Smart Start

To begin with if I could vote no stars I would! I highly recommend not going with this company, from the beginning nothing but problems and I didn’t even get the device installed. Was charged for the device that later couldn’t get installed. Tried getting a refund only to be transferred 3 times and put on hold for 30 minutes until I could finally get to talk to someone who could “help” me get my money back. Customer service agents don’t know much about their own product nor do they have viable information whether or not there’s an upcharge for a vehicle even though they ask if it’s push start or key start. DO NOT USE SMART START.

I spoke to two people on the phone insisting I had to pay for a lockout code in the instance of my car being in the repair shop while the due date passed. The lockout fee is 50 dollars. This seems a bit like robbery to me. Customer service reps don’t seem keen on servicing customers in the slightest; very unhelpful. I understand a business is to be run, but this is another level of petty. I wish I had read these reviews before choosing this company to be in control of my vehicle.

Smart Start devices never work and every time I go in for a 10 minute calibration, it ends up being a 1-2 hour er ice because the device ends up defaulting and the shop guys have to go through dozens of devices before it works properly. Smart Start Canada's a ** company made up of ** products. They need to shut down production immediately and start again.

Most times you have to blow and oh yes hum like 15 times before it will analyze. If it does at all. I just got a lockout message in 4 days cause I missed the countdown even though I blew and hummed 15 times. These systems are a joke and dangerous and the state legislatures who passed this junk should be booted out of office. Oh I forgot they don't have a clue what's in the legislation they passed.

I never wrote a review in my life ever. This time, I can't just skip it. I live in East Coastal NC, my county just has declared to evacuate immediately due to hurricane cat 5. I have an appointment on Friday which is the day after an expected day (Thursday) of hurricane hits. Her name was Sandra as far as I remember who assisted my call, she told me that they don't know whether they open or not. I asked her that if they close, do you guys send a notification to customers so we can reschedule? She said, "I don't know, do you think I know?"

The device broke during calibration. Left me stranded on the side of the highway outside of cell service. They wanted me to pay to have the new device registered to my account. Something about a violation. So... I don't have the money. They charged me for a missed appointment. Which I didn't. Now they are saying when the timer is up I will need to get an unlock code at the cost of $90. So that is $90 for a unlock code $60+ for the violation and the $30+ for the missed appointment. Wow! I just paid $120 for the calibration. Now to no fault of my own I need to find an extra $200. Like what the...

Hello I am a client. I have had many issues regarding refunds, false readings and Equipment malfunctions with Smart Start. Just the simple blow and hum is utterly ridiculous and difficult for most of us. It is also unsafe I might add when you have to write on the freeway or make a turn and it continuously beeps because you have your air conditioner on!

I've had an Interlock in my car now for two years and have two years to go until removal, and over the time that I have had the device for I have had a lot of false readings that the Interlock is registered. I have found out by experience that if you smoke and I do, that if you don't blow all the smoke out of your lungs before test it can register as high as .006 and of course that's a reading to the judge that you have to go before to ask for your Interlock to be removed! Not only smoke tho as I also found out that the energy drinks V, can register quite higher than .006 if you are drinking one in the car and the device asks for a test, in fact I've had as high as .011 and not just on the odd occasion quite constantly also, so as far to my knowledge no other interlock device has been so sensitive.

I completed 2 year IID program. When first installed I needed a new battery because of my IID. I got a few violations the first 6 months then I mastered it. Paid $150 for Cal. every month. If I played my bass in stereo too loud it'd say tamper abort. Otherwise, I really had no issues. I could blow into it successfully very easily, I did it driving like nothing. I went on road trips with it. I would detach it almost every day and put it in a safe spot in my room. Especially if it was really HOT or COLD. I've accidentally left it in both super hot and freezing temps (very dumb) it was VERY slow to load, but no defects at all or false violations.

I only needed Smart Start for two months after having QuickStart for ten. QuickStart was even worse but I digress. First of all, the Smart Start unit is outdated and archaic. The thing that says, "Blow Me" looks and feels like it's from 1972. However, I had no trouble using the device other than it required a longer and longer blow time. It was still an easier blow that QuickStart! My biggest issue was being told I would need to buy a prepaid Visa to make a payment. I didn't have my actual ATM card on me but I know the number. So I buy the card and make the payment. They tell me it's declined.

I have had massive problems since inception. With paying 50.00 extra $ when a violation isn't even your fault. Then they make one up the n.m so you don't get reimbursed. To cal. dates if it's in the days of that month you should be able to do it when you have many. I have to pawn something in the middle of the month just to pay and cost 50$ more. Government cash cow. They care about $ not saving lives.

