Honolulu Volkswagen

I recently purchased a used car from this dealer, and at first, everything seemed fine. Unfortunately, just one day after taking the car home, it developed a mechanical issue that made it unsafe to drive. I had no choice but to return it to the dealership for repairs. The staff accepted the car for service and informed me that it would be ready by next Monday, which will be in four days. While I appreciate that they are willing to fix the issue under the warranty, it was very disappointing to experience such a serious problem almost immediately after purchasing the vehicle. I'm currently waiting to see how the repair is handled and whether the issue is resolved properly. I hope the dealership improves its vehicle inspection process to ensure future customers receive reliable cars. My overall experience has been frustrating due to the unexpected breakdown right after purchase, but I'll update my opinion based on the quality of the repair and customer service once I get the car back.

⸻ I purchased a used 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan from Volkswagen Honolulu in February 2025 with approximately 94,000 miles. At the time of purchase, I was told that significant work had been completed on the vehicle and that it was in strong mechanical condition, which influenced my decision to buy. Knowing I would be deploying in April 2025 when the safety inspection was set to expire, I attempted to complete the safety inspection early. I was informed by the dealership that I could not complete the inspection without the permanent registration, and it ultimately took several months for the registration to become available at the dealership. As a result, the safety inspection expired before I was able to complete it, and the vehicle remained parked while I was away. In total, the vehicle was driven fewer than 1,200 miles between purchase and inspection. After this limited use, I brought it back to Volkswagen Honolulu for a scheduled oil change and safety inspection in October 2025. The vehicle failed the safety inspection conducted by Volkswagen Honolulu’s own service department due to multiple issues involving suspension and steering components. These issues directly affected the vehicle’s ability to meet Hawaiʻi safety inspection requirements. The cost to address these issues exceeded $5,000 just to meet safety standards. I was informed by the repair shop that these were serious repairs and not the type of issues that would typically develop within such limited mileage. Given the limited use of the vehicle, this raised concerns about its condition at the time of sale and the thoroughness of the inspection prior to sale. When I brought this to the dealership’s attention, I was told that all required work had been completed prior to sale and that the vehicle was sold as-is, with no further assistance offered. Volkswagen corporate provided a similar response and declined to conduct any independent review. My interactions with dealership management left me with the impression that responsibility was quickly deferred, with little willingness to further review the situation or explore a reasonable resolution. I was also informed by dealership staff that vehicles of this age are brought only to a “stop and go” condition prior to sale. If accurate, this raises concerns about whether vehicles are being prepared to meet basic safety expectations. I understand that used vehicles are sold as-is, but I believe customers should be able to rely on a dealership to sell a vehicle that is safe to operate and capable of passing a safety inspection after limited use. The outcome of this experience did not reflect that expectation. I ultimately had to complete the repairs elsewhere due to a loss of confidence in the dealership. Based on this experience, I strongly recommend that anyone considering a used vehicle purchase obtain an independent inspection prior to buying, as my experience raises concerns about relying solely on a dealership’s inspection when making a purchase decision.

Thought I had a deal to ship it to NJ. Never heard back from the manager. Don’t know what happened

Easily the worst car-buying experience I’ve had. I returned for a second visit with the clear intention to buy, yet was met with the same manipulative sales tactics, delays, and lack of transparency. The online pricing is deceptive. Every vehicle has a $2,500+ “Island Protection Plan” that is not disclosed online, a textbook bait-and-switch add-on that only appears once you’re already at the dealership. I was told the vehicle’s scratches and dings had been repaired since my first visit — they were not. I was also told the car would be ready and pulled up for my scheduled appointment today, yet I waited 20 minutes just to see it, followed by 40 minutes to receive basic pre-negotiation numbers, with no updates or communication. On my first visit, those same numbers took 2 minutes to print. So an hour into my second appointment, with 0 progress made, I walked out. Despite showing clear intent to purchase, I was forced to restart negotiations from scratch after I spent hours during my first appointment pulling teeth just to obtain an itemized out-the-door price (which I ultimately never got).The process felt deliberately slow and obstructive, as if designed to wear buyers down instead of being honest and upfront. I liked the vehicle and seriously wanted to purchase, but after dealing with hidden fees, misrepresentation, excessive delays, and high-pressure sales behavior, I walked away. If this is how customers are treated BEFORE money changes hands, I have serious concerns about what service or warranty support would look like after the sale. Honolulu Volkswagen does not respect your time or provide transparent pricing. Buyer beware.

Went in looking at a vehicle and was going to have a mechanic look at it. When I texted the salesperson isaiah he said car was still available. The next day when the mechanic was on her way to inspect, he didn't answer phone, reply to text, or call back after voicemail was left. Pretty bad.

Honolulu Volkswagen is my dealership for the past two years. I have completely satisfied with the service provided, first by Jessica and now by Harold. Harold took exceptionally good care of me when I first met him, allowing me to quickly get new batteries for my expiring key fobs, even thought there seemed to be a lot of activity. He also quickly scheduled me for service when I casually asked him about availability. The service was done promptly and well. Outstanding team and service!

Sheree was very courteous, knowledgeable and recommended other items to look after. I will ask for her again on future visits.

This interaction was excellent. Roadside service was quick and efficient, Sheree was friendly and competent. My tire change was performed within a respectable amount of time. I would only like to let the Service department know that they did not reset my TPMS after changing my tire, and my voice mail requesting a call back has still not been answered. Other than that, I'm super happy with how easily and efficiently my flat tire was addressed.

The personnel at the shop was very professional. The repair job was done very quick. I'm very pleased with the customer service.

The establishment was very nice and the staff were cordial and professional. The service was excellent. While I did not use it, the shuttle service sounds great and will be appreciated for my future visits. I no longer have to drive to Mililani for service. Mahalo.