These Are The Worst Car Dealerships In The State of Washington
Shopping for a new or used vehicle should be an exciting experience, but for many Washington residents, it can quickly turn into a nightmare when dealing with unscrupulous car dealerships. Certain dealerships have earned notoriously bad reputations across the Evergreen State, from deceptive sales tactics to poor customer service. Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s worth knowing which establishments to approach with caution—or avoid altogether.
1. Walker’s Renton Subaru
According to a comprehensive study of over 40,000 Google reviews commissioned by Tinting Chicago, Walker’s Renton Subaru in Seattle earned the dubious distinction of being ranked the #1 most “pushy” dealership in the nation. Customers frequently report aggressive sales tactics, with salespeople applying excessive pressure throughout the buying process. Many reviews mention feeling rushed into making decisions without adequate time to consider options or financing terms.
The dealership’s high-pressure environment creates an uncomfortable experience for shoppers who simply want to explore their options without feeling cornered. Former customers advise potential buyers to come prepared with research and stand firm against pushy sales techniques if they visit this location.
2. Northwest Premier Auto Sales
This West Richland dealership has accumulated numerous complaints with the Better Business Bureau. One particularly scathing review from a customer who purchased a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado described their experience as dealing with the “WORST CAR DEALER TO BUY A CAR FROM!!”.
Customers report issues with vehicle condition misrepresentation, difficulty obtaining proper documentation, and poor after-sales support. The dealership has developed a reputation for selling vehicles with undisclosed problems that become apparent shortly after purchase, leaving buyers with expensive repair bills and few options for recourse.
3. Pierre Ford of Seattle
Ranked as the 8th pushiest dealership in the country according to the same national study, Pierre Ford has earned a reputation for aggressive sales tactics that make customers uncomfortable. Shoppers report being subjected to the classic “bait and switch” technique, where advertised vehicles at attractive prices mysteriously become unavailable upon arrival, with salespeople steering them toward more expensive options.
Customer reviews frequently mention misleading advertising practices and pressure to add unnecessary extras and extended warranties. The dealership’s finance department has been criticized for rushing customers through paperwork without adequate explanation of terms and conditions.
4. Legend Auto Sales
This independent Seattle dealership ranked 10th nationally among non-manufacturer-affiliated dealers for high-pressure sales tactics. As an independent used car lot, Legend Auto Sales has faced criticism for questionable financing practices, including pushing customers toward high-interest loans without fully explaining the terms.
Customers have reported issues with vehicle condition misrepresentation and difficulty resolving problems after purchase. The dealership’s aggressive approach to closing sales creates an uncomfortable shopping environment that prioritizes quick transactions over customer satisfaction.
5. Rairdon’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Kirkland
Coming in at #16 on the national list of pushiest dealerships, Rairdon’s has developed a reputation for aggressive sales tactics that leave customers feeling pressured rather than supported. The dealership has faced criticism for its handling of trade-ins, with customers reporting lowball offers and pressure to accept unfavorable terms.
The finance department has been particularly criticized for using high-pressure tactics to sell expensive add-ons and extended warranties. Customers report feeling rushed through the paperwork process without adequate time to review terms and conditions.
6. CAL Cars in Spokane
Ranked 6th nationally among independent dealers for pushy sales tactics, this Spokane dealership has accumulated numerous complaints about its aggressive approach to selling vehicles. Customers report feeling pressured throughout the entire sales process, from initial contact through financing.
The dealership has faced criticism for its handling of financing applications. Some customers report that their income or credit information was altered without their knowledge to secure loan approval. This illegal practice can lead to approved loans that customers ultimately cannot afford, resulting in financial hardship or repossession.
7. Sound Ford in Seattle
Rounding out Seattle’s dominance of the national “pushy dealership” rankings at #25, Sound Ford has earned criticism for its aggressive sales approach and questionable advertising practices. Customers report experiencing the classic “four-square” sales technique, where salespeople manipulate numbers across different aspects of the deal to create confusion and maximize profit.