I have multiple video of me blowing normal and it constantly saying abort pump, tampered device, violation lockout... I have had the device for one month and now need the 3rd service done on it too in which the device is at fault for malfunctioning. It has told me to blow, and then no beep buzzing or anything. Completely dead. I thought it was the first car I had it in, and it was a standard car, I almost ran an old couple over trying to pull over to blow... I had it removed placed in an automatic and had have nothing but issues. The 1/3 was because I forgot about the mouthwash I had used. I have paid 300$ already the first month having it, installed reinstalled, lockouts. I’m contacting the BBB and state. This make me want to give up already. I am so frustrated and I cannot get any of my necessary livelihood things done because the device isn’t working properly EVER.

I had to have this in my car for 6 months on first DUI. I only got stuck with it because I blew very high. I got my DUI on 3/20/2015, now over 3 years later I finally am done with all the DUI stuff. I got a total of 6 violations during the 6 months, only one was actually valid, because I could not repeat a rolling retest after the device fell under the passenger seat. The rolling retest is a horrible thing if you have a manual transmission. To make a long story short I paid an extra $240 for violations that happened at random and never even got any reason why they happened along with the fact they were never reported to the state. Pain in the butt. Will not give me extra monies I paid back.

Had the IID installed 3 months ago. After a while I needed a new battery. Unrelated to the IID. So I had a new one put in. Had to jump thru phone hoops to get a restart code. Then had my monthly real done. A few days later the clip at the unit broke off. Had new cord installed. The device started acting different. Needed longer blow time. Now it is not working at all. The instant I start blowing as directed it immediately alarms and says blow longer. Cannot contact the local tech. They never answer. My car is now sitting disabled in a mall parking lot overnight. Thank God I wasn't out of town since I do travel a lot. Tomorrow should be interesting... Whenever the installer sees fit to respond to my multiple texts... So far, not at all happy with the device or service.

Most people won't take the time to review a good experience, A lot of the negative reviews seem to be from individuals directing anger over their situation towards this company. I was given some flexibility in scheduling appointments for calibration. The unit displays your appointment date as a reminder. If you get a lockout for missing an appointment you shouldn't blame the company. This device allows you drive, satisfy the court/state and ensures you don't continue to drink and drive. This company was great to deal with and the product worked flawlessly. Great customer support. No false positives and no damage to my car.

So once you finally get nailed for drinking and driving. Yes I'm guilty never argued it also never hit or killed anyone or anything. Now after being ** over by a lawyer... drug threw the courts for a year then applying for a blow box that is mandatory. Wait another month for them to decide if I can have something that is mandatory. At what point? Get treated like dirt through registry, my insurance company that I'm going to cancel then court **. Now I have to deal with Smart Start idiots... it's only been 3 days so far now I need to pay for a new battery clamp they broke and I'm not allowed to disconnect power or pay more. I put the trickle charger on it until Monday then I will drive it in and have their BS removed. Not allowed to fix your own vehicle relay. Not much for options in Canada just Smart Start.

Machine locks you out every month for no reason. Then you have to pay 60 bucks towing and 50 bucks to have code put in. Talked to manager and they said they will not give your money back. They said even though you don't drink the machine can violate you and lock you out. Not their problem. This has happened every month to me. Blow in. Machine trucks starts, blew in machine few minutes later. Truck violate wait for countdown. 2 mins truck starts. Drive it for rest of day. Went to Start truck week later lock out. HMMMM. How can it pass you two mins later fail you 2 mins later pass you. Then locks you out. It's a way for them to get free money. This machine is to cost 100 per month. It's costing me 250 per month. I would not put a Smart Start in your car. Find a different company. SMART START IS A RIP OFF COMPANY.

Their equipment is junk and the customer service is horrible. The unit in my car has been malfunctioning several times. Never got any help calling them. Ended up paying for taxi ride few times to work and for towing out of my own pocket. Stay away if you can!

I got the machine installed in Feb 17. It does screw up. They do not tell you why but charge you more monies. It recalibrate it. If you need their help... They hook it to my horn. Now my horn don't work... They said my problem. When I got it removed they didn't send the results to MO. State. ALMOST GOT ME SUSPENDED AGAIN BY THEIR LACK OF DUTY TO SEND REPORT. On a scale of 1-10, a 3. Good luck. IT'S A CONTROLLED SCAM.

