You did everything right. You trusted the dealership, asked the right questions, and made sure the deal included repairs or fixes they promised before delivery. But now that you’ve driven the car home, they’re suddenly hard to reach. Calls go unanswered, excuses pile up, and those promised repairs never happen.
It’s frustrating and unfair. So what should you do if the dealership won’t fix the problems they promised? The answer depends on what they agreed to, but one thing is certain: you still have rights.
When a Dealership’s Promise Becomes a Legal Obligation
Many buyers assume verbal promises don’t count unless they’re written down. But in many cases, dealerships are legally bound by any promises that influenced your decision to buy. That includes commitments to repair specific issues, replace parts, or cover costs before or after the sale.
If the salesperson said, “We’ll fix that after you buy,” or “It’s under warranty, don’t worry,” and you relied on those statements when signing the contract—that can qualify as a breach of contract or misrepresentation if they fail to follow through.
The bottom line: a promise made to close the deal is a promise they’re legally expected to keep.
Common Excuses Dealers Use—and Why They Don’t Hold Up
When buyers go back to demand the repairs they were promised, dealerships often rely on delay tactics or half-truths. You might hear things like:
- “Our service department is backed up—come back next week.”
- “The person who made that deal no longer works here.”
- “You bought it as-is, so we don’t have to fix anything.”
- “We can’t find the part right now—we’ll call you when it’s in.”
These excuses are designed to wear you down until you give up. But under California consumer protection laws, dealers can’t lie or mislead you to make a sale—and “as-is” doesn’t protect them from fraud or broken promises.
If they used false or misleading statements to get you to sign, they can still be held accountable.
Step 1: Gather Your Evidence
Start by collecting everything related to your purchase—your sales contract, warranty information, emails, text messages, and any notes about what the dealer said. Even a salesperson’s written note on a “We Owe” form or buyer’s order is valuable proof.
If you have voicemail messages, texts, or advertisements showing that certain repairs or features were promised, save those too. The more evidence you have that a promise was made, the stronger your case will be if the dealership refuses to act.
Step 2: Put It in Writing
Next, contact the dealership in writing. Send an email or certified letter stating exactly what was promised, what hasn’t been done, and what you expect them to do about it. Include copies of your documentation and give them a clear deadline to respond.
Written communication creates a record—and dealerships take things more seriously once they see you’re documenting everything. It also shows that you gave them a fair chance to fix the problem before taking further action.
Step 3: Know Your Legal Rights
California law protects you from false promises and deceptive sales tactics. Even if you bought the car “as-is,” the dealership can’t lie or fail to deliver on agreements that influenced your purchase.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to:
- Force the dealer to honor their promise through legal action
- Cancel the contract and return the car
- Recover repair costs or damages caused by their failure to act
You don’t need to navigate this alone—a consumer protection attorney can review your case and determine the best next step.
Step 4: Stay Professional—But Be Firm
Dealing with a dishonest or unresponsive dealership can be emotionally draining, but staying calm and professional keeps you in control. Keep all communications factual and polite, but don’t back down.
If they sense you’re serious—especially once you mention contacting an attorney—they’ll often change their tune quickly. Many dealers rely on buyers giving up; showing persistence can make all the difference.
Step 5: Get Legal Help If They Still Refuse
If the dealership continues to ignore you or refuses to fix the problems they promised, it’s time to get help. An auto fraud attorney can step in, handle communication with the dealership, and take legal action if necessary.
Attorneys who specialize in these cases know how to find violations in your paperwork, prove misrepresentation, and fight for compensation or cancellation of the deal. You may even be entitled to have your legal fees covered by the dealer if they’re found at fault.
Take Action—Don’t Let the Dealer Break Their Word
If a dealership promised to fix something and didn’t, you don’t have to accept their excuses. A broken promise in a car sale isn’t just bad business—it could be fraud.
Need help holding a dealership accountable? Contact Consumer Action Law Group at (818) 254-8413 for a free consultation. Our experienced consumer protection attorneys can help you get the repairs you were promised, recover your money, or hold the dealership accountable for deceptive practices.
You kept your end of the deal. Now it’s time to make sure they keep theirs.
