i am a new client and this is my first month with them .. thus far the only thing im remotely happy with is my installer and service guy in asheville nc. his name is chad corbin. thus far the device has yet to violate me . i did have to end up replacing a 10 year old battery but that was coming anyway. i usually get to speak to someone when i call customer service . last night it was giving me a little trouble blowing and not prompting me to blow when my ride was over. i called brad and he told me how to reset it and get the moisture off the alcohol detector and voila. !!! no more issues today . hes a helpful guy and when it was being installed he told me everything i needed to know and stressed rinsing with water down to dont eat honey buns lol...luckily for me i only have to drive it possibly 2 times a month. 1 time for service and once around the block. 11 months to go!!! read more

SMART START DESERVES NEGATIVE STARS. They have zero costumer service after enrollment. I was told there was a promotion for a free first month if I enrolled today. Check my bill and was given a free two weeks, not a month. Lease fees were more than quoted. Install fees were more than quoted. MIGHT AS WELL ADD $100/month more than you expect. I called their credit and billing department, after 20 minutes on hold, I reached a person, they spoke with me for a few minutes, then put me on hold, after another 20 minutes, an AI voice tells me, we're experiencing longer that normal hold times, would you like a call back or continue waiting, I chose waiting, and then was told to call back during their regular hours. THE INSTALLER DAMAGED MY IGNITION SWITCH, when confronted he just mumbled and walked off. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS COMPANY SUCKS. read more

Smart Start charges a $40 plus tax "enrollment fee" just to get started. I called to schedule an installation through them and agreed to pay the fee, providing my card details over the phone. The charge went through immediately. The next morning, I checked my bank account and discovered I had been charged again--on a completely different day, for the same enrollment fee. I contacted customer support right away to report the double charge. The representative told me she could only see one transaction on her end, despite my bank clearly showing two separate charges. She then transferred me to their "credit and collections" department, which turned out to be fully automated and unhelpful. I was instructed to submit an online dispute that could take 5-7 business days to process, and if approved, they would mail a refund check to my address. After looking into reviews, I noticed this appears to be a recurring complaint from others as well. At that point, I decided to cancel immediately and go with a different provider to avoid further issues. This was an extremely frustrating and disappointing start to what should have been a simple service setup. I cannot recommend Smart Start based on this experience. read more

Go with anyone else but Smart Start. I have used them in the past and they werent as bad. 3 out of 10 but now its a -10. They only hire real ghe77o reps so you will always get the "just deal with it thereres nothing I can do" while quickly hitting transfer before you can even say anything. Its ALWAYS like that on every call. Just getting through to someone takes half your day and the wait times are ALWAYS 45 min to an hour. Its beyond insane how they run a company like this. I was quoted $130 and thought it was going to be like that every month so i connected my debit to auto withdraw. I also have a 750 fico score so im pretty on point with my finances. Well i only got the same bill for the first 2 months and have been paying $170 ever month. The charges never make any sense and the violation fees are absolutley aggressive and wild. Its $100 if you leave your car too early after parking and turning off your car because it could beep several minutes after so you just have to wait every time to prevent getting a violation. It doesnt even make sense. I have a grueling 6 more months left with them. I am not a one off complaining customer. Look at my profile, im not a petty person who ever complains but this company is really something else. DO NOT go with them. I have had to call them about my bill over 7 times now, its practically every month and im still getting horribly rude reps after long wait times. Nothing ever gets solved. My bill somehow jumped to $250 because of a missed payment. Luckily i saved all my receipts but they couldnt apply the credit onto it. I just ended up paying another month because i couldnt bare the wait times and zero motivated reps that you get. If you still go with this company after my warning, then all i can say is i told you so. read more

Documented Overbilling, Runaround Tactics, and Zero Accountability Avoid Smart Start. This has been one of the most frustrating and financially draining service experiences I have ever dealt with. I was quoted specific pricing for installation, service, and uninstall. The actual charges did not match what I was told. During my last two calibrations, my account was charged double without my authorization. I was told the charge "had to be pushed through" just to schedule the next calibration -- regardless of my consent. The device is scheduled to be uninstalled on 4/15, yet they scheduled another calibration for 4/28. Today is 3/2/2026. That calibration is less than 60 days from the one just completed. It makes no logical sense and raises serious concerns about how these appointments -- and the associated charges -- are being handled. When I asked about the uninstall fee, I was informed it would be approximately $150 more than what I was originally quoted. The worst part has been the complete lack of accountability. Corporate tells me it must be handled by the service location. The service location tells me it must be handled by Smart Start corporate. Back and forth with no one taking responsibility. I spent over 1.5 hours on the phone trying to get answers, was transferred repeatedly, given inconsistent information, and ultimately disconnected without resolution. No straight answers. No ownership. No professionalism. I have documented call logs and recorded conversations confirming the pricing information I was given and the explanations provided. I am fully prepared to share this documentation publicly and with appropriate consumer protection agencies if necessary. Between the inconsistent pricing, unauthorized charges, questionable scheduling, and constant runaround, I strongly recommend choosing another company. read more

They begin the process lying. At every step off the process there was extra charges above what they tell you in the beginning. They are worse than thieves and con men. I would say the cost over the 6 month period cost 3 times the initially explained costs. At the very end it prolly cost 400 between smart start and mechanic shop on removal process. Always have extra 100 put away for cheats on calibration day. It's worse than mafia. And say you dont have the money they want thier device will lock and hold your vehicle hostage. I just completed the program for my license but if I new then whati know now id have went somewhere else and save alot of money . Working for a government agency running scam and extortion racket..... read more

Awful company. You can't speak to a real person. I've been charged a couple times for a new curly cord because 'I damaged it' I suppose by bringing it to my face while driving instead of bending down to it. The technician even said 'they just wear out over time' and I still didn't get a refund. Over $100 each time. Then during the 'ice storm' in TN I made it to the store twice one week while the technician was unable to apparently and they weren't open and I ended up getting locked out. I'm unable to find out if or when they will be open and from what I read on Google, because no one can seem to give me an answer, I get ONE lockout code out code for about 6 hours and then after that I have to get towed. Which I'm sure they won't refund me for. Money grab or incompetence. Both sound right to me. I only need my device for 6 months. Pay extra. Use ANYBODY ELSE read more

We have had numerous issues with this company over the years. Will charge you for BS and then not help or refund money. We have issues with their equipment malfunctioning with lockouts, missed blows (when there wasn't one) and end up having to pay either lockout fees or service/trouble shooting fees- and most of the time both. You call to discuss and they tell you file a complaint/claim/incident report online to try and get reimbursed. You fill it out and submit all supporting documents and it says they will be back within 7-10 days. You don't hear back from them so you call again and they tell you to fill out another form but the person you are talking to can't help. You ask for a manager to see if we can discuss further and they either say no one is available or I've even been put on hold until it actually hangs up on me because I sat so long. I've left multiple voice mails and emailed multiple times. I've got delivery receipts and read receipts for the emails since I get no response. A couple times they have deleted my messages without even reading it. If I do get a response, it is only by email and says to contact their number and we repeat the same cycle over and over. I have been fighting with them this last time since August 2025 on 1 issue that they still won't resolve. Since August, we have had 4 or 5 more issues regarding lockouts, mouth pieces, and credit holds with no resolution or call back. Currently, my account on one of my vehicles is on hold because they applied the payment to the wrong account. I am contacting my attorney to see what my options are. One vehicle has the equipment removed and working on getting the other one removed so we are absolutely done with them. read more

These bastards will charge you up and down and without prior knowledge. If you have a violation, it causes some "interruption of service" fee. Yet, no interruption in having to blow the fucking device in order to get your car started. Also, if you get violated for a service to your car at a dealership results, you get charged for that. Hundreds of dollars despite your not having attempted to drive under the influence but because the dealership mechanic failed to have you blow for a restart after the service was completed. These people are assholes of the first degree. They milk the legal system to charge you thousands above and beyond what the courts have adjudicated to be your punishment. Fucking leeches is what they are. Don't sign on with them. read more