Any time anything to do with this machine is your fault. Or the vehicle you drive. I have had this machine for 7 months. Only suppose to have it for 6. Live in Texas South and the machine still has to warm up. 6 months at 75 a month is 450. I have paid them 1200 and still don't have it off yet. Someone is getting filthy freaking rich quick. They need to do something about where is the money going. Not only Smart Start but all the IID companies. RIP OFF. For sure. I honestly can say if I knew it was going to bring me down like this. I would of took 6 months in Jail. Just being honest. Because these companies sure are NOT.

I only had it for a few months. I don't mind having it. It has been giving me problems. If I let my car set for two or three days or if it's too cold. I plug it in and either it tells me I'm inhaling or blow harder or softer. I had to take it back three times in one month and the month is not over yet. This is a money thing. If no alcohol is present why can't they give you a code to release it, instead of having to take it back to be service. It cost every time you take it back even if it was not your fault. I think something should be done about this. It has to be a law out there about this. Money! Money! That's what it's about.

Automotive instincts Crest Hill - I’ve read all these horror stories and had a malfunction yesterday and freaked out. My machine said abort tamper. Screen flickering in and out. Not accepting my blows and gave me a lockout. Took it in this morning and replaced my defective unit and no charge! Thank you for the positive experience!

First of all it's a machine where your time life depends on it. I took mine in for troubleshooting. After testing it would turn off and make you take it again. Also made a short on my electrical. Still have the same problems. All I get is attitude from the guy. Right now it's on lock cause I lost my job call and told they didn't care. They said just to paid fast cause it accumulates. Last week I had my kids. They're allergic. I walk to the pharmacy to buy medicine. Complain all night. Then all of sudden my big one get gangrene in a finger. I could take him to a hospital cause damn truck is lock. I could call ambulance cause I have no money to a pay a 2000 dollar trip.

This company does everything they can to make money off you and will NEVER accept responsibility for their equipment. If something goes wrong with their system, their go-to excuse is "probably a battery or charging system problem in the car." I've had numerous false positives and "WARN"s, unit not recognizing the car is on, longer and longer analyzing times, last winter it would take over 60 seconds for the screen to even come on when the key was in the "on" position. Last month, I noticed that the time it was taking to analyze my breaths were getting longer and longer again. Nearly 2 years of experience with this machine has taught me that if I don't get the head unit replaced, it's 100% going to give me a violation. It's happened to me twice before. (Which, yes I had to pay to clear the code.)

The Smart Start device is causing my family to not make a living by false violations. False violations when it's cold. Poor customer service. No way to get your car repaired. No way to tow your car. Pure hell.

After having the device for only 6 weeks I have had to go back the service station 2 times for malfunctions. The first time it read service lock and a week later it violated me. They took care of the service lock no problem. They said there is a problem with the devices because it is so cold. The service station said they had already serviced about 30 of them and three more people showed up while I was waiting with the same problem. Six days later I start my car about 7am and no problem. However, an hour later I try to start it and it says violation, makes me wait two minutes and then passes.

2 hrs after install I was locked out in 2 hrs. This has happened 7 times in first 3 weeks and every month. Just before time for recalibration does it again since installed. Scam. Sham. A bunch of crooks.

When a cold weather snap strikes my device is constantly failing. After starting my car it turns off and gives me violations or kills my battery, or the device does not turn on at all!! Then I get charged 60 dollars every time this happens because I’m in violation for a power issue and they make me take time off work to come and get it reset. Their customer service is awful as I’ve never had less than a 1 hour wait on the phone to talk to somebody and then when I do they are not helpful at all.

This is the email I received from Smart Start after now the 4th FALSE violation. The cold weather does something to this machine, yet they still take your money for their faulty equipment. “Thank you for contacting Smart Start. We have received your incident report and reviewed your account regarding your Violation Lockout on 12.14.17. The Violation Lockout was confirmed to be due to an alcohol violation, however, the log also recorded a passing test a few minutes later. As a courtesy, a partial credit of the lockout fee has been reimbursed in the amount of $40 has been placed on your Smart Start account. The remaining portion of the lockout charge will cover the shop's service cost for performing the violation reset on your device. Have a great day!”

The interlock system has malfunctioned "many" times! I call Smart Start "NEW" Activation (5) Five times and got (5) different operators in the snap of your fingers. Who then "Redirects" my call to "EXISTING" Customer LINE. That line was on HOLD for AN HOUR. YES, Pre-existing customers/Technical Support. ALL THEY WANT ARE "NEW" Customers!!!