ComplaintsforApproved Auto of America

• Initial Complaint

  10/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I payed 1800 dollars down July 1 ,2022 first day I got the car the issue with the engine came on that same day I call the place approve auto of America and they told me it’s on me…. To call the warranty coming I took it to a shop it’s had a number of things wrong and I called the guy **** about the warranty he told me to get a second opinion and I did so and also got a third one they said the engine is blown I use my tow to get it to all these place and it’s now October 6 th abs they still have my car I drove it may like 3 days and haven’t been it it since July I keep getting the run around

  

  Business response

  10/24/2022

  This vehicle is being fixed for free via warranty at an outside shop.  This was always the case, but the customer would not allow the shop to inspect the car first.    When the vehicle is complete, the customer can pick it up from the shop.

  Customer response

  10/25/2022

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** ******  
  

  ---

  
  It has been to several shops and nothing was being fixed it has been in the shop since July 

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  February 18 I bought a 2011 Ford Fiesta from approved auto of America when I first test drove the car the check engine light was on so then I told the sales man and he said oh I’ll get that fixed for you when they bring the car back out the check engine light was off and the next day is was right back on and I was having overheating problems with my car so I took it to the mechanics to get it fixed first The housing was melted then my thermostat was broken and then now I have blown head gasket which I have barley even drove this car at all it has been parked for 2 months and so I called approved autos of America to say I want my money back or a new car they declined me and were very rude about everything and treated me like I was stupid and like I did this to the car

  

  Business response

  06/14/2022

  We are sorry you weren't satisfied with her experience.  You purchased this vehicle as-is.  When you signed your paperwork, you declined the service agreement.  You also agreed to take responsibly for any and all repairs (documentation attached). Your account manager will be able to offer help in the form of payment deferral with the submission of paid repair receipts.   

  Customer response

  06/15/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ********

• Initial Complaint

  05/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Business has changed my payment arrangement and amounts almost since I have bought the car. Business granted me a deferment on payment due to a job change I encountered, due to rude and inconsistent communication, I was made unaware that my payment arrangement dates were altered, causing me to be “12 days behind on payment” without notification. Multiple phone calls have been disconnected due to employees simply being irritated. I did not receive any official documentation or communication of changes on my account. These random payments have resulted in very stressful scrape up of funds on a crunched time frame on multiple occasions.

  

  Business response

  05/31/2022

  Mr ****, you agreed to a car payment of $200 (contract attached) when you purchased the vehicle and that payment has never changed.    Because you cancelled your car insurance, CPI was force placed on your account.  You agreed to this policy at the time of sale (attached).  This is a separate charge and is not related to your car payment. Your car payment is still $200.  Please be advised that it is also illegal to drive in the state of Kentucky with no car insurance.  If you obtain full coverage insurance, simply provide us proof and we will remove CPI from your account.  Your account manager has worked with you many times on payment arrangements and they can continue to assist you if you come by or give them a call.

• Initial Complaint

  04/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The company sold me a car with no passenger seat belt , check engine light already on & there’s no middle seatbelt as well . My throttle control comes on and off. I also took my car up there to get my car fixed and they said they took pictures of the car and that they ordered a part , but that was out almost 3wks ago . No one has called , emailed or gotten into touch with me any type of way to let me know when I can bring my car up there . I have told the company that I have issues they should solve and they’re refusing to do it . They don’t care about what’s going on and they’re honestly scamming people out their money with false statements and advertising.

  

  Business response

  04/26/2022

  ****** purchased a used vehicle as is (documentation attached).   However, based on our system, ****** has not contacted management about any repairs issues.  She should call ************ and ask for the manager. We will address her concerns at that time.  

  Customer response

  04/29/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ******

  
  

  I do not agree with them for the simple fact , rather the car was USED OR NOT USED , ITS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE CAR TO BE SOLD WITHOUT A SEATBELT . It was also sold with problems already wrong with it. My car is in the shop right now because of this complaint that’s made. I even told the manager **** the information about the car & his response was “Well we’re only called about the seat belt not anything else, but I only had my car for a month and it’s already not drivable and I’m making payments on it STILL. I didn’t call , I BROUGHT MY CAR UP THERE and a man took it to the back to check it out . 

• Initial Complaint

  04/20/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Purchased a vehicle a couple of weeks ago. The same day i drove off their lot with it, i started having problems with it. ABS and tracton control lights came on. Vibration in back end along with rubbing noise in back end. Took to the shop, there is over $5000 worth of things wrong with it. Not including the rearend is now out of it and its unsafe to drive and now can not be driven. It needs a new steering column put in, upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, drive shaft seal, brack brakes and rotors and calibers, and also a new rearend and fornt end alignment.. The truck also has green parking lights in it, which are illegal. The truck also has an out of state title which will need an inspection here in Ky before he can be title and licensed but truck will not pass inspection at this time. Tried to speak to them regarding these matters and even offered to give the truck back to them and let them keep my down payment of $800 just to be free and clear of this vehicle and they would not do it since I signed an as it contract. I understand when you buy a vehicle as is, any repairs are the buyers responsiblity, but this is overkill. The truck is costing me $600 a month with payment and insurance and I can not drive it within days of buying it. This is unfair and should not be legal to do people like this. All of these problems are internal and could not be seen to the naked eye.

