Zipcar Reviews

I have been with ZIP for almost 10 yrs, never had a problem until now. In July 2026, I recieved an email stating I was charged a smoking fee, 2 months later then in July, I was hit with a May smoking fee, and in July another smoking fee. Mind you, I don't smoke, so that's $150.00 plus tax $163.26 twice. I submitted my doctor's letter stating I have asthma and copd where I can't smoke.

I had a very disappointing experience with Zipcar. The vehicle I was assigned was dirty inside and clearly had not been cleaned before my reservation. Even more concerning, the car had mechanical issues that made me question whether it had been properly maintained. On top of that, the pricing is much higher than it appears at first. After paying the reservation fee, being charged additional mileage feels unfair and makes the service far more expensive than expected. I was especially frustrated by the additional fees applied when using a debit card. As a customer, it feels like debit card users are treated unfairly simply because they have fewer options to avoid these charges.

I have been using Zipcar for a few years and I have had no issues other there are small charges that I have no explanation of when I go back in to book another car. Never had any car issues, customer service the couple times I have had to use them have been fine.

I am filing a formal complaint regarding my recent Zipcar rental. During my reservation, the right-side tire continuously lost air, making the vehicle unsafe and unreliable to drive. To try to continue my trip, I spent approximately $60 of my own money to replace the tire. Despite this expense, I was later instructed by Zipcar to return the vehicle. After returning the car, I was informed that I would only receive a partial refund for the rental. As a result, I lost money in several ways: I paid for a rental vehicle that I could not properly use, I spent $60 out of pocket on the tire, and I lost income because I was unable to drive and complete my work. I am requesting reimbursement for the $60 I spent on the tire, along with a full refund for the unusable portion of my rental. I believe it is unfair that I should bear the financial burden of a vehicle that had a mechanical issue beyond my control. I would appreciate a prompt review of my case and a fair resolution.

Awful customer service. I arrived at the return parking space on time, but was 9 minutes late because there was an unauthorized vehicle parked in the spot. I had to park elsewhere, find the other guy and get him to move, all of which took about 8 minutes. Zipcar told me I should have called first, but by the time was I able to call, it was already too late. They charged me $50. The customer service rep was obstinate, unhelpful and a total cold fish. I won't be using Zipcar again and I recommend you do not either, they will hose you.

Zipcar takes your money. Took money out of my account even though my application was not approved. Zipcar steals your money!!!

Zipcar locked me out of my account without resolution and would not let me update my payment method in the app, and I couldn’t log in on the website because they had cancelled my account somehow. Mind you I’ve been a member for years and it’s just that my card on file expired (then I couldn’t update it no matter where I tried). The customer service representative then berated me over the phone for missed emails and demanded that I pay for a fresh membership (that I already paid for a few months back). Completely unreasonable company and service. Avoid at all cost.

My experience with Zipcar was extremely disappointing. After providing my personal information—driver’s license, credit card, and all—I felt they shared it with third parties. Their customer service was rude and evasive, never explaining why they closed my account despite my valid license. I called multiple times, yet never got real answers. This felt like a fraudulent experience, and I wouldn’t trust them again

Zipcar regularly cancels reservations due to "maintenance" and either does not rebook the reservation, or does rebook you in a different car (usually smaller and cheaper with no refund) and often it can be miles away. As someone *without* a car, I don't understand why they think a new car over a mile away is a suitable solution and they do not compensate for transportation to this new car. It can often result in 30-45 minutes at the front and back end, just getting the car eating into the paid reservation time. At the very least, if there is no nearby car of comprable size they should call to figure out the best solution. They never do. And often ask why the smaller car isn't a good replacement and not that it is their business, but 3-4 adults with luggage in an SUV is a different situation that 3-4 adults in a smaller sedan plus luggage. Half the weekend trips I take with Zipcar start off awful because of the mood their service puts me in and the obstacles they create.

