ComplaintsforAdvantage Chevy of Hodgkins

• Initial Complaint

  11/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  the vehicle I purchased recently. Within the first 15 days of ownership, the car exhibited significant problems, including sudden engine shutdowns, radio malfunctions, a dislodged socket, a broken visor, and the emergence of rust stains.These issues were not disclosed during the purchase, leading me to believe the car was in good condition. The overall experience has been marred by the inconvenience of repeated visits and uncooperative staff. Despite reaching out to the general manager, I have faced challenges in obtaining a resolution, with the added frustration of his apparent avoidance.I am seeking a fair outcome to this situation, either through exchanging the problematic car for a reliable one or a full refund of payments made. I believe these steps are necessary to rectify the situation and restore confidence in the consumer-buyer relationship.

  

  Business response

  12/07/2023

  ************ purchased the 2016 Cruze on 8/29/23.  Attached is all work that has since been performed on this vehicle, to address her concerns, at zero cost to the customer. We also offered to schedule a complimentary paint sealant for her but she has not done so at this time.   Thank you.  

• Initial Complaint

  08/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought my 2020 ****** Corolla in April of 2023. When signing paperwork they stated new tires were put on, when they didnt. After getting the car home in day light we noticed all tires were different brands and treads. They had told me they replaced them, after taking with a manager he claimed we replaced the tire with a puncture which they didnt. When I got replacement tires on all four the repair shop stated there was a tire with a bad sidewall patch that never should have been patched in the first place. They lied to me about the tires to start, when I requested them to replace all tires with matching new ones like they promised they said the best they can do is a $400 check my tires ended up costing me $700. I also noticed there was paint repairs done to front and back bumpers that was not reported on the car fax. Now their terrible paint job is peeing off. I have included a picture showing the paint peeling. I have only had this car a few months and paint should not be peeling off of it.The managers were rude, I wanted the cost of my tires fully covered and I want the paint fixed. They have been unwilling to help.

  

  Business response

  08/24/2023

  We have no records of tires that were promised  to the customer. Out of goodwill, we already wrote a check for $400 for the customer, 3 months ago; around the sale. 

• Initial Complaint

  07/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  They damaged my vehicle they made a lot of scratches to my body panels paint cross the whole vehicle, from a car wash they gave my truck. Their automatic car wash machine was out of service for the day so they give my truck a hand car wash, I went in April 6, 2023 around 4:32 PM. Went in to get my front license plate bracket installed it had arrived after a month because the part was on back order. I reported the damages they committed to be responsible for them verbally which they attempted to fix them by sending my truck to the body shop to get detailed. Which they failed and did not fix the issue. They replaced body seals to that go on the exterior of the doors. Also got damaged with the car wash.

  

  Business response

  07/20/2023

  When ******************************* brought his vehicle in to have the front license plate bracket installed, after installation, ******************** told the Service Manager that we intentionally damaged his vehicle, which is incorrect. Although we did not damage ************************ vehicle, as a goodwill gesture, we offered to bring it to a local body shop to have the light scuffs buffed out. The body shop removed all the tree sap and buffed the scuffs out, ******************** has not been charged for any of the repairs to his vehicle.

  Customer response

  07/20/2023

   
  Complaint: 20345180
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****************************;

        They damaged my vehicle, and verbally accepted that the damage was caused from a bad car wash those were ********************** own words thats why they immediately give me a business card with the body shops information where I should take my truck to get repaired, its sad that people are so ***** and scammers that they prefer to lie, then be truthful to what happened, and come here now and say they didnt damage my vehicle with the bad hand car wash. I will want to talk to the owner of the dealership I want him to know what type of personnel they have in the company. They will do anything to try to scam a customer and they treat customers like c*** ??. ****** never sent me the email or respond to the email I sent him he said he would about what we had talked about and the bad car wash that was the cause of the damage done to my vehicle scratches, etc. God is looking and knows the truth. 

  

