ALCOLOCK Canada Reviews

formerly Guardian Interlock Service

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About ALCOLOCK Canada

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ALCOLOCK Canada supplies alcohol interlock devices and monitoring services, specializing in breath alcohol testing systems for vehicles. Its products include user-friendly devices, data recording features and compliance monitoring. The company’s products aim to prevent impaired driving and contribute to road safety and regulatory adherence across Canada.

Pros
  • Encourages sobriety and recovery
  • User-friendly functionality
Cons
  • Frequent device malfunctions
  • Poor customer service experiences

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ALCOLOCK Canada Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
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    Customer Service

    Reviewed March 18, 2026

    They are the worst company, customer service sucks, keeps blowing false positive the other week. I got DUI for smoking pot, sky lung drinking, they are running a gambit. If anyone wants to start class action lawsuit, let me know.

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    CoverageSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedRefunds & PayoutsMaintenanceStaffRatesFollow-Through

    Reviewed Feb. 11, 2026

    This device poses many safety concerns and repeated failures associated with the ALCOLOCK ignition interlock device (COMPANY: ALCOLOCK, CANADA, ONTARIO). The device presents an unreasonable risk to drivers and the public and fails to operate as advertised or required for safe use. The ALCOLOCK device requires drivers to provide breath samples while operating a moving vehicle. This design forces the driver to divert visual, cognitive, and physical attention away from the road in order to comply. The device also mandates “rolling retests” while driving, which significantly increase distraction and materially raise the risk of motor vehicle collisions.

    Distracted driving is a leading cause of serious injury and death on Ontario roads and is a punishable offence under provincial law. Despite this, the interlock device requires handheld operation, visual monitoring, and controlled breathing while the vehicle is in motion. Functionally, this is equivalent to operating a handheld electronic device while driving, which is otherwise prohibited due to safety risks.

    I have experienced a device malfunction on numerous occasions but in particular while driving on a busy highway during severe winter conditions with reduced visibility. The device prompted a rolling retest and repeatedly failed to accept valid breath samples, displaying the error code “INVALID SAMPLE 05.” Despite multiple attempts to comply while maintaining lane position and monitoring traffic, the device continued to malfunction.

    The device then activated loud alarms inside and outside the vehicle, creating a severe distraction for both myself and surrounding drivers. I was forced to pull over immediately on the highway shoulder in hazardous conditions while vehicles passed at high speed. To silence the alarms, I shut off the vehicle and attempted to restart after powering down the device, replacing the mouthpiece, and waiting the required time. The device continued to fail. As a result, I was stranded on the side of the highway in extreme cold temperatures (approximately −30°C), unable to restart my vehicle or access heat. I incurred towing and roadside assistance expenses and was placed in a situation that posed a serious risk to my safety.

    This was not an isolated incident. If I recall correctly, I am currently on my fourth or fifth interlock device within a six-month period due to repeated failures. The device has proven unreliable, inconsistent, and unfit for continued use. The installation technician even acknowledged that the device does not function properly in cold temperatures, raising serious concerns about its suitability for Canadian climates. The interlock device was installed under legal compulsion following a refusal charge. I have incurred hundreds of dollars in mandatory installation, maintenance, and replacement costs. Despite these expenses, the product does not perform as advertised and repeatedly fails under foreseeable and common environmental conditions.

    In addition to safety risks, the device’s unreliability has caused measurable financial harm. I pay exactly $74.14 per month for a 12-month period, adding up to a grand total of $889.68 (And this doesn't even include installation). Why am I paying for a device that doesn't work? I have missed essential healthcare appointments due to device failures, resulting in approximately $250 in missed appointment fees. I routinely allow an additional 30–40 minutes to start my vehicle, anticipating the code "INVALID SAMPLE 05" multiple times, and delays and failures continue to occur. I cannot even use my windshield washer fluid without setting this device off and having it lock me out.

    The design and operation of this device create foreseeable and preventable dangers. If serious injury or loss of life occurs as a result of these defects, the manufacturer should reasonably anticipate liability. I formally request that this complaint be investigated and that corrective action be taken immediately. Should injury occur to myself or others as a result of this product, I reserve all legal rights and remedies available to me. This device requires immediate review, redesign, or removal from service. A product mandated for use in the interest of public safety must not itself create an unreasonable risk to drivers or the public.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & Speed

      Reviewed Jan. 13, 2025

      Very poor service. Phone lines wait over half an hour. Handset not reliable. Open Monday-Friday only. Recall for no reason. Do anything to avoid this system. They do not return emails. Trying for 2 weeks to get info about my account.

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      Customer ServiceTech

      Reviewed June 4, 2024

      The device keeps showing "service lockout" so I call only to find out they cannot give me a reset code because they don't have it, so they say they'll have a service tech call back...I called four times and no return call. Then they said because I was at home and not stranded on the side of the road I was not a priority and they had a lot of calls! I've been having this problem on and off for the last month and then they said there is no service if you call outside of their normal business hours!! If it's after 5:00 on a weekday or on a weekend they leave you stranded without your vehicle till the following Monday, if it's not a long weekend!!

      I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED NOT TO MENTION THE STRESS AND LOSS OF TIME AND MONEY WITHOUT MY VEHICLE.

