ComplaintsforVenice Honda

• Initial Complaint

  08/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I contacted the official Honda service center with a problem with the engine. Honda Pilot 2011. The problem was that the check engine light was on. after the diagnosis they told me to pay 1148 dollars, I paid but nothing changed, then they diagnosed it for 4 days and said that I would pay another 1151 dollar, I paid but didnt even have time to leave the service, the problem remained unchanged. after three days of diagnosis the service said that the engine needs to be changed. They rudely refused to refund my money. As a result, I am without a car and without money!

  Business response

  08/27/2024

  The BBB has no legal jurisdiction over any issues this customer may have. We completed work recommend by Honda for the issues that caused the engine light to come on. The engine will need to be replaced and we offered to discount the repair ******* to help ease the financial stress of such repair. The customer was made aware before any repair was completed that there could be several issues with this vehicle. The Pilot has almost ******* miles on it. There will be no other form of refund or compensation. This will be our final response. ***************************** General Manager

  Customer response

  08/27/2024

   
  Complaint: 22199770
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Honda cheated me out of my money, during the first diagnosis they should have measured the engine compression and told me that I needed to change the engine, instead they did unnecessary work for 2300 dollars, and only at the end, as soon as I paid, they told me about replacing the engine, this is a very insulting feeling yourself deceived! I lost my car and my job because of them.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  05/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am a 19 year old high schooler that traveled from ******** to ******* to buy a dream car with my dad. Date of purchase April 4th. I was told the car been through our service and safety inspection and had been cleared to be retailed. I was working on getting Venice Honda the needed information to get the car titled, this is where the problem started. The car did not pass emissions and when I was having the service inspection done they came back with a $10,000 estimate for repairs. April 15th. The company blatantly lied deseaved and took advantage of me. They are hard to contact and currently unwilling to negotiate. Please help them do the right thing

  Business response

  05/04/2024

  First of all the BBB has zero authority in these natters. Second you were very aware of what you were purchasing. All the modifications that were done to the MUSTANG BOSS you took over a week to purchase were not hidden. We sent you 30 pictures and once here you drove and inspected the car with who I believe was your father. We did take the car back because you would not live up to your end of the bargain. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Bought car 8/22/23: . No tag or registration for car since purchasing. Contacted dealer in 4/24 but just answering machines. Running on dealer tag since 3/24 .

  Business response

  05/17/2024

  BBB is not an arbitration platform. This has been taken care of with the customer.

• Initial Complaint

  02/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Terrible customer service and I was poorly mistreated by a man named ***** mainly. I had to call the number at least ******************************************** with a fax number. There is zero customer service and no one would help me with my simple request. I finally get ahold of a man named ***** that works there and he was nasty. He didn't even want to help me for a simple fax number and he was refusing to provide me with the ******* manager's name and contact information before he hung up on me. I recalled the Honda number and was redirected again to ***** since no other employee answers the phone. ***** had a different attitude and he began to blame me. ***** stated I had the poor attitude which I did not and I took offense to that and I corrected him that I did not have an attitude and there needs to be better customer service. I would like to report that there is zero customer service with this office and I would appreciate if there was some consequences for this dealership since that is not a proper way to assist customers.

  Business response

  02/29/2024

  First off we do not have any contact information for anyone at Honda to give to customers. Obviously for a simple Fax number the receptionist would handle that with out question. There is obviously something not being said here. The customer is welcome to reach me directly ***************************** GM *****************

   

  Customer response

  03/03/2024

   
  Complaint: 21354719
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I did state what I needed to say and I did inform him via a review. So for him to something obviously not being said here is garbage. The receptionist had no clue what the fax number was and no one there would help. Its poor customer service is what this place offers and then the staff yelled at me when I asked who is in charge and they gave me a wrong name. Something needs to change with their customer service because thats a great way to lose business. Theres better customer service at Walmart. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  03/07/2024

  This customer needs to realize like it or not that we do not have any contact information with American Honda that we can give them. In fact I can't find that we have ever done any business with a ***********************. As far as consequences are concerned; there will be none. There are two side to this story and we believe this consumer is misrepresenting the interaction. This will be our last communication.

