Budget Left Me Stranded With a Faulty Car and Extra Charges

On June 19, 2025, I rented a vehicle from the Budget office at Ankara Airport for a two-day rental, planning to drive from Ankara to Isparta and back. Upon receiving the vehicle, I noticed a slight vibration, but due to time constraints and my tight schedule, I didn’t pay much attention to it. Unfortunately, on June 20, during my return from Isparta to Ankara, the vibration worsened noticeably. Concerned for my safety, I stopped and found that the front right tire had suffered a steel belt separation. What happened next exposed how far a rental company can fall short of basic responsibility. The car had no spare tire, leaving me stranded by the roadside. Budget’s so-called “full support” hotline turned out to be nothing more than a call center with no actual authority or ability to help. They openly admitted they couldn’t do anything. As a result, I couldn’t refuel the vehicle and had to arrange for it to be towed. Despite all of this being caused by a vehicle fault beyond my control, I was charged an extra mileage fee for exceeding the limit by 70 km on a 570 km route. Ironically, I had to return the car earlier than planned and actually drove almost 100 km less than intended, yet I was still charged more. A single general invoice of ₺4,149.39 was issued. When I asked for a separate fuel invoice, a Budget Ankara Office employee named G*** G*** told me no fuel had been added and that the amount was based on their internal calculations. My request for a detailed breakdown was rejected. I was also warned that if I didn’t submit a declaration, further charges might be applied. This entire experience is a strong reminder that trust in a known brand can quickly erode. I strongly advise anyone renting from Budget to carefully check the technical condition of the car—especially the tires and spare—and to be wary of vague billing practices and inadequate support, even when you’re paying for a premium service.