You are stranded for 2+ hours waiting for someone to pick up the phone for an unlock code.. When they answer tell you the system is down and to call back with no ETA. I hope this company goes all the way under. Your reps are rude af must make minimum wage to be that rude n mad. Yall a a shifty as company. To have ppl answer the phone to tell us to call back like it's only a 10min wait.. you could've left me on hold till it came back up.. We are in 2023 where is the digital assistant cause the humans need to go!! read more

Smart Start Ignition Interlock - Long ass waits to not help - Interlock Systems Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I also had a smart start, and it gave me bad readings even though I haven't drank since 2007, my d u I was from medication. I thought I would go a smart start. Thinking it would save me money, but all it did was. Give me violations and cost me a lot of money. DO NOT GO WITH SMART START. AGAIN DO NOT GO WITH SMART START..! read more

Worst customer service!!! Not a great service!! The employee hung up on me after 1h of waiting!!! If I could give 0 star I WOULD

Let me start by saying, I understand this whole process is meant to be a deterrent from drinking and driving. With that being said, this place is a nightmare from start to finish. The customer service is next to impossible to get in touch with, the device is unreliable leading to false positives (which of course incur fees), the local mechanics (at least in my city) are rude and unhelpful and documentation is severely lacking. This place is a scam. I know they'll never get shut down because their services are necessary, but just be prepared for the most annoying, incompetent experience of your life if you have the displeasure of having to use their services. read more

AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS. Customer service is terrible (more than 30 minute wait times), and they seem to be outsourced to the Phillipines. I am paying whatever they ask, because I have no choice. Example: Went to the 3rd party shop for my 2 month data download from the device, he was told by Smartstart to not release my vehicle because $399.90 was owed. I have autopay set up for $108.30 (supposed to come out 11/25). This same thing happened to me 2 months prior. When I contacted customer service to find out status, they said to get my auto pay date changed to just before my service date - this should alleviate any owed $$$. Just got off the phone with them, and they are unable to change the date. WTF. Apparently their auto payment system sucks. read more

Smart Start Ignition Interlock - All this for $108.30 a month??? A RIPOFF, but we have no choice. - Interlock Systems Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Worst company ever, terrible service, device malfunctions and locks you out ALL THE TIME. File a grievance, the company says the device is working fine, charges you to unlock it, tells you to deal with the DMV or any repercussions on your own. DO NOT GO WITH SMART START FOR YOUR IGNITION INTERLOCK unless you want some serious torture. read more

Be aware of hidden fees and scams this company have unreliable customer service and will cause you to have issues with your car I have to get my car towed multiple times and it's drained my battery completely it's outrageous read more

This company is a racket. I have issues with my device weekly. Sometimes it just won't start, other times it freezes, most of the time it is more of a pain than an actual beneficial thing to prevent drinking and driving. Requires you to take the device inside at night because it's so finicky. I would use any other company aside from Smart Start. The device isn't smart and it doesn't start. 0 stars. Customer Service takes forever to answer, provides minimal assistance then transfers you to someone else. They nickel and dime you on everything for a device that doesn't really work. read more

Terrible service and company. It's impossible to get a hold of anyone after you have the device installed. I wish I listened to the reviews and went with another company. MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE DEVICE. The screen/device literally turned off and on while I was driving and somehow when I was at a red light and engine completely turned off and wouldn't turn back on. My car was stuck in the middle of the road. Soooo dangerous. Then I had to pay out of pocket to tow it to the auto body shop. read more

I updated my address three months ago with Smart Start and they refuse to update my local service location from my previous one. they expect me to drive over an hour one way to have my device calibrated and then chose to have my service date on a Sunday when all of their service locations are closed. I tried to find other locations the next day, but they were closed or were not there anymore. I attempted to contact Smart Start through chats, emails, and calls but no one responds. I spent over 30 minutes on hold waiting for a rep but no one would come on the line every time I tried to call. It's extremely unprofessional to not address the issue they created!!! I drove over 200 miles trying to find a location to work since the phone numbers only go to Smart Start's automated phone tree menu that doesn't allow for any actual conversations with humans. I'm looking for a new company now to complete my term as Smart Start has no concept of what customer service is. read more

