Cerritos Dodge Reviews and Complaints

On 4/20/12, I went to Cerritos Dodge/Jeep with the intention of purchasing a new vehicle - a Chrysler 200 S stock #9219011, which they had on their sister lot at Browning Dodge/Chrysler in Norco, CA. I had been in correspondence with Brett **, one of the sales reps there. On Monday, 4/16/12, I informed Brett that HB Chrysler had this particular vehicle with the exact same options for only $21000 (price includes dealer discount and $3500 Chrysler rebate). I sent him the link and asked him if they would match the price. Brett wrote back yes, we will match that advertised price then. When can you come down? So I arrived at the dealership on Friday, 4/20/12, and was met by another sales rep Sean who informed me Brett was not there. I commented that this was very unprofessional to have me come down to the dealership if he was not there. Suddenly, a young sales rep came out and said "hello, I am Brett".

We arranged to have our current vehicle appraised for trade in value (Kelly Blue Book trade value on that day was $7992), I was offered $6300 in trade. I was told that my car and another $1000 down would get me the car with a payment of $457 for 72 months. They factored my payoff as $4800 (it was much lower). That is $1500 for my trade + $1000 cash = $2500. They said they were getting me a finance rate of 11.9% and factoring in my county tax rate of 7.75, this would put the vehicle price in the $23250-$23275 range nowhere near the $21000 price at HB Jeep that they said they would match and that their own policy says they will match or give me $5000.

The actions and dealings of this dealership would appear to be that of a bait and switch tactic and flat out lying to the consumer just to get them into the door. They try and confuse the consumer with numbers. Luckily, I am very number-oriented and they could not doubletalk their way around the truth that their numbers did not add up. I used several different auto loan amortization spreadsheets before I went in and then again after I left to verify their numbers after the fact. This letter is my formal complaint and request to open an investigation into Cerritos Dodge and Browning Automotive Group into their business practices and their attempt to confuse and defraud consumers.

For most, buying a car is a big decision and they should have confidence that not only are the automotive dealerships being honest, but are also involved in fair business practices. Needless to say, after we left Cerritos Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep, we headed right over to HB Chrysler where we were sold our new Chrysler 200 S at the advertised price of $21000.

I have had my 2007 Dodge Dakota oil change done here since my truck was new and in January 2011, I had all my fluids changed by my son, who works for a dealer in Arizona, except my motor oil because it was just done 1000 miles earlier.

In march 2011, I went to Cerritos Dodge for my oil change. The service writer came out to me and said that my transmission oil needed to be changed. I responded if he is basing this on the oil which looks dirty or their records show that its time to be done, then he said because it is dirty. I told him that it had just been done in January. He said ok and that he will tell the mechanic. I went home and checked it myself; it was clean and very red. 3000 miles later, I went back again to Cerritos Dodge for my oil change. The service writer came out to me again and told me that my rear end oil needed to be changed. Again, I replied that it was just done in January.

I went to the service manager and complained on what these guys are trying to pull on their customers; he could only say that the mechanic reports what he sees. So be careful with their service department.

On March 14th 2011, I took my Jeep Wrangler in for the regular maintenance inspection and oil change. On March 16th, I started hearing a ticking noise coming from the lower side of the engine.

I called Cerritos Dodge Chrysler Jeep and questioned this and I was simply told that as long as I did not have any warning lights on my dashboard, I had nothing to worry about and just to bring the car in whenever I had a chance. I trusted what I was being told by the employees at Chrysler Dodge Chrysler Jeep, however the noise continued so I took the car back to Cerritos Dodge Chrysler Jeep on April 8th and advised the attendant, Edwin ** about the noise coming from the engine.

After the inspection, they recommended a tail down of the engine to determine what type of repair was needed at a cost of $500. I was told that any consequent repairs would be extra. I asked to speak to a manager about this and got the same information from manager, Mike **. I left the dealer disappointed and upset.

