Enterprise Claims Vehicle Damage/Sends Us Bill.

[macarose]

Did the tow truck driver perform an inspection report before they loaded the vehicle on their hauler or after?

If they didn't perform one before loading the vehicle, Enterprise has absolutely no case.

I have arranged for the transport of hundreds of vehicles. Enterprise needs to show that there was no damage before you picked it up AND that existing damage was evident BEFORE the vehicle was transported on the wrecker.

Damage documented upon arrival at the wrecking yard proves absolutely nothing. It needs to have been documented before they loaded the vehicle on the wrecker.

If they don't have an inspection done at those exact points in time, they have zero ability to claim guilt in a court of law.

Ask in writing for all documented evidence. I will bet you that the wrecker service did not inspect the vehicle and document the damage before loading it onto their hauler.

 

[97prizm]

The wife rented a car in Washington state from enterprise back in October. A Toyota Corolla. She had the car a few days when it suddenly went into limp mode. She drove to residence and called enterprise. Tow truck guy comes with a replacement, and takes the vehicle away. She signs no papers or anything for this. The next day she gets a call from enterprise trying to make arrangements to pick up the car. She tells them you guys already picked it up and dropped off a replacement at 0200 that morning. Fast forward to today. She gets a letter from enterprise claiming she is responsible for replacement of oil pan. Enclosed with the letter is one picture of a heavily dented pan. Bill is for $500. Claims two check engine codes, no oil on dipstick, hole in pan. Engine making noise. They epoxied hole in pan, filled with oil, cleared codes, reset engine parameters, ops check good, so they changed pan and pickup tube. She says she hit nothing, said she noticed engine was kind of loud, but no lights so nothing thought about it. Just stated she was driving along , was about 110 miles from Seattle where the car was rented, and suddenly the check engine light came in, and went into limp mode. (She says it slowed to and would go no faster than 25mph). We’ve never experienced anything like this and not sure how to go forward, she called enterprises and they basically told her if she didnt pay up, see you in small claims. I just find it a bit strange that they find this stuff, and assume she wrecked it somehow. We have no control over what happens to this vehicle once it got towed, or if this was damaged before she even got in it.
I’m aware most new cars have that big plastic shield underneath (it’s a 2025), and nothing was mentioned that it was damaged in any way as I would assume that a smashed in oil pan would also have a smashed up under-cover. Has anyone had anything like this happen, and how was it handled?

Escalate this to a higher up, and contact your local news station. I've seen problems instantly go away after a news station starts asking questions.

 

[GON]

Escalate this to a higher up, and contact your local news station. I've seen problems instantly go away after a news station starts asking questions.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

One example, Avis charged me for a missing key fob. What Avis actually did was give me the wrong vehicle, because the vehicle i was assigned was missing a key fob.

I often rent vehicles for hours, and not days, so nobody caught I was assigned a different vehicle.

When I challenged Avis on it, I also shared I was their "highest tier customer", and that I was renting at that time over 100 cars a year from Avis.

Avis response was simple, pay for the key fob, or be placed in collections and be banned from Avis/Budget.

I knew I had a losing hand. I folded quickly, paid the $500 for the key fob, and moved on with life.

Avis was never going to take me to court. They were going to execute their process of putting me into collections, which can cause significant more damage to my personal life.

 

[Propflux01]

“Kobayashi Maru” for me, it seems.. I can fight and lose or I can pay and lose. I’ll call and escalate, but just from theses responses it’s a lose-lose in the end.

Service Type: Claim:
DTC: P0524,
P052477

Manufacturer Recall Code:

Claim Number: VX45B8COC
Complaint:
Check engine light is on, Engine has a very loud internal noise
Cause:
Codes active for low oil pressure and Oil pressure low sever. Found no oil on dip stick.
Impact to oil pan has put a hole in it.