Just spoke to a chat agent named Amelia who unfortunately was of no help not sure if they were Al, but I've been using the services frequently despite having trouble with location, parking, smell of the car, and extraneous pricing. Anyway, long stair short had a random charge of 50 late fee, despite it being invalid, Armelia or Amelia not sure, was unhelpful. I've had family members and friends say this is not a good alternative, I'm NOT saving money and the environment, and I'm starting to believe them.

Zipcar is the absolute worst rental car service I have ever used. Their vehicles are substandard, their customer service is rude, disrespectful and combative, and these criminals tried to charge me six hundred dollars to move a vehicle from one Zipcar location to another Zipcar stall which was approximately six blocks away. They also charged me additional late fees after I returned the vehicle a half hour early. This is after they requested me to return the vehicle to the original Zipcar stall. Their managers and supervisors refused to return my call despite numerous requests.

This certainly is one of the worst car rental experiences I’ve ever experienced. I tried to rent a car for a couple of days which was very expensive than regular rental, and so I cancelled the membership which states that they would not refund me the fees within 48 hours only to be told that it is none refundable. Not only are they the alerts but a ripoff!!!

I rented a car for 3 days at $440 and I once I returned the car, refueled with no damage, they said I actually owed over 1100 more dollars and claimed I went 2000 miles over? I’ve contacted customer service multiple times and even tried through Instagram and instead of handling my issue or trying to help they spam messaged me back - and it’s a third party that is absolutely abhorrent. This definitely feels like a scam company. I should have read reviews first.

Zipcar, to me seems like a phishing app. Once you enter your credit card information, you're rejected. They are just trying to get personal information to share with third parties. They ask for full name, address, DOB and don't reject you. Then they ask for credit card information. Once you enter it, you're rejected. Be careful of Zipcar.

What an absolutely horrendous experience! In a panic because there was no other reputable companies with rental cars available in Gainesville, Florida and I needed a car for an emergency work trip. I rented a vehicle from this company. They charged me $243 for two days with a piece of crap Toyota Corolla that drove like the right tire was going to fall off the front seats didn’t match and there was Zipcar labeling all over the vehicle, which was embarrassing. Nonetheless I had the vehicle and I was thankful I was able to do what I needed to do. I returned the vehicle on time in better condition than it was when I picked it up because it was disgustingly dirty and smelled horribly to which they decided they were going to charge my credit card an additional $122 stating that I went over the mileage that I was allotted.

Zipcar convinced me to renew my membership by offering a $30 promo that they won’t honor. I have spent over an hour talking to customer service reps who won’t help, won’t transfer to a supervisor or literally hang up on me.

Worst customer service, they told me that my first month would be free, and I would only be charged the application fees. I even called to confirm, and I was told that if I get charged, I will be refunded. But after paying the application fees, they charged me for the monthly membership as well, which was supposed to be free for the first month. When I called the customer service people, they were so rude, and they didn't even try to help. I told them that I told them I would be refunded, but they didn't even listen.

Absolutely ridiculous. I was charged an application fee which I did not finalize or submit, and they are basically telling me it's impossible. And I asked to cancel the account but they've been charging me for months, and now they only want to refund this past month. I've been duped for sure. I don't care about your non-refundable application fee policy if the system glitched into charging me before I could give consent. I even called them to tell them the system was loading over and over, kind of in like a frozen state, and they said they didn't see a charge. But sure enough, the charge showed up in my bank account, and then every month after that, the monthly charge.

Continual pattern of unsafe, dirty cars. Just drove one where one tire had 12 psi in it and the tire had no cap on the air pressure pump tube. Alignment was completely out of whack. Customer service agents were unconcerned by this, and offered no recourse for saddling me with an unsafe car.

Terrible and misleading. I was charged a 27.00 membership fee and was denied car rental by my surprise. In info they said I could get it back. Then when called for refund I was denied again. And no help at Customer Service.

