Consumer Safety Technology "CST" INTOXALOCK Multiple Problems happening from time to time Internet
I have had the "Intoxalock" by Consumer Safety Technology out of Iowa for about half a year now. I have experience many stressfull situations already.
First, my battery (being a little low on juice from playing radio with car off) would not let the car start even after taking a passing sample. The car would start to turn over for a split sec with plenty of power left to start the car, but the unit would cut off ignition anyway for low voltage. (not to mention the display on the unit doesn't tell you it's a low voltage situation.
Second, After they upgraded the unit due to MN law changes requiring a camera, they added a siren to notify you to blow, that must register at about 200 decibels. It is soooo loud that I nearly pooped my pants the first time it went off when starting and during a rolling retest. My ears were completely numb after driving. I called them to discuss the siren and they indicated that I would have to pay to have the service station to insulate the siren to lessen the noise because they say it is not an install or unit failure. No, but it's a huge design/engineering failure. I shouldn't have to damage my future hearing because of this unsafe decibel level.
Third, every unit that I receive at re-calibration act differently. some beep for about 10 secs before doing anything. Some give weird lettering across the screen. Some display voltage. My last unit start to ask for me to blow after the "waiting for restart" countdown ended after shutting off my car (only reason I noticed was because I was standing next to my car talking to someone.)
Fourth, They charged me $75 for a lockout do to eating food that created a positive reading, even though I passed the re-blow when prompted. Even though not a violation by law, it's still $75 for them to press a couple of buttons to unlock it.
Fifth, In cold weather it had me wait 45secs to warm up (understandable), but then at the end of the countdown it just started counting down again in :59 sec increments with something like ( R :59) on the display. I would never let me blow, just kept going through the alphabet over and over counting down from :59 sec. Had to call afterhours emergency line to have the tech, help me reset the unit.
Conclusion? I've had this unit for only about 6 mos, and have had all these issues. I'm scared to death about this inconsistent device screwing my life up do to Missed Work, and Questionable charges. ( understand it was my fault for eating before blowing, but the girl on the phone was like, "It clearly states in the Manual that you should avoid eating or drinking before blowing. Even though you passed the re-test 3min later and it's not going to violate you, you are still responsible for the $75 lockout fee.) The tone of her voice had the "I know you are but what am I....elementary tone....
I have never been the complaint/sue type, but forming a Class suit against this company for Hearing loss alone is tempting. It can be easily tested that the Decibel level put out by this siren on their unit is loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Mad
Altoona,Alabama,
Same Problem
#9REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, July 08, 2014
Hi, I have had nothing but trouble with this device. I have called every day for the last week with problems. Some of the employees have been very helpful and others just down right rude. I know this is a court ordered service, but it is a service I am paying for. I would like to know why law enforcement has breathalizers that can tell the differance between alcohol and food??? I would gladly pay more for technology that wont leave me worried and stranded all the time.
Thnk you, Unsatified customer.
SoberandSorry
New Paltz,New York,
We are human beings
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, September 04, 2013
I would like to say to everyone who is angry with DUI offenders. We are human beings, we make mistakes. Are we happy with what we did? No, and not just because of the money, or the device, but because things could have been worse.
That is the thing though, if things had been worse, we would be serving jail time. I admit, I was stupid when I listened to the lady in the tow truck suggesting that I move my car to avoid getting it towed; but when you are drunk your ability to make rational desicions is impared.
As far as this intoxalock device goes, I am terrified to drive now. Every five minutes of driving it startles the willies out of me, and half the time I need to do two rolling retests because I can't breath hard enough or my breath change is too early. It is really becoming a very stressfull drive in and out of work. I got locked out for what I have no idea the other night, and I can barely afford my fines as it is.
Please believe me, I am not on probation, I am allowed to drink when I am home or not driving. I barely do as it is, which is probably why I was stupid the night I got my DUI charge. Regardless of this, devices like this and the hatefull comments makes us feel like second class citizens and is not constructive.
Swaintek
Seattle,Washington,
Class Action Lawsuit
#9Consumer Comment
Sat, June 29, 2013
I just got off the phone with a customer service rep who flat out refused to give me even her name, and then when I asked to speak to a supervisor was told that I could be transferred to voicemail. I asked her to please have the supervisor contact me when available, and asked when that would be. Not only did she refuse to even give me a ballpark estimate, she wouldn't even give me a day when the supervisor would get back to me. My car has been sitting, dead of course because this product is a piece of junk that ruins car batteries, in a Car Toys parking lot for 4 days now. 3 days ago I had another hour long phone call with another very rude Intoxalock rep who insisted that it was basically my problem and that my battery was the cause of the recalibrated device not working. It took me putting the Car Toys technician on the phone with her to confirm that it was not my battery, it was their faulty device, before she would even listen to me.
