ComplaintsforCherokee Auto Sales

• Initial Complaint

  10/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a used 2018 **** Escape from Cherokee Auto Sales on 9/9/2024. The total cost of the vehicle was $10,285.04. The car was presented with no issues and that the previous owner was a rental car agency. After driving the car for about 100 miles the engine wouldn't start and a message on the screen displayed "Engine Failure". The next day I tried starting the car and it started. The engine light was on and so I took it to a **** dealership in ****************** on 9/26/2024. I called the dealership for an update on 10/1/2024 and the agent informed me that the engine needed to be replaced due to the coolant leaking in the cylinders. I contacted Cherokee Auto Sales on 10/1/2024 and 10/2/2024 regarding this issue, however, I have not heard back from them yet.

  

  Business response

  10/18/2024

  All vehicles sold at Cherokee Auto Sales. The vehicle as far as we knew did not have issues when we sold it. It had current emissions and no engine light. You can bring the vehicle in to us for us to check it out and give you a price for an engine. We spoke to your wife who purchased the vehicle and she didn't seem to know what you are talking about. We also gave you a call today and left a message. Thank you. 

  Customer response

  10/18/2024

   
  Complaint: 22368978
  
  First, my wife doesn't know how to explain what the issue is with the car.  Not that she didn't know what you were talking about. 

  Second, I see a lot of complaints about engine lights coming on after "passing" emissions with cars from your lot.  I would like to know who your emissions testing partner is so I can inquire about his ethical practices.  I should have done more research on Cherokee Auto Sales.  Your online presence says it all.

  Third, I don't trust Cherokee Auto Sales to fix anything and no doubt I would be scammed out of even more money if I paid you to try and replace the engine.  Besides the car doesn't run anymore so there is no way to get it there.  

• Initial Complaint

  12/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I FINANCED A 2013 ACURA TSX FROM CHEROKEE AUTO ON 10/21/2023. I DROVE THE *** FROM ******** TO *********, AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS ALMOST FLAT DUE TO THE **** THAT ******** AUTO SALES HAD PUT A PLUG INTO THE SIDE WALL OF THE ***** NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER (LESS THAN 200 MILES) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE *** HAD ITS CATALLITIC CONVERTERS REMOVED AND COULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS. THE SECOND IT TURNED COLD THERE WAS A TERRIBLE RATTLE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS CRUNK AND THAT NOISE WAS THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING.

  

  Business response

  01/01/2024

  Unfortunately, we are not sure what ******** Auto Sales is, but we do not plug tires if you are actually referring to Cherokee Auto Sales. The vehicle you purchased passed emissions on August 10, 2023. If there were not any Catalytic Converters IT WOULD NOT HAVE PASSED EMISSIONS!! We did not remove any parts off of your vehicle. Thank you but we will not be able to refund any money. Enjoy your day. 

  Customer response

  01/01/2024

   
  Complaint: 21075400
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  01/12/2024

  The vehicle did not have the catalytic convertors removed. It had emissions done and passed a couple of weeks before you purchased the vehicle and passed. Also, speaking to the bank that you returned your vehicle to we were told that there is not anything wrong with the vehicle. It is just waiting for legal to be resold, again with no issues. Thanks have a great day.

  Customer response

  01/18/2024

   
  Complaint: 21075400
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Cherokee auto obviously lies and not just to me they are crooks, that car never passed emissions it's impossible they lie constantly. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  11/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My son, *************************, bought his first car from this dealer in September of this year. He is 19 years old and had worked a full year to save up for his down payment of $2,000. When it came time for him to get his emissions test, it failed because the engine light was on. He took the car back to the dealer and it has been there for over 3 weeks. We have been calling repeatedly. We have been hung up on, left on hold, just horrible customer service. I have spoken with the manager *** several times and was told they were down to only one mechanic. My son has had to take Uber to work which is so expensive that he has missed many days and will lose his job if he misses any more. He is charged $70 for just one way! He also has to keep up the car note and insurance. Today *** tells me that there is a wiring issue and they don't know how long it will take them to repair it. At this point, we are at a loss for what to do as my son cannot afford to keep taking Uber to and from work. We need help ASAP.

