Buying a car can feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially when it comes to choosing the right dealer. Recently, I stumbled upon some reviews on Cars.com that paint a vivid picture of what many buyers experience in this often overwhelming process.
Take Richard Rodgers' account from December 2025; he and his wife faced an uphill battle at Crest Cadillac in Brookfield, Wisconsin. After submitting their review detailing their frustrating experience, they were met with silence from Cars.com. "It appears they are just for sales and the car dealership's position and not on the side of the customer or buyer," he lamented. This sentiment resonates with many who have felt sidelined during such significant purchases.
Then there's Peter H., who voiced his frustrations about trying to sell his vehicle as a private party through the platform. He described dealing with inquiries that turned out to be either untrustworthy or outright fake—a scenario all too familiar for those venturing into online marketplaces without proper safeguards.
The thread running through these narratives is clear: while Cars.com markets itself as an ally for consumers seeking transparency and integrity in car buying, many users feel abandoned once they've shared their experiences. For instance, Matvey Gornak expressed disappointment over changes made to interactive tools on the site—tools that were meant to empower buyers but now seem more geared towards generating leads than facilitating genuine transactions.
Interestingly enough, even amidst these critiques are glimmers of positive experiences like Michael Mellinger's praise for Honda Crown Auto’s team in Pinellas Park. His story highlights how personal connections can transform potentially stressful encounters into memorable ones filled with trust and satisfaction.
Yet it's hard not to notice patterns among negative reviews regarding customer service—or lack thereof—on Cars.com. Users report being blocked without explanation after attempting to list cars for sale or struggling with technical issues that leave them feeling unheard and frustrated.
In this digital age where convenience is king, one would hope platforms like Cars.com could bridge gaps between dealers and customers rather than exacerbate them by prioritizing profit over user experience.