Consumer complaint received 2025-07-27 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Managing the loan or lease — Problem with additional products or services purchased with the loan
Company: Wheel City Motors East, Inc.
State: SD

Complaint narrative:
Purchased a used vehicle for Wheel City in XXXX XXXX. Car paperwork included a mandatory warranty and gap insurance. Problems with the car started right away and I brought it to Wheel City less than two weeks later. I did not take it to anyone else for evaluation. I had been calling Wheel City for months and left the car with them several times from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX when I finally had enough and took the car back. 

First, driving down the road, there sounded and felt like something coming apart underneath the car after I took it in the first time. I had to call for an appt. I was told it was normal wear and tear. Situation got worse and the other thing was the smell of burning oil coming through the vents into the car. 

Could not get appointments without being told over the phone that I would just have to leave my car for a week or XXXX for them to look at it. I was also told since I just bought the car, it was probably just oil burning that might have been spilled when the oil was changed. 

This went on for months. Finally, I did take it to someone else. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX which was just a couple blocks from where I live. Also at that time, more problems happened. the turbo boost went out. When XXXX ( XXXX XXXX took a look at it, he said it was too dangerous to drive the car because the rod and bearing on the front wheels was coming apart. He told me that should be the first priority to get fixed. He also removed the cover underneath and it was filled with oil. He said the oil had been leaking. Next the turbo boost sensor could not be found. 

I called Wheel City to take a look and they said the bearing and rod were not that bad but they would replace it. Of course, now that " warranty '' kicks in where they pay 70 % and I pay 30 % of repair costs. They also told me they were repairing this as a favor and that they would not normally repair what was wrong. 

Next, the turbo boost sensor was found but it was covered in oil, per XXXX at the Wheel City shop. I should note here that Wheel City car sales, the repair shop and the " finance company '' are all connected.

So they fixed those issues but never once addressed the oil leak. Another week goes by and now I am stranded in the middle of the road because the car completely quit. Turns out, its the alternator. Guess what, oil there too! 

Got help from strangers to get to a place where it could be towed and had my insurance Roadside Assistance tow the car to Wheel City repair shop. It was a weekend and the shop is closed then. 

NOW, they finally take a look at the oil leak. Discovered it's a head gasket leak and they would have to replace the motor. Spoke with XXXX at the " warranty '' part of it and he told me to wait to hear from him before making an appt with XXXX at the shop. He said I could keep driving it, just check the oil often. I did. 

I waited. XXXX weeks. After XXXX weeks, I called and left a message asking the status or the motor order. No return call. Waited another week. No contact. Monday, XX/XX/XXXX, I took the car to the shop side and dropped it off, took the paperwork out of my car, took the plates off, and left the keys with the garage with a note attached. 

Next day, I get a call because I didn't make my payment due the XXXX. I said I no longer have possession of the car and detailed the most recent problems. Next I am told by XXXX on the finance side that their is a note that the motor arrived on Friday. I said " I bet that note was just added this morning ''. She confirmed it was added around XXXX and she called me before XXXX. 

I had excellent payment history for almost 10 months. Even with the problems. I told her I was not making any more payments and I don't have the car anymore. Next, I receive a call from XXXX, the finance manager. I told him that the car was not worth anything and in it's condition, it should have never been sold. He said he knows that but they are putting in a motor. I said too little too late. Sold me a car that had so many problems and sticking the customer with the costs under their nefarious " warranty ''. 

No contact from anyone until I receive a notice dated XX/XX/XXXX ( included ) that they are selling the car at auction and I am going to be charged for whatever if leftover on my loan and also for all the repair costs I still owed. I had made a {$400.00} payment already. The repair costs were on thing fixed, that were going to be replaced when they put in the new motor with the exception of the alternator I think. 

I am not a car repair person. I don't know much and most of what I am telling you is terminology from other people. 

At this time, I am threatened with ruin of my credit, on the hook for the cost of repair and what is left on the loan. I am not sure why the car is being sold at auction anyway. If they have so much faith in the car after replacing the motor, why are they not just re-selling it on their lot? 

I believe their homemade warranty is deliberate make customers pay for repairs on cars they refuse to do before selling off their not. They get payments from customers and thousands extra in repairs. If you ask anyone if they would buy a car with a blown head gasket, leaking oil for months, they would say no. 

I was deliberately sold a car that could make more money for them under their warranty program. I believe 100 % this was a fraud perpetrated on me. I made payments without fail. 

I have since purchased a great used car from another dealer in town. Payments are about the same ; and the vehicle in XXXX old in prime condition, even the tires. 

I've included my letter to Wheel City when I dropped off the car and their very unprofessional letter accusing me of " breaking my promise '' which I believe means I broke the contract. No, they broke the contract and conspired to defraud me monetarily by selling a car that was 1. not completely road worthy, 2. not safe, 3. a fake warranty existing only to get more money from unsuspecting customers, 4. price gouging.

Please contact me for further information and clarification. I have at least three oil-change places and one other repair show that documented these problems because Wheel City would not make time to not take these issues seriously and even ignored them. Thank you. 

XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation