Lava Car Rental Reviews 

3,760
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.3

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 70 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the efficient and quick service for airport transfers and vehicle processing, making pick-up and drop-off smooth and hassle-free. Many people also highlight the staff as friendly, helpful, and informative. The vehicles are often described as clean, well-maintained, and performing perfectly for their trips. However, some customers noted issues with the vehicles, including minor defects like non-functioning headlights or wipers, and significant problems such as broken heaters. A few other people also experienced tire-related concerns, with reports of repeated failures or worn tires that were difficult to change.

What people talk about most

Service

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of service, with many praising the excellent and swift service received.... See more

Product

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about the product, with many customers reporting positive experiences,... See more

Staff

Users describe positive interactions with staff, with many reviewers highlighting friendly, helpful, and kind... See more

Quality

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with quality, with many praising the cleanliness and good... See more

Location

People report ambiguous experiences with location, with some finding the rental car company conveniently... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Booked a Mitsubishi Eclipse for 12 days and paid for all the extras which we highly recommend. Pick up/drop off at the airport was good with quick processing time at the offices. The car was great; ju... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Rented a Nissan 4WD from Lava Car Rental and the entire experience was smooth from start to finish. Pickup from the airport was quick and hassle-free, and the car was spotless and ready within minutes... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We had a wonderful stay thanks to renting a Renault Kangoo from Lava Car Rental. The key handover upon arrival and return went very smoothly. We will gladly recommend this rental company to future vis... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good morning, we used LAVA Car Rental from July 27th to August 3rd, 2025. The reservations, customer service, and clear information were top-notch. The airport shuttle was quick and efficient. Pi... See more


Company details

  1. Car Rental Agency
  2. Car Leasing Service
  3. Recreational Vehicle Rental Agency
  4. Van Rental Agency

Written by the company

Experience Iceland with Lava Car Rental. We offer brand new rental cars, 4x4 and Campers for your Iceland trip. We offer a high class service and great prices.


Contact info

4.3

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4K reviews

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Replied to 72% of negative reviews

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4.3

All reviews

(3,760)

116 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Clarification about license requirements needed

Before booking I've looked through the requirements needed regarding the driver's license, it had some mentions about 12 months and it must not be a learner's license. It all looked promising until I've sent an email as the booking confirmation email contained a sentence regarding a "full" driver's license being required to make sure my license would be accepted.

For other people from Switzerland or other countries, this is a small warning that the license on probation (3 years in Switzerland) is not considered valid, although this is mentioned nowhere on their website. It simply mentions a learner's license is not valid, which is not the same.

I do understand I've made my booking without the refundable payment method. However, even after sending them 5 different links (that I looked at before booking, there may be more) of their very own website, including their own Rental Agreement and Terms of Service, that it doesn't mention anything about a license on probation not being valid, no (partial) refund even gets considered and the response time to emails goes from 10m-3h to multiple days. As per the description on those 5 links I've sent them, a license on probation would be valid. See by yourself with a search on Google with: "driver's license" site:lavacarrental.is

The Rental Agreement mentions a "valid" license is required; the Terms of Service mentions a "full" driver's license is required. Their own website describes "full" as being "not a learner’s permit or the equivalent". The Swiss probation driver's license is not a learner's permit or equivalent, as per local government e-mail confirmation:

> The Swiss provisional driver's license is essentially a full-fledged driver's license and differs only in that it is valid for a limited period, as indicated by the expiration date listed on it.

In my opinion this must be stated on their website, so that there is no such confusion when booking a car with such a license. And I find it unfortunate that not even a partial refund gets considered, as it's quite misleading.

As a side note, the support team is really responsive and my emails were answered pretty quickly and I appreciated that very much!

July 25, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Extremely efficient delivery and return…

Extremely efficient delivery and return of the car. Smooth and helpful staff.
The car was brand new so that part was taken care of.

July 19, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,
Thank you for your review. We’re delighted that the pick-up and return were quick and smooth, and that our team was helpful. We hope you enjoyed exploring Iceland in your brand-new car.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Great, but colour & transparency.

Everything was great as expected except the colour of the car. I was given a red/maroon dacia duster, while online and on websites google pictures appear that they got white ones. I understand it is based on availability but they could of been more transparent about their fleet of cars to feel less deceived. I was slightly dissapointed by the colour of the car. The positives are certainly higher though, despite all this, i greatly appreciate the model guarantees, this gave me relief knowing what I will expect. The prices are somewhat reasonable, I like the no deposit option and pick up/drop off was very easy. Staff were friendly and helpful. Car was great. I like how staff were responsive in answering my questions when emailing them. Overall it has been a positive experience. The buses to get there was slightly confusing, even with the detailed instructions they emailed me. The bus driver from airport was rude. It would of been nice if there were more options on model guarantees at more reasonable prices with clearer transparency of their fleet. Overall, this experience has certainly been more positive than other places I hired cars.

May 25, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,

Thank you for sharing such detailed feedback. We’re pleased to hear that the Dacia Duster was a great fit for your trip and that you appreciated the model guarantee, no-deposit option, easy pick-up and drop-off, and the support from our team.

While a model guarantee confirms the vehicle model, the colour cannot be selected and depends on the vehicles available at the time of collection. The photos shown online are examples of the model and may not represent every colour in our fleet. We appreciate your point that this could be communicated more clearly and will take it into consideration.

We also appreciate your comments regarding the airport transfer instructions and the driver’s manner. The airport bus is a shared shuttle service, but we understand that this still forms part of the overall rental experience.

Thank you again for recommending us and for highlighting where we can improve. We’re glad that, overall, your experience with Lava Car Rental was a positive one.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Appalling staff behavior, extortionate late fees, and zero customer care

I am writing this review after giving this company three weeks to address my formal complaint privately. Having spent over 30 years working in customer service management, I am absolutely stunned by both the aggressive behavior of a member of their frontline staff and the company’s total lack of accountability.

While the vehicle itself was satisfactory, the return process was a deeply upsetting experience. The female staff member who handled my return was openly hostile, aggressive, and highly impolite. She spoke to me in a condescending manner designed to make me feel stupid. In my 30 years of managing customer service teams, if an employee of mine spoke to a customer this way, they would have been dismissed the next day.
To add to the poor experience, I was hit with a horrendous fine for returning the car 4 hours late. While I accept it was past the deadline, it was still well within the standard 24-hour rental window, and the fee levied felt purely punitive—almost as if this staff member took pleasure in inflicting financial pain on a customer.
I notified the company immediately three weeks ago. I have followed up three or four times since, only to be met with generic responses claiming the matter is "under investigation." It is clear to me now that their strategy is to stall, hoping that if they wait long enough, the customer will simply forget and go away.
The reverse is true. The longer I am ignored, the more disappointed I am. This company clearly does not care about customer satisfaction or basic professional decency. If you value being treated with respect, rent your car elsewhere.
Booking reference - C-143611

June 12, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Garry,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're pleased to hear that you were satisfied with the vehicle, but we're genuinely sorry to learn that your return experience left you feeling disappointed.

What concerns us most in your review is that you felt you were not treated with the respect and professionalism you expected. That is never the experience we want our customers to have. We have taken your comments seriously and carried out an internal review of the interaction. We appreciate that waiting for the outcome can be frustrating, but we wanted to speak with everyone involved and carefully assess the situation before reaching any conclusions.

Regarding the additional charge, our rentals are based on the agreed pick-up and return times confirmed during the booking process and stated in the rental agreement, rather than a rolling 24-hour period. Returning a vehicle several hours after the agreed return time may therefore result in additional rental charges and applicable late fees. If travel plans change, we always encourage customers to contact us beforehand, as we're often able to extend the rental when vehicle availability allows.

We value all customer feedback, as it helps us review our processes and ensure we continue delivering the level of service our customers expect. We wish you all the best in your future travels.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

There’s room for improvement

I feel there’s room for improvement

There is some construction at the airport, currently. However, that being said, the signage could be improved regardless.
There are only a few car rental counters within the airport. For Lava, it would be beneficial for them to go place signs in the airport, or work with the airport to increase the visibility of the orange “other car rental” line/path out side and through the tunnels

Also, there really needs to be more than 1-2 shuttles. The amount of time it takes to complete a loop is far too long

My car was fine.