  

  Business response

  01/26/2024

  We provided work on the mustang in question. The part that we had to replace was on backorder so we had to wait for the part to fix it. We kept the customer updated on the progress and had the vehicle finished as soon as we possibly could. The customer has had the vehicle back for several months. Thank you.
  *********************************************** Manager
  Cherokee Auto Sales
  6508 HWY 92
  *******, ** 30102
  ************
  ******************************************
  www.cherokeeauto.com
     
  

• Initial Complaint

  11/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 11/02/23 I purchased a 2013 *************. Thirty miles from the dealership. It began running rough and the check engine light came on. The dealership kept the vehicle for two days for repairs but when I got it back the problem returned after a few days. It is an existing emissions issue and was an illegal sale in the Metro Atlanta area. I have attempted to have them repair the vehicle properly, even offered to share the cost but have not received a response. Repairs estimates from a local mechanic are $500 to $1500 based on the extent of the damage found. Sales such as this indicate a willingness to patch up a vehicle in order to complete the sale. Failure to make good on issues that clearly existed prior to the sale indicate management endorse the practice. As Is does not apply to intentional fraud and emissions issues. Vehicles maintain a history of engine codes and can be used to prove when an issue occurred and if it existed prior to a sale based on the mileage a vehicle had at the time of the sale.

  

  Business response

  12/04/2023

  The Jeep you purchased had emissions completed on 8/23/23. The vehicle went through inspection and passed emissions. All of our vehicles are sold as is. It is not to cover anything. They are used vehicles and unfortunately anything can happen. This is why we offer 3rd party warranties. We are sorry that you are unsatisfied. 

  Customer response

  12/06/2023

   
  Complaint: 20883015
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
    Obviously with the check engine light coming on about thirty miles from the dealership, there was an existing emissions issue.  Obviously now, this repair will fall on me as soon as I can afford it. However if the scan of the vehicles computer establishes that the issue did in fact exist prior to the sale, I will seek reimbursement through legal channels. Emissions tests can be altered to get a desired result and emissions issues do not fall under an as is stipulation. 
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  12/13/2023

  You can not trick an emissions test. We use an outside company for emissions. It has nothing to do with our company. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  11/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  1 month ago we bought a vehicle from CAS and purchased the warranty and when we finally had a chance to take it in the dealership need more info we tried calling emailing no response from email and on the phone they answer they put us on hold and hang up I just want to get this car fixed under this warranty I paid for. Its seems like after they get your money they cut you off and try to avoid communication

  

  Business response

  11/02/2023

  If you purchased a third party warranty through us then it would be through a company Endurance. We are short handed at the moment with some new employees who are training. If you were put on hold and forgot about, I apologize. Please contact us again, after 12 when we have a ****** staff available. Sorry for your inconvenience. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had an extremely disappointing experience with Cherokee car dealership. They fraudulently sold me a car with a severe accident history and approved my loan without disclosing this crucial information. Days later, they asked me to return the car because the bank refused to finance a vehicle with such a history.Not only did they fail to reimburse me for the expenses and fixes I had already paid for the car, but they also unhelpfully directed me to pursue the issue with the auction company they purchased the car from. This lack of accountability is unacceptable.The staff, particularly the manager ***, were exceptionally rude and seemed more interested in meeting their quotas than ensuring customer satisfaction. ****************** is a place where dishonesty prevails, and they operate as if they are out to scam customers. I strongly advise against purchasing a car from them.Please be cautious and avoid Cherokee Auto Sales at all costs to save yourself from the frustrating and unpleasant experience I endured.

  

  Business response

  09/14/2023

  Unfortunately, the total loss was not disclosed to our company when we purchased the vehicle from auction. We were informed by the bank that they were showing an insurance loss on the vehicle, we did our research and found that the information was correct and that we needed to get the vehicle back from you. We apologize but we unfortunately can not disclose something to you that was not announced to us. We arbitrated the car and it was returned to the auction. There is nothing further that we could do. We gave you the option to move the down payment to a different vehicle and you chose not to. We are sorry that you are not happy but we did all that we could do. Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  08/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  this place is highly unprofessional and will look for any way to take advantage over you. I went in on a Sunday and found a vehicle that I wanted to purchase and didn't have a loan yet so I put 500 dollars down for a five day business hold so I could get everything solved on my side. come Thursday I call to let them know I had everything figured out and I was informed that truck was sold that morning while it was still under my 5 day business hold. so I ask for a refund on my hold and was told I can only use it on another vehicle and I politely declined and have not been contacted again since I stated I wanted my money back to the point where I have to take legal action. I highly recommend not going to this dealership and I don't know how such a scam of a business is operating like this in this present day.