  Customer response

  03/15/2024

   
  Complaint: 21354719
  
  I am rejecting this response because: His "like it or not" comment is what I had to deal with from his employees and it's clear that he has the same manners as his employees. I originally received the needed fax number from his office in December 2023 when his employee ******* had called him and asked for it. This paperwork is documented with the **** So, for him to claim now that he has no business with Honda yet he works for Honda and with the financial services, it's clear that this employee is a liar. 

  Lastly, I am a customer of **************** hence why I went to Honda asking for help. It's clear this employee is just angry that I had to get BBB involved to bring attention to the poor service provided by this location and how they further mistreat customers. 

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

• Initial Complaint

  02/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My car was purchased at Venice Honda in May **************************************************************************************** stock date. The dealer is not willing to provide me a loaner or rental. I am a widow and this is my only means of transportation to and from work. I am retired and rely on my SS check and my work income.Issues have been going on for over 2 months, but until 3 days ago it was drivable. This is a new vehicle 2023 with factory warranty and only ***** miles on it.I need help!Thank you

  Business response

  02/23/2024

  This was an issue that had to be resolved with American Honda and it has been handled. The customer is in a rental. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  on june 24th 2023 me and my father went to venice honda (*********, venice , ** *****) to buy a vehicle after saving for six years we wanted a perfect car that was brand new. so we found a honda civic sport 2023 brand new with 3 miles on it ..after saving for so long we carefully look and every detail and made the purchase.after having it for a week we notice that when the car is wet or sitting in the shade or in the evening there is a huge dark spot like paint discoloration. so we bring the car back to the dealer ship and they acknowledged that there is discoloration when the vehicle is in the shade but when its sunny outside it not really noticeable. so ************************* promised that he will fix everything and tells us to go to their body shop so they can can tell us what it is and how much it will cost to repair it so we to the body shop that **** send us to across the street the body shop looks at it and give us paper work that says that car has been damaged that thats like a quick cover up and commonly used by the dealer ships so we go back show **** the paper work and he says okay give me few days and ill get back with you. and that was it.every time i called he said im still waiting on the response and then completely stop answering. so i would drive to the dealership and get the same run around for 3 months and then the ***************************** general manager said im taking over and we will make it right.. he also gave me a run around for 2 months. then i was being fully ignored everytime i call **************** manager would just hang up on me so i would drive over there.. and just recently like a week ago i drove over there asking to speak with some one general manager ***************************** said that they will not repair my vehicle he said you need to call headquarters so i did they said there is no defect in the paint its been damaged honda of venice was the last to have owner ship you need to take it up with them. i been crying stressed and depressed can u please help me

  Business response

  01/12/2024

  There will be no help from Venice Honda. This customer took delivery after carefully looking over the vehicle and every detail of the purchase as they themselves stated. It is documented by ******** Honda as well as Venice Honda. The reviews they have left online are all differing and false. They are stating their grandmother bought a car the grandfather bought a car the sister bought a car etc. They have taken the car to other Honda dealers etc. Honda has instructed all Honda dealers that this customer will receive no help from **************** in regards to any paint issue. This issue would resolved with ******** Honda not Venice Honda. The BBB is not an arbitration platform. There will be no further communication through the BBB with Venice Honda and this customer. It is a waste of our time and resources.

  Customer response

  01/30/2024

   
  Complaint: 21124165
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  In response to Venice of Honda this vehicle was never taken to any other dealership only for an oil change just recently  .. also there was  never a grandpa or grandma involved in any of this that is just a complete lie  .. also, the paint discoloration is not visible so much when the car is in the sun but the moment you get it in the shade or pour water on it, you can see the huge discoloration  upon noticing that on the brand new vehicle I brought back to the dealer **** sales manager promised that he would fix everything and led me on for months and months, so did *****************************. I have text messages from **** service manager, promising to fix it The general manager promised that he would fix this too that  was just a complete lie straight to the face. When Venice honda  attempted to buff it out they made it worse ..it is very unfair for somebody to work a minimum paying job for many years and be excited to buy a brand new car when they were sold a damaged vehicle and refuse to fix it .. Venice of Honda promised me to fix everything they promised me to fix cuz they knew what car they sold me  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** & *************************