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedOnline & App

      Reviewed May 6, 2024

      Worst company I've ever encountered. It is quite literally a SCAM. I have been calling for WEEKS, being left on hold, leaving messages, taking days off to call and being on hold with no one answering or calling back. My car is now locked out because I didn't pay over the phone.. No one answered. How can I pay?? The website doesn't even work. My car is stranded and there is no accountability. Biggest scam ever.

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      Customer ServiceTechPunctuality & SpeedOnline & AppStaff

      Reviewed April 18, 2024

      For the love of God use any other service but Alcolock. I understand I've made a mistake, but it truly feels like this company is making it its sole duty to make you feel like an absolute criminal and that it is their personal responsibility to punish you further. I pay a lot of money for a device that is very faulty (I am on my 3rd device in as many months) and if there is any issues it's simply "Well that's just the way it is" when you're unable to use your vehicle because of the device/company. Regardless of what appointments may have had to be missed or canceled.

      I called a week ago for an issue. I left 4 messages, each day. I called and stayed on hold for 1 hour each day (they only let you stay on hold for 30 minutes before it automatically hangs up, so I would call twice). I can't get a hold of anyone. The website is very faulty and I can't add money to my account. I can't get the service techs to reset my device if there is no way to add money to my account. This isn't the first time I've had a major issue. Run From This Company. It's like paying hundreds of dollars to be stressed out and then...perhaps being able to drive? I will say however, when you actually DO speak with someone, the 1-2 staff members that they have on hand are all very friendly and helpful. The wonderful and kind people that work for alcolock are the only good part about this service.

      So to summarize: 0 Stars for the device and everything that entails. 5 stars all around to anyone I had spoken to. Your staff is very gracious and courteous, because I suspect they know how horrendous the service provided is and they genuinely feel bad for you.

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      Punctuality & Speed

      Reviewed Jan. 12, 2024

      I originally wanted to go through Smart Start however the location near me closed. St Catharines install location being closest, decided to go with Alcolock. HUGE mistake and looking back wish I had chosen the further drive for Smart Start. This machine is nothing but problems. The handset is super finicky with blowing too hard/soft and then humming/not humming loud enough. Error upon error with this stupid handset. Original one had an internal technical issue with the handset itself. Had to bring in the handset to be exchanged for a different one. The shop didn't have any new ones so they had to give me one that someone else had exchanged because they had issues with it. So now I have someone else's problems too. The maching worked fine one day, the next was giving and error that the handset and mouthpiece were two different temperatures resulting in an "Invalid Sample" Therefore the vehicle wouldnt start.

      Was unable to use the car for days, resulting in trying to find alternate transportation to/from work, until the Servicing shop got a new shipment of handsets in. Finally got a brand new handset. Still have the same issue with the unit being different temperature from the mouthpiece. (Both are inside over night in the warmth, so they should both be relatively the same temp.) Took about 15 minutes this morning trying to get the stupid thing to FINALLY work so I could get to work... late. Do not choose Alcolock. Do yourself the favour and go with Smart Start, they have a simple machine where you just blow and go. No blowing too hard/soft and no humming. No extra technologies resulting in issues all the time.

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      Staff

      Reviewed Nov. 9, 2023

      This Alcolock has gave me problems since day one keeps leaving me stranded had exchanged 5 devices that were junk..They blame you for their garbage. First was my battery. Got new battery that didn't work. Now your unprofessional guy putting it in saying it's my starter like Yas take no responsibility... Supposed to be there for people to get back and forth to work and Yas leave me stranded cause your gear is **...like what a joke for real and pay big money. You should be ashamed of yourselves really.

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      PriceMaintenance

      Reviewed Sept. 19, 2023

      Cable to handheld device breaking away (no fault of my own) from the insert button. Device would not light up or if it did would not allow car to start. Tech gave me a code when I entered it, and tried a start, the screen just went blank. No start. Stuck on side of a road back in the middle of nowhere. Shop is 140 kilometers away. Repair est including tow to shop, the inconvenience shop only works on Thursdays. Breakdown Tuesday night. Probably $1000.00 or so. Who is responsible for cost.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed March 20, 2023

      The alarm on my truck would not stop and the hand held device said I missed a re-test, even though I had not been unable to start the truck due to an undiscovered loose battery cable. I called Alcolock and was on hold for almost 30 minutes before my call was answered. I was told that the alarm should stop after 5 minutes. It did not. I called again and explained the problem a 2nd time. I was told someone would call me back shortly. 35 minutes later, with no return call, I called them a 2nd time and explained the problem a 3rd time. This time, someone did return my call, after about 20 minutes and was finally able to explain how to stop the alarm.

      Every time I have had to contact Alcolock during office hours, I have waited on hold for very long periods and have often been kicked out of the queue and forced to leave voicemail, without having my concerns addressed. They say they will return your call within one business day but they ever do. I'm not sure if the problems rest with the staff or with their training and management but I am extremely dissatisfied with alcolock. I had to take my truck in for servicing a few days ago and my device tells me I have a lock-out tomorrow at 23:59. The technician who finally solved the alarm problem assured me that this was resolved and I should not have a problem. I am certain that is not the case -- I don't trust them to know what they are doing -- and I expect that when I try to start my truck after 23:59 tomorrow, I will indeed be locked out and forced to call and recall alcolock to get that resolved.

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      ALCOLOCK Canada (formerly Guardian Interlock Service) Company Information

      Company Name:
      ALCOLOCK Canada
      Formerly Named:
      Guardian Interlock Service
      State/Province:
      ON
      Country:
      Canada
      Website:
      alcolock.ca