AutoNation Honda Fremont — Attraction in Fremont

Summary: AutoNation Honda Fremont is more expensive than other Honda dealers, has poor customer service, and is not trustworthy. They tried to upsell me $7,800 in unnecessary work that went against Honda’s own maintenance schedule. Do your research, and don’t trust everything they recommend (see attached photo of Honda CR-V maintenance schedule and their upsells). And whatever you do — don’t accept the free car wash unless you want your car coming back dirtier than before.

Full Review: My service advisor Diego was unfriendly and did not make me feel welcomed as a customer. He assured me he was able to see my entire Honda service history. I later found the records myself of maintenance Diego claimed I hadn’t had done, yet he gave me multiple excuses for why he couldn’t see them.

My 9:30 appointment wasn’t inspected until 11:15. Then Diego texted me over $7,800 worth of unnecessary upsells: coolant replacement at 92k miles (Honda says 120k/10 years), a $2,000 coolant hose kit (no leaks), and a $2,800 water pump (no cooling system issues). None of these were needed. I understand upselling is part of the job, but instead of offering a reasonable package or clear priorities, I was handed a laundry list adding up to nearly $8,000 — about the price of an entire replacement engine.

When I asked for clarification, Diego just repeated, “that’s what the technician recommended,” and wouldn’t explain further. The inspection video they sent was in Spanglish, and I couldn’t understand what the technician was pointing out.

Diego also told me my car would be done at 12, but I wasn’t notified until 1:15. He ignored my Uber request for 20 minutes and then took another 10 minutes to arrange it.

In the end, I spent $740 on an oil change, air filter, cabin air filter, and brake fluid — which is $220 more than my previous Honda dealer charges.

Lastly, when I dropped off my car I was offered a free car wash. My car was already clean, but I accepted. I regret that — my car came back streaked with water spots and I had to pay for another wash to fix it.

Overall, this was one of the worst dealership service experiences I’ve ever had. Between the unfriendly customer service, the inaccurate service history (and excuses), the unnecessary and overpriced recommendations, the lack of clear communication, and the wasted time, I will never return to AutoNation...

This is by far the worst ever Honda dealership I have ever visited. I had to get my car towed to the dealership on a Wednesday night to fix one of the tires (without an appointment due to road emergency). The after-hour drop box wasn't working. So I had to go to the dealership again on Thursday taking a Uber to drop off my key. People there were working like zombies and everyone was too busy to talk. I asked them to take a look ASAP and order parts, since I was not from the area and would like to get the car fixed soon. Nobody cared. My appointment was at 2 p.m., and they didn't look at it until 4 p.m. (since I was anxiously waiting and saw that they didn't tow my car to the shop until 4). They told me at 4:45 that they needed to order parts (over $25k quote) and I had to give them okay in 5 minutes in order to order parts that day since their parts department would close at 5 p.m. I had no choice but to say yes.

On Friday, I anxiously waited and waited, and they told me again at 4:30 p.m. that they need to order another part. Again, I had no choice but to say yes and pay more because they had disassembled my car.

On Saturday, I continued to wait and no confirmation of when it would be done or whether it would be done (and they knew that I wasn't from that area; and they didn't care). My contact person wasn't working that day and I didn't know who was taking over my file. Then, after asking multiple times, at 5:50 p.m., they told me that my car was ready and I was asking to pay. They were anxiously waiting to get off work and I didn't even get to review the invoice carefully.

They locked the door right after I left the office; It was 6 p.m. Then I noticed that 1) they didn't wash my car as promised; and 2) I have a question about the invoice. After I knocked the door, they reluctantly opened the door, but told me that I need to talk to my contact person since they don't know much about the quote.

I feel lucky that I don't live in that area. Because if I did, I wouldn't ever buy a Honda again, no matter how much I love this brand. This is definitely the worst Honda dealership I have ever visited.

I know this review won't change anything and people living there still need to visit them if they have a Honda. But I need to write it down so you know what to expect when you...

Price gouging even over the standard gouging that occurs at most dealerships. Im a realist but this is beyond the pale. Went in for an oil change and they tried to charge $415 for the oil change, engine filters, oil conditioner, "checking battery" and filling washer fluid. Absolute trash practice, they dont know the meaning of "recommended". Looking at the battery is NOT a service, its an inspection (as they do for brakes, oil leaks and so on), filling washer fluid is not a "service" that should cost $100. The filters cost $20 each, they want to charge $215 for engine and cabin filter. Robbery. And nowhere in the owners manuel of the car is "oil conditioner" a recommended addition to the vehicle.

When asked for Dwayne to call me, somehow his phone was unable to call my phone, curiously (most likely a lie from an unprofessional employee).

Made an appointment for a recall fix about 2 weeks ago to be done with oil change and for the second time "they didn't have the part" and could not complete the repair. In the past I have been happy with the service from this dealership, and traveled farther just to come here. Something has occurred recently, it seems that someone has changed this locations buisness practices. Its one thing to do that to people who might know better, or to charge a litt over standard because...dealership. But what about the old lady that shows up or the new driver who ends up paying nearly $500 for an oil change engine/cabin filter, oil conditioner and washer fluid.

What a crooked operation. They were also no help in resolving the issue and offered no apologies, we're not able to explain the prices they were citing and were exactly what you would think of a shady buisness to act like. I would stay away from AutoNation Honda in Fremont and steer clear of "Dwayne", unless you have a disposable income or like...