I normally do not post complaints publicly, but after multiple attempts to resolve this privately with Take 5 Car Wash, I feel consumers should be aware of my experience. An employee directed my vehicle during the wash process, and immediately afterward my tire sidewall was sliced/blown out, resulting in a $519 replacement bill from Toyota. I filed a claim promptly and provided the details. The response I received stated there were "no mechanical issues" with the wash equipment that day. However, my claim was based on employee direction/error -- not mechanical malfunction. I have attempted multiple follow-ups through customer service, escalation requests, and a Better Business Bureau complaint, but I have yet to receive meaningful resolution. I am simply asking to be reimbursed for damage that occurred while under employee guidance on their property. I hope Take 5 Car Wash chooses to review this fairly and resolve it appropriately. read more

Take 5 Car Wash - Sliced tire from employee (not mechanical) error. - Car Wash Near Me - Ellenton, Florida

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As you can see by the attached picture, the owner responded to my complaint but provided a phone number that no one ever answers. I've tried calling daily at different times, and no one answers. The only way I would ever use this car wash is : 1) massive emergency and needed a basic rinse off. And most importantly : 2) pay in cash because once the have your credit card info, good luck getting them to stop charging your card. read more

Take 5 Car Wash - Owners response - Car Wash Near Me - Ellenton, Florida

So I purchased the 29.00 wash and drove around to the entrance and waited for the attendant. He waved me inand began to haphazardly spray the bug wash/prewash onto parts of my car missing the entire windshield completely... Once the wash started there were spray nozzles not working I think the ceramic coating spray malfunctioned or just didn't work. To top it all off the blower was about as strong as an old lady with emphysema. With all the car washes in the area, I won't be going back. read more

Do not give them your credit card #. You will never be able to cancel the service without cancelling your credit card. Don't bother calling because you will never speak with anyone from the company. read more

This was our first time at Take 5 car wash in Ellenton. My husband was concerned about taking his Tundra through; but Gage reassured him the truck would be OK. He was right. Then Gage came over and gave the truck some extra attention. : - ) He sprayed something on the tires to get them cleaned and shined and then wiped them off. WOW!! He went above and beyond his job description. Thank you Gage. You are a great attendant. Loretta read more

Take 5 car wash is a scam. When you pull in they have someone "help" you with the machine and then signs you up for a monthly service. There is no way to cancel the monthly service. No wondering they are opening so many new car washes - they are a rip off. read more

They signed me up for monthly service without my permission! I have tried to cancel this since October 2025 and each month they continue to charge my account! read more

Scam. Be ready to cancel your credit card because they never stop billing you. You want 1 single car wash? Get ready to be a victim of their scam. Canceling is impossible, it is a SCAM. And your car is still dirty. Looking at all of your other 1 star reviews I suggest finding another way to SCAM people because this SCAM concept is so bad that it is failing. read more

I've been here so many times for my car wash, they usually do a really good job. This time the service was excellent, the attendant on hand was very detail oriented and had a huge smile on his face. He seemed to be the only one there at 10 am on a Saturday so I had to wait a couple minutes for him to help me regarding questions about my membership, but he was happy to assist! I don't know what you guys are paying this man, but pay him more!!! He is a huge asset to your company. In addition to the car wash, there is free vacuums to use to take your clean car to the next level. Thanks take 5! read more

This place is terrible. The majority of the car wash is not working but they still are charging full price for a wash. The managers know what is happening but are being told by their corporate office to pretty much do not give refunds or runs cars through the wash again. They are ripping off customers and. Or caring about it. The employees at the location said their hands are tied and they can't do anything about. They said the broken equipment has been before Nov 2023 and corporate isn't going to do anything about it. These poor employees have to put up with upset and dissatisfied customers because of corporate. They are happy to take your money etc but not provide the wash that is advertised. They are basically doing false advertising and they don't care. Let's see what the BBB will do about this. What a terrible place and company. read more

Don't go here. The right side is broken. The manager on duty is aware and said oh if someone complains I'll let the go thru again. We are new to area looking for our monthly plan and it won't be here. $16 for a basic wash didn't do much any wheels. And half a dirty car. So save yourself and do not go here. Could not get a refund and had to leave a message for refund. read more

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Literally half of the car wash isnt working. The whole left side of my car didn't get washed. A waste of money. This is the second time I've been here and same issue both times. read more

