Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  12/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I bought a car from a used car dealer in **********, I asked about the condition of the vehicle and they promised a mechanic looked at it and certified it. I asked if it would make it the 1200 miles back to ******* and they said yes. After purchasing the vehicle, it had bald tires with cords showing, the suspension was inoperable, the check engine light came on, the fuel system was clogged along with many other parts being broken. I have looked at the reviews online and it seems they do this to many people. I have since fixed most of the things wrong with the vehicle but I wanted to make a complaint as I feel like they are being dishonest and even lying to customers regularly.

• Initial Complaint

  10/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  2015 ****** WRX with ****** miles at LKL Motors on 10/19. I asked the salesman if the car had any reported issues. He assured us it had been thoroughly inspected and had no problems. After a short test We completed paperwork with ******* who again assured us there were no issues due to the low mileage. After leaving we stopped at **********, where ****** called my wife to say we had signed the wrong gap insurance and sent someone to correct it.On our way home, I noticed a squealing noise while shifting, but due to heavy rain I wasnt sure By ******* Bridge,the noise was so loud that my wife heard it as I downshifted. The dealership was closed, so we drove home ************ wife reported the issue, suspecting the throwout bearing, and we sent videos. ****** said if we were closer, they would handle repairs but suggested we see a reputable shop. On 10/21 he called saying his mechanic thought it might be the clutch or serpentine belt. My wife clarified our suspicion about the throwout bearing.On 10/23, I took the car to 360 Automotive. They confirmed the throwout bearing was completely gone, likely damaging the clutch and necessitating a clutch and flywheel replacement. We received the diagnostic report on 10/24, which my wife forwarded to ************************* response, LKL asserted the throwout bearing was intact when the car left and suggested the damage occurred during the 232-mile drive home. When my wife asked for assistance, ****** offered to perform labor for $75 an hour if we purchased the parts. My wife explained the car was not drivable, and he replied that this was all they could offer, contradicting previous assurances.We never expected full responsibility, but their inconsistent responses indicate they were aware of potential issues. We request that LKL Motors cover all repair costs, as we believe they knowingly sold us a vehicle with a failing part, jeopardizing our family's safety and placing us in an unwarranted financial burden shortly after purchase.

  Business response

  10/25/2024

  This customer did purchase a 2015 ****** WRX from **. He did ask us if there were any known issues, in which we responded, "to our knowledge, no. It has been inspected by **************** in spanaway, passed a safety inspection, and you're more then welcome to drive it". He did drive it, said it was very nice, and proceeded to purchase it. The item in question is the clutch throw-out bearing, which was making no abnormal sounds at time of purchase. He bought it, drove it a few hundred miles, and then asked us for assistance on this issue. The fact is, at time of purchase there were no clutch or throw out bearing issues or related sounds. I do not know how the vehicle was driven, if the clutch was ridden on the way home, if he launched the car, or anything else that happened after he purchased it. What we do know is he purchased the vehicle AS-IS, and declined the opportunity to buy a service contract, that he test drove the vehicle, and felt comfortable with purchasing it, and we even offered to help get him a highly discounted rate on labor on the repair, even though we had no obligation to do so.

  We would still gladly offer you that assistance of giving you a discounted labor rate of $75 an hour for the labor.

  Customer response

  10/25/2024

   
  Complaint: 22471654
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  In multiple conversations, ****** mentioned that if we were closer, we could bring the car in and have it fixed at your shop. We would appreciate seeing the inspection paperwork that shows the throw-out bearing was intact and functioning, and not in the process of failing.
  
  The mechanic we used let us know the throw-out bearing had likely been deteriorating for some time, which means that when it finally seized, it broke completely. This level of failure couldnt have occurred in just 232 miles and suggests it was a pre-existing issue. Given the symptoms and the lack of any prior warning signs, its reasonable to conclude that the bearing was already in a compromised state before we experienced the failure. This raises concerns about the thoroughness of the previous inspections and whether the issue was overlooked. 

  Additionally, throw-out bearings do not always produce noise when they begin to fail. While some may make intermittent squealing or grinding sounds that can temporarily go away when greased, others might show no audible signs until they are near complete failure. 
  
  A failing clutch throw-out bearing does not always make noise. Some bearings may produce intermittent sounds, while others may remain silent until they fail completely. Generally, if the bearing starts to fail, it can often be driven for a few hundred to a couple of thousand miles before it seizes. However, continued driving with a failing bearing can lead to significant damage to the transmission and clutch assembly. In our case, the bearing was so severely worn that it is now missing altogether.
  

