Used vehicle purchased 12/26 & 3 issues ON SAME DAY drive - Josh Seldal
Used vehicle purchased 12/26 & 3 issues ON SAME DAY drive home: engine, tire, and electronic. Dealer Refused to Stand Behind Vehicle.
I had been searching for the right Ford Expedition for my family of seven and chose Coad Toyota based on their reputation, the vehicle description, and the confidence inspired by their “Why Buy From Coad” promises. This vehicle was intended to be a Christmas gift for my family. I flew in from Minneapolis, completed a walkthrough, paid cash, and drove home trusting the dealership’s inspection and certification standards.
That trust was misplaced.
On the same day I drove off the lot, three separate issues surfaced:
1. Incorrect tire size installed (245 width instead of the required 285)
2. A serious engine rattle/ticking that began during the drive home
3. Rear-seat entertainment system not functioning, despite being listed as a vehicle feature
To their credit, management acknowledged the incorrect tires and reimbursed me for replacement. Unfortunately, that was the extent of their accountability.
The engine issue—which began the same day of purchase—was diagnosed by a Ford dealership in Minneapolis as a VCT cam phaser failure, a serious engine defect that can lead to catastrophic engine failure if left unaddressed. I provided video evidence and paid for the inspection out of pocket.
Additionally, the rear-seat entertainment system was explicitly listed as a feature of the vehicle. Ensuring that listed features function as advertised should be a basic part of any dealership’s inspection process. Discovering that it does not work only further calls into question the thoroughness of the vehicle’s inspection.
Despite the issue presenting immediately after purchase, I was told by management that because the vehicle was sold “as-is,” the dealership would not assist in any way with the engine repair. The General Manager, Jason Miller, ultimately characterized it as “bad luck” and refused to escalate the matter to ownership.
What is most disappointing is not the existence of a mechanical issue, but the complete lack of willingness to do the right thing. Even acknowledging the “as-is” nature of the sale, a reputable dealership should at least make a good-faith effort to assist when a serious engine defect appears the same day the vehicle is sold—especially one that contradicts their own inspection and certification claims.
This response is especially concerning given that Coad Toyota’s website states that their used vehicles undergo a rigorous inspection process meant to provide customers “peace of mind.” A major engine defect and non-functioning listed features surfacing the same day of purchase directly contradict that claim.
As a U.S. Army veteran, I value integrity and accountability. I fully understand what “as-is” means—but I also believe reputable dealerships stand behind their vehicles and customers when problems arise immediately after sale. In this case, once the sale was completed, customer support effectively ended.
If you are considering purchasing a used vehicle here, understand that any post-sale issues—even same-day engine failures or non-working listed features—will be treated no differently than if you bought from a private seller.
I cannot recommend trusting the “Why Buy From Coad” promise based on my experience.
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