Tried for first time today so asked the attendant for recommendations. Chose the mid priced wash for $16. Went through wash and when I came out on other end it looked like the water completely missed my car ! Bugs on the front were still there, bugs on side mirrors still there and mirrors still dirty . It's not like I was four wheeling in my Prius or anything . Just commuting to and from work so it was 4 weeks or so since my last wash. Found manager and asked for refund . He offered to re-wash but I said for $16 it should have been cleaned the first time through. read more

Just took my brand new car to take 5 for the first time, I just backed into the drive way and looked at my car and realized that the car wash scratched my windows all over. Owner needs to resolve this somehow, I literally just got this car & now I need to buff out these scratches. Unacceptable and I will not be back. read more

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Don't go here. There are better options in the area. I paid extra for the rim and tire wash, and they came out dusty and completely unwashed. On top of that, my hood was covered with soap residue. Thankfully I didn't suffer any of the damage other reviewers did. read more

$20 for a car wash that left my car dirty from the two days prior rain and sludge. It's not muddy or has excessive bugs... just rainy debris and it's still dirty. Idk why they advertise drying your car either because it pushes you out so fast that it doesn't have time to dry anything. The vacuum is unlimited but I loved two times for a total of three different vacuum stations and they minimally vacuumed my car. I spent three times as long vacuuming little debris than the whole $20 car wash. Hard pass on this place. It's not what it used to be. read more

Just had car wash done for $22. Brushes did not even spin and tire shine not even applied. 2nd time this has happened at this location !!

I'm so disappointed. I always use the drive through car wash and vacuum myself because it's so much cheaper but I decided to really splurge and spend the extra money and pay for the most expensive wash at Frank's with all the fancy wax treatments and an interior clean. Which put me out $40! Well boy was I disappointed! There were various bug guts left on the hood and the vacuum and wipe down of the interior was the worst! Don't waste your money on this place. I get a better exterior wash at the $6 drive through. read more

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I give one star as it's the least I can give. The car wash is closed more than open. For some strange reason, they will not post a closed sign on US 301 North, so customers can see it's closed. Nope. Have to turn on the side Road, go to the entrance, and see it is closed yet again. Unfortunately, take five car wash has no problem charging my credit card every month for two premium packages. But they are almost never open. I will go try and get refund, but can't get there because they don't let nobody in. Frustrating. read more

Just drove to Ellenton take 5 and it was closed at 9:45AM. Really pissed, will wash it myself ! These folks are very inconsistent.

Take 5 has been charging my credit card for the past few months even though I canceled my service with them in December 2021. I have left several messages on their answering machine. No one ever calls back. Emailed their corporate offices, no response. If they are doing it to me, they can do it to you. Do not use their services!!! Stay away!!!! read more

They seem to be unable to maintain the main wash facility along with vacuums and air hoses. They need help.

Not a good car wash, only one side of my truck got washed and the tire shine was down.

The car wash equipment is never fully working! Vehicles come out 1/2 clean at best! I cannot wait for a competitor to come into the area!

This place is closed more than open, though the website never changes and no one ever answers the phone to tell you. Drive there and 5 cars in the parking lot and a sign saying maintenance, this happens all the time not once in a while and for a week at a time. Horrible customer service, horrible business since Take 5 took over. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone. read more

Bug guts still all over it with streaks and a haze on the window. Disappointed and not worth the wait or money.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!!! My cat looked the same going out as it did going in. And then the vacuums do not have great suction. $25 dollars... for what?! read more

If I was drunk & blind I could do a better job cleaning out a car. Their service is deplorable. You mind as well put your money in a trash can or set it on fire. They couldn't care less if they return a clean car to you or not. It's not worth the aggravation going to Frank's and dealing with no one who cares that you gave them $40 for 12 minutes of car detailing only to get back in a car that is as dirty as it was when you turned it over to them. Do yourself a favor and AVOID FRANKS AT ALL COSTS. read more

Probably be one of the worst car washes that I ever did. I did an upgrade and the brushes not all working & at the end, the top dryer brush does not work. Would not recommend this place for a car wash. read more

I like this place for in and out service. Be sure to pre-wash as the machine sometimes doesn't do a great job and my glass is always hazy. Otherwise I get a great value with my membership read more

