I Can’t Believe That the Hyundai Palisade I Rented From Turo Was Repossessed, and It Happened While I’m Sitting At a Restaurant With My Son

Can you save money by renting a car from Turo? 

The answer is yes, but before you do, consider this unexpected story from someone renting a car from Turo. The car was repossessed while she was parked at a restaurant. In her TikTok clip, Shay (@thepeopleschamp31) describes this as a nightmare rental car experience. 

Picture this: Shay, on a business trip in Texas, enjoying a leisurely lunch with her son in San Antonio. Suddenly, she spots a stranger booting her rented Hyundai Palisade. And just like that, a tow truck arrives to haul her car away. 

Her shock was understandable as she rushed outside to understand why her car was being towed away. Here's what she says about the unbelievable situation she found herself in.

Shay says, "So, the car that I rented was repoed yesterday. I cannot make this thing up. I was eating lunch with my son at a restaurant, and I looked outside and saw someone putting a boot on the car." 

"So, I ran outside and said, sir, I think you have made a mistake, I'm not sure why you are putting a boot on the car. He said, Ma'am, I'm sorry to tell you this, but this car is up for repossession."

"I said, no, you can't. I can't be. I just rented this car." 

"He said, ma'am, 'I'm sorry we have to take the vehicle, because the bank is repossessing it." "I said, Are you serious? I live in Atlanta, and I'm in San Antonio, Texas, and I have to go back to Dallas to catch a flight home in this vehicle." 

Shay is in shock

"What are you telling me? How are you telling me that a car I rented is a repo? I can't believe this is happening."

"What I can't believe is that a rental car company would put a person in a position to miss their flight. They could potentially miss a wedding, or a big event they already planned, because of your negligence and mistake in ensuring you are renting a good vehicle." 

"So, I had to contact Turo and ask them what they will do now? The person who rented the car could do all she could do was say she was sorry. But your story doesn't help me get to my sister's wedding. It doesn't help me catch my flight from Dallas."

Update:

Shay says, "I just wanted to follow up and let you know what happened with the car I rented that was repoed."

"I am not blaming Turo. I'm upset with the individual who put the Hyundai Palisade on Turo, now it could be reassessed. I've rented from Turo several times and never had a problem." 

"Turo, when I called them, they processed my refund immediately; they did not ask any other questions. So, I don't know what kind of contract they have with the owner of the Palisade for renting out this car, and for me, Turo did everything possible to help me."

Shay Has To Rent From Enterprise to Catch Her Flight. 

"However, I rented a car from Enterprise to get to Dallas, which cost as much for one day as it did for four days with Turo. So you do the math. I would never dis a small business."  

"I understand as a small business owner myself. That's what I do for my business. I teach others how to offer the best customer service as a top priority, so I would never say not to use a small business like Turo." 

"Turo refunded my money, I went to my sister's wedding, and this situation could have been much worse. I'm thankful that it was not worse and that everything worked out. And I still would recommend Turo." 

In the comment section, someone asks Shay why she rented from this Hyundai Palisade owner. 

"I believe in running a good business, you know? The Palisade owner rented the car multiple times over the last few months and had great reviews. This whole experience was so unexpected."

Shay Asks Turo To Do More Research On Who They Allow To Rent Cars

"However, I would ask Turo to ensure they check that car owners have a vehicle in good standing with the bank and that it won't be repossessed." 

Should You Rent a Car From Turo?

A report from CNN says Turo's popularity is growing, particularly in the car rental market. While 6% of car rental customers in the US use Turo, they are gaining traction, especially since the pandemic. 

More Turo Details

• Car Rental Market Growth: Turo, along with other peer-to-peer car sharing platforms, is experiencing significant growth in the global car sharing market, with a projected annual growth of 20% from 2023 to 2032. 
• Pandemic Surge: Turo's popularity surged during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic due to high rental car prices and limited availability, making it a popular alternative. 
• Market Saturation: While Turo is growing, some markets, like Los Angeles, are perceived as oversaturated, indicating that the platform may grow more slowly in those specific locations. 
• Customer Loyalty: A small percentage of customers find the platform very useful, but some have concerns about the amount of time and effort required to manage rentals, and the potential for negative experiences with some renters. 

What are Turo Customers Saying?

Reddit user, RhitaGawr, says, "I've never had a bad experience. But I document everything, take thorough photos before and after, and immediately communicate any issues with the host, of which I've only had two serious enough to remember."

u/CryptOccurrence says, "I've rented cars on Turo with almost 30 trips total and have had easy experiences every time. Unless you're doing something dumb or didn't think things through on your trip, I don't see how you can have a bad experience unless you have an accident that was out of your control and were dumb enough not to get the best insurance option for your trip."

However, Not All Turo Experiences Are Positive

dllsea says, "My host is accusing me of returning his car with damage, and there is none. I am fully insured and had the bad judgment to rent from a host with one prior review. So don't think it's all rainbows here, as things can turn on you quickly. I'm as shocked as you would have been, too."

Conclusion

Turo can be a good option if you're looking for a budget-friendly rental or a specific type of vehicle and are comfortable with the potential for a more personalized, albeit less predictable, experience. However, it's essential to research hosts carefully, read the rental agreement thoroughly, and be prepared for unexpected fees or issues. If you value consistent pricing and predictable experiences, a traditional car rental might be a better choice. 

How About You?

Have you rented a car from Turo? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: We Rented A Tesla Cybertruck For a Ski Trip, It’s Like A Giant Golf Cart and It Made Me Sick, I Refuse To Ever Get In One Again

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Shay