  

  Business response

  04/26/2022

  Mr ****** purchased this vehicle as is.  He signed four total documents detailing that the vehicle was as is and that he is responsible for any repairs that arise.  He also declined to purchase a service agreement (all documentation attached).  We purchased this vehicle from auction with a green light guarantee, meaning it needed no repairs at the time of sale (attached).  However, with used cars, they can need unexpected maintenance at any time. That's why we always encourage customers to purchase an extended service agreement.   Also attached is the policy signed by Mr ****** of no refunds.  He can contact his account manager regarding possible payment arrangements for out of pocket repairs.   

  Customer response

  05/03/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [The vehicle want even pass state inspection and I was also told by a employee that works there that I wouldn't need the warranty and was also told by a employee after all this had happened that this happens on a daily basis that they get customers in there all the time because they sale cars like this and that came from a employee then selfs 

  Vehicle also needs 5000 dollars worth of mechanical issues to be fixed and able to drive it making payments on a vehicle that can't even be driven and hasn't been able to be driven since the day I got it home the worst part is it want pass state inspection ]

  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ******

• Initial Complaint

  04/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought a car from there and it not safe to drive they have refused the car report with previous owner. I've taken the car to 2 mechanics and both said not to drive it. The ppl at the car lot said I purchased the warranty but said the things wrong with it are my responsibility said that Warrenty covers a certain amount but I'm not old enough for a rental.

  

  Business response

  04/26/2022

  Ms ******** has a service agreement through *** (attached).  They will pay for any covered repairs per their contract signed by ms ********.    We have a no exchange or refund policy (attached) also signed by Ms ********.   However, she should contact her account manager.  They can discuss possible payment arrangements in relation to any repairs that aren't covered by her service agreement. 

• Initial Complaint

  03/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On February 17th 2022 got a vehicle from approved autos of America been trying to return it can I get my money back because problems with the vehicle they were not willing put me in for a different vehicle are given me my money back they keep giving me the runaround and I'm fed up and I need help

  

  Business response

  03/07/2022

  Ms. ******** purchased this vehicle as is.  Please see attached documentation including the waiver of a service agreement, nothing promised form, statement of understanding, and refund exchange policy.   However, our management team told her she can drop the vehicle at our shop and we will attempt to help her.  She told us she did not have time to leave the vehicle.  That offer remains valid if she will drop the vehicle off at our shop our mechanics can attempt to diagnose the repairs.   If she has any out of pocket expenses, ***** ******* can give her a payment deferment as well.  

• Initial Complaint

  01/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have purchased a car from this business on 1/12/2022, I was referred to this business from a buddy of mine who also received a car from this business in November of 2021. Shortly after my buddy received his car from this business he started having problems with the car that the car lot failed to mention to him and now his car is currently broke down and can’t be fixed. I went up to the car lot 2 months prior to his car breaking down to shop for cars. I test drive two cars; one car I test drove was a Mazda RX8 and me and my buddy checked all the fluid and general stuff for the car and it turns out that the RX8 had a blown head gasket and the car lot knew about it but still tried to sell it to me. The second car I test drove was a 2008 Chevy impala that I actually bought. Not a day after I bought it I’m having major issues with my axle and joints in my car. So there is three cars that was for sale from this car lot that should not have been sold or even posted for sale. I understand that there is risk in buying a used car from a car lot but if I buy a car from a dealership and it breaks down a day after purchase something is not right. Now I have to pay money out of my pocket to fix it when the dealership should have attempted to fix it or at least let me know the condition of the vehicle before purchase. I am on a finance contract with the company and no exchanges or refunds are allowed and now I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place that could have been easily avoided if the dealership could have fixed it before selling or at least let me know the issues before hand.

  

  Business response

  01/26/2022

  Mr. ****** has not brought any issues to our staff's attention.  We have no way of knowing about any possible repairs if the customer doesn't tell us.  It's important to keep in mind, as stated in the paperwork signed by Mr ******, that any used vehicle can encounter unexpected maintenance.  Mr ****** is advised to contact the finance company at ************ and ask for his dedicated account manager.  They can discuss his options for assistance.

   

• Initial Complaint

  11/30/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchase a suv a couple days ago they knew the heat and buttons work in the car they told me to take to an audio place and they would fix it well today they called and told me it would cost 800 dollars and I would have to cover half well I’m not willing to pay anything because they knew it was like that before I purchased it and promised me they would handle it they I’m already paying 500 a month for this truck I want my money back they said they can’t do it

  

  Business response

  01/31/2022

  A full refund was issued to Ms ******.  She is represented by counsel so any direct communication is prohibited.

*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. ↩