Joseph Blakemore

I put the deposit on the vehicle 2 weeks prior to coming to Helena to pick up the FJ. After I had shown up at the scheduled time to test drive and pick up the FJ Cruiser I waited for 4 hours in the lobby be to Helena to pick up the FJ. After I had shown up at the scheduled time to test drive and pick up the FJ Cruiser I waited for 4 hours in the lobby before looking at any paperwork. All of the information I had submitted for financing approval was incorrect. As I was talking with the Salesman about concerns I had about the vehicle I was assured that the issues I seen evidence of (permanent brake dust deposits on rims, possible rust issues, and a cracked and chipped windsheild) were checked out and it was a, in the words of the salesman, "a certified pre-owned vehicle and was thoroughly checked out." I was also told that the vehicle was in Montana it's entire life, which eased my rust issue worries. This was a lie. I found out after I had insured the vehicle and had gotten a carfax report that the vehicle had spent most of its life in New York state and the Northeastern United States. I was talked out of any extended warranty of the vehicle because of being told the only warranty available would only cover the motor and transmission, NOTHING ELSE. This vehicle was also covered in dust, water spots, and had a substantial bird droppings deposit on the passanger side door. There was also, what i am guessing, is some finger nail clippers, hair ties, random papers, some candy wrappers, a lighter, and other random items under the seats and in the center console that did not get cleaned. Fast forward to 1000 miles or 2 weeks later. I had contacted the salesman and the financier because my front rims were already covered in brake dust. I was told they were working on it and would get back to me. I would hear nothing back from either of them. I would receive a post card from Lithia saying they forwarded my paperwork to Walla Walla County for title work and registration two weeks after I has signed the paperwork and taken the vehicle. I have still not seen or been able to track down anything on getting my vehicle licensed through the state of Washington, as of yet. I was pulled over by a Walla Walla Country sherriffs deputy and informed that the cracks in my windsheild were not legal in the state of Washington (which was something I brought up to the salesman and he assured me it was legal). I was given a verbal warning and told to fix the cracks IMMEDIATELY. This is a $250 deductible through my insurance. Back to the brakes..........the back brakes have gotten to a point of complete failure, the front brakes will need completely redone (pads, rotors, and calipers). The issue with the back brakes can possibly be a master cylinder issue, or best case new rotors, pads, and calipers. I took it to a trusty notable local shop in Walla Walla to get an idea of a price I would have to pay to get this vehicle roadworthy. They stated it would be over $1000 in just parts to fix issues I was assured were not issues and were thoroughly checked. A few days ago there is a squealing and grinding sound coming from the front driverside tire that is worse when turning right and lessens when turning left. Unsure what is causing this new issue, but more than likely it is a bearing issue. I contacted Lithia AGAIN today and was lucky enough to talk to another salesman today. He told me due to me signing an AS IS paper there is nothing that they would do, said goodbye and hung up the phone. I have put less than 2000 miles on this vehicle, not even made the first payment yet, not been able to license or pay taxes on it, and I am looking at between $1500 and $3000 to make it roadworthy and legal to drive down the road. I understand that I did sign an AS IS document, but I was also assured it had passed all checks and I could "drive it across the country", when I left the lot. There is also 4 open recalls on the vehicle that could have been taken care of by taking it literally next door to the Toyota dealership while it sat for 2 weeks. This is a unforgivable experience. More

