CarMax Argues It Is Not Responsible For Recall Work On Cars Sold Even If Vehicle Is Unsafe

When a consumer wants to buy a used vehicle with an unfixed safety recall from a CarMax Inc. store, who should be responsible for making sure the problem gets fixed?

Consumer advocacy groups say CarMax, the nation’s largest used-vehicle retailer, should do it -- and before the sale.

CarMax says it discloses the pending recall work, but the burden is on the consumer after the sale.

Those opposing views have prompted a war of words between CarMax and consumer advocacy groups that deliberately bought a used vehicle from the retailer with open safety recalls on it to see how CarMax would handle the sale.

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vdiv - 12/16/2015 10:56:13 AM

+2 Boost

So if not happy with that, the customer can take their business to a plethora of other off-lease places including the dealerships. Then maybe Carmax would cease to be the largest used car place.

Vette71 - 12/16/2015 12:39:20 PM

+1 Boost

The whole recall system is a mess. Auto companies announce a recall to keep the Feds happy, but don't have the solution engineered or the logistics worked out. Look at the Takada mess. The initial vehicles repaired under that recall had new Takada airbags installed using the same explosive. FCA (Jeep)is notorious for taking months and months before parts are available. Does the dealer then stop taking trade-ins in the meantime rendering a customer's car worthless? Some of these recalls aren't even serious safety issues (see VW diesel). My VW dealer is finding a market for used VW diesels as folks can't buy new ones. They know that sooner or later it will get fixed, but in the meantime ......

W208 - 12/16/2015 3:59:51 PM

+1 Boost

Who cares? CarMax sucks anyways. They're the last place I'd consider getting a beater from.

What's the point of the 125 point inspection if they're just going to turn around and say, "well the car will require a tranny rebuild and turbo bearing, but what the hell we'll sell it to you for $10k because here at CarMax, after we've raped you on your trade-in, we believe the next customer and KBB are always wrong."

F*ck you Baltimore!

MDarringer - 12/16/2015 9:03:22 PM

+1 Boost

Well said!

CarCrazedinCali - 12/16/2015 7:53:18 PM

+2 Boost

sounds like CarMax is putting themselves first over their customers, my dealership get's the recalls done before we sell our customers the car, that's how a real customer focused company does things. The Niellos schooled you lazy guys at CarMax

MDarringer - 12/16/2015 9:02:07 PM

+1 Boost

And being in the industry, you know just how time consuming it is to handle recalls that are on cars different from your brand assuming you decide to put the trade in out on your used lot.

But, doing the right thing may not always be appreciated, but getting caught doing the wrong thing definitely can ruin a business.

If I were buying used, I would buy a CPO from a dealer selling the same brand as the car.

I think sheeple fall for CarMax's "that's the price and to hell with you if you don't like it" approach.

CarCrazedinCali - 12/18/2015 9:26:27 PM

+1 Boost

Matt, time consuming is the price you pay to offer cars for sale. CarMax can afford to spend the time to put the customer first.

MDarringer - 12/16/2015 8:54:56 PM

+1 Boost

I honestly have no idea why people trust CarMax at all given how many times they have been caught being dishonest to their customers.

skytop - 12/19/2015 8:54:18 AM

+1 Boost

Try only to purchase used cars from the original brand dealers.
For example, BMW from a BMW dealer, etc.