Brookings Auto Mall

I called in a truck and asked the salesman some questions. He was pretty helpful until I asked him about the check engine light. He said he didn’t know if there was a check engine light or if there was, what the code(s) might be. I loved the truck and had cash, but decided not to drive an hour one way without having more solid information. I was disappointed.

I purchased a used vehicle "as is" they had listed for 9,995. Everything seemed ok on the test drive, so I went ahead and purchased it. Two miles into driving it now that I owned it the transmission was shifting very hard and making a clunking sound. I turned around and went back to the dealership. The sales rep took it for a drive to me, and I showed him this hard shifting and clunking. He was very dismissive, but I took his word that everything was ok with it. I headed back down the interstate toward home. I live about 430 miles away. The vehicle made it about 350 miles before the service engine light came on. I pulled over and turned the vehicle off. My code reader indicated a problem with the transmission. It came on after the first time I had shut off the engine, besides the short test drive. It came on the first time after driving more than a few miles and turning it off. Basically, the first time it ran diagnostics after running a while. I did some research on the side of the road interstate. I come to find out the transmission fluid, and antifreeze are mixing together as indicated by finding a "milkshake" looking substance on the radiator cap. Driving the vehicle any further will lead to comeplete transmission failure. I had the vehicle towed to a local repair shop where I was quoted 10,830 in repairs needing immediate attention. It was too late to save the transmission apparently. The fact that it was clunking two miles after owning the vehicle suggests it was too late when I drove it off their lot. I would guess they reset the service engline light. I find it next to impossible to believe this wasn't an issue until I drove it for two miles. The chances that their own service department missed this issue are slim when this seems to be a very well known issue with these vehicles in their industry. I am convinced they knowingly sold me a vehicle they knew was on the brink of capastrophic failure. I waited to post this because I assumed based on other reviews that they were a reputable business that would at least help with cost of repairs. They finally got back to me after 5 days of being without a vehicle. They will not be helping me out at all with the cost of repairs. Not a dime. I was straight up lied to by their salesman about the condition of this vehicle prior to purchase.

Brookings auto mall was very helpful with the purchase of my new car. Just went back for question on a computer message not letting me make calls or read messages. They helped fix the problem and now it works. Always willing to help and very friendly!