June 25, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're glad to hear the car met your expectations.

We appreciate your comments regarding the airport signage and shuttle service. As we're located just 5 minutes from Keflavík Airport, we rely on the airport's designated meeting points and signage for off-airport rental companies. We do, however, continually work with the airport to help make the arrival process as clear as possible, and we'll certainly take your suggestions on board.

Regarding the shuttle, we understand that waiting after a flight is never ideal. Our shuttles run continuously between the airport and our office, but during peak arrival times there can occasionally be longer waits as each shuttle completes its round trip. Your feedback is valuable and helps us evaluate how we can continue improving the experience.

Thank you again for your review, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland in the future.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This was a very smooth rental car experience…

This was a very smooth rental car experience. The car was clean and drove well. Joanna and Tammam made everything clear and were very helpful! Would recommend!

June 27, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Sam,

Thank you for your kind review and recommendation. We're pleased to hear that you had a smooth rental experience and that the car was clean, reliable, and comfortable to drive.

It's also great to know that our team made everything clear and provided helpful service throughout the rental. We always aim to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.

We appreciate you choosing Lava Car Rental and hope to welcome you back on your next trip to Iceland.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Would rent again!

Amazing customer service and it was a pretty straightforward process in getting the rental car, no hidden fees and by far the best rental company I’ve ever used in Iceland. Would 100% rent from them again! The location is a short shuttle ride from Keflavík airport and the buses run pretty regularly

June 22, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Milan,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're pleased to hear that you found the rental process straightforward and that our customer service met your expectations.

It's great to know you appreciated our transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and that the shuttle service from Keflavík Airport was convenient for your trip.

We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back the next time you visit Iceland.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Perfect service, super friendly staff

Rented a Tesla Model 3 with them, from 10 to 16/06/2026. The car was perfect, the staff was very friendly and the service provided was just amazing, everything was easy and they followed up how it was going during every day of my rental period, asking if there was any problem, providing some helpful tips, etc. I could not be happier with the experience I had with Lava.

June 16, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Rodolfo,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are delighted to hear that your Tesla Model 3 met your expectations and that you enjoyed both the vehicle and the service throughout your trip.

It's especially great to know that you found the rental process easy and that our team’s follow-up messages, travel tips, and support helped make your Iceland adventure even smoother. We always aim to make the car the easiest part of the trip, so feedback like yours means a lot to us.

We truly appreciate your kind words about our staff and service, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another road trip in the future.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service

There are plenty of car hire companies at or near the airport where it's possible to hire a car, drive away, come back and go home. The real value of a car hire company is when things go wrong

We had an issue with our hire car. I phoned and was given some sound advise. I then came into the pick up point where the issue was inspected. I should add that the car was not in a dangerous state, but it was obvious that the car needed some mechanical work that would delay our holiday. Within a few minutes I was offered a replacement car. No hassle, no excuses. Just excellent service.

I have friends who are planning to visit Iceland in the near future. I will be recommending renting a car from Lava.

Thanks for great service.

June 15, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are delighted to hear that our team was able to help when you encountered an issue during your trip.

We completely agree that the true value of a car rental company is often measured by how it responds when something unexpected happens. We're pleased that our staff could provide helpful advice over the phone, inspect the vehicle promptly, and arrange a replacement without unnecessary delays so you could continue enjoying your holiday.

Our goal is always to make the car the easiest part of the trip, and feedback like yours lets us know we're on the right track. It is also wonderful to hear that you would recommend Lava to friends planning a visit to Iceland.

Thank you again for choosing Lava Car Rental, and we hope to welcome you back on a future Icelandic adventure.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We had a wonderful stay thanks to…

We had a wonderful stay thanks to renting a Renault Kangoo from Lava Car Rental. The key handover upon arrival and return went very smoothly. We will gladly recommend this rental company to future visitors to Iceland.

June 6, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Rémi,

Thank you for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that your Renault Kangoo helped make your stay in Iceland even more enjoyable.

