Car rental firms promise convenient, affordable access to an automobile wherever they are in the world. And yet, for thousands of consumers, the experience is often less reliable, involving car rental hidden fees, missing reservations, disputed damage claims, and poor customer service. We analyzed customer feedback on PissedConsumer to see which companies users complain about most and what the most common patterns are in car rental reviews. Key Insights Hidden fees, disputed damage claims, and unexpected post-rental charges are the most common consumer issues across the five most complained-about car rental problems. Consumers frequently report difficulties obtaining refunds, resolving billing disputes, and reaching customer service representatives when problems arise. Fewer than 10% of reviewers would recommend the companies featured in the report, indicating widespread frustration with customer service and dispute resolution throughout the industry. Which Car Rental Companies Receive the Most Complaints? When analyzing the best and worst car hire companies, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the five most complained about car rental brands include some of the biggest names in the business. These are the car rental companies you’ll see at every airport car rental and major tourist destination across the country. Due to the scale of these companies, online review trends and volume alone might not determine service quality. However, large numbers of similar complaints often reveal patterns of poor customer service, which can negatively affect the consumer's perception of the brand. Company Reviews Rating Enterprise 2,470 1.7 Hertz 1,567 1.5 Dollar 1,036 1.5 Budget 924 1.5 Avis 810 1.5 Enterprise: Good Locations, Lots of Errors As one of the largest car rental providers in the United States, Enterprise demonstrates that the size of your network does not protect you from negative feedback. As such, Enterprise has received more complaints than any other car rental on our survey. Enterprise is recognized for its neighborhood locations and pickup service, making it a popular choice for insurance replacements and local rentals. However, customer reviews frequently highlight errors with reservations, delayed deposit refunds, and post-rental billing disputes. One reviewer on PissedConsumer highlighted their frustration when attempting to recover a deposit after returning a vehicle. Their suggestion to avoid similar problems was simple: Make sure you get it before you leave. Other complaints include long hold times for cars to become available, cars booked but not available, and the lack of an apology when things do go wrong. With a rating of just 1.7 out of five and only 10% of rental reviews saying they would recommend Enterprise, the company has a long drive ahead if it wants to improve its reputation for customer service. Hertz: Only 5% of Reviewers Would Recommend Hertz is the second most complained-about car rental company on PissedConsumer. While consumers are quick to praise the company for their vehicle availability and convenient airport locations, the problem of disputed damage charges and slow claims handling is often cited in our survey. Some Hertz car rental complaints report being charged for damage to the vehicle they believe existed before pickup. Others report long delays when requesting refunds or attempting to challenge additional charges. To avoid a similar experience, this reviewer (#7232274) suggests: Pay attention when checking out car. Could unwarranted damage claims be damaging Hertz’s reputation? With only 5% of reviewers recommending the company, the answer is probably “yes.” Share your experience Dollar Rent a Car: Unexpected Charges and Unhelpful Customer Service Dollar is recognized as a car rental company with great rates. However, Dollar Rent a Car complaints often involve fees added to the hire costs after the rental has ended. These hidden fees typically include toll transponder charges, smoking fines, and additional cleaning costs. Other reviews complain about reservation problems. One reviewer (#6502019) described the experience of renting via Dollar as the“worst customer service I’ve ever experienced in all my use of travel” after being charged twice for the same $500 security deposit on the same rental. With only 7% of reviews on PissedConsumer stating they would recommend Dollar, it’s clear you cannot lead with price if consumers feel they are being hit with hidden charges. Budget Car Rental: Hidden Fees Drive Complaints Budget is another car rental company that positions itself as a value-focused provider, offering competitive pricing and loyalty benefits. However, when consumers are hit with extra and often unexpected charges, as reported in our Budget Car Rental complaints, those budget prices might not look so cheap. In one review on PissedConsumer, the customer complains about additional cleaning fees being taken a week after returning a vehicle, despite the car having been fully checked on its return. Budget charged my credit card. This is extortion since they have my card number but give no information about why they are charging except vague claims about needing cleaning. They refuse to delete the charge. Again, with just 7% of reviewers stating that they would recommend the company, it’s clear that hidden fees are something nobody wants to budget for. Avis: Premium Service, Excessive Cleaning Fees While Avis operates at the more premium end of the market, it faces many of the same customer service complaints as its budget competitors. But just because a car rental company offers a premium service, it doesn’t mean they should charge a premium (excessive) rate for cleaning, as highlighted in numerous Avis car rental complaints, including this review: I just got a bill for an excess cleaning charge of $125 with pictures showing nothing that an ordinary vacuuming of floor mats wouldnt take care of. I called customer service to explain and they told me there was nothing they would do. While Avis has the fewest negative reviews of all the major suppliers, it won’t be pleased with a score of just 1.5 out of five, and less than 10% of reviewers saying they would recommend the service. What Consumers Need to Know Before Renting a Car Before entering into any car rental reservation, consider the following: Check the deposit policy: Some car rental companies place temporary holds of several hundred dollars on debit or credit cards. Confirm this amount before accepting your vehicle. Document Vehicle Condition: Remember to take photos or videos during pickup and return. This can help resolve future damage or cleaning disputes. Understand Insurance Coverage: Take your time to review whether your personal auto policy, travel insurance, or credit card already provides coverage. Review Mileage and Fuel Policies: Fuel requirements vary between providers, and not all rentals include unlimited mileage. Read Cancellation Terms Carefully: Attempting to modify or cancel reservations may result in additional fees. Share Your Story Have you rented a car recently? Was your experience positive or negative? Online reviews on PissedConsumer can help other travelers make informed decisions about their rental choices, highlighting car rental companies to avoid, and encourage companies to improve their service standards. If you'd like to share your experience, you can write a review and help other consumers avoid common rental car pitfalls. Write a review