Santa Margarita Toyota

The best dealership, I don’t care how far I have to drive I’ll keep coming here, the customer service is the best for me. From the front desk to the mechanic people… great service. I’ll keep coming here, the customer service is the best for me. From the front desk to the mechanic people… great service. More

Shame on you! Sharing my recent experience with Toyota has become a therapeutic necessity, as what started as a dreamy affair with my 2023 Toyota Crown has transfo Sharing my recent experience with Toyota has become a therapeutic necessity, as what started as a dreamy affair with my 2023 Toyota Crown has transformed into a nightmarish journey. I leased this car from Toyota in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Picture this: the excitement of driving off the lot with my shiny new ride, only to be greeted by a rather unwelcome guest—a persistent and annoying clunking noise from the front axle and suspension system. Hoping for a quick fix, I rushed back to the dealership, where the technician acknowledged the issue but, to my disbelief, dismissed it as a "characteristic" of the car. Suddenly, my joyous drive was replaced with the sound of disappointment. Not one to be easily swayed, I sought a second opinion from another Toyota dealership. To my dismay, not only did they confirm the issue, but they also spun a web of lies in their report, claiming they tested a showroom model with the same problem. Having personally test-driven that very model without any issues, their dishonesty left me feeling betrayed and questioning the integrity of the brand. Hoping for a reprieve during the 5k maintenance, I handed over my beleaguered Crown, pleading for a thorough inspection. Alas, my hopes were dashed as I received yet another report insisting that the clunking noise was just a "characteristic" of the car. It felt as if my concerns were being swept under the rug, ignored by a company I once held in high regard. In my desperation, I reached out directly to Toyota, seeking assistance or even the possibility of a return. However, my plea was met with a cold denial, leaving me feeling stranded and unimportant. Where was the compassion, the understanding, and the commitment to customer satisfaction that I had expected? Talking to other Toyota Crown owners only deepened my despair, as they blissfully cruised along without a care in the world—no clunking noise to disrupt their journeys. It became clear that my case was being singled out for mishandling, leaving me with a sense of betrayal and abandonment by a company I trusted. To anyone considering a Toyota Crown, my advice is to proceed with caution. What should have been a beautiful driving experience has turned into a heartbreakingly frustrating ordeal. Toyota, you've not only lost a customer but also an advocate. It's time for some introspection and a recommitment to the values that once made your brand shine. More

If I could give this dealership 0 stars I would. I’ve only ever had bad experiences here, they are always so rude and shady to us. I’ve somehow always ended up with the same people, and every time I I’ve only ever had bad experiences here, they are always so rude and shady to us. I’ve somehow always ended up with the same people, and every time I leave very uncomfortable. The first time, I came here to trade in my (upside down) car and was not helped in a very respectful way. Only looked down on and treated as lesser than. The second time was to try to sell my mom’s car back to the dealership and she just passed away. My bf and I went on a Thursday, spoke with Robin who told us to come back Saturday so he could put the car on a lift and have a mechanic look at it to give an accurate quote. We waited until then, came back, and was immediately sat down and told we owe money on a car that’s worth $12500 without him even taking time to have a mechanic look at it or put it on a lift! I am furious and so glad I’m moving out of state. Don’t go here More

First time ok, second time . ..find a new dealer. New Toyota Highlander - went back to have an OEM part installed after being called saying they had all the parts only to be told ..find a new dealer. New Toyota Highlander - went back to have an OEM part installed after being called saying they had all the parts only to be told later in the day, they may not be able to finish it due to "not having all the parts." Delayed. Thought I would give a second chance for 10K service. Was greeted by a service attendant saying they are short staffed and it would be 10-15 minutes. During my wait, I saw service writers show up around 15 minutes after the dealer opened, grab their tablet and started writing. By this time they had plenty of cars in multiple lines. After waiting 20 minutes, the"late people" started taking cars that showed up after me. Time to find a new dealer More

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE - BEWARE! My wife took her 2013 Prius to this dealership for an oil change - they were offering a Black Friday Special. When we went to pick up her car, the My wife took her 2013 Prius to this dealership for an oil change - they were offering a Black Friday Special. When we went to pick up her car, the oil change was done, but the service technicians also decided to inflate her tires. This sounds normal, however, the tires had been inflated with nitrogen and have the GREEN valve caps to indicate that. I'm guessing they don't know that as they removed the valve caps, put air in the tires and didn't replace the valve caps. Not sure if this was a cause, but after receiving the car back the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) was malfunctioning. After talking with the service manager, they agreed to replace the one sensor at a discounted rate of $125. Discount Tire charges $120, Costco will do it for $60. They didn't mention anything about replacing the nitrogen! I have tried to contact the head guy Ephraim Barcelo via telephone and e-mail. He has ignored my voicemail, and doesn't respond to my many e-mails. I did get a call from Rob Taylor - not sure who he is. I returned his call but he failed to get back to me. What annoys me most, is not the fact they won't fix what they broke, but the arrogance of this dealership, and them failing to return or acknowledge any of my voicemails or e-mails. I contacted Toyota Corporate which has opened a case to investigate this incident. After speaking to a very helpful person at Toyota, they were also appalled at the lack of communication coming from Santa Margarita Toyota. Toyota makes great cars. There are many dealerships around that will offer better service. Avoid this one!! More