It is great to know that both the vehicle pick-up and return process went smoothly. We work hard to keep the rental experience simple and hassle-free so our customers can focus on enjoying their trip, and it is wonderful to hear that this was your experience.

We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another adventure in the future.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Smooth booking process

Smooth booking process, very gold location, great service, super friendly workers.

June 17, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,

Thank you for your wonderful review.

We're delighted to hear that you found the booking process smooth and appreciated our convenient location close to Keflavík Airport. It's especially rewarding to know that our team made a positive impression with their friendly service.

Thank you for choosing Lava Car Rental. We hope to welcome you back to Iceland again in the future.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Emmanuel and Omar were very helpful in…

Emmanuel and Omar were very helpful in getting us all set up and then transporting us to our hotel. The car was good, and we were able to comfortably fit several people and luggage into the vehicle for a multi day road trip through the Circle and into Vik.

June 17, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Tony,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

We're delighted to hear that our team helped make the start of your trip smooth and stress-free. It's also wonderful to know that the vehicle provided plenty of space for your group and luggage, allowing you to travel comfortably on your road trip along the South Coast and to Vík.

We hope you had an amazing adventure exploring Iceland, and we would be delighted to welcome you back on a future visit.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fast

Fast, easy. Right close to the airport.

Emmanuel and Omar were very helpful.

June 17, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Evan,

Thank you for your great review.

We're delighted to hear that the rental process was fast and easy, and that our location close to Keflavík Airport made things even more convenient for your trip. It's also wonderful to know that our team was helpful throughout your experience.

We appreciate you choosing Lava Car Rental and hope to welcome you back to Iceland again soon.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The service was great and the car was…

The service was great and the car was in good condition.

June 5, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Eric,

Thank you for your review. We're delighted to hear that you received great service and that the car was in good condition. Providing reliable vehicles and a smooth rental experience is exactly what we strive for, so it's wonderful to know everything went well during your trip.

We appreciate you choosing Lava Car Rental and hope to welcome you back to Iceland again in the future.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Exceptionally easy to book & online…

Exceptionally easy to book & online check in was great!
Car was exactly what we requested & spotless.

June 11, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Rachael,

Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the booking process exceptionally easy and that the online check-in helped make everything even more convenient.

It’s also great to know that the car was exactly what you requested and arrived spotless and ready for your adventure. Providing clean, well-maintained vehicles and a smooth rental experience is exactly what we strive for.

We really appreciate you choosing Lava Car Rental and hope to welcome you back to Iceland again in the future.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A good company for rental car

The booking was easy. The pick up at the airport was simple. The car was clean but with some small damages. The tyres were good. During our 2 weeks trip we asked some questions to the contact center and we get quick answers.
The drop off was done early in the morning. It was quickly done also. The staff was kind.

May 23, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Max,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

We're delighted to hear that the booking process was easy, the airport pick-up was simple, and that our team was able to provide quick answers whenever you needed assistance during your two-week trip. It's also great to know that you found the car clean and equipped with good tyres, helping you travel around Iceland with confidence.

We appreciate your note regarding the small existing damages on the vehicle. We always document any pre-existing marks and continuously work to keep our fleet clean, well-maintained, and ready for every adventure.

We're also pleased that your early morning drop-off was completed quickly and that our staff left a positive impression.

Thank you for choosing Lava Car Rental, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland again in the future.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic service

Just dropped off the car at their premises. Everything was perfect, we arrived in Iceland at 2 AM, and their shuttle was really quick, just one call and 5 minutes later they were picking us up. We did the check in online so when we arrived we got the car pretty quick. The car was well maintained and worked properly. The drop off was really quick as well, and while waiting they offered free coffee. Their staff was really nice and ready to answer any questions we had, both in person and couple of them via email. I'm sure I will choose them again the next time I visit this wonderful country.

June 9, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Jaime,

Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review.

We are delighted to hear that everything went smoothly from the moment you arrived in Iceland. Arriving at 2 AM can be tiring, so it is great to know our airport shuttle was quick and that your online check-in helped make the car collection process fast and hassle-free.

