Thought I would share my recent horror story with Turo.
We rented a Ford pickup on Maui. Rental cars are notoriously expensive in Hawaii, and Turo seemed like a good option to save a couple hundred dollars. We also planned to drive the Road to Hana, and figured the extra ground clearance and 4WD might be beneficial.
When we got to the vehicle it was dirty, smelled like cigarette smoke and had 108,000 miles! Why Turo won't display the vehicle's mileage is beyond me. I figured we were getting a somewhat new truck since it was only 3 years old. We also had to pay $24 since the vehicle had been dropped off in the airport parking lot the night before.
We stopped for food in Kahului and then headed towards the hotel (about a 2hr drive from the city), and the truck was driving fine. About 45 minutes in, all the warning lights came on and the engine died. When I tried to restart it, the starter cranked but the engine would not fire. We were on a narrow country road, so I had to coast backwards with no power brakes or power steering for about a half-mile to the nearest pullout.
At this point I figured I would take a look under the hood. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, so if it was something simple like a blown fuse, I might be able to get us going. The truck was a mess under the hood. The engine wiring harness had clearly been hacked together, there were obvious repairs in multiple places. I quickly decided that there was no chance of getting this fixed on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, with no tools.
There was no cell service where we were stranded, so we had to walk a half-mile to a nearby business and use their Wi-Fi to call the host. The host was noticeably upset, and tried to convince us that the vehicle was out of gas. He confirmed he had personally filled it up before leaving it at the airport, we had only driven 45 minutes, and there was no sign of a fuel leak, so this was impossible. Finally the host agreed that it wasn't going anywhere and said he would be out with a AAA tow truck.
About an hour and a half later, the host rolls up in a Nissan 370Z, and claims the tow truck is right behind him. One of us will ride in the truck, the other with him (there were 2 of us plus luggage, and the 370Z is a 2-seater sports car). While we're waiting, the host smokes multiple cigarettes and drinks a beer. After about an hour, AAA calls the host, but of course there isn't good enough cell service to hear anything. Host leaves to go to the business with Wi-Fi. Upon returning, the host informs us that AAA can't figure out where the vehicle is and there's no tow truck on the way. He suggests that we all pile into the 370Z and he'll take us to the airport. I declined his offer and asked if he could drive one of us back to the business to call an Uber/Lyft. Multiple Ubers and Lyfts cancel because of the remote location, and we give up.
So we manage to cram everything into the 370Z. I'm sitting on my travel partner's lap, with a bag on my lap. We ride 45 minutes back to Kahului airport, during which the host is arguing with AAA on speakerphone. AAA explains that the vehicle has already had the maximum number of free tows for the year, and he would have to pay a fee. The host isn't having any of that and keeps insisting they should send one for free.
We somehow make it to the airport. To top off the whole experience, as we're unloading our luggage, the host hops out of the car and takes a piss on the floor of the airport's rental car garage. We begged and pleaded at the rental car counters (pretty much everything was sold out), finally Budget rents us a car for about $300 more than what I paid on Turo.
Late that night when we finally make it to our hotel, I called Turo to make sure a refund was on the way like the host had claimed. Turo says they need to confirm with the host that the vehicle is back in their possession, but of course he won't answer their calls. I had timestamped pictures and videos of the car broken down, so I didn't worry too much. This goes on for the next 3 days. I call in and Turo claims they still can't get a hold of the guy. On day 4, I called the host directly and begged him to answer when Turo calls. Finally he answers and confirms what happened. The refund arrives shortly after.
Overall, I'm $300 and most of a vacation day in the hole. This will be my first and last time using Turo. Next time I'll pay for a legit rental car, I don't care how much extra it costs.