Worst experience ever. I have been dealing with Teclo since 07/19 when I first inquired about a vehicle that was in transit. At first his communication was great. We were e I have been dealing with Teclo since 07/19 when I first inquired about a vehicle that was in transit. At first his communication was great. We were emailing back and forth. I was trying to work out a deal offering my all in price and at that point everything changed. His responses were short when I started questioning the all in price with tax and fees. If im gonna spend 55k, I would think that would be a normal thing, to get a break down of the cost. I told him I would be there on Monday 07/25 and kept asking for a sales manager and he kept replying to me. He was condescending, telling me that they will have no issue selling the car at the listed price and that the last one that came in sold in 15 minutes. Never once did he mention that I am not able to reserve the vehicle in advance. Every other Toyota dealer does this but apparently they don't. I showed up Monday morning hoping to reserve at the full price quoted with the markup of $3880. I spoke to Alex and the sales manager Richard. Teclo never submitted my info as a lead as Alex was not able to find anything with my name or phone number. I was told it was first come first serve and nothing could be done until the vehicle arrived. Richard was very well spoken and I appreciated him taking some time to talk to me. My wife and I lost wages taking days off and time/gas traveling from Lake Elsinore, an hour away. I understood and kept following up by text with Alex. I figured it would be to my benefit to be in contact with both of them so I started emailing Teclo on the 28th again. He got back to me the next day stating there was a possibility it would arrive that night or in the morning on the 30th. I wanted to make sure I had a chance so I was there before 7am on the 30th. The vehicle I was interested in did not arrive. I was greeted by Rob and helped by Susan once sales opened. I expressed my frustration in the first come first serve process and I was ready to wait all day if I needed to as the last expected delivery date was the 30th. I was told that it might not show up but I would be contacted if it did. I emailed Teclo that same day asking him to keep me posted. No response back. I called the next day to get an update and spoke to Alex, no deliveries came in. I called on the 1st and spoke to Teclo and he seemed bothered at that point. Still no reply from my email from 2 days ago and he said I would get a call, text and email once they got more info. I didn't want to bother any of them anymore so I waited. On 08/02 I was called by one of the sales managers Ryan to see if I had any questions. I informed him I was waiting and wanted to be contacted asap. This morning 8/4 I noticed that the vehicle did not say it was in transit online anymore. I called and spoke to Susan and she informed me that someone was buying it already. I was upset and asked for a sales manager. Was transferred to a voice-mail and still have not received a call back from that manager. I went in person to see if maybe the deal was not finalized and to get an explanation as to why I was not contacted. Spoke to Rob outside the dealership as he recognized me from saturday and stated he was one of the managers when i asked. I appreciate him letting me vent but was given excuses and no solution, which I don't blame him, at that point the vehicle was signed for already. Teclo dropped the ball, maybe purposely. I believe the dealership had a preference on the deal they wanted to move forward with but I was told that was not the case. I saw the buyer and my skin tone was browner but my money is just as green. I hope this was not discrimination but then again the dealer is in South OC, what did I expect. This blonde lady got the notification and I didn't. I had even submitted my info and locked in my deal through the SmartPath service. Good thing I didnt apply for financing online since I never had a chance with the lack of communication. I can only be mad at Teclo my sales rep and Ryan the sales manager. Alex and Susan thanks for your help. Rob thanks again for keeping your cool and hearing me out. Teclo and Ryan thanks for not giving me the same opportunity to be a customer as everyone else. More

Jim and Richard are the best in the biz. I highly recommend Santa Margarita Toyota. I highly recommend Santa Margarita Toyota. More

Excellent sales and administrative service. After purchase concluded, follow up "thanking for your business" by team management and dealership owner was duly noted and appreciated. Sincer After purchase concluded, follow up "thanking for your business" by team management and dealership owner was duly noted and appreciated. Sincerely. More

Alan is so helpful. He took care of my car from the date I dropped at dealer until the date I picked it up. They replaced my hybrid battery without charged any rental car. I dropped at dealer until the date I picked it up. They replaced my hybrid battery without charged any rental car. More

Poor service department. Ian in service encourages unethical work. Toyota is known for quality and customer care and you won’t get that here. Run as fast as you can! unethical work. Toyota is known for quality and customer care and you won’t get that here. Run as fast as you can! More