ComplaintsforSoCal Auto Group

• Initial Complaint

  10/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I recently purchased a vehicle on august 17 of 2023 from SoCal Auto Group has barely been two months since purchasing the vehicle and Ive been having to deal with mechanical issues since the second week I got it, I kept getting a check coolant light that wouldnt go away even when topping off coolant. On September 9th I took it to get an oil change and a complementary vehicle inspection in which I found out the water pump had went bad and was causing a coolant leak, I was quoted $3k for repairs which is really pricey after that I really didnt drive it much while I was trying to figure this whole thing out, and on September 17 while moving my car for street parking I got a check engine light on and it turns out this whole time my coolant had been mixing in my engine with the oil. I havent driven the car since then its a $4k repair bill. Recently I had the car looked at again on the 19th of this month and it turns out there were more issues that came up that have to do with the throttle system in the car. It has been a very stressful two months with the car and SoCal Auto group just tells me its my problem to deal with as Ive already tried to resolve the issue with them now Im stuck with a car that doesnt work and a car I barely even got to drive it just sits 95% of the time besides when I move it for street cleaning and even then the car barley runs it just ***** that they dont want to help or give me my money back and the fact that Im not the first person to have this happen to them as their yelp reviews seem to be pretty bad I would like for them to take responsibility and either return my money if possible or fix my car as I dont want to keep paying for a car that does not run very unfortunate situation Im just looking for a solution as Im tired and stressed with this whole situation.

  Business response

  10/31/2023

  In response to **********************,

  We, Socal Auto Group, sympathize that you are having issues with your vehicles, however we are unable to provide any sort of assistance towards your problems.

  You purchased the vehicle as-is, no warranty expressed or implied. You had the opportunity to also purchase an extended service contract which you declined to do so.

  We have posted signs that you were able to do a pre-purchase inspection, within company policy guidelines. 

  Unfortunately, both new and used cars do break down and it is solely your responsibility. 

  Kind Regards,

  Socal Auto Group

• Initial Complaint

  07/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  On November 22, 2022 I was sold a 2013 ********** Jetta with a contract for $15,529.40 financed at *****% APR and an $2,000 optional two year warranty something I did not agree on was a $1,599.00 optional anti-theft device.This was added on line D1 of the contract. In early January, I received a call from the car loan financier ****************** about installation of an anti-theft device. The vehicle does not have one, although the $1599 was added to my loan agreement for one without my approval. Through many subsequent phone calls, various ****************** reps from *********************** Supervisors to their ***************** and Dealer Relations team, have all agreed that I should not have to pay the $1599 I was also told that a non-existent 3rd party company was added to the loan agreement as a "service provider" for the non-existent anti-theft device.Additionally, ******************** sold the car with four extremely bad tires putting the lives of everyone from Reseda, ** to ************, ** at risk. The outside tread was perfectly fine, and being unable to lift the vehicle to inspect it, I was unaware the inside tread was totally bald ******************. would confirm on January 3, ******************************************* $635.19 to replace the tires and do an alignment. There will be a separate police report filed for these amounts to be returned to me, the buyer, and to ******************.

  Business response

  07/17/2023

  To whom it may concern,

  We sell all of our vehicles, "as-is", including the vehicle you bought. At the time of signing you were offered an anti-theft device, that is optional at the time of purchase, however it is a non-cancellable product. It is on a magnetic core and is hidden in your vehicle, comes with a 3 month service. It is possible it has fallen off the vehicle as it is on a magnet. Regarding Westlake calling you, that must have been an error since the device was installed at our location and not by Westlake. We have posted signs that you have the option to do a PPI (Pre-purchase inspection) at a mechanic of your choice. We sell all vehicles as-is, with no expressed or implied warranties. We have all paperwork that you have signed and dated, the main contract as well as multiple other paperwork, that explain all products you have chosen to purchase, as well as all as-is paperwork. 
  
  Kind Regards,

  Socal Auto Group

  Customer response

  07/31/2023

   
  Complaint: 20306710
  
  I am rejecting this response because theres been no paperwork filed indicating an anti-theft device was ever installed.

  Theres no device on the vehicle.

  Theres no anti-theft 3rd party service provider.

  The $1599 is thus fraudulent, and without proof this device ever existed my next step is to file to have the amount returned to ****************** and me, in Small Claims Court, unless evidence the device & service is submitted to BBB, me, and ******************.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *********************

• Initial Complaint

  03/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased the vehicle on 2/25/22. I paid $**** total $**** for down payment and $400 for the warranty. The business is called SoCal Auto Group. He help me apply for loan with Westlake Financial and got approved when I purchased the vehicle. The dealer wrote down false information and told me what to say to Westlake I asked him why did he tell me to say $**** was the money I gave for the down payment he stated that the rest of the money was for taxes. I was told the car had no issues ones I drove off the lot 1 hour later the car check engine light came on a notification on the screen said Transmission malfunction do not cut the car off or continue driving fine service immediately. I texted the dealer and told him the situation. *** told me it was the battery to turn off the car and wait 5 minutes to turn it back on. So after I did that it didn't work I called him and he told me to take it to his mechanic the next day which was the 2/26/22 the mechanic told me it needed a new transmission. I went back to the dealership I told them the situation and they told me if you want the warranty to fix it I have to wait 45 days and pay the rest or If I wanted to get the car fix sooner that they would pay $**** and they would pay $**** I told them that I should not have to pay another $**** when I just gave them $**** for the vehicle and I shouldn't be having this issue the same day. I told them I want my money back. They said that's not how it works so I left. I texted them that I would reach out to Westlake Financial and cancel the loan because of the vehicle having issues and they texted back and said if you do that will just cancel the deal and you wont get your down payment back. I called Westlake and let them the vehicle wasn't working. They advice me to go back to the dealership and see if they would give me my money back . I showed to the location I spoke to *** and the owner he was very calm but his Employee *** Called me a ******* for signing the paperwork.