This company is horrible. I signed up for their membership and was told at the time, that should I want to cancel, I just needed to stop by their office. after a few months of subpar service, I decided to cancel. when I went into the office they told me they could t cancel and I would have to call their customer service. already irritated by a stupid lie, I called to find out that none of the options allowed you to speak to an actual person. I did the prompt to cancel but wanted reassurance I would not be charged again. went on the website and also cancelled my service, and left my personal information on the contact me to talk to somebody but was never reached out too. needless to say, 3 weeks later and I was charged again. now I have to dispute it through my CC company, but I won't let them steal money. whatever happened to customer service? What a shame, do better. read more

I have been going there since they opened. For the first few months I did a pay as you go. I now have a monthy subscription (what a deal!). No automatic car wash is perfect, but this one is very good. They have only been open a couple of years and have already updated their equipment. read more

Frank's does an adequate job of cleaning up your car. On a typical day, it's a solid 30-45 minute commitment from entrance to exit. The staff are young, and *extremely* motivated by tips. You have to tip the guy that vacuums the car. You have to tip each person that dries the car. It's tacky. The prices are high, especially for the Columbia market. Add on the $5+ in tips that are borderline mandatory, and this is a pretty expensive outing. The waiting room is drab and outdated, with only a soda and snack machine inside. The location is fantastic (hence 2 stars instead of 1), right off of Lake Murray Blvd and easy to access from I-26. I think this place needs a deep clean and new GM. If they were to upgrade to a touchless system, I would be back. read more

I pulled up about 5:55pm to get exterior wash. One car in front of me. Some kid puts chain up in front of my car, while looking at me. I called and got supposive manager. He said they were closing a little early today. He was very condescending. He suggested I come earlier next time. I guess he hasn't read rule 2. read more

This review is for Willie! Always has a smile & very professional. Will see yah next time around.

This location is by far the best of the chain. Unlike their Lexington location, the employees are friendly and actually heed requests such as how to gain access to the third row seating of an SUV to vacuum. I have weather tech floor mats so it was nice to see them physically removed and the carpet vacuumed underneath. Wish there was a way they would actually clean off the plastic mats though.... In a pinch for a car wash and on a time crunch, this is the location to use. read more

THE WORST SERVICE I have ever received ! I took my SUV and I have kids which it would be a little on the dirtier side however I have leather seats and I do not have carpets I have the all weather floor liners so they wet them and when the gave me my car back there was puddles in my car and I said are you expecting me to get into a puddle and drive off my back seat was dirty there was crumbs everywhere they did not whip anything off the back was sooo dirty they left trash in the back I has to throw it out I was disappointed will NEVER COME BACK and I do not recommend any one take their vehicle to this place. Oh and by the way this was after I complained so if this is the "best" they can do I'll go elsewhere read more

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Personality of cashier left a lot to be desired. Self vacuum pump were almost all broken so had to keep moving because they don't put sign up saying broke. Not an enjoyable experience read more

I used to get my car cleaned well here regularly years ago and decided to go today. Here are the results of an exterior wash and interior cleaning. I'm not sure what to think about this. Doesn't look clean to me. Would you pay for these results? read more

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After spending about a week and half in Chicago during snow season, I felt a car wash was definitely needed to get all the salt and travel grime off my car. I had heard good things about this car wash, but sadly drove away disappointed. I don't think that they do a very good job of rotating / cleaning the giant fabric things that whomp all over your car, and this concerns me, as it 1) Doesn't clean my car and 2) If they don't clean them, that means that they are embedded with mud, which means that there are small rocks / debris waiting to scratch your cars exterior finish all to hell. Added to that is the fact that the power behind these things (henceforth referred to as 'car whompers') was set to 'kill', so be careful if you have antennas and heed their instruction sign by folding in your side mirrors if you can, and removing anything from the exterior that you would like to see again...goodbye Chicago Bears magnet, I hope you're in a better place... I will say that they did a great job on cleaning my wheels. The alloy doesn't appear chipped, and it got all the road grime and brake dust off, leaving some shiny shiny manufacturers original rims. Fancy Fancy. I can't comment on the interior wash, as 11 days of cross country travel with two dogs and a sick spouse created a biohazard zone that I couldn't in good conscience subject anyone to. I decided to burn the interior and just drive in the shell of my slightly cleaned car. read more