  Business response

  07/25/2023

  Good evening, 

  I spoke with ******************** this evening. He will email me his receipts of what he paid to his insurance company for the repairs that were performed outside of Advantage Chevrolet. I told ******************** that once I have an opportunity to review his receipts; I will then be able to determine the final decision on cost assistance. I let ****************** know that I also appreciated his feedback regarding interactions with certain staff members at our location and will address those concerns with staff at our next meeting. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am making a complaint about the wrongdoing of " Advantage Chevrolet of Hodgkins". This business is the epitome of expressing poor/to no customer service. I visited this location in June of 2022 in hopes of purchasing a Chevrolet Tahoe that they were selling. I got a sales consultant by the name of "*************************" . She was very concerned about me making a decision at that moment, I told her that I have to get my pre-approval from my credit union. She stated that she can have me sign and drive for $500, which I told her I would not like to do. I asked for some information concerning the vehicle in terms of service. It did have ****** miles on it but she assured me that I would receive a 1Yr/12,000Mile warranty with the truck, she stated that since the vehicle is not a certified pre-owned I would not receive the 3Yr/36,000Mile Warranty. She stated new cars received 5Yr/100,000Mile warranties. I then kept asking questions concerning benefits of the vehicle to where she got agitated and got an African American older gentleman, who ultimately told me that I can buy the car if I want it but if I want to ask a ton of questions I could go somewhere else. He said he will definitely sell more than enough cars for today. I then proceeded to purchase the vehicle on 6/30/2022. 7/7/2022, was the first instance where I had to bring the vehicle in for a service dealing with the rotors and brakes. There is a sticker that is placed in every vehicle that states battery, brakes, and tires are guaranteed up until ***** miles. This was a false statement because on the service website where you can see the performed services, the brakes were never completed or properly checked, I told them the front brakes were not completed. They gave ****** but completed it with no charge, under the warranty . Next repair 7/14/2022, engine light comes on and there is a misfire code(p0308) I know because I scanned the computer and told them the code. Once again this was completed and no charge to me. Now 1/2/2023 a transmission code comes up (P0700). I take the vehicle to Advantage Chevy of Hodgkins for service and I am left to the words of " there is no warranty on the vehicle, it was our general implied 3 months/ 3,000 mile warranty" which was not stated or anywhere on my signed papers or by my sales consultant. Now, Advantage Chevrolet of Hodgkins has left me with a bill of $6,300 to replace my transmission. The vehicle is sitting at ****** miles, so 9,000miles have been put on the truck and the purchase was about 5 Months ago. This service is unexceptable. I have to sign the purchase agreement for them to get started on my vehicle because I need my vehicle to travel to and from work.

  

  Business response

  01/07/2023

  Mr. ********************* came into the dealership and spoke with us. We are reimbursing the customer $1900 toward the repairs of the total bill which amounted to $6467.83. The general sales manager, ***************************, did explain to the customer that he can expect that his check for $1900 will be ready for ************** on Tuesday the 10th by noon. 

• Initial Complaint

  06/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I recently purchased a car and chose to finance it over 72 months. The total amount for the car with fees and taxes totaled $21,269. I gave a down payment of $4,269( via credit card and personal check) and financed the remaining $17,000.Yet when I recieved my first notice from the bank it says the principal balance is 19,668.82.I would just like help getting this resolved. I like the vehicle and want to keep it if possible.

  

  Business response

  06/16/2022

  Please see attached response. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I recently got a new motor from this dealership. As soon as I got my car back the same problems as before kept happening so I took it back the following day. They fixed it but then something else was wrong. (Traction light) shaking of the car. Check engine light back on, catalyst converter (after getting it fixed there last year) was bad AGAIN. Have a 2 year warranty, now my car is completely messing up after leaving there 5/6/22. Shaking, traction light on, pump was busted car smoking and now my belt is ruined because the antifreeze must have got all on it, well thats what the guy there told me. ****** and **** both is telling me I have to get repairs on the car after spending **** dollars on this motor. Something isnt right and I wasted my hard earned money because the car is still messed up. This issue needs to be resolved or Ill have to get my lawyer Involved regarding this problem,

  

  Business response

  05/19/2022

  The vehicle is currently in the service center at Advantage Chevrolet. The service work has been  completed and ready for pick-up by the customer. There is no charge to ******************.

• Initial Complaint

  04/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On April 5, 2022, I took my 2016 Chevy Impala LTZ to Advantage Chevrolet in Hodgkins, **, the dealer I purchased the vehicle from in 2019. *** vehicle had a check engine light come on with a message saying ************* Reduced." *** vehicle's acceleration instantly decreased and my car lost speed. I took the car to AutoZone to ask them to read the code so I could see what was wrong. *** code--P228C--corresponds to the following condition: FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR 1 CONTROL PERFORMANCE-LOW PRESSURE. Advantage's service department charged me $175 to diagnose my car and they determined that my high pressure fuel pump was damaged and had to be replaced at a cost of $1730. I informed them that per the Federal Emission Defect Warranty found in my "Chevrolet Limited Warranty and Owner Assistance Information" booklet, the repair/replacement of the high pressure fuel pump is COVERED for 70k-80k miles. *** Advantage staff claimed that this applied to cars sold in California, a purposefully erroneous interpretation of the clear language in my warranty booklet. I disputed their interpretation and they told me some Advantage employee would call GM to get clarity on the language of the warranty. In the meantime, I had no choice but to take my car back to ******* as they had no courtesy ride for customers beyond 5 miles. Advantage called me the next day and surprise surprise, they said GM agreed with their interpretation, despite me leaving a copy of the page from my warranty booklet. I want GM and Advantage to honor their warranty to me and the possibly hundreds of other Chevy owners they've turned away with this problem.That leads me to part II--the failure of the hi press fuel pump is from the use of E85. GM service bulletin *******************, and PIP5385C state that "excessive" use of E85 can cause "a plunger inside the pump to stick." HOWEVER, the 2016 Impala manual makes no mention of any danger of damage to the vehicle from using E85. GM does not want to cover this.

