Cockroaches turning up inside cars is more common than many drivers might expect, especially in warm, humid regions like Florida This very thing happened to a Florida woman who says she purchased a “Gold Certified” Toyota Corolla, only to discover it was infested with cockroaches shortly after driving it home. A similar account appeared on Reddit, where user Jumpy-Sail5146 said they purchased a certified pre-owned 2022 Corolla in California and soon noticed “a ton of roaches crawling around.”In a TikTok video, creator Kimmy (@petalandpawttery), from Florida, said, “My Toyota dealership sold me a car infested with cockroaches,” describing what she characterized as her personal experience. She said she bought the car just a few days before the post and reported the issue to the dealership within hours. Because the next day was Easter Sunday, she returned Monday morning expecting a resolution. Instead, she described a drawn-out interaction with dealership staff. “I told him that I wanted a pest control company treating my car and a third-party detailer detailing my car,” she said, noting the vehicle had allegedly already been detailed twice before the sale. According to Kimmy, a manager declined, telling her the dealership had already lost money on the transaction and suggesting the infestation could have occurred after she left the lot. “After being gaslit for an hour about how this could have possibly been my fault, I was done talking to this person,” she said. “A clear biohazard” @petalandpawttery @Toyota Dealership sold me a car infested with cockroaches. I do have a longer video that I am debating on posting but I am extremely disappointed with how this Dealership chose to handle this situation. In my opinion they did not care that this was a biohazard and they were more upset that I was asking for their help on a car that they lost 1.3k dollars on. They also said that it was impossible to prove that those cockroaches did not get into my car in the 1 hour of me signing the contract and driving out of the lot. I am extremely disappointed with Toyota and urge other people to research carefully before buying a car even if its from a delearship. #storytimes #toyota #cartok #fyp #florida ♬ original sound – Kimmy She later spoke with another manager, who, she said, offered limited options, including a trade-in. But she described the replacement vehicles as subpar, saying one “smelled like a porta-potty” and another appeared to have been in a collision. After spending hours at the dealership, Kimmy said she agreed to a compromise: the dealership would “bug bomb” and detail the car and contribute up to $250 toward pest control. However, she said the follow-up fell short. “When I finally did get inside my car, it was clear that they did not detail it well,” she said, adding, “I saw a lot of dead baby cockroaches.” She also claimed a promised cabin filter replacement had not been completed. “It was a clear biohazard,” she said. “This car was a Gold-Certified car, and it did not meet Gold Certified standards.” In a follow-up post, Kimmy added, “So I do have some good news this morning. The Toyota executive office did call me at 8:00 am today, and they wanted to get my side of the story.” She said the representative told her the company would review the situation with “all their stakeholders, including the dealership,” and follow up within about a week. Another Toyota, another roach infestation Help! I bought a roach infested car from the dealership byu/Jumpy-Sail5146 inToyota A similar account appeared on Reddit, where user Jumpy-Sail5146 said they purchased a certified pre-owned 2022 Corolla in California and soon noticed “a ton of roaches crawling around.” The user said they initially attempted to manage the problem with bait traps but later discovered what they believed to be an egg sack. “Do you think I can email them about it?” the user wrote. In an update, they said the dealership ultimately took the vehicle back for extermination, though live roaches were still being found during cleaning. Roach infestation: What to do if it happens to you There is no evidence that Toyota vehicles—or the Toyota Corolla specifically—are more susceptible to infestations than other cars. Experts generally attribute such problems to prior conditions, such as food debris, spills, or periods of inactivity before resale. For consumers, documentation is key. Buyers who discover an issue shortly after purchase are typically advised to notify the dealership immediately, keep records of communication, and review any certified pre-owned warranty terms. Professional pest control is often necessary, as over-the-counter treatments may not reach hidden nesting areas. Guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicates that effective cockroach control usually requires a combination of sanitation, sealing entry points, and targeted pesticide use. As complaints like these circulate online, they highlight a lesser-known risk of used car purchases and the importance of addressing any unwelcome passengers before they multiply.