At that point she guaranteed me that they would overnight a replacement part and it would be in by Saturday. It's Saturday, no part, my car is still sitting dead in a bad part of town, and I couldn't have had a more rude conversation with a customer service rep than the one I just had. The customer service rep made it very clear that she could care less about my issue and made it clear that I was an inconvenience to her. I am beyond fed up with this joke of a company. They have a captive consumer base that has no other options and they feel they can treat their customers like garbage. I will at a minimum be filing in small claims court, I would love to file a class action lawsuit. I've already emailed a class action attorney, and would love it if anyone else who has had similar experiences with intoxalock contact me at (((email redacted)))
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
I thank the employee
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, January 17, 2012
For updating this report and "bumping" it. Because when I read the response of the OP I was just amazed. Amazed how they don't think they did anything wrong and want to start a Class Action Lawsuit against this company.
Get a life
- Thanks to you getting pulled over..someone may just have been able to do that because you didn't get a chance to KILL them.
I have a high tolerance for alcohol so .087 was nothing.I was completely fit to drive at that point. A light weight might have been trashed at that point, but I'm not a lightweight. I didn't even feel a buzz.
- Yea, I bet that argument worked really well in court. I suggest if you truly believe that find a local MADD(or similar) group and give that same speech to them. Let us know how that went.
Oh and as for you being asleep in your car because you were trying to do the "right thing". Let me guess you were so desperate to get a drink that you couldn't wait until you got home. So you decided to pull over when you were totally sober(0.00), then "downed a few" and realized that you better sleep it off...that is how it went right.
IntoxalockbyCST
Des Moines,Iowa,
United States of America
Intoxalock Customer Service (CST)
#9UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 16, 2012
Hello Jeff,
My name is Jules, I work for Intoxalock and I would like to address your concerns. I want to apologize for the service you received. We never want any customer to feel they were treated the way you are describing. I understand that having this type of device installed can be a lifestyle change for any person no matter what the situation. It is our goal to make each and every one of our clients experiences with the Intoxalock as seamless and smooth as possible.
Regarding the battery issue you mentioned, your vehicle battery must remain charged at all times to accommodate an interlock system. We understand that not everyone drives their vehicles regularly and that battery problems can happen without notice. However, because the interlock system requires power from your battery, is it critical that you start your vehicle at least four separate days per week for 5 minutes each to allow the battery to remain charged and your device to work properly.
We understand your concerns about the volume of the siren. When the law in Minnesota changed, a few of the initial new devices were a little too loud. For any driver that has one of those units, we encourage them to go back to the service center to have them adjust the siren. As we mentioned when you called, you should not be charged by the service center for this. However, if you are, simply fax us a copy of the receipt and we will credit your account.
The Intoxalock, as well as any other ignition interlock device, will read any source of alcohol, not just alcoholic beverages. Because there are thousands of products that contain alcohol we do strongly recommend that you wait at least 15 minutes to submit a breath sample after you eat, drink, or use any product that may contain alcohol. This recommendation is not meant to be a hassle, but to help drivers avoid lockouts caused by non-alcoholic beverage readings.
Again, I apologize for any inconveniences you have experienced and I invite you to please contact me at 877-777-5020 if you would like to further discuss your situation.
Ken
Colorado,USA
I think they were too easy on you serial DUI offenders that
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, January 03, 2012
are able to "safely" operate a vehicle after/while drinking. More delusional thinking by you and your drunken brethern.
I think you should be in jail.
Get real, YOU ARE the problem.
I've lost two friends (separate accidents) to drunken fools such as yourself...NO SYMPATHY here!!
Ycable
Maple Grove,United States of America
Intoxalock
#9Author of original report
Tue, January 03, 2012
To the person that commented on my original post. Get a life. You obviously have no clue what you are talking about. The 200 decibel level was a general statement. I don't have an instrument to measure the sound level, but when your ears are completely numb after one 10 min drive then something is not right. And Exposure to that several times a day, everyday over a two year period is going to have damaging effects. 2nd, you know nothing about me or my situation. I was pulled over the first time for a headlight that burnt out and blew .087 going 10 blocks. The second time I was sleeping in a a sleeping bag in the rear of my car when an officer approached and even though the car was cold and not running, I got a dui for having my keys within 150' of the car cuz the officer was nothing but a bully plain and simple.
I have a high tolerance for alcohol so .087 was nothing. I was completely fit to drive at that point. A light weight might have been trashed at that point, but I'm not a lightweight. I didn't even feel a buzz.
The 2nd time I was trying to be responsible, and thought if the car wasn't running I'm good, but no, the busy bodies in the legislature have noting better to do than to hyper control every aspect of our lives, and screw peoples lives up even. Give me a ticket for doing the act not for having my keys. With that logic we should just arrest everybody right now who has a finger, cuz it might be used to pull a trigger killing someone. There is absolutely no difference in logic.
Ken
Greeley,Colorado,
USA
First, I want to thank the courts for requiring a device of this type for serial Drunk Drivers...
#9Consumer Comment
Thu, November 17, 2011
My first choice would be a LENGTHY jail term.
First, if the sound level was TRULY 200 db, your hearing and anyone else's within in earshot would now be deaf and your car windows shattered.
The approximate noise level of older jet engines is in the 130-135 db range and can cause rapid permanent hearing damage. 200 db is thousands of times louder, the db scale is logarithmic.
The level of yours is likely around 80 db and not harmful with limited exposure...a lot longer than it will likely be on for you.
Radio Shack sells a level meter for something like $50 and it's pretty accurate.
Have you even considered you might be better off NOT drinking and driving?