  Business response

  01/30/2024

  This customer obviously does not realize that the BBB has no legal authority. We have nothing to say to or about this customer unless it's through an attorney. ***************************** General Manager

• Initial Complaint

  01/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This experience took place on December 28, last month. Im filing this complaint due to deceptive advertising. The scratch off flyer clearly indicated I won a specific prize of $2500. With that said in my 56 years I have never once thought I had won something such as this, as typically the fine print says otherwise.However, in this case it was made to clearly look as if I had won. And to emphasize the deception, a gentleman at the dealership thought the same thing. As we were waiting for help an older man was yelling at the top of his lungs demanding to see the manager, waving arms asking why does it say I won! If that sounds exaggerated a look at their security cameras from that day would confirm the incident. He made my wife so nervous she went behind a vehicle to be away from him.I have since learned this business is not BBB accredited and after reading multiple reviews I can see why. I wish someone had the authority or desire to crack down on this type of advertising. In the end of listening to a long drawn out sales pitch we were told we had wona $5 Amazon gift card!Yes part of claiming your prize was having to listen to a salesman try to sell you a car. Thats just not right. It may technically be legal but it is not fair practice to make someone believe you have won something knowing its pure deception.In my opinion they owe me $2500.*******************************

  Business response

  01/12/2024

  We do apologize that this customer is upset with this invitation. There is no required sales pitch etc. That is not true. We do have cameras and there was no such incident. There was a free gift given to the customer. It was clearly stated in the fine print that they won a prize. The event is insured and and all prizes are sent out. We hope the grand prize winner comes in to claim their prize anytime an event like this is held. Final communication.

  Customer response

  01/13/2024

   
  Complaint: 21120364
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Saying there was no such incident of an older gentleman extremely upset and yelling to see a manager saying then why does it say I won is an outright lie. My wife and I absolutely 100% without any exaggeration witnessed this happening. My wife was so scared she went to the other side of an SUV and told me I should not be where I was standing. 
  I dont expect you to take any responsibility and as stated originally obviously the advertisement was legal but without question deceptive.

  Your multiple negative customer reviews appear to be a clear reflection of your business practices. This is sad in a tight community that loves to support local businesses.

  This complaint was filed knowing full well that I would receive no benefit, rather it was made in the hopes that the BBB will be aware of future complaints.

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

  Business response

  01/15/2024

  We have responded.

• Initial Complaint

  12/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 12/2/2023 we purchased a 2017 white ******* cayenne, used vehicle from this dealership with no prior issues on carfax and the salesman assured me that the vehicle is in great condition . The closure at this company gave us a bunch of papers to sign and one of them was about the warranty it clearly said and he repeated that the vehicle is under warranty by the dealer for 30 days or **** miles from the day of purchase . 4 days later a check engine light appeared on the dash board so we contacted the salesman who said to bring the vehicle to the dealer for them to check, once at the dealer they made my wife wait three hours to have a manger inform her to take the vehicle elsewhere because we bought the vehicle as is and they are not going to fix it . So we asked to have our money back and they refused they said its a final sale ????We , me and my wife where in the closures office his name is ************* who informed us that the vehicle is warranty for 30 days or **** miles from 12/2/2023 . Yet the management do not want to take responsibility. They are liars and crooks there customer service is terrible .

  Business response

  12/11/2023

  This customer purchased this vehicle as-is we have all documentation signed by the customer. We offered them an extended warranty they could purchase and they denied to purchase the coverage. They were looking at this vehicle and a certified pre-owned Honda CR-V. They took their time making the decision and ultimately chose the Porsche without warranty over the certified CR-V. They came to the dealership demanding we fix the vehicle or refund their money. For them to call us crooks and liars clearly shows their character. We will not help them in any way and they are not welcome back to Venice Honda. There will be no more conversation between us. If attorneys are necessary we are absolutely prepared to defend our position. 