  

  Business response

  08/28/2023

  We contacted you at first and was told by you that you had changed your mind on the vehicle and we informed you that it would forfeit your deposit. We have a non refundable deposit policy, that is why we gave you the option to move the deposit to a different vehicle. You decided 2 days later that you did want the vehicle but it was already sold. We have since refunded your deposit so this is a closed issue. Sorry that we weren't able to make you happy. 

• Initial Complaint

  07/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My niece purchased a vehicle from this organization on June 24, 2023. 24 hours after purchase the check engine light came on. We checked the codes and there were 9 misfires. We called CAS to inform them and they had us bring the vehicle back. They "fixed" the vehicle for it to break down again 2 weeks later with the SAME codes. We, again, called CAS to let them know and they said they ordered some new parts and bring it back to get fixed. We pick up the car again after being told it was "fixed". 1 week later (its now July 7th) my niece is driving on the highway and the car breaks down and leaves her on the side of the road. We call CAS to inform them of another malfunction, we get the car towed to them and it has been there ever since. They have not communicated with us, we have to call them. When we spoke with them today we were informed that they dont know when they will have the car back to her because they dont have a mechanic on site. My niece hasnt even made her 1st care note. This organization is standing on "we sell our cars as-is" as a way to sell people JUNK. I can't believe an organization will take advantage of a young lady like this who is trying to get herself out in this world. They are not willing to reimburse her if she pays for the service nor are they willing to fix it themselves. We cant get our deposit money back and now we are back at square one with no vehicle!

  

  Business response

  07/29/2023

  We have already spoke with your niece about the course of action for this vehicle. Unfortunately, you are not part of the loan so all communication will only be with her. You can speak with her about the conditions of repair. Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  06/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought a vehicle from ****** in August. Lights started coming on 2 weeks after I left the dealership. Before I had paid my second car note, the engine had blown. I was referrred to a mechanic by the warrantee company I purchased. The car ended up being in the shop for the last 7 months. At this time, the warranty company has paid all it is willing to pay. The car is STILL in the shop. I have been paying a note and insurance since August for a car i drove for a month. I have no recourse but to voluntarily surrender the vehicle and ruin my credit because I cannot afford to get it fixed. I have been in communication with Cherokee since this began but they have provided no assistance. This has devastated me financially.

  

  Business response

  06/28/2023

  After a month of driving the car your car had a radiator leak and ran hot and you continued driving the car which blew the engine. The warranty company still honored your warranty which they shouldn't have but a warranty rep fought hard to help you out even giving you his personal cell phone number. Unfortunately, the place you chose to have the car fixed was not in our hands. We are sorry for the issues that occurred with your vehicle.

• Initial Complaint

  05/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Was sold a car from Cherokee auto sales March 14th 2023 in Cherokee *******, 6 days after leaving the dealership lot the car broke down on the highway nearly causing me to completely crash. I took the car to a repair shop where I was told the transmission in the car was completely ruined. I called the dealership and asked if they could do something about it and they said they couldn't do anything other than make me pay the full price of the repairs and labor with one of the mechanics on sight. However, I found out they do not in fact have legitimate car mechanics working there to do any of the proper work. I asked if I could just give them back to the financial loan company and was told I would have my wages garnished by 25 percent. I'm now forced to pay for a car that doesn't work or risk being sued and my money was taken.

  

  Business response

  06/19/2023

  We are sorry that your vehicle gave you trouble. We would not have told you that the finance company would garnish your wages as we are not the finance company and would not speak on their behalf. We would be able to look at your vehicle and we do have legitimate mechanics and you would have to pay for parts and labor if you did not purchase a warranty. You are more than free to contact us if you would like us to look at it for you. 

*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. ↩