  

  Business response

  04/20/2022

  Complaint ID: ********
  Customer Information: ***************************
  
  On April 5th of 2022, **************** came to have his 2016 Chevrolet Impala diagnosed since he was having issues with the performance of the engine.  Our technician performed the proper diagnostics and recommended to have the high-pressure fuel pump replace.  **************** was quoted $1730.00 for repair, and he declined at that time.
  
   **************** did question if this repair would be covered used his emissions warranty. We  had our warranty administrator contact ** the following day to confirm coverage, ** verified the vehicle identification number and confirmed vehicle only has a standard emission warranty.  The repair needed would only be covered by the ******-to-****** limited warranty, which is only 3 years or ****** miles.
  
   **************** contacted ** ************* center, Case # ************, looking for assistance.  I gathered the information that ** required and performed the ** policy evaluation procedure and ** is willing to assist **************** with the cost of the repair.  I called **************** April 8th, 2022, at 5:10 pm and informed him that if he would like the high-pressure fuel pump replaced, Advantage Chevrolet would be willing to participate in the cost of the teardown of the engine; we were willing to offer $530 off and the customer would be responsible to pay $1200.
  
  **************** has declined the offer.

  Customer response

  04/25/2022

   Complaint: 17002962
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  1. This settlement offer is a different offer than the one that was proposed to me by Chevrolet ************** The individual I was negotiating with--"*******"--offered the entire repair for $751.49 (see attached). The offer here only deducts $530 from the cost, leaving me responsible for $1500, which doesn't add up to $1730, so I'm not sure what they are proposing. 

  2. The repair estimate ($1730) is ridiculously over-priced for a part that is easily accessible under the hood (see video).  Chevy claims a "tear-down of the engine" is necessary to effect the repair, which is new information to me. I obtained an estimate from another mechanic and the cost was $771, $20 more than what ******* proposed. 

  3. The issue of the car not being a true Flex-Fuel vehicle as advertised and depicted by the owner's manual has not been addressed by Chevy. The service bulletin I provided in support of my claims clearly states that undefined "excessive use" of E85 can cause the high pressure fuel pump to fail, and that GM/Chevy knew about this issue as early as 2016, the model year of my car. They have not issued a recall nor advised consumers that they must temper or modulate their use of E85 fuel or risk the costly repair I am being subjected to.

  4. The warranty only covers 2 yrs or 24K miles for the high pressure fuel pump without an advisement about E85. And Illinois is an I & M state, inspection and maintenance. It should therefore protect these parts under the federal emissions warranty for at least 70K miles

  5. I cannot pass the emissions test in July 2022 when I am due to take it due to this issue.

   

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

  

  Business response

  04/27/2022

  My apologies, for the last statement. The customer will only be responsible to pay $751.49 total out of pocket expense. 

  Customer response

  05/05/2022

   
  Complaint: 17002962
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  To Whom It May ****************************** dir="ltr">
  

  I do not want my complaint closed.  I don't understand why this occurred.  The business did not offer a new offer/counter-offer; my rejection as of 4/25/22 had not been addressed.  In my correspondence on April 25th, I laid out the following:

  Complaint: 17002962
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  1. This settlement offer is a different offer than the one that was proposed to me by Chevrolet ************** The individual I was negotiating with--"*******"--offered the entire repair for $751.49 (see attached). The offer here only deducts $530 from the cost, leaving me responsible for $1500, which doesn't add up to $1730, so I'm not sure what they are proposing. 

  2. The repair estimate ($1730) is ridiculously over-priced for a part that is easily accessible under the hood (see video).  Chevy claims a "tear-down of the engine" is necessary to effect the repair, which is new information to me. I obtained an estimate from another mechanic and the cost was $771, $20 more than what ******* proposed. 

  3. The issue of the car not being a true Flex-Fuel vehicle as advertised and depicted by the owner's manual has not been addressed by Chevy. The service bulletin I provided in support of my claims clearly states that undefined "excessive use" of E85 can cause the high pressure fuel pump to fail, and that GM/Chevy knew about this issue as early as 2016, the model year of my car. They have not issued a recall nor advised consumers that they must temper or modulate their use of E85 fuel or risk the costly repair I am being subjected to.

