Complaint Review: Mills Motors - Centralia Washington

Last April I flew from Phoenix to Seattle and then took an Amtrak Train to Centrailia, Washington, where I purchased a 1999 Dodge Ram Wagon 15 Passenger Van from Mills Motors for $2,899. I sent Mr. Mills $2,000 plus all the documentation that he needed in advance. The final payment made when I arrived. I told Mr. Mills that I was spending a bit of money to get up to his location and Ididn’t want any surprises; I was looking for a smooth sale. Mr. Mills assured me that there would be no surprises.

Upon arrival, I paid Mr. Mills the final payment. He finalized the sale and I got behind the wheel of my Dodge 15 passenger Van. Immediately I was overcome by the strong stench of “Wet Dog Smell”. Also the Check Engine Light was on along with the ABS and Brake Light. I released the Emergency Brake to extinguish the Brake light, but it persisted. I stepped on the brake pedal to start the engine and the pedal went right to the floor.

I called Mr. Mills out to the van and asked for an explanation. He said that when I got back to Phoenix, let the van air out and the smell would dissipate rapidly. The Check Engine Light, the ABS and Brake Light were probably the result of a bad sensor and an ABS sensor was relatively cheap. As for the Brake pedal going all the way to the floor, he encouraged me to drive it around the block and assured me that it would come up. Mr. Mills said that he would have no problem driving the van to Florida.

Well the brake pedal did come up a little, but the thing that really scared me was the “play” in the steering wheel. There was over 4 inches of play. The ball joints were so badly worn in the drag link that it had to be replaced immediately when I got home.

I was stuck… it was either take the van or pay another $300 plus to get back home.

On my way back to phoenix, I stopped at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) show in Las Vegas to see the latest gear. When I got back to my van, it wouldn’t start. The problem was a loose wire at the battery clamp, which I fixed when I got home. When I got home to Phoenix, I checked all the levels and was horrified to find that the radiator was filled with rusty water. I immediately flushed the system and filled it with 50/50 Prestone. I also found that the A/C Compressor Reed Valves were chattering and the system would not cool properly; and the rear heater core had been leaking and was bypassed in the engine compartment.

So to capsulize…

• Strong Stench of “Wet Dog Smell” lasting over 6 months.
• Intermittent Electrical problem at the battery clamp.
• Drag Link Ball Joints severely worn.
• Leaking Radiator.
• Rusty water throughout the entire cooling system.
• A/C Compressor Reed Valves Chattering resulting in insufficient cooling.
• Rear Heater Core leaking - disconnected in engine compartment.
• Right Electric Window goes down but not up.

This vehicle was sold by a man who lied right to my face and told me that there would be no surprises.

Before the sale, the driver’s side window was shot out by someone and repaired and also the front windshield has been replaced with the cheaper glass that has no tint along the top.

My suggestion is to run away from Mills Motors just as fast as your little feet will carry you.

Jack Mills is not to be trusted at all.

Visit: MillsMotors.HasYourCar.com

Jack Mills has my money and I got Ripped-Off!