Complaints

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:08/07/2023

  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.

  I financed a car from southern auto at the ****** location thats is still under warranty the car broke down and it was determined that the car is in need of a new motor although the owner said that he refused to up hold the warranty to for me they have already started to prepare the car for resale when I trued to make my car payment to keep up my end of the deal they refused to take my payment making my account go in to default

  Business Response

  Date: 08/10/2023

  Customer purchased vehicle from our dealership on 10/28/2022.  Since purchase they've driven the vehicle ****** miles.  Our limited powertrain warranty covers 24 months or ****** miles whichever comes first.  Not only are they out of warranty on the mileage, there's also no evidence that the car has been maintained properly.  The engine was 3-4 quarts low on oil when checked on receipt and as a result the bearings were damaged and the motor seized up. The engine oil was black and doesn't look like it's been changed since the customer purchased the vehicle.  
  

  Customer attempted to make a payment to catch up the account approximately 10 days ago, but given they were already substantially past due and without insurance, our collections manager needed to review the account first prior to accepting a payment.  Since this time we've prepared a repair estimate for the engine and have attempted to reach them without success. 
  

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/03/2023

  Type:Product 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.

  $145 steering rack, Oil temp sensor (5+attempts ), Vias sensor, Sun load sensor, *********** change, Oil leak(5+attempts)Whining noises when I press the gas (3) now hearing it again as of May 2, 2023 Spark plug Ignition coils Battery Alternator Battery terminals Suspensions is out VDC OFF light Slip light Air compressor (beach boys stated its old and ***** it never been changed) The alignment was completed out just recently got one 3 weeks ago. There was no spare nor truck cover just recently got it and she complained about that and how much money they spent in the car but its under warranty and she paid for it out of her pocket because she told me not to worry I been having problems with the car since I purchased it. All parts are from pick in pull and the battery and alternator is refurbish from auto zone Southern auto Mart told me not to take it to anybody else but them. But I need to know what was wrong with the car because the owner wasnt responding to my request to talk to him etc Bad tires ************ like something under the car is loose Steering wheel shaking Burning smells Ticking noise Monday May 1st,2023 ***** boys auto in little river did a diagnose and he said the car is no good when on the computer the system coming up faulty and just by him driving it I need front axles, motor mounts which should be covered under the warranty. **** also told me and Mrs. ******* that the owner said he is satisfied on what they did for the car there is nothing else they can do. If I want to buy the parts they will put it on for free. I dont trust them This car is very dangerous for me to be driving back and forth to work and to ** to check on my family member that I help out. Im scared for my life and they are not trying to fix the car at all. ***** boys auto said this 2010 ****** maxima is a lemon and they shouldnt sold it. This last month Ive got an oil change which the oil was very black and never been changed and I got a full alignment.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/13/2023

  The customer purchased a 2010 ****** Maxima on December 29, 2022.  As confirmed by the customer, we've had the vehicle at our shop several times for various repairs.  Most of the diagnostics and repairs have been completed at no cost to the customer.  Some of the repairs were common for a vehicle of this age, others seemed to have been as a result of customer inflicted driving.  Customer is wanting a vehicle that is as close to brand new as possible, which is just never going to happen with a 13 year old car.

  On another note, the customer mentions just having the oil changed for the first time since December 2022.  It is common knowledge that engine oil should be changed every 3000-5000 miles or every 3 months.  The customer waiting 5-6 months to have the oil change shows that her lack of proper maintenance is contributing to the issues.  When the vehicle was last at our shop, the customer was already well over the oil change mileage from the time of purchase and if she's just changing the oil now this is a huge concern that can cause serious issues with the vehicle.

  We've done everything we can to help this customer.  She had the opportunity to select any of the vehicles from our lot and she choose this car.  We have made several repairs at no cost to her to show goodwill, but our customers bear the responsibility of maintaining their vehicles.

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/15/2023

   
  Complaint: 20012368
  
  I am rejecting this response because before I purchased the car with my mom beside me I asked did I need to get a tune up change oil etc. **** stated that they do all of that before the car is driven off the lot. Which was a lie because If they changed the oil before I purchased the car it wouldnt been as black as it was when I was complaining about a oil and blue smoke coming from the car which is still not fixed as of today. She said the owner was doing research on the internet to figure out why the car was blowing blue smoke and the oil leak. The maintaince on any car sitting in the lot over months should have be n taking care of before a person purchase a new car or a use car. There was things left loose from when the mechanic fixed the steering rack which I complained about the power steering fluid not holding over a week  then when my car die and I bring it back to them they do what they do then all of a sudden the power steering is leaking out ? Thats not my problem I have a witness the tow truck driver also. Ive been complaining about the grinding feeling when driving the car they never did anything about it. Also VDS light and Slip light they keep changing the tires and it doesnt have anything about the tires I have smaller tires on my car none of them on is the right size. *** owned my first car for over 10 years I know to keep a car in good maintenance this is my second car and I had a older car and never been thru anything like this and its used. There is serious problems wrong the car from the diagnostic I got if its covered under warranty why havent the motor mounts been replaced on the car. *** also complained about the front CV axel which was also said to be needed in the diagnostic **** told me there is nothing wrong with them but obviously it is. They dont want to spend the money to fix the cars they are buying and selling on the lot which some maybe be good and some are not even rose said out her mouth she dont feel comfortable with selling any cars off the lot after bringing my car to her over 20 times. A bunch of scammers need to be shut down. Work is work not a playground ! 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/28/2022

  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 my 2010 Chevy Silverado from Southern Auto Mart August 5th 2022 sold to me by Wayne Austin. When sold to me I was told that the back windows don't roll down but they had ordered the parts to fix it. I was also told that I have a warranty on the motor and transmission. 1. 4 Days later August 9th 2022 the truck wouldn't start had to get it towed back to the dealership and was there a couple days. 2. September 2 2022 the motor blew and started having a knocking sound coming from the motor and smoke and oil coming from the tail pipe. The truck has been in their possession since then. Mr. W**** tells me it's the lifter in the motor that went bad and they are ordering the part to fix it. But his mechanic shows up to work some days and some days he doesn't then I find out he quits Southern Auto Mart. When I call today September 23 2022 to check on the status of my truck he tells me I can come pick up my truck and thinking everything is fixed but all they did was just put oil in the truck and tell me to drive my truck. I tried getting my money back but they said the truck has been in my name for 45 days and that it's too late so I decided maybe I can trade for another truck but they tell me I have to come up with another down payment.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/28/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2022/10/13) */ Customer had a problem with the ignition cylinder shortly after purchasing. We transported truck over an hour away back to our shop and repaired at no charge to the customer other than for a battery that had been damaged due to an attempt to jump the truck with the cables reversed. Customer picked up truck and drove almost 4000 miles and then brought back with a complaint of valve train noise. We found the truck low on oil. Brought oil levels up to correct level and noise was diminished. There's still some residual noise likely caused by customer driving the truck low on oil. We advised the customer that it would be ok to drive the vehicle like it is, and he picked up the truck and we haven't hard back since. Yes there is a warranty on the engine, but basic maintenance is still the responsibility of the customer. Given the amount of miles driven by the customer more regular maintenance will be required.