Correction:
Added oil Lifted and inspected. Damaged oil pan due to impact abuse. Using quick set epoxy performed temporary repair for
testing. added oil to specs. Cleared DTC's Oil pressure within specs. Engine vibration felt at 2300rpm's and hesatation with
hard acceleration. Rescanned no dtc's. Performed engine learned value reset and drove to relearn.
Pending review.
LH: removed and replaced oil pan and pick up tube. topped off oil and checked for leak good. clear DTC and road tested
vehicle good. performed post scan
Service Comments:


Dealer parking-
Part Qty Part Qty
Part Number Part Description Part Price Part Line
1 1 AIRPRO post scan 5.00 5.00
1 1 15104-F2010 oil pick up / strainer 18.50 18.50
1 1 gasket/RTV 15.77 15.77
1 1 12102-F2010 oil pan 102.33 102.33
Item Description Labor Hours Item Total
Labor Cost Total 4.5 202.53
Part Item Total 141.60
Vehicle Tow 0.00
Repair Order Total 344.10


Vehicle Information
VIN: 5YFB4MDE7SP331855
Year: 2025
Make: TOYO
Model: CORO

Item Damage Taxes Admin Fees Loss of Use: (4.50 / 4.00) hours @ $65.61 per day @ 100.00% occupancy $73.48 Total Cost Amount Due

$344.13 $344.13

$34.75 $34.75

$50.00 $50.00

$73.48


Total Amount Due: $ 502.36*

 

[RooflessVW]

They'll send it to collections.

Can't get blood from a stone. Rates aren't good enough right now for me to care

 

[cptbarkey]

A lot can happen in 4 months. Sounds very scammy coming from Enterprise. They have no case. Hire a lawyer.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I can't remember the name of the rental company but they took a picture of the vehicle I returned with some rear bumper cover damage. It had black marks on it and didn't look like much damage. The tried to get me to pay $450.00. I called the company and disputed the charge and they waived the charges right away with just a phone call. After this I am taking pictures of every angle of the vehicle with my phone and have it date stamped upon return.

 

[OX1]

I would call Enterprise and request their dispute form. Fill it out. At least try.

The fact that they called the next day AFTER they already picked it up indicates they have no idea where the car was for a day. Ask them to prove that you damaged it vs. the tow company that had it for a day without Enterprise knowing about it. This is the crack in their evidence.

Keep records of everything. Do you have a record of the phone call from Enterprise? Can you request the record from the tow company that shows when it was picked up?

Ask for proof and evidence before you cave. Be assertive, don't be nice, but be in charge. Make it difficult for them and maybe they will back off.

In addition to no proof that tow truck company didn't do it, they will not have proof the car was not rented to you this way.
They have pics of under engine shield (assuming it has one) in perfect shape and/or no damage to oil pan. Nope!!!
Ask for proof car was not rented that way, and proof it was that way (supposedly) at time of towing pickup.

You can always pay it at the end, if you decide that course of action. But I would demand the above, via certified letter.
I would also include a bill for your troubles (if you can think of anything) and accuse them a renting you a car with a safety
hazard/issue, as engine could have blown up while you were driving on highway, possibly creating a major accident.

I'd also demand pics of oil pan hole before they sealed it up. If it appears it could have been a very slow leak, then
it could have been that way when you picked it up. Again, if they did not take pics of damage before repair,
that's even less evidence they have of how it happened.

 

[xspeedy]

The burden of proof is on them, not you. And your wife wasn't the only one in possession of the car that could have caused the damage.

It doesn't help here, but I always take my own photos inside and out of a rental at pick up and drop-off and include an odometer pic as well. I'll especially get good photos of any damage spotted. I also like AmEx's add on insurance. It goes beyond CDW and costs some $25 per rental (not per day). It includes liability and is a primary vs secondary to your own insurance.

 

[ATex7239]

Sorry you’re going through that. The pan could have been damaged getting loaded on the flatbed. I’ve seen vehicles bottom out because of the steep angle when loading before. It’s possible.

I feel like I am hearing horror stories about rental car companies and bills for “damage” more frequently. Is that becoming more common? Is it because AI and camera analysis are becoming more prevalent. IDK. I have stopped renting cars for trips as much as possible. Obviously sometimes rentals are unavoidable. But I’m staying away from them as much as I can. Last business trip I used Uber or Lyft to get everywhere. Also I’m more likely to use our own vehicles on trips now. I’d rather deal with my insurance company than a rental car company if something goes wrong.

 

[Tdbo]

I can honestly say I treat rental cars with respect. I won’t even put cheap gas in a rental.

Scott

I'll treat a rental car with the respect that I treat my own.
However, it gets the cheapest fuel available.
If that turns out to be swill, then, that's just the luck of the draw.

 

[opus1]

I can honestly say I treat rental cars with respect. I won’t even put cheap gas in a rental.

Scott

Right there with you, but the thread reminded me of this bit so I had to share.

