Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Calef Auto Somersworth's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Calef Auto Somersworth

  208 Route 108 Somersworth, NH 03878-1106

  
• 

  Calef Auto Somersworth

  PO Box 421 Somersworth, NH 03878-0421

  

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:03/31/2025

  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 *********** Day 2025 I financed a 2014 **** Explorer for over $10k from Calef Auto. They assured me it was ready to go, that it passed inspection and came with a sticker. Less than 30 days later the car was draining coolant and making noise and the check engine light came on. I dumped 2 gallons of coolant into it before the reservoir would hold fluid for longer than a day. Their mechanic is not in after 4pm or on weekends. I work 8am to 5pm. I made an honest effort to reach them via phone and email describing my problems with the car, but he kept asking me to come in when his mechanic was there. After not being able to make our schedules work, I had my personal mechanic check the car, and it should not have passed NH inspection. It needs a new water pump and timing chain, electrical work (the entire rear console has all it's wires pulled out, the dash lights flicker on and off intermittently , and the sun roofs do not open), it needs front end work, a purge valve, and a new tire pressure sensor. I was quoted $4550 just to replace the water pump and timing chain. They didn't quote anything else. I'm now over the 30 day warranty because they basically ran out the clock on it by not working with my schedule. There is no way I wore out the water pump and timing chain or the rest of it in less than 30 days and the electrical issue is just ridiculous.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/31/2025

  In response to Ms. ***** complaint, we contacted Ms. ******* after she emailed us last month and asked her to either bring the car in or drop it off for us to look at it. She stated she was going to add antifreeze and was going away for the weekend. We never heard back from her on the matter so we assumed she was all set. The warranty we provided at no cost to her is a 3 month or 4500 mile powertrain warranty I have attached a copy and the water pump is covered under this warranty. Had she called us first we could have clarified her coverages on the vehicle. We again tried to call her this morning after receiving this complaint and her voicemail is full. We have emailed her as well to clarify her warranty and asked for her to call the store. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/19/2023

  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.

  i brought a subaru forester in june of 2022 from this dealership had nothing but trouble have spent more than i should had to get it fixed.just had to put valve cover gaskets in it the vehicle had none and new tires and a front end alignment.i spoke with someone that used to work for them and they are crooked they do not look the cars over or fix them before they sell them

  Business Response

  Date: 04/20/2023

  In response to Mrs. ****'s complaint, she purchased a 2007 Subaru Forester with 137K miles back in June of 2022, prior to her purchasing the vehicle it was absolutely checked over for a NH state inspection. We sent the car to an independence state inspection facility, they repaired what was needed for state inspection at that time per the laws of the State of New Hampshire. If after 10 months and who knows how many miles she put on the vehicle it needed repairs that is normal for used vehicles or any vehicle for that matter. I have attached a copy of the Buyers Guide she signed listing anything that could go wrong with used vehicles and a copy of the policy form she signed off on stating as a consumer any repairs not covered under the Limited powertrain warranty we provided Mrs. **** at no cost to her she is responsible for the cost of repairs to the used vehicle. Mrs. **** and her husband came and looked over this car many times before she purchased the vehicle as they stated he's a mechanic and would be the one repairing the vehicle after purchase. She even came in several times saying how much she loved the car and 2 months after her purchase she brought her daughter in to purchase a vehicle and just last week she was on the lot looking at a Jeep we have for sale. So for someone who has had nothing but troubles as she stated why would she bring someone else in to purchase a vehicle and continue to drive through the lot looking at our vehicles? We will not be offering her a refund for a vehicle she purchased over 10 months ago and we will not be willing to sell her another vehicle. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/20/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I do not accept the business's response as a resolution to my complaint because: The consumer did not provide BBB with the reason that they did not accept the business's response to their complaint. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/07/2023

  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.

  Paid 9,300.00 Would not allow me to take to my garage!! Right front tire dry rotted Power steering pump leaking on boot Boot full of power steering fluid Valve cover’s gaskets no good Exhaust leaked Transmission cooling lines leaking Radiator leaking where lines enter Alignment still off Had to rent a car because car not ready at days end Should not have passed inspection!!!

  Business Response

  Date: 04/07/2023

  In response to Mrs. ******** complaints, we are completely taken from these. Mrs. ******** bought the vehicle back on February 10th and the only time we heard from her was her calling us to tell us how happy she was with the car. She never brought any concerns to us. As company policy we do not allow our vehicles to be brought to other garages prior to purchase but we welcome the consumer to bring anyone on the lot to examine the vehicles. This vehicle was sent out to an independence state inspection facility for inspection prior to her purchase, if they passed the vehicle we have to trust their mechanics. This vehicle is a 16 year old car at the age of the vehicle you are going to have some seepage on components. We sent the vehicle out to Town fair Tire as agreed after her test drive, prior to delivery for an alignment and tire balance I have attached a copy of that bill, at 16 years old you are not going to have perfection in alignments, they are in the business of tires and stated nothing to us on tire dry rot. Again Mrs. ******** did not notify us of her concerns after the purchase and therefore did not give us the opportunity to rectify if there were any problems. I'm attaching a copy of the Buyers Guide stating the vehicle was sold AS IS NO DEALER WARRANTY, also a copy of the aftermarket warranty we purchase at no charge to the customer and a form stating the consumer understand anything not covered under this warranty is the consumer responsibility. At this point we are not willing to work with Mrs. ******** as she never gave us the opportunity to do so before contacting The BBB.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/01/2023

  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.