  4. The warranty only covers 2 yrs or 24K miles for the high pressure fuel pump without an advisement about E85. And Illinois is an I & M state, inspection and maintenance. It should therefore protect these parts under the federal emissions warranty for at least 70K miles

  5. I cannot pass the emissions test in July 2022 when I am due to take it due to this issue.

  
  

  Advantage Chevy replied:

  
  

  My apologies, for the last statement. The customer will only be responsible to pay $751.49 total out of pocket expense. 

  
  

  This response ONLY addressed no.1 on my above list.  MY ANSWER DID NOT CHANGE.  I REJECT THEIR PROPOSAL/OFFER.  Did BBB address my concerns 2-5 with the dealership?

  
  

  I did not know or understand that I had to reply to their reply because the circumstances had not changed and their negotiation posture did not change.

  Please get their response to my concerns 2-5 before attempting to close my complaint; their response is woefully insufficient and does not address the issues I have raised.
  

  
  

  Respectfully,

  
  

  ***************************

  **************

  
  

  

  Business response

  05/06/2022

  As previously stated, the customer, will only be responsible to pay $751.49 to Advantage Chevrolet for his repairs, exactly what Chevrolet customer care told the customer.  Regarding the items 3-5, that is a matter that would have to be take up with Chevrolet customer care. Based on what the customer has stated, he already has an open case. 

  Customer response

  05/09/2022

  Complaint: 17002962
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Nothing is being done to address the fact that the high pressure fuel pump failed due to what GM/Chevy and Advantage claim was excessive use of E85 fuel, despite the vehicle's manual not denoting that there was ANY prohibition on the use of ethanol based fuels. A warranty for fitness, implied or otherwise, is given based on the vehicle being classified as a Flex-Fuel vehicle and compatible with the use of ethanol-based fuels in addition to unleaded gasolines. If there is an issue with the use of E85, the purchasers/buyers should've been advised immediately in writing so they could adjust their fueling behaviors. This did not occur, despite GM/Chevy creating service bulletin 18-NA-072 generated in 2016. The high pressure fuel pump is only covered for 2 yrs or 24K miles, and only after the damage is done does GM/Chevy alert a vehicle owner that "excessive" use of E85 can damage the high-pressure fuel pump despite the manual offering no such guidance. Explain to me the fairness of the Manufacturer and Dealer knowing that an expensive and essential vehicle component is damaged by "excessive" use of E85 on a vehicle advertised as being flex fuel capable, circulating internal service bulletins warning their mechanics of the condition and of the complaints customers will make, coaching the mechanics and service administrators to inquire of the customer's frequency of use of E85, then blaming the customer for using the fuel TOO frequently as if the customer knew better, then charging them $1730 dollars for a repair that does not require disassembly of the engine?  The manual (which I've already supplied) says NOTHING about how frequently I may use E85, and since GM/Chevy KNEW of the hazard, they are responsible for addressing it through recall and advisement.  They knew of the issue in 2016 and have not issued a recall yet. How many other flex-fuel vehicle owners have had to pay $1730 to replace the high pressure fuel pump because of undefined "excessive" use of E85?  How many vehicle owners would stop using the fuel immediately if they were aware a costly repair awaited them?  I did not have the option to avoid this because I relied on the warranty of fitness for this purpose. With gas prices rising, E85 was at one point $1.50 cheaper than U87; who wouldn't take advantage of the lower cost and use it continuously since the manual didn't say there were ANY restrictions? I am thoroughly dissatisfied by GM/Chevy and Advantage of Hodgkins that they can conduct themselves in this manner with a straight face.

  I want the repair covered in full, letters sent to all flex-fuel vehicle owners apprising them of the risk of E85 has on their vehicle's performance, I want the manuals that accompany flex-fuel vehicles to be updated advising a customer that they can't use E85 worry-free and continuously, and I want an apology.

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

• Initial Complaint

  03/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Purchased vehicle in May 2021. Has been in the shop for a total of 3 months in that time frame. Employees are rude, laughing at my wife over the phone. They are acting like it is no big deal that theyve had our car since Jan 28. We agreed to pay for the fixes out of pocket just to never have to deal with them again. The repairs were supposed to be completed today, they called us today to tell us the vehicle will not start. (This is the reason we have the vehicle in for repair). This is the worst car buying experience Ive ever had. I want people to know not to buy a used car from here. The Sales manager ******* is arrogant and gives you attitude at all times. Horrible horrible place.

  

  Business response

  03/19/2022

  The customer came in because the car would not start and the radio didn't work. We had the vehicle sent down to ***************************************** to get the radio replaced which they did, when we went to pick it up it wouldn't start again and ended up needing an auxiliary battery which the customer  approved. In total, the customer paid $1060.84 and the dealership absorbed $681.30. 

*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. ↩