NHTSA Complaint #11160795 — 2009 SUBARU FORESTER

I PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER THROUGH THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN WEST CHESTER, PA. I PAID $5,600 FOR THIS USED CAR, BELIEVING IT WAS A GOOD DEAL BASED ON THE SALESMAN'S RECOMMENDATION. DURING THE PROCESS, THEY TOLD ME OF THE REPAIRS THAT MAY BE NEEDED, BUT WITH NO MENTION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY. FIVE WEEKS LATER, I WAS DRIVING HOME ON BACK ROADS AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND. I DISCOVERED THE CAR'S EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD BROKEN OFF, DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS RUSTED OUT AND FALLING APART. MY MECHANIC LATER INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLD GIVEN THIS DANGEROUS, TERMINAL ISSUE AND THAT IT WAS NOT AT ALL SAFE TO OPERATE. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND THIS OUT. I WAS DISTINCTLY TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE A VERY SAFE AND RELIABLE CAR FOR MY FAMILY TO OWN. THE SALES PERSON EXPRESSED HOW THOROUGH THE UPKEEP OF THE CAR HAD BEEN OVER ITS LIFETIME AND EXPRESSED THAT IT COULD GO ANOTHER 50,000 TO 100,000 MILES. I COULD NOT PICK IT UP UNTIL THE NEXT DAY, SO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD PERFORM A THOROUGH VISUAL AND MECHANICAL INSPECTION. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A THOROUGH INSPECTION GIVEN THE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE SALESPERSON I DEALT WITH IS NO LONGER EMPLOYED AND THERE WAS A NEW GENERAL SALES MANAGER WHO WAS VERY RUDE, UNPROFESSIONAL AND UNWILLING TO HELP ME. IN ADDITION, I SUBSEQUENTLY NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MAJOR DISCREPANCIES WITH THE DATES ON THE INSPECTION/EMISSION STICKERS ON THE CAR. THE DATES INDICATED ARE 2017, 2018, AND 2019. IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT INSPECTIONS WERE ACTUALLY COMPLETED ON THIS VEHICLE. AS A CONSUMER, I WAS RELYING ON THE EXPERTISE OF THE DEALERSHIP TO FULLY DISCLOSE ANY AND ALL SAFETY CONDITIONS CONCERNING A USED VEHICLE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT SEEKING HELP. (PICTURES ATTACHED)