If I submit a lower review I would. This company is a scam, they charge for things that are completely unnecessary. While understanding the device is a requirement for a violation there's no need to triple charge people on top of it. i If you need an interlock system use any other company you can. This place will make you lose your car and your license with all the extra fees they charge. DO NOT USE!!! The customer service team is not helpful, the automatic system gives you a run around to speak to someone and once you talk to them they are rude and treat you with little to no respect. read more

Well, I have a Tesla, and I take all the tests when I am in the car, yet I keep getting violatioN lock. When I aSk them why, they say is missed test. I am not sure if the test is missed when the car is parked and Tesla release any updates. But the issue I have with Smart Start Ignition Interlock is that their Customer service is AWFUL, they take a minimum of 40 minutes to answer the call, and the customer service repsesentatives are usually rude, and not knowledgeble about their job. Some of them are not well spoken, they keep talking in circle. Additionally, every time I get a violation lock, they charge me a lot of money. Every time I get violation, there is one charge of $104.99 tittled as IID System Service, the violation lock is $75. And sometimes, they charge $104.99 IID System Service twice. And I called them to ask about it, they just say, it's fee, but don`t explain anything. They don`t show me any missed test on the machine, it only shows violation lock. They never provide a report to you with date and time of violation. You don`t even know if that's a valid violation, given that I don't miss any test when I am driving my tesla. It's obscure as if it is really a missed test. Tesla turns on just by you approaching it with the phone (with Tesla app on it), or just if you open a door and close, or the trunck to get something from it and close and walk away, they= machine requires you to take the test as soon as the engine is on. MY ADVICE FOR YOU IS: TAKE TIME TO READ REVIEWS OF OTHER INTERLOCK COMPANIES. STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A TESLA. read more

THE WORST! Save yourself the headache. You better hope you do not need to communicate with them after you set up. You spend 30 plus minutes pushing buttons just to figure out how to get ahold of someone for your issue and when you do, they are rude and not helpful. They are not forthcoming about any balance owed, they do not send a bill and the portal does not advise of a past due balance. I called them to plan a removal of the device, they gave me the price, but not that I had a balance owed, so when I got the device removed, all of a sudden I had to pay more than expected, and if you don't have the money, you better make sure you can figure it out because you pay another company for the labor to remove the device, but they don't charge you for the Smart Start until they are done, so they try to hustle you out of your money and wont release your car even though you paid for the labor to get it removed. I was very dissatisfied with this company. Their website reviews, in my opinion, is false advertising. I wish I would have went to BBB or Yelp for reviews, this company is rated 1 star across the board. DO NOT fall for their trap. read more

The customer service is awful. The local rep takes weeks to get back to you and always has excuses. Now they are hitting me with lock out fees after my car was serviced. Stay away. read more

The WORST interlock company in every possible realm! Their customer support just, rude (if you wanna know how to not treat a customer call them). My blood pressure rises and damn near get an aneurysm anytime i call. I have had NOTHING but trouble and fee after fee! constantly getting the run around. My device recently continued to display hum stronger and caused me to miss several test while driving they told me to tow it, and that they aren't sure if I'll be reimbursed. HOW TF is their FAULTY device my problem?! Mind you I'm still waiting on another report incident from when my car was in the shop and have been told different stories each time I've called.. I would rip this shit out myself if I wasn't a now, law abiding citizen. -1000 stars. But don't you dare be late on a payment they'll come for your first born if possible. read more

Scumbags. That's all their is to say... I mean who can blame them though! Their "customers" are really just slaves to their idiotic business model. customer service? Who cares! They have no choice. ridiculous fees and prices? Abso-fucking- lutly! Who cares! They have no choice! A shoddy product that's a roll of the dice for whether it works or not? Yes to all the above. These clowns will fuck you sideways until you're broke, dead or your absurdly long requirements are finnally met. I WOULD RATHER WIPE MY ASS WITH A CHEESE GRATER FOR ETERNITY THAN HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE BUMBLING FUCKING BUFFOONS AND THEIR SHITHOUSERY. They will make your life as inconvient as possible all the while stealing your hard earned money by chrging you at every possible corner. Avoid, avoid, avoid, avoid. If you can get by without a car until your liscense is reinstated... for the love of god do it. This company is awful in every way. Ignition interlock devices are awful. Avoid at all costs it would probably be cheaper to uber to anny desitination you can't wall or bike to. read more

Worst experience ever. Got a lockout violation. Passed every blow prior. 68.00 to get a 12 hour unlock code. 25.00 to have it recalibrated. $gas to drive to service center. Told by customer service to contact DMV as to why I got locked out. WTH? Scam. DO NOT USE THiS COMPANY!! Wish I could give negative star. Again, DO NOT USE THiS COMPANY!!! read more

do not use this company. draining my account with fees, violations to keep you on longer. i wish i read these reviews prior.