  Business response

  06/30/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2022/04/29) */ To whom it may concern, The vehicle was purchase from us AS IS (NO Warranties Expressed or Implied) Customer financed the vehicle and completed an interview with the lender that the vehicle is in good working condition and that she is happy with the vehicle! We are not responsible for any break downs on the vehicle after the sale! Sincerely, Socal Auto Group Team

• Initial Complaint

  02/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  So I purchased a vehicle (1993 Cadillac De Ville) from this dealership and traded in a Mercedes Benz 240D. Upon me doing so, I was informed by *** that all transfer documents would be taken care of with an included fee with the car's sale. Furthermore, I was told that as for the plates on the Cadillac, I would receive them in the mail (after *** took them off of the car). Months go by and I continue to wait for the plates. I text *** numerous times and was constantly told that the DMV was taking its time and that they were delayed due to the pandemic. So I waited. Until one day when I received the registration renewal fee for the Mercedes Benz in the mail. I was confused because *** stated that the transfer of the vehicle was included in a fee added in the car's sale. Why would I be receiving this then? So I called the DMV and not only did they tell me that the car never showed up as sold or transferred out of my name in their system, they also told me that the plates should have been included in the sale of the Cadillac and to contact the dealership. I then got the registration renewal for the Cadillac and low and behold, the plate number on the renewal matched the plates on the car when it was originally sold to me before *** took them off (I have pictures). I reached out to *** to ask for the plates back and to also ask why the Mercedes was never taken out of my name and never got a response. I ended up having to remove the Mercedes Benz myself and moreover, paying for new plates on the vehicle, which brings me to ask, why was I charged to pay for a service that was never done?

• Initial Complaint

  12/15/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  On ********** I purchased a **** ***** **** from *** who explained to me the vehicle was as is but that there was a policy that I could purchase that would cover my engine and transmission (along with a few other things) for 3yrs AFTER the 3yrs my engine and transmission was covered for life. I drove the car less than ******** and my dashboard started lighting up, I immediately took the car to Volvo and this is what they found; Pads and Rotors in the front - **** the insurance is offering **** Thermostat replaced **** the insurance is offering **** ECM Module ********* the insurance isn't offering anything towards this Battery replace (the car is a turbo so it has 2 batteries) **** the insurance is offering **** Engine Mounts (there are 3 needed out of 5) 1) ***** 2) ***** 3) **** the insurance is offering nothing towards any of them stating (wear and tear that I should have seen before buying the car). Oil Filter/Change **** the insurance is offering *** Bumper Cover (Labor Only) *** the insurance is not covering anything towards that My Total ******** my Gold Standard Insurance is willing to pay ******* They were able to see that the codes on the vehicle were erased prior to me buying the vehicle - so even if I had a code scanner with me I would not be able to see the codes once they were cleared.

  Business response

  06/30/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/03) */ To whom it may concern, We sell all of our vehicle AS IS and customer knew that at the time of purchase. She decided to buy an extended service contract which covers major components and some maintenance items. The extended service contract was explained to the customer very thoroughly; she also received a discount on the purchase price at the time of selling on some items she is pointing out in her complain. Not sure what she means about the codes being erased. Vehicle was as advertised at the time of sale. We believe this is an unfair representation of what happened. It is the customers responsibility to read their contracts very carefully and ask as many questions as they would like before the purchase. Also, wear and tear items on used vehicle such as; thermostat, engine mounts, wiper blades, batteries , computers, and etc.. are not usually covered by extended service contract! Sincerely, Socal Auto Group Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/01/11) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) First, the car was advertised as a 5cylinder but is actually a 4cylinder, I did ask if I could have someone professional come check out the vehicle but was told that the seller only shows the vehicles by appointment and I wasn't sure when I could pay someone to check the car out. I had my husband and his friend check everything that we knew to look for - oil leaks body condition inside and out upholstery rust suspension outside and inside lights tires the instruments and controls the roof (panoramic window) hoses and belts we could see and fluids they could find (what was in the car and maybe leaking from the car) we could not find the transmission dip stick but the light was not on radiator battery (we only saw one battery) tailpipe I ran the VIN number looking for recalls and any accidents Regarding the warranty that I paid almost $4,000 for, it does not cover pre-existing conditions and everything that was wrong with the car was just that. I drove the car less than 400miles before 2 maybe 3 lights came on and when the check engine light came on I immediately took the car to the Volvo dealership. I was told based off of the last time the vehicle was worked on most of the repairs that were needed would have been identified by the seller well before the car was sold, I was also informed that the codes were erased days before I purchased the car. The only discount I was given off of the cars purchase price was for a tow hitch cover that was missing, I was told that it was $20-$25 to replace so I asked if that could be taken off. I did try to reach out to the seller before anything else but was ignored and only received a response when I posted my reviews regarding my purchase. These are the repairs that I paid for: Pads and Rotors in the front Thermostat ECM Module (this cost the most since it regulates the main parts of the vehicles operation systems) Both battery's Engine Mounts (there are 4 out of 5 that were needed, 3 of them that I would not have seen due to their placement) Oil Filter/Change (this would have been covered by the warranty but it happened so soon after purchasing the vehicle it was also considered pre-existing) Also, the box behind the batteries was welded on the inside so there would have been no way for the car to code and show there was an issue with the batteries. I have receipts for everything that I paid for if needed

*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. ↩