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Bought a 15 dodge challenger that was advertised as "inspected certified pre-owned" I also ordered a 2022 Ram 3500, this will be important later. Turns out, the 15 challenger wasn't a certified pre o "inspected certified pre-owned" I also ordered a 2022 Ram 3500, this will be important later. Turns out, the 15 challenger wasn't a certified pre owned vehicle, and lithia had actually never even inspected it. What's worse is they had been doing regular service on it for 2 years for the previous owner, and didn't notice the driveline about to fall out, didn't notice the pcv valve had been bad. Long enough that the entire air filter was clogged with dirt and oil, I mean clogged. I still have the filter. Why that was missed in 2 years of regular service appointments is beyond me. The alignment on the vehicle was so out of shape that at 80mph it shook violently and pulled to the right hard. The tires unevenly worn. So to be sure it wasn't just a tire issue, I bought a new set of tires the day after purchasing the car. Turns out the issue was indeed the alignment, funny how this also missed inspection. The transmission was having trouble deciding what gear it needed to be in, and would not engage right away after a stop. The car has been in a significant accident, and had substandard repairs that were not reported to carfax. This would've been caught by any inspection at all. When I brought these issues up, I could get no return calls. Go to the dealership and the salesman hides from me. The GM refuses to speak with me, and sends out a salesman who tells me to call an attorney. They will not fix anything, or pay for repairs elsewhere. This car is under warranty! They then tried to claim the vehicle wasn't a certified pre owned inspected car. Luckily I have a screen grab of the advertisement to prove that's a lie when this goes to court. So the Truck. When you order the truck you sign an agreement stating that you can cancel the order up until the date of delivery, but doing so will cost you 1000 dollars. I figured if I only lost 1000 more dollars to not have to deal with them again, that it was a far better wager than risking 85 thousand dollars to see if they suddenly become ethical. They refuse to let me cancel the order. I now have an attorney involved, and am trying to get FCA to take action to pull their products from the dealership. Don't buy from these guys. They are crooks who hide behind attorneys. More

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Lithia of Helena was really great from having some inventory on the lot to working with me on pricing and financing! inventory on the lot to working with me on pricing and financing! More

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Tony is always on top of it,easy to work with Tony is always a pleasure to deal with. Always on top of getting my vehicle in an done in a timely manner. Always smiling and helpful Tony is always a pleasure to deal with. Always on top of getting my vehicle in an done in a timely manner. Always smiling and helpful More

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Warranty Work A warranty safety recall on my 2012 Dodge required me to go to the dealership for service. The child safety locks on the rear doors would not disenga A warranty safety recall on my 2012 Dodge required me to go to the dealership for service. The child safety locks on the rear doors would not disengage and I periodically get a dash warning that my trailer has become disconnected while not towing anything. I told them about these 2 additional items and asked for an estimate to fix these issues. The rep called me to let me know that the door latches needed replaced at a cost of $633 and that they did not have the parts in stock and that I would need to prepay for the parts. The Trailer Brake module needed to be replaced at a cost of $389. I declined to have the additional work done. I was then informed of a $130 fee for the diagnostic work. I told them the issue I just wanted a cost estimate to fix it. All this and I purchased the Truck brand new here. So much for taking care of your customers. This truck will need replaced in the future and my next dodge will not come from Lithia. More

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FLAT OUT LIED! Took my Jeep in under warranty while on the way back to SLC from a fishing trip. Had to leave it there and rent a car to get home, an eight hour trip. Took my Jeep in under warranty while on the way back to SLC from a fishing trip. Had to leave it there and rent a car to get home, an eight hour trip. I was told by a Joe Blakemore that the rental charge would be paid for by the dealer no problem because it was under warranty. The next morning after renting a Chrysler for the trip home the story changed. Now I had to file a claim with Chrysler. Eight weeks later Chrysler says they will not pay the whopping $136. A flat out lie by the dealer. I will never own another Chrysler product. More

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Service Department is Excellent The service department is great! My car was towed to the dealership at closing time and the following morning I got text updates and by mid morning Jo The service department is great! My car was towed to the dealership at closing time and the following morning I got text updates and by mid morning Joe in the Service Department called to give me the first issue explanation and estimate. He explained what needed to happen and then he called back to tell me it was ready to go. I was shocked that it got tended to so fast! Thanks everyone for squeezing my car in before it's scheduled appointment knowing I'm a single gal without other options here. Thanks bunches! Sara. More

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