Why More Turo Users Are Speaking Out About “Unfair Fees”

By Shalena of Shalena Speaks

Let’s talk about something that’s been stirring up a lot of drama in the car rental world — Turo. If you’re not familiar, Turo is like the Airbnb of cars. You rent a car from everyday people, not big companies. Cool idea, right?

But lately, users — both renters and car owners — have been putting Turo on blast for what they say are shady, unfair fees that pop up out of nowhere. I did some digging, and let me tell you... This ain’t just a few people complaining, from what I understand.

Surprise Fees No One Warned You About.

Let’s say you book a cute little car for $50 a day. Cool. Then BOOM — by the time you’re checking out, it’s $120. Why? “Trip fees,” “processing fees,” and sometimes “young driver” charges, even if you're not that young. It adds up real fast.

And guess what? The host doesn’t even get all of that money.

Many hosts are claiming that Turo keeps a huge chunk of what the renter pays — sometimes up to 60–80% — leaving the actual car owner with crumbs. That’s wild considering it’s their car on the line.

Damage Fees… Even When There’s No Damage?

One of the biggest complaints renters have? Getting charged for things they didn’t do.

• One woman said she returned her rental in perfect condition, only to be hit with a $1,700 damage charge days later.

• Another got slapped with a $150 cleaning fee for “smoke smell” even though she doesn’t even smoke.

• Some people say they’re being charged for scratches or dents that were already there and they can’t get through to a real person at Turo to fight it.

That’s the part that gets folks heated: poor customer service. You’re stuck emailing bots, not people. Meanwhile, your bank account is crying.

Hosts Say Turo Is Inflating Prices Without Telling Them

It’s not just renters who are upset — hosts are speaking out too.

Some say Turo is marking up their listings by 3–5x and pocketing the extra cash without giving the host a cut. Imagine listing your car for $100/day and Turo charges someone $500 — but you still only get paid based on your original $100 rate.

And if it doesn’t rent because it’s suddenly too expensive? That’s on you.

What About Taxes, Insurance & Extra Charges?

Many users complain they didn’t realize how much insurance would cost until checkout. Some hosts say Turo’s protection plans barely protect them at all — and when there’s a problem, they’re left holding the bag.

Also, Turo takes fees from both sides of the transaction — the guest and the host. That means they’re double-dipping. Add on taxes, and it feels like death by a thousand cuts.

Real People, Real Frustration

Here’s what actual users had to say:

“Turo charged me $1,000 in fees after the trip ended. No warning, no breakdown — just a hit to my card.”

“I listed my car for $200/day. Turo was charging people over $1,000 and not telling me.”

“They charged me for cleaning and smoking when I literally never smoked in the car. I showed proof. They still took the money.”

Turo Complaints Reflecting Real User

 Frustrations

Unexpected Fees After Trip

User Complaint (Reddit, 2025): A user rented a Tesla and returned it in good condition, with no smoking or issues reported. After the return, the host claimed a $500 EV charging bill, asserting charging was free at Tesla stations, which was later denied. The host then submitted a $1,600 claim for minor issues, and Turo threatened to send the claim to collections, even sending threatening emails on New Year’s. The user described Turo’s terms as allowing the company to “charge anything” and called it a “complete scam.”

User Complaint (X, @luisfbacci, July 20, 2025): A user was charged $2,292 CAD in additional fees after their trip, including a smoking fine (despite having babies in the car), a gas fee (despite returning the car full), and an improper return fee. Two months later, Turo provided no proof for these charges, and the host profited $1,384 CAD. The user submitted evidence like photos, receipts, and conversations, but Turo refused responsibility.

User Complaint (Reddit, 2021): A user rented a Hyundai Elantra for two days and was charged a $150 cleaning fee by the host, which Turo then doubled, resulting in a $400 total cost for 16 hours of use. The user noted pet hair from a jacket but did not smoke, and the purpose of the “trip fee” was unclear, leading to frustration over the unexpected cost escalation.

Lack of Transparency in Pricing

User Complaint (Reddit, 2021): A Turo host noticed a discrepancy where a customer’s receipt showed Turo charging $200 more than what the host received. The user listed their car for a certain price, but Turo added significant fees, with the host only receiving a fraction of the total. Another host commented that Turo’s trip fees can be as high as 80% of the listing price, doubling the customer’s cost without clear disclosure to the host.

User Complaint (X,  @justmejustdc

, July 21, 2025): A host complained that Turo takes a significant portion of the rental and delivery fees, leaving them with only one-third of the total amount charged to the renter. The host was unaware of the full amount Turo charged renters, describing the platform as “shady” for its lack of transparency.

User Complaint (Reddit, 2023): A renter was shocked by a $120 trip fee on a $160 two-day rental, describing Turo’s fees as “ridiculous” and noting that they have increased significantly over time. Another user reported a $44/day Toyota Corolla rental with an $88 trip fee, making the total $195 for two days, prompting them to opt for Uber instead. Users expressed frustration over the unpredictability and lack of upfront 

clarity on these fees.

Disputed Cleaning and Smoking Fees

User Complaint (Reddit, 2022): A renter was charged $250 for smoking after returning a car, despite never smoking and offering to take a drug test to prove it. The host provided a photo of “weed crumbs” in the center console, which the renter claimed wasn’t there at dropoff. Turo closed the user’s account, and despite escalating the issue with screenshots of similar complaints against the host, the initial response was inadequate. The user eventually got a refund after proving the host had a history of similar claims.

