problem with the key fob, but Padra (our salesman) said it would be a 30-minute fix, but the car had to be taken to a ****** dealership. ***** said it would be ready tomorrow. By 3/19/23, we're told the car has electrical problems and we will be reimbursed - $13,387.51 in check/cash from us and $5,000 Arrow check car loan from *********************** I call on Monday, 3/20/23 and I'm told both checks (mine/Arrowhead) will be sent out 3/21/23. By Friday, 3/24/23, I still have not received reimbursement, but I am reassured by *********** (finance guy we dealt with) it should be here tomorrow. By Saturday, still nothing. By Monday, 3/27/23, I ask *** for exact date of mailing or tracking # of the check, but he can't provide either. He asks me to wait 2 more days, which I do. By Wednesday, 3/29/23, I speak to ***** in the finance department, who wrote the check, and she says there is no tracking and she mailed it on 3/24/23 not 3/21/23, give it time. I ask her to void it or stop payment 'cause I need to go pick it up, but she refuses and says it hasn't been that long and hangs up on me. I wait 2 more days and then speak to *****, general manager, and miraculously he tells me my check is there at dealership. I pick it up on 4/3/23 and ask about *********'s check. He said they sent $5,000 for loan on 3/24/23. I ask about the interest on the loan and he said that it is illegal for Arrowhead to charge any interest on the loan since dealer voided the transaction 'cause the sale fell through. ********* said that is incorrect, that as soon as the loan is funded and check is deposited, it starts accruing interest. ***** said the dealership is not responsible for any interest on the loan. ********* says otherwise. And still as of today, 4/12/23, ********* has not received reimbursement for any amount and interest is accruing daily. Who is responsible?

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/21/2023

  **************. I am sorry to hear of your recent experience with us. We had sent the check and it was returned to us due to it being the wrong address. We have the returned check and we are waiting for you to provide the correct address but to expedite we recommend you pick up the check here at the dealership and at that time we can discuss how we can help resolve the accrued interest rate concern.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/26/2023

  Hello, the first check was also supposedly returned to you because I ended up having to pick up that check, although you had my right address on multiple different documents. Yet when it was time for you to mail out my reimbursement check of over $13,000, you had the wrong address.  This inquiry is an auto loan from *********************** which supposedly you mailed out and was returned to you as well.  Coincidence?  In talking to ***********************, general manager, I was informed that South Coast Toyota does a lot of business with ********************** so how could you send it to the wrong address?  I called the dealership on 4/18/23 and I spoke to *********************** again that day to see when this loan would be paid off.  I was informed by ***** that day the check was returned.  I hope you still don't have the check a week later, as you state above, because ***** was given the new address to send payment to on 4/19/23 after I called the bank myself to confirm the mailing address. I believe that's your job, isn't it?  Also, why would you have the check today, 4/26/23, as you state that I can pick it up, when ***** told me he was sending payment right the next day?  As of today, 4/26/23, I was advised by Arrowhead the loan is still not paid. Total payout amount today is $5040.18.  I feel I am getting the runaround by everybody at South Coast Toyota.  I have never encountered such lack of professionalism and blatant disregard.  I believe you are responsible for the interest accrued because of your lack of concern in not sending payment in a timely manner.  At this point, it has been well over a month that the sale fell through (and it wasn't my doing) so I don't believe I should be responsible, and that's based on principle as well. Please simply do the right thing and resolve it by paying off the loan of $5040.18 today and stop giving me the runaround.  Thank you, *******************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/27/2023

  We have sent the check via GLS tracking in the amount of $5,000. We have put in a check request for the accrued interest charge of $40.18. Once processed, we will mail that to you as well. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/09/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  On 11/09/22 I purchased a pre owned vehicle from the south coast Toyota dealership and they quoted us the wrong APR 3 times. They gave the wrong VIN number and had us bring the car back to change info. They never provided a copy of this contract after they redid the contract. They first quoted **** APR and I have a 710 credit score. My wife and I told them this was not correct. They then gave us a second contract that had the wrong APR of 8.9. They call us and tell us they made a mistake and the APR is actually 7.9. They only gave us the contract for the second quoted APR. And They wont provide new temp plates after waiting 3 months for registration and plates. They said they couldnt print new ones. My tag is now expired. The car malfunctioned while my wifes child was in the car when driven to ***** and had it towed to Toyota in ********** *****. I called south coast toyota and the financing manger *********************** told me I didnt have a warranty and anything they charge me for is my problem and not hers. My wife and child could have died. My wife drove the car back to ********** from ***** not knowing if car will stop. South coast wouldnt tow it back for me. Even after system glitch. We called Toyota multiple times to discuss issues and even attempted to return car but they refused. We cant drive the car now, but they demand monthly payments. I want to get out of this contract with no penalty to my credit. I dont trust this company and dont feel safe driving their vehicles. They dont care about the safety of their customers and wont provide the basic info we need. They also let us drive the car home without down payment but because they changed the contract so many times they told us on the 3rd time we signed a contract that we now owe $2000 for a down payment but we were told we didnt have to pay this when we first signed. They also sent a check of $55 for charging us for registration fees. This is wrong and I want out of this contract as soon as possible.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/20/2023

  South Coast Toyota has been in contact with this guest as well as the **** The license plates are on their way. The concerns were resolved with this guest.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/23/2023

  I haven't received the paperwork for the car it's been four months now I don't have the registration, my contract was done wrong three times and the car has already broken down once, I went to Toyota South Coast this week and they told me the same lies the *** will send the documents in the mail, I've been listening to these lies for four months already...
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/31/2023

  We are sorry to hear of your experience. The *** informed us that they have processed the license plates and they should be delivered to you directly. Unfortunately, we are unable to expedite the ***s processing times.  A copy of the original registration that we provided you will suffice as proof of ownership..
  
  BBB Translation:
  
  Lamentamos saber de su experiencia. El *** nos inform que han procesado las placas y se las deben entregar directamente. Desafortunadamente, no podemos acelerar los tiempos de procesamiento del ***. Una copia del registro original que le proporcionamos ser suficiente como prueba de propiedad.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/01/2023

  I bought the car I want my original registration now....you have the original and send me a copy!!!  better it's been four months I'd like to have my money back and undo the deal!