I got in interlock installed (October 2024) think they would be a good company I been having problems with them since day one!. the first devices they installed was malfunctioning I was stranded at the store for four hours it took 2 hours+ for them to answer the phone ‍ they always put me in service lockout for no reason and always want to charge you. every time I turn around they got some different fees. I hate this company and I hope they go out of business asap read more

I am a current customer with Smart Start and I highly recommend you find a different company, I was charged a lockout fee for something I didn't do and came to find out that when I went to the service calibrated, it wasn't updated right, not only that they locked me out for that reason, I had to pay $63.00 for a lockout code, plus $86 for a violation fee, in which I was told by the representative I can dispute, and I did submit both disputes since February 5th 2025 and have not heard not one response from anybody. every time I call them about it all they do is bounce me around from to and don't get any clear nor callbacks, nor emails, nor any type of response. not to mention, they just raised their fees. I will be looking for a different interlock company, but it has to be approved by the DMV before I can even switch, so I will be doing it, but I highly recommend you guys do not use Smart Start for your interlock service provider! read more

Faye Sciacchitano was extremely rude. I have never complained about anyone before. Ever. Whenever I would ask a question she would give me little to no answers. So, I proceeded to ask for more information and that's when she started raising her voice, cutting me off, and it just continued from there. She should not be in customer service. read more

These have to be the most inept people on the planet. Somehow my email address (a very early Gmail address that's along the lines of mjsmith @ gmail dot com without any numbers or other descriptors that all the M.J. Smiths who came after me have had to use) has gotten into their system attached to someone who apparently has been required by a court system somewhere to have an ignition interlock installed. I have received dozens of email for her asking me to schedule an installation. Despite five emails to the sales representative and two phone calls to the sales rep's direct phone number where I've left voice mails, the emails continue. Not only is this annoying for me, but the woman who needs this service is not getting the emails she should. It's hard to understand why they can't fix this problem. read more

So far I'm two months in it has been one of the worst companies ive ever worked with. Before starting with them I was told the monthly fee would be $105 after installation I was handed the new list of fees and charges that are added to the monthly payment when I questioned them I was told I have no choice it's already installed. when I showed up this time more charges were added the person helping me was extremely rude and said it's for calibration fees and walked away as I was trying to talk to him. All of this took place after I showed up at 230 and there was a note on the door saying closed for lunch and no one would tell me when they would be available so I drove to the other two locations where one was closed and the other had left for the day and when I called their customer line I ran threw the phone tree 8 times before someone finally called me back and put me on hold for 30 minute. And after all this I went back to the location on Florida st in Spokane had it done at 530 when I finally left within 5 minutes of leaving the device gave me a violation I tried to call their customer line loc and the service line for 2 hours and no one will answer. So far this has been the worst customer service both local and corporate. read more

these people are grade a con artists. con. artists. horrible. unethical company taking advantage of people in a vulnerable situation. they cant even spell in their incident reports (which go nowhere) they rob your wallet dry for literally no reason. im so royally pissed off by this company, i dont even gaf!!! i will literally rehire my absolute savage of a shark lawyer to sue your asses and shut your garbage company down. i have spent 9 damn months cookie cutter clean with this whole process, not one lock out, not one failed or missed test, and they gave me a non compliant on my last day forcing me to give them hundreds more for 3 more months. you can not reach anyone at the company and they even blocked my number when i threatened to sue haha. i had to go back to court and beg the judge to give me a letter of compliance. do not use this company, if you have... sue them for every dollar they stole. read more