I have been a Zipcar member since the beginning when this company started and they deleted my account because I got into an accident. This unfair...I have been a loyal member since the beginning. The accident was not my fault. The driver of the other vehicle ran the red light...the state trooper took the information and he saw the whole thing. This company doesn't care for their loyal members.

I rented a car to do Uber for two days. They have me the wrong car. After picking them up and driving off and charged they tell me to bring it back because I couldn't do Uber, it was raining. I had to catch another Uber ride to the next pick up, then I pick that car up and the same thing happened. Had to catch another Uber. All expenses on me, get the 3rd car and I had to walk for about 45 minutes to get it because I ran out of money, I had a long Uber ride so I was late on returning the vehicle. I sent messages stating I wanted to extend, I pull over to finally buy me some food, I get back in. Car out. Wouldn't turn on. They cut it off while I'm on phone with customer service telling them the so wouldn't let me extend. It kept freezing, they come your the car when I wanted to extend and left me stranded, the car was dirty when I got it.

I had rented several times from Zipcar when my car was stolen. At first the company was great, now it is absolutely horrible. The app will charge you and not reserve the car, and forbid you have to speak to a CS representative. They are horrible, rude, will hang up and have the time, they are mumbling on the phone, saying a supervisor will call you back, which never, ever happens.

Zipcar is an absolute joke! Renters must use their phone to lock and unlock the vehicle! Last night I needed to call the police because I had no way to unlock the car in a remote area without internet access!

This morning I arrived five minutes early for my Zipcar reservation only to find another Zipcar blocking mine in the garage. The attendant couldn’t move it because he didn’t have the access card. I called Zipcar immediately and spoke with Pamela, who flatly said there was nothing she could do. Really? They can unlock cars remotely — the attendant could have moved it in seconds — but she simply refused to help. When I asked for a supervisor, none was available (of course). Zipcar is extremely strict when it comes to charging me for a late return — $100 for being five minutes late — yet takes zero responsibility when the problem is their fault. Absolutely unacceptable and despicable customer service. If you value reliability and accountability, stay far away from Zipcar.

I was experimenting with not owning a car and had used Zipcar a couple of times — one car was spotless, another was dusty but fine. My last trip, however, changed my mind about the company completely. While driving on the freeway, I got tire pressure warning lights, followed by a loud flopping and then a scraping sound. I pulled over on the shoulder with cars flying by at 70 mph. It was dark and the situation was a little frightening, but I was only 10 minutes from my city - I figured it was a situation we could sort out pretty easily given how close I was to town. Still, cars were going by fast and I was in the dark on the side of the road, and I stayed buckled in just in case someone accidentally hit me as I called Zipcar for help — but what followed was worse than the breakdown itself.

My booked and prepaid car was not available on the provided garage. I never got a notification that the pick-up location changed and the new location was 50 minutes away from my home. Zipcar provided me the information after 7 phone calls that they have no car available for the pre-booked period at the location where I was. This resulted to lose all my meetings, had to get a rent a car from a trusted company and pay 5 times more, because of the late time booking on Columbus Day. Do not risk with Zipcar. It is not worth it!

I rented my second vehicle as a university freshman and I returned it to the same location from where I got it from, but I got contacted by Zipcar saying they couldn't find the vehicle. I was very cooperative, replying to messages and being transparent about certain things. I hadn’t seen one message a few days after they sent it and then I received an email saying my account was terminated. They provided no genuine reasoning, simply saying I violated community guidelines. Just because they can't find a car that has a big green Zipcar sticker on it, my account was unprofessionally deleted and customer service refuses to give me my account back. Horrible rental company as a user that recommended it to so many people, which lead to some of them actually spending money on this irritable company.

I’ve been a member with Zipcar since April 2025 and spend $450 a month with them and have gone through having two cars canceled on me last minute with no warning or notice and no replacements as they promise to do. Every time I call in, it’s offshore and they can never forward you to a manager without asking you questions to validate your identity then reading their policies. There is no one in United States that works for this company, not any supervisors to speak to when the agents can’t help you. They don’t take care of their longest customers and frankly are overpriced.

