Safety Groups Seek Federal Trade Commission Curbs on CarMax Over Sales of Recalled Used Cars, Deceptive Advertising

The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

June 24, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC. A dozen major national consumer and safety non-profit organizations
are urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and take enforcement action against
CarMax, the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, over its sales of recalled used cars. In a
petition filed at the FTC on Monday, the groups charge that:

CarMax advertises on its website, on television, in newspapers, and at its dealerships
that each of the used vehicles it offers for sale are “CarMax Quality Certified” and has
undergone a rigorous, “125+ point inspection.” However, CarMax fails to ensure that safety
recalls are performed prior to selling used cars to consumers. As reported by the New York
Times, “CarMax, the nation’s largest seller of used cars, offers a “Certified Quality Inspection,”
which does not include fixing [safety] recalls.”

Click here to view the FTC petition

Click here to view the press release and related documents

Click here to view the New York Times article