  Lastly, wed like to understand why there has been a shift to charging us for repairs when you were initially willing to help before the problem was diagnosed. Your companies continued excuse of saying we drove the car rough in the couple hours after purchase if true (which it is not) would still not justify a bearing to fail at the level of no longer being apart of the vehicle (actually broke and is missing) in the 232 miles and less then a couple hours of purchase which gives the impression you did not disclose the problem at signing. 

  
  

  Business response

  11/15/2024

  Again please refer to our last statement, the vehicle was purchased as-is, No issues during test drive or before sale.The item in question is not something that can be checked for wear, either it's good, or bad. It was good when you purchased the vehicle. Thank you.

  Customer response

  11/15/2024

   
  Complaint: 22471654
  
  I am rejecting this response because: LKL MOTORS just lied and said it was inspected and was fine. Now they are saying it is not a part that can be inspected. I request that they pay for half of the repairs at the very least as they continue to lie. Also the repair shop in question is owned and ran by the ** of LKL MOTORS. so 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ********

• Initial Complaint

  11/14/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I was sold an unsafe vehicle. I paid $11700.00 for this vehicle. It was a cash deal. I have reports from different shops stating that the vehicle should not have been sold in this condition. I want to send this vehicle back and get a full refund.

• Initial Complaint

  04/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On February 7, 2023, I made a written, contingent offer to buy an older Tesla ************* contingencies were: the car has a new Tesla drive unit, the new MCU2, and no major knowable problems. I then called LKL and spoke to ***************************** over the phone. He recommended I leave a deposit, saying that I "could get it back". I was hesitant, but I was using a major credit card in case LKL tried to defraud me. LKL never answered my written conditions, so I cancelled my offer after a little more than a week. *** says that my deposit belongs to them, despite their failure to perform and deceptive "you can get it back" statement over the phone.

  Business response

  04/18/2023

  Customer signed a non-refundable deposit form and placed a non-refundable deposit with no stipulations attached. Cut & Dry, thank you.

  Customer response

  04/20/2023

   
  Complaint: 19951327
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  1.  I promised to buy a car if LKL could demonstrate the car met three conditions. I put this offer in writing.  LKL failed to meet those three written conditions and I therefore rescinded my offer.  LKL is unable to demonstrate in any way that it met those clearly stated conditions, and therefore has no legal right to retain my deposit.     

  2.  LKL agent ***************************** told me over the phone that I could "get it back" in reference to the deposit.  LKL records phone calls and says it possess an audio recording of the conversation.  LKL has not denied my claim that ********************** said this.  LKL can easily settle this question by releasing the recording to the BBB.  

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

  Business response

  04/25/2023

  This has been reviewed by the credit card company and found in favor of ** and closed. Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  We purchased a vehicle from this company after being told it had been serviced and checked and all was good. The check enjoying light was on and in the contract they would fix it. On the way to leave the key broke in the ignition. They said they would get us two new keys. I took the vehicle in to have tires and steering aligned. The shop I took it to found three ****** pins missing from steering and said that I was lucky we didnt crash. About three weeks later the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. Also found out at the shop that the rear differential need to be fixed also. I have months of text on my phone to all the dealership said they do and didnt. They also sold us a warranty that they said would cover most anything threat went wrong with the vehicle. The warranty company wont cover anything and wont even return my calls to work with me. The warranty was fraudulent. To date I have spent ****** dollars to make this vehicle safe to drive. The dealership will no longer talk to me or reply to my texts. I am seeking restitution for above issues and for all my time dealing with this. We traded in a perfect running vehicle as trade to them. I am also seeking restitution for the vehicle we gave them. ****** repairs ****** for our vehicle

  Business response

  12/09/2022

  Customer purchased a warranty and had repairs done on their own before getting authorization from warranty company even after expressly being told not to.

  Customer response

  12/09/2022

   
  Complaint: 18419713
  
  I am rejecting this response because:I was never told not to fix before the warranty company came out. On top of that the shop and myself called this warranty many many times with no one calling us back. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  04/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Traded in a vehicle I was still financing on 3/1/2022, WA state law says trade ins are to be payed off within 2 business days. It took 4 weeks for them to mail in a check after I had called 4 times and shown up in person 2 times asking what the deal was, each time I was told dont worry about it, its been taken care of. Finally after week 4 and getting charged late fees they admitted there was a mistake and the check was never sent out and they would send it. The check was sent in and the loan was removed the following week, however 2-3 weeks later on 4/27/22 I get a message from my lender saying the full amount of the loan has been returned to my account because of insufficient funds, I contacted them and they told me the check was reversed due to either a stop pay or no funds and that they have never seen anything like this happen before. So here I am 2 months later and the trade in still hasnt been payed off, already filed a complaint with the ****** a lawsuit is likely on the way.

*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. ↩