  I got this car from the business few months back and from the very beginning of me driving off the law I had issues with the brakes I had my old work look at it and I had a nice vehicle report sent to me that I also sent the owner. He said that he fixed the exhaust issue but it's still leaking. TPMS light was on since I got the vehicle and there's been a nail in the tire. They did fix the brakes but they're still making noise. They did fix the window for me I have not had any issues since then with that. I did just have to have my fuel pump replaced after being told that it was my gas cap cause in my check engine light to be on by Calef Auto. So lots of issues

  Business Response

  Date: 02/01/2023

  In response to Ms. *****'s complaint she came to us with some concerns on the vehicle after her purchase. We addressed these concerns and repaired or replace the items at no cost to her. We had not heard back from her as far as noises with the brakes and exhaust after the repairs. We are not responsible for check engine lights after the time of delivery the vehicle I am attached a form Ms. ***** signed stating that. I also attached a copy of the VIR showing the vehicle passed for the state guidelines. A TPMS light are sensors we were not aware of any nails in any of the tires.  At some point the consumer needs to be held responsible for repairs on their vehicles. At this point since we had not heard back from Ms. ***** after the repairs were made again at no cost to her, we are not willing to work on her vehicle since she did not contact us first. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/04/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I do not accept the business's response as a resolution to my complaint because: I didn't go back to this man because everytime I had he was very adamant on he only needed to do state inspection items. He did fix my brakes and my passenger window. But not once did he look into why there was an EVAP leak in . I showed him all pictures of exhaust leaks and he said he fixed and with having newly updated pictures it shows he didn't. As for the EVAP gas cap leak beyond the exhaust leak it should have been more looked into he has people cutting corners to get him inspected vehicles then sell them for more than the worth of the vehicle. This man is a rip off completely and should not be allowed to sell people vehicle. If you want to sell cars at the prices you are you need to make sure they aren't in the shape you let me take mine in. You had no care only fixed things to try to make sure you didn't have another complaint here.soending almost 11000 on a car I should not have exhaust leaks and gas lights and tpms light as the time of purchase omg with brake issues window issues and more. You should be ashamed 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****

  Business Response

  Date: 02/08/2023

  We are at no obligation to make a used vehicle new again, we did address the concerns she had and never heard back from her. We provided documents that she signed off on stating we are not responsible for certain items after delivery. The VIR stated the vehicle passed NH inspection OBD, check engine lights can come on for a variety of reasons and we can not be responsible for these items after the fact especially on an 11 year old vehicle.  Again we did not heard back from her after the repair and are now are not willing to work on her vehicle as a consumer she needs to take responsibility for her own vehicle after purchase.   This will be our final response to this matter. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/09/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I do not accept the business's response as a resolution to my complaint because: he can use his excuses but clearly he had whoever inspected this vehicle reset the cel as it came on days after driving and never went off again and he was aware. I shouldn't have to continue going somewhere to let them know the issues I've already brought to their attention. I knew off his response through email and phone where he stood. Noone asked him to make it new. But selling a vehicle worth maybe 5 k for doouble the price and not making sure it's INSPECTABLE WHICH MY VEHCILE IS NOT SINCE PURCHASING IT. Its very disheartening and shows how dishonest and untrustworthy this place is. Had I been allowed to test drive the car before being told this was only option due to financing(I should have gone elsewhere) I accepted it. And wish I hadn't solely off every issue this car is still having not even 2500k miles later. So yes I should be totally held responsible to fix inspection issues and other issues this care CLEARLY had before I purchased it and this thief knew he would get the good end of it all. I want these issues resolved I shouldn't be paying almost 11k on a vehicle that has all these issues that he did not bring up and the fact that I have a health report I sent to him after initially buying the vehicle and he didn't care then either fixed as little as he needed and still left others. If this car was gone through it wouldn't have passed inspection as even after I brought the vehicle I called the place who inspected it and asked about my passenger window that didn't roll down and as that was an inspection item it was let go. This alone goes to show he's a lie and cheat and has people who will allow certain things to slide to help him get vehicles off his lot. I am paying too much for this VEHCILE to have all these problems happen and the fact this isn't the first time he's had someone come you the bbb about how faulty he is and the problems with the cars literally driving off the lot to just a couple months later barely any miles shown on it. Shut him down or hold him accountable to sell vehicles are their real value or fix them how a real dealership would. No other place would sell you practically a lemon for 11 k. If i have to get legal representation at this point I will. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****