The dealership has faced complaints about its handling of trade-ins and financing, with customers reporting feeling pressured to accept unfavorable terms. The service department has also received criticism for recommending unnecessary repairs and maintenance.
8. Kane Automotive Group
This Eastern Washington dealership group, which operates locations under names including Spokane KIA, Spokane KIA on Sprague, Spokane Suzuki, and Wenatchee KIA, has faced legal action from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office for alleged consumer protection violations.
The Attorney General’s investigation uncovered serious allegations, including submitting false credit applications to banks by inflating customer salaries and lowering housing costs, sometimes without customer knowledge. This resulted in at least four cars being repossessed because buyers couldn’t pay for vehicles they should never have qualified to purchase. The dealership also allegedly failed to pay off liens on trade-ins within the required timeframe, causing customers to continue receiving bills for loans on cars they no longer owned.
9. Thomason Auto Group
While this dealership group has changed ownership since its legal troubles, its case represents one of the largest consumer protection settlements in Washington state history. After a two-year investigation, Thomason Auto Group agreed to pay nearly $400,000 to settle a consumer protection lawsuit with the state.
The Attorney General’s investigation revealed deceptive, high-pressure sales tactics and bait-and-switch scams. The company would advertise vehicles at bargain prices while having almost none available at that price, attempting to switch customers to higher-priced vehicles instead. They also misled consumers about interest rates and persuaded some customers to lease rather than buy, costing them as much as $12,000 extra.
10. Everett Car Dealerships with Markup Practices
Several dealerships in the Everett area have faced scrutiny for the increasingly common practice of adding significant markups to vehicle prices, especially during inventory shortages. These “market adjustments” can add thousands of dollars to a vehicle’s price without providing any additional value to the customer, KING5.
The Washington State Attorney General’s office has taken legal action against dealerships engaging in misleading pricing practices, including those advertising one price online but presenting a much higher figure when customers arrive in person. These deceptive tactics violate consumer protection laws and erode trust in the car-buying process.
Why Washington Dealerships Need Accountability
The prevalence of problematic dealership practices in Washington state isn’t just an inconvenience but a significant consumer protection issue. According to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, auto sales complaints have consistently ranked among the top five complaint categories over the past decade, with more than 1,100 complaints related to auto sales received in a single recent year.
Common complaints include “bushing” (changing terms after a deal is struck), “packing” (adding unnecessary fees or products), and misleading advertising or sales practices. These deceptive tactics disproportionately affect vulnerable consumers, including those with limited English proficiency, first-time buyers, and individuals with poor credit who have fewer options.
Have you had a negative experience with a Washington state car dealership? Share your story in the comments below to help other consumers avoid similar situations.
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Travis Campbell is a digital marketer/developer with over 10 years of experience and a writer for over 6 years. He holds a degree in E-commerce and likes to share life advice he’s learned over the years. Travis loves spending time on the golf course or at the gym when he’s not working.
I worked in the retail car biz in excess of 55 years, mostly as a F&I (finance) manager, because it is possibly the best job in the civilized world, HOWEVER, there is always an exception. First day on the job a customer called, complaining that her trade in car loan had not been paid as required by agreement AND law (within 10 business days). Called accounting, who assured me it had been paid & supplied a FedEx tracking number. turns out the FedEx had never been sent according to customer’s online research & said customer trashed me as a liar in an online review. A first for me !!! Turns out the office manager was embezzling & used trade payoffs as a distraction of improper conduct in accounting process. Back to the original story, I was bombarded, on a daily basis from irate customers, over the lack of trade payoffs, part of the bushing laws, & carried these complaints thru internal channels to no avail. Eventually, I filed this as a complaint with the AG’s office dealer division, who assigned an investigator who found no wrongdoing. At my insistence, said investigator acknowledged the infractions as minimal bookkeeping errors even though he found major violations. TO THE POINT; when the cat is away the mice will play. With a lack of accountability dealers do what dealers do. With accountability dealers will do their best to be compliant. How about a little pressure on the AG’s henchmen ???