A long, long, long time ago I rented a car from Avis for a week. The car was brand new - IIRC there was maybe 160 miles on it. I drove that thing like it was my own and tried to follow the usual break-in suggestions for new cars. They got it back with 1200 miles and nicely broken-in.

 

[Hall]

I'd ignore it.

Others have mentioned this, but I'm surprised they didn't just charge the card that was used for the original rental booking.

I always take out the rental car insurance that Enterprise offers. It’s costs more but if the thing blows up and burns to the ground it’s their problem, not mine.

In the past, I always declined it since my regular auto insurance covers me in rentals, but the horror stories you hear nowadays about some of these, I'll pay it now. When we went to N Ireland a few months ago, I planned to waive the coverage and use a CC that had rental coverage but my cousin told me "get the insurance", so I heeded his advice. I didn't get the wheel/tire coverage though and did hit a curb and caused a pretty good scuff. When I returned it, I pulled in their "inspection" garage and then when the guy saw I had paid for insurance, he told me "you're good to go since you have insurance and we'll inspect it later" (if they even do). I kept watching my credit card app for add'l charges but nothing.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I’d get a lawyer before I paid the bill. I’m aware that it will cost more in the end.

A lawyer will charge you 10x for the retainer than to pay the bill. Most likely wouldn't even want to deal with this situation.

Probably worth your time contesting it somehow asking for proof etc but this is always an uphill battle.

What has always worked for me is emailing the board of directors. ERAC is a family owned company and they are better than the other is the space IMHO. You might have luck escalating with a solid defense. I certainly have with AVIS and their executive customer service.

 

[rijndael]

A lawyer will charge you 10x for the retainer than to pay the bill. Most likely wouldn't even want to deal with this situation.

That's not been my experience. I've done this for a similar situation and the "lawyer letter" was sufficient for the issue to go away. I was billed for 2 hours of their time.

 

[pbm]

My guess would be the prior renter damaged the oil pan (and not the tow company) and it leaked slowly until your wife drove it a few days and it lost enough oil to go into limp mode. If the tow truck damaged it why did it go into limp mode? I would fight them on it up until they were going to send me to 'collection'. I'd avoid that at all costs but you never know...they might back down when they encounter 'resistance'.

PS: About 8 years ago I rented a minivan in Florida (Nissan Quest) for a week. On about the 3rd day I was walking toward the van in a parking lot when I noticed it was dented on the underside (lower part of rocker panel) in a spot that was only noticeable from a distance (you wouldn't see it up close). I knew that I didn't hit anything and realized it was rented to me that way. When I returned the van I parked it close to the wall on that side (passenger side) and when they 'inspected' it they missed the damage just as I had when I rented it. I never heard from them and all was well.

In 2018 while in Europe they tried to charge me for a new tire due to a gouge in a tire on a rented Renault. I told them I didn't do it (which I didn't) and refused to pay....they dropped the request to pay for the tire. I did learn to look more closely and document damage before taking a rental vehicle after these episodes.

 

[crashz]

The bill is a lot, but other options cost more. I'd get it in writing that once paid, you are no longer responsible for anything else on that car. An email from the manager or district rep should suffice.

Against company policy, I have always added the rental company insurance. I treat the cars with respect, but I have been accused of scuffs, marks and dirty floor mats. No worries. I have the insurance.

I once rented some plastic mats for temporary road construction. I added the insurance, luckily. Three were damaged during my use. the rental company wanted $15k in replacement costs. Sorry, I got the insurance. After that, insurance on those things were never available again.

 

[thastinger]

I suspect they make it 500 bucks because people will find out they can't hire a lawyer for less money than that.

 

[zzyzzx]

they have all become crooks. Its the rental car mafioso shakedown

This.

Also, try using AI to see how to fight this.

Also, Hertz is famous for using scanners to check for damage on return, and billing for every imperfection.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

If you have an Amex, enroll in this coverage and always use the Amex to rent the car. $19.99 per rental (not per day). They paid a $2k claim for me a couple years ago after a stone cracked the windshield on a BMW I had rented.

https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/insurance/premium-car-rental-protection/

I use my Amex exclusively for rentals. It's a great deal. $20 primary coverage for up to 30 days. In reaponse to the OP. Dont give in but do not ignore it and let it go to collections etc. They probably just need some harassment to make it go away. Things like this I will put a reminder on my calendar and call 1 or 2x a week and try to get it up the ladder if they dont get it resolved.