User Complaint (Reddit, 2018): A renter, who never smoked and was staying on church property, was charged a $125 smoking fee based on the host’s claim of smelling smoke. The renter vacuumed the car thoroughly due to some sand but was still charged, with Turo requiring photo evidence of ash that the renter disputed as possibly fabricated. The user contacted their credit card company to block Turo charges, describing the experience as a “bigger headache than renting from

 an agency.”

User Complaint (Reddit, 2023): A renter was charged a smoking fee despite not smoking, with the host citing a cigarette butt in the door handle 10 days after

 dropoff. The user disputed the charge, noting the host had sent an “everything looks great” message earlier.Turo eventually refunded the fee after discovering 

the host had a history of similar claims.

User Complaint (JustAnswer, 2022): A renter was charged for smoking on a closed debit card after returning a Turo rental, despite never smoking. The bank issued a provisional credit but later reversed it, and Turo refused to provide evidence. The user noted this as a “common occurrence”withTuro and other sharing apps, frustrated by the lack of proof and unexpected charge.

User Complaint (Reddit, 2024): A renter was charged a $150 cleaning fee despite being told by the host not to vacuum, as cleaning was included. The host later claimed the car was excessively dirty, and Turo denied the dispute due to lack of

 posttrip photos. The user felt misled and planned to dispute the charge with 

their bank.

Additional Relevant Complaints

User Complaint (X, @klowewilliams

, July 23, 2025): A renter was contacted off-platform by the host after the trip, demanding additional payment. When refused, the host left a fake review, and Turo’s support offered no help, leading the user to vow never to use the platform again.

User Complaint (X, @DahzeeBruh, July 24, 2025): A user was charged $551.87 despite an error preventing booking, calling Turo a “scamming” platform for taking money without delivering the service.

User Complaint (Reddit, 2023): A host reported a guest smoking and leaving mud, food, and trash in the car. 

While the cleaning fee was approved, the smoking fee was initially denied until the host provided photos of cigarette ash. 

The guest claimed they vacuumed, but the host’s evidence led to both fees being approved, highlighting disputes where renters felt

 unfairly charged.

User Complaint (Nola.com, 2024): A renter was charged $3,000 for alleged damage to a BMW’s interior trim (minor scuffs), which coincided exactly with their insurance deductible. The renter disputed the charge as a scam, noting inconclusive photos and Turo’s failure to provide detailed repair estimates. After advocacy, Turo closed the claim without charging the renter.

Analysis and Context these complaints consistently highlight three main issues with Turo:

1. Unexpected Fees: Users frequently report being hit with large, unanticipated charges after their trip, often without clear explanations or breakdowns. These include smoking fees, cleaning fees, or vague “trip fees” that significantly inflate the cost beyond the advertised rate.

2. Lack of Transparency: Both renters and hosts express frustration over Turo’s pricing model, where renters face high trip fees (sometimes 100% of the listed price) and hosts receive only a fraction of the total charged. This lack of clarity fosters distrust in the platform’s fairness.

3. Disputed Smoking/Cleaning Charges: A recurring theme is renters being charged for smoking or excessive cleaning despite denying the behavior. Many claim hosts exploit Turo’s policies by fabricating evidence or leveraging the absence of renter photos. Turo’s dispute process often sides with hosts unless clear counter-evidence is provided, and even then, resolutions can be slow or inconsistent.

   
   

Turo’s policies, as outlined in their Terms of Service and Violation Fees pages, state that hosts can charge for smoking or cleaning violations, but evidence (e.g., photos of ash or significant mess) is required. However, users report that Turo’s support often fails to provide or verify this evidence, leaving renters feeling scammed. Additionally, Turo’s trip fees, which can range from 2.5% to 100% of the trip price, are disclosed at checkout but can still surprise users due to their variability and lack of clear explanation.

Oof.

So What’s the Solution?

Listen — the peer-to-peer car rental game is still new territory. But if Turo wants to keep its reputation clean, here’s what people are asking for:

• More transparency at checkout (no more sneaky fees)

• Better communication between guests, hosts, and customer support

• Real humans reviewing claims, not bots

• A fairer split of fees and optional pricing controls for hosts

Recommendations for Users

• Take Photos: Always take timestamped pre- and post-trip photos of the car’s interior and exterior using the Turo app to document its condition. This can protect against false claims.

• Review Host History: Check host reviews and trip history for patterns of excessive fee claims before booking.

• Dispute with Evidence: If charged unfairly, escalate disputes with Turo, providing photos, screenshots, or other evidence. Contacting your bank for a chargeback or the state’s Attorney General office may also help.

• Understand Fees: Review the itemized breakdown at checkout to anticipate trip fees, insurance costs, and potential extras. Book further in advance to potentially reduce fees.

These complaints are drawn from user-generated content on Reddit, X, and other platforms, which may reflect individual experiences rather than universal issues. While many users report similar problems, Turo’s positive reviews (e.g., 4.4/5 on Trustpilot) suggest some users have good experiences. Without access to Turo’s internal data, it’s unclear how widespread these issues are. Additionally, some complaints may involve user error (e.g., not taking photos), but the volume of similar grievances suggests systemic issues with transparency and dispute resolution.

Read That Fine Print, Sis

Turo can still be a great way to travel or earn passive income — but the platform clearly has work to do.

If you’re renting, take pictures before and after your trip, read all the terms, and screenshot everything.

If you’re hosting, double-check your earnings breakdown, opt out of automatic pricing if you can, and keep receipts.

Have you had a bad experience with Turo? Drop your story in the comments or tag me on social — I want to hear your side.

Because on Shalena Speaks… we speak the truth. 💯

Bonus Tip: Always use a credit card for rentals. It's easier to dispute shady charges than with a debit card.