BEWARE! This company scammed me out of money. They claimed I missed 6 tests when I had not missed even one. Made me pay cash or threatened to lock my vehicle. Then after I paid , they refused a refund. Look into a different company if you don't like being taken advantage of and scammed. read more

Horrible customer service. Prices always increasing with extra fees. Nearly impossible to get through to a customer service representative unless you are looking to install. You will wait forever to talk to representative. Best bet is to lie and say you want to install and then tell them you wanted customer service. Requested 180 day compliance report for state DOL and when I went in for final download they made me pay for two more months fees that I did not need. Each representative told me something different when it came time for removal. Then they told me I had to pay a $70 administrative removal fee. Which stupid me I paid, and they still would not sent the compliance report to the state DOL needed. After three weeks of constant calling and emailing they finally sent the report. Then they want you to pay $140 for removal when it takes the service center 15 Minutes at the most to remove. My attorney doesn't even cost $560 an hour. The removal can be done by anyone that remotely has any experience at car electronics. The only positive thing I can say is I did not have any of the failure issues other people seemed to experience. They used to allow a five day grace period for re-calibration not any more. Pay more money one hour past calibration and don't allow your system to go into lock out. If you do you have to pay to have car towed into service center. Even if you have your own car hauler they will not accept that you did not pay a tow company. Beyond ridiculous. STAY AWAY from this company read more

I've been a customer for about four years now. I have never ever had a failed test, I have never been late paying. This guy who works here needs to go. I've had it. Every single time I come in there's different charges for this and for that. Then when I ask questions he treats me like I'm stupid. I've had it. He literally just charged me $25 more than he was supposed to. When I tried to ask him a question he walked away from me. I've had it. Go somewhere else. No matter what I'm a customer for, I'm still a customer and don't deserve to be treated poorly. read more

This is the Worst Company hands down. you cannot talk to a rep if you have the devise installed you have to say you're interested in becoming a customer. Even though the recording says Customer service is their priority. "Not the Truth at all". When you get a rep as a potential new customer and ask a question they send you back to more run around on the phone to finally prompt Service department then hold time starts 42 min increasing to 58 minutes and so on. You should be allowed to rate them in the Negitive giving them a 1 star is absurd they deserve "- 10" on a scale -1 to -10 I would never recommend them to Anyone. read more

Absolutely the worst company I have ever dealt with. The hold times for anything besides installation and making payments, of course, are more than an hour EVERY call. Their techs are admittedly very poorly trained, show up as late as 45 minutes for appointments and know very little besides how much you owe them. Their corporate office omitted my VIN # on installation paperwork for PennDOT causing a two month delay in getting my license. There is nothing good to say about Smart Start. I strongly suggest others to do some research and pick ANY other company to deal with. I can't imagine that there's anyone worse. read more

These people literally make everything impossible.. they try to lock you into some ridiculous contract where if you miss a single day you have to completely start your entire year over again, pay a ridiculously high "reinstallation fee" even though they don't actually reinstall anything and heaven forbid you need to call to get an unlock code on any sort of schedule or before work because they will literally leave you on hold for hours while you wait for Noone to answer the phone then they'll hang up on you when you try to ask them what happened. Not to mention how they try to make you pay a balance that's 10 times your monthly fee just to stop doing business with them and refuse to give you any sort of itemized statement detailing the reasons for their exorbitant fees until you pay it first. They are lowlife bottomfeeders that think someone's misfortune getting a DUI is an excuse to dip their hands so far into your pockets it tickles your feet. AVOID THESE IDIOTS AT ALL COST!!!! read more

Just switched to this company in March 2024 as their equipment is smaller and I was told it was easier to use. That is not the case. The handheld unit malfunctioned 5 times (skipped Rolling test) it kept saying MOUTH CLOSER. Unplugged it, did not work. Sat in a parking lot for over an hour did all the things it said on the automated system. Even did the lockout code which did not work. Was on hold for Support it said hold time 34 minutes and was on hold for over 1 hour and when a rep came on the phone I got disconnected. Received a VIOLOCKOUT6days message. Chatted with someone online and they advised me to go to service center to clear out. $169 later and was suggested to submit an Incident report to get my money back. I am irritated as this was not my fault RETURN MY MONEY Faulty equipment read more