  Customer response

  12/14/2023

   
  Complaint: 20982698
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  to express how they are crooks and liars they never offered us a warranty except a 30 days which is on the contract and I and my wife where present when ************* the money man had expressed to us as it is written in the contract that we have 30 days from the day of purchase and when we went back four days later first they said the 30 days is for vehicle under 80 thousand miles and when my wife said where does it say that on the contract they changed the matter to sold as is yet clearly we both where present when we where told you have 30 days from the day of purchase . And he circled it as shown , even the salesman **** said to my wife I dont know why they are treating you that way . It is clear and obvious that this dealership is a ***** and we did not have plenty of time we only saw the vehicle and drove it while there was no check engine light on the dashboard which appeared three days later . 
  you can clearly judge the book from its cover . 
  they are liars and crooks . 

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

  Business response

  12/16/2023

  We have responded. The BBB is not a platform for arbitration. The customer signed agreeing to arbitration. We are happy to take the next steps. We will offer no further assistance.

  Customer response

  12/18/2023

   
  Complaint: 20982698
  
  I am rejecting this response because: as I had expressed previously they are crooks and liars and there customer services is very poor .of course they have nothing to say or  respond because as presented to you in the contract they say one thing during accenting payment and three days later they make excuses for not taking responsibility. 

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

• Initial Complaint

  11/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Received a mailer for Black Friday Deal or No Deal Event going on at Venice Honda. I matched winning numbers on the mailer and the prize was $2500 dollars. I checked my winning number on the website provided on the mailer and it confirmed I was a winner with cash dropping from the top of the webpage like a celebration. On Black Friday I call the dealership to also confirm my winnings and they also confirmed if my numbers matched the prize number I was a winner and to come in and claim my prize. I show up to the dealership, the salesman takes my mailer and comes back to the table and ask for my information and then tells me I only won a knock off pair of wireless headphones. This is completely misleading and bad marketing. We asked a lady in front of us what she won and she said $2500 so it is happening to multiple people. This is why people cant stand car dealerships, really really terrible marketing.

  Business response

  12/10/2023

  Obviously this customer is just upset about the advertisement. This event was insured and winning numbers are sent out as per ********* sweepstakes laws. Every customer that attended the event was awarded free wireless ear buds for simply stopping in to register for the event. Of the thousands of these invitations that were sent out we had this one customer that was upset. The invitation clearly states that if their numbers match they are a winner of a prize. This customer received the prize they one. This will be our last and only communication about this complaint. 

• Initial Complaint

  08/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Two days before a major trip, our transmission started giving us emissions warnings and struggled to shift between gears. We kept getting multiple warning lights regarding the transmission, the emissions, and the fuel. We took it in to VH who has taken care of it since we bought it. Joel said the problem was low tranny fluid and a broken sensor but it was safe to take our kids back to college 8 hours away towing a 4x8 trailer which is WELL within the safety limits of a 2wd 2020 Honda Pilot. He said we could get the sensor fixed when we returned the following week. We made it as far as Ocala three hours away and the engine stopped shifting and began to smoke. We barely made it to a rest area. Smoke was pouring off the engine where the fluid was vented. We took it to Brandon in Ocala Honda whose service correctly diagnosed the problem after multiple fluid flushes as a throttle body (sorry I'm not an expert) but a completely different part which is on national backorder. After we finally made it home we called VH to find out why they misdiagnosed it and what they would do since the car was still in Ocala. Joel said our car was safe to drive on our 1500 mile trip with full knowledge we would be towing a small trailer. Darrin the ********* SM blamed us anyway. He tried to say the TM failed because we were towing an 800lb trailer with 200lb of school books and clothes. Right. LSS, We had to rent a van to get our kids to college. Our car is not drivable. The Honda dealer in Ocala is taking care of us. Brandon gave a loaner overnight and towed our car without charge to the dealership. Brandon took care or us and he is EXCELLENT. Darrin the ***** from Venice Honda even lied and said Brandon blamed the trailer for the problem but he did not. We asked. Darrin refused to accept responsibility and continued to blame us for their incompetence. We are out 1000's due to their negligence. After 4 years of loyalty to them we are done with Venice Honda.