I decided to get a second opinion and on April 13th, I took my Jeep to Seal Beach Chevron. The conclusion was that it appeared that the engine bearings were damaged from oil starvation. The engine had no leaks and has plenty of oil pressure, even with damaged bearing at time of overhaul. The Chevron service manager got a hold of the Cerritos Dodge Chrysler Jeep manager, Mike ** to attempt to get them to take responsibility for the damaged that was caused to my vehicle due to human error, but he refused.

The bottom line is that I had to leave my vehicle at Chevron; they repaired it and the cost was $5560.15. I had to pay carpoolers in order to get to work and I had this extreme cost to repair my vehicle and all due to negligence by a corporation I entrusted my vehicle to. I can't begin to express the anguish, suffering and helplessness that I endured. I feel that the dealer is responsible for this misfortune and they should pay for all my damages and cost that I would have never incurred if it weren't for their carelessness.

The Chevron dealer has the old engine and bearings if you need proof. My vehicle has 55696 miles and it is not likely that I would have needed to repair the transmission. I would appreciate prompt assistance in this matter. Thank you.

I purchased a Matrix Toyota from the above dealership January 2009 and since I am a woman and alone, the only recourse that I had that might give me the slightest insurance that I was not buying a lemon was to request a carfax. The carfax did not reveal any accidents or major incidents. When I took my vehicle for the first maintenance check etc., the technician asked me "Did you know that this vehicle has been in a major car accident" and I said no and I told him what the carfax said prior to me purchasing the vehicle, he assured me it had definitely been in a major crash and that after 17 years of repairing vehicles he was able to detect the damages that had been done and repaired. He said they did a good job repairing the vehicle. I have not had problems with the vehicle performance other than the drive shift collapsing.

This bothered me and I did not do anything about it until around February 2010 the feeling of begin ripped off got the best of me so I contacted them and was prompted to bring the vehicle in by Phil who inspected the vehicle and said nothing had happened to the vehicle and ran the carfax by me. Again he then said it might have had a little fender bender and needed a paint job but that would have been the extinct of the damages if any and sent me on my merry way. I went back to the maintenance guy and he assured me and Phil (I gave him Phil's number) that the car had been involved in more than just a fender bender.

Phil was suppose to contact me for me to bring the car in for one of their technicians to inspect it, but of course I had to call him. He asked me to call him back on Monday March 22, 2010 so that he would have enough time to setup an appointment with one of their technicians in which I did and the only thing I got was his voice mail. Can you help me? I bought a car based on the low mileage it is a 2004 and when I purchased it, it only had 16,000 miles on it and a excellent carfax report. Please help. Normally when cars are in major accidents, major problems do occur.

on april 2008 we bought dodge avenger 2008 it has a lot electical and technical problems,and still does the car is not save to drive , every car or van we bought from them has a big problems and they don't care about the safty of the family they drive it, we did complain to chrysler but they said nothing wrong with car they tested and drive it for just few minutes they not drive it everyday to see what is really going on , they gave us greif on it and just to let u know , they we had a grand caravan from the same dealer with the same problems and they exchanged for us after we threatened them to go to lawer , but this time they don,t care about the safty of my family and they said nothong wrong with car , the car still new and we have all the paper that show how many time we took it to the service and what done on that car. so please we want to be out of the car before something happened to my family.

I had several meetings with the service manager to resolve the problems. He was very patient and listened to me but his position is that all work done on the vehicle was necessary and could not reimburse me for any repairs that I believe were unnecessary. I feel justified in taking this situation to the next level which is correspondence with you.

We have incurred additional expenses due to the faulty workmanship of Cerritos Dodge. I called Cerritos Dodge and talked to the above mentioned 3 people and not one of them were willing to help me. I asked them for a loaner car and they refused. They told me I had to call an 800 number in Detroit & talk to a Customer Service Rep. That was a waste of time! I feel Cerritos Dodge is at fault and should at least reimburse us for our additional expense, which amounts to approximately $600.