HORRIBLE!! My account got deleted right after paying for a university plan. Driving history is clean and amazing, background is also clean with nothing on my record!! Called 15 times, emailed 3 times just for them to say they can't give me details about why I was rejected/terminated but guess what? They are literally horrible at customer service and I do not recommend anyone to take part in this! Especially universities!!! After they do the check on me they always had a different tone of voice and I'm not saying everyone I talked to was a racist but I am a ** woman who is trying to make college life easier. If my payment goes through I'm going to have a bigger problem! Especially with someone saying they got charged over $1000 in hidden fees AFTER they terminated their account!!!!

Horrible experience. Couldn’t get the car to start, called and they got it working but it made me 10 minutes late for the return, for which they charged me $62.81 for being 12 minutes late. When I called back they said that there was no note in the record and couldn’t refund me because I didn’t report it, which I did. The car was old, completely banged up, full of scratches, dents, missing exterior parts, smelled old. I will never use them again, do not use zip car - they should be sued and put out of business. Total scam.

They provided an unsafe car. Something felt very wrong with the brakes and the maintenance required light was on. I couldn’t take my trip with a car in this condition, so I immediately returned it. However, they refused to provide a refund.

This app is definitely a scam. I downloaded the app yesterday (July 26, 2025) and logged in. Then they asked me to subscribe and in return they took my card information and charged me 27 dollars. Then they asked for a photo of my driver's license and I uploaded it and they sent me an email. In the email they said my account was closed for a few reasons and I would not be able to log in again. In other words, they stole 27 dollars from me and did not refund it. I sent an email about this and they did not respond.

It's a total SCAM. Already during the registration process—and even before showing you the cost—they charge your card without consent. Then, once you try to contact support, no one replies to your emails or messages. You're left with no service, no refund, and no way to cancel. Avoid at all costs.

I was signing up, they charged me twice for application fee, application was rejected. When I called, she said that she can't refund me the 60 dollars, only 30. Didn't mention why application rejected, I have all the requirements, valid driver license, age requirement, last ticket I had was 8 years ago. So pay attention, you might be applying and rejected for no reason, and then get charged for it.

As a Zipcar member for over 20 years in Seattle, I can NOT recommend. I have seen a slow, steady decline in quality of every aspect of their service. Last month I had a reservation and there was no car. I was told to travel over a mile away for an alternative car, which I did at my own expense. Customer Service kept giving me the runaround. To this date, my issue is not resolved. Clearly, everyone is checked out at Zipcar. I am sorry to describe what was once a wonderful company in this way. I sincerely believe in their mission to have fewer cars on the road. I don't think Zipcar will be around in a year or so unless they make massive changes.

I've cancelled my Zipcar account.... What started out as a great service has turned into an expensive nightmare... Prices have gone up while service as DECLINED tremendously!! As example... I reserved a car... Arrived on time to pick-up... Previous driver had not yet returned the car... 20min later I contacted Zipcar support... I'm told no more cars available at the garage... I was told they would book me at another location...

I feel like I have been preyed on. This company is charging me over $400 because they only have 1 way to pay. I had no idea that they prey on vulnerable people. I’m sick to my stomach because now I cannot pay for my hotel room because these vultures don’t tell you they are out to screw you over. They don’t want to help you they want you at all. I don’t know what I’m going to do. They screwed me so bad now I have no way to take my things because I have no money. I can’t even make it up through Uber because I cannot get a car. I have no idea what to do.

I'm a customer And this is upsetting how they play with your money. You never can get to talk to a manager. I'll be waiting for my refund for over eight days for something that was unfairly charge. They don't give you promotions they never are able to help if you have a gray car. I do not recommend for you to use this application. The only reason why I keep using is because I'm only able to use my debit card but this company is not for our people. I'm very disappointing.