  Business response

  09/05/2023

  Mr. ****** brought the Pilot in to the Service Department with a warning light on. We diagnosed the only warning the system which was a speed sensor being needed for the transmission. As part of this repair the transmission fluid is drained and filled. We ordered the speed sensor and Mr. ****** elected to have the transmission fluid drained and filled during this visit and come back to have the speed sensor installed. Joel the service advisor certainly did not recommend driving the Pilot. In fact a rental car was offered and Mr. ****** declined. The Pilot showed a different code when it was driven for several more hours to Ocala. We have no control over what codes the Pilot shows we can only hook up the Honda scan tool and it tells us. There was one code when the Pilot was at Venice Honda and it's totally different than the code Ocala Honda pulled. At Venice Honda a Master Certified technician looked at the Pilot and we could not replicate the issue so all we had to go on was the code we pulled. This is not the fault of Venice Honda in any way. There will be no refund of any kind. Mrs. ****** called in very upset and took out a lot of frustration on our Service Manager that was unwarranted. I have spoken to Mr. ****** about this situation and offered to tow the vehicle back to Venice Honda at our expense and to help alleviate the cost of the repair. He initially (after a long phone conversation) agreed but, later changed his mind. At this point Venice Honda will no longer entertain any participation in the repair of the Pilot. 

  Customer response

  09/07/2023

  
  Complaint: 20531628
  
  I am rejecting this response. This is not an accurate representation of what transpired between my husband and Joel at Venice Honda on the day of our service or the subsequent conversations between us and Venice Honda. Joel absolutely told my husband the car was OK to bring back for the speed sensor replacement after our trip. In fact, he made an appointment for us for the following Friday, after the trip. Joel and my husband discussed the trip, how far it was, what we were towing, and when we were leaving. Joel recommended the transmission fluid be changed before our trip since it had been 30k miles since the previous change (at Venice Honda). Joel stated there was an outstanding recall on our Pilot and he could authorize a rental car if we were to have the recall performed at the same time. At no time did Joel advise that the car should not be taken on a trip due to the outstanding sensor repair nor did he offer a rental car for our trip. The dealer's response is not accurate and a misrepresentation of the facts.
  

  My husband and I spoke to service manager Darrin initially, and later the store manager Dathan (after we posted a negative review on a dealer review site). Darrin accused me of being a liar, and yes I responded in anger at the insinuation. He would not listen and accused us of abusing our car (we towed a trailer weighing 850 lbs. with no more than 250 lbs. of belongings inside, well under the 3500 lbs. towing capacity of the 2WD Pilot). He said he would review the facts with Joel and call us back, which he never did.

  In the meantime, store mgr Dathan called us, we thought to try to help us but he only wanted to argue with us about the facts of the situation. Both men repeatedly told us we were lying and we were trying to get Joel fired. Very, very, very poor leadership from both of these individuals. After a heated, nearly 1hr intense argument between Dathan and my husband (during which he repeatedly told me we were liars and had misused our vehicle), he suddenly offered to tow our car from the Ocala Honda dealership to his dealership to have it fixed. Initially my husband agreed, but as we discussed it later, we no longer trust Venice Honda to have our best interests in mind. We believe Dathan offered to tow the car to his dealership in order to take advantage of us on a large repair bill.
  

  We have purchased multiple vehicles from Venice Honda and have taken our vehicles there for service for 5+ years. We did not expect to be browbeaten, called liars and accused of misusing our vehicle when we needed some help. No one from Venice Honda ever called to see how they could help us, only to accuse us of posting a false review and lying about the experience. Both individuals accused of us abusing our car, lying to them about the facts and trying to get Joel fired. We were/are not trying to get anyone fired, only to seek some recourse for what we believe to be a misdiagnosis of our vehicle, resulting in over $2000 in additional repairs, van rental and hotel costs.

  As a final insult, someone from Venice Honda did call us last weekend, to try to sell us another car and inquired about trading in our Pilot.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** & ******* ******

  Business response

  09/12/2023

  At this point Venice Honda has no further comments. We have stated a true and factual description of this customers transaction with Venice Honda. The customer has previously stated that they are "done" with Venice Honda. We accept that response.

*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. ↩