It is also wonderful to hear that the vehicle met your expectations and performed well throughout your trip. We work hard to keep our fleet modern, clean, and well maintained so our customers can focus on enjoying Iceland rather than worrying about their rental car.

Thank you as well for your kind words about our team. Whether in person or by email, providing helpful and reliable customer service is something we take great pride in. We are also pleased that the return process was quick and comfortable, with a coffee waiting while you wrapped up your journey.

We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to Iceland.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Booking process was easy

Booking process was easy. Price not great but i think it was quite fair because the car was almost new and we had no issues at all.
Rental company sent us few emails with some local tips and discount vouchers. It was useful during our trip.
Staff in rental office was more neutral than friendly. But that is ok.

June 1, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Edgaras,

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're delighted to hear that you found the booking process easy and that the vehicle met your expectations. We work hard to maintain a modern and reliable fleet, so it's great to know your nearly new car performed perfectly throughout your trip.

We're also pleased that our travel tips and discount vouchers helped you make the most of your time in Iceland. We aim to provide a little extra value beyond just the rental itself.

Thank you as well for your honest feedback regarding our team. While we're glad everything went smoothly, we'll continue working to ensure every interaction is as welcoming and helpful as possible.

We appreciate you choosing Lava Car Rental and hope to see you again on your next Iceland adventure.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very good

The entire process was handled smoothly, professionally, and courteously; the shuttle service to and from the airport was also pleasantly organized.

May 29, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,

Thank you for your kind review.

We are delighted to hear that you found the entire rental process smooth, professional, and courteous. It's also great to know that our airport shuttle service helped make your arrival and departure experience easy and well organised.

Our goal is to make the car rental part of the trip as simple and stress-free as possible, so it's wonderful to hear that we achieved that during your visit.

Thank you for choosing Lava Car Rental. We hope to welcome you back to Iceland again in the future.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Scam and Harassment

TLDR: we almost got scammed $9k and were violently harassed for days from Lava Car Rental.

If I could give zero stars I would. This will be long, just like the saga they created, but believe me, it’ll be worth your time. If nothing goes wrong with your car, Lava Car Rentals is fine- as shown in the positive reviews. But make no mistake, as soon as anything happens to your car rental, they will stop at nothing to claim negligence & incompetence on the renter’s behalf. They have zero reason to claim any wrong doing on their part bc they don’t gain any money this way.

We rented a car for 10 days & had been driving this vehicle with no issues for a week. While driving in a remote location, a warning sign flashed on the dashboard screen & then all of the lights came on. The car immediately stopped working on the freeway. Pedals stopped working & steering was minimal. We had to push it off the road to prevent a traffic jam. When calling for help, were immediately met with yelling & claiming we put the wrong fuel in the vehicle. We had been driving this car for a week at this point & have had no issue putting in Petrol into our Petrol vehicle.

We finally get in communication with their third-party mechanic that she sent out. He says his eta is 2 hours. At the 2 hour mark I ask for an updated eta & he says he took a wrong road & he will be another hour. We had to get back to our Airbnb for an emergency issue with our host (electric fire)& that we were still a 2 hour distance from our stay & couldn’t wait another hour. This was at 8:30pm. Eventually he said he could tow the car to our airbnb once he fixed it & explicitly said he did not think this sounded like a fuel issue.

We find a way back to our place and get a call from him a few hours later. He says that his mechanic on-site has found it’s a mixed fuel issue based on him smelling the gas tank. I asked him how he could smell mixed fuel & explained that we have receipts proving we never put diesel in the car. He becomes irate & starts yelling for over an hour. He said the receipts we have don’t matter & this is negligence on our end, so the insurance will not cover the fees and now he will not tow the car to us. By this time, it is 1am and he says we can hitch hike to get the car. He said he would bring us the car if we “click this link” and pay him for his services. Immediate red flag & felt like a scam. We have in writing from this mechanic, after his worker “fixed” the car there is no damage to the car & the vehicle is safe to drive. Under Lava Car Rental’s terms & conditions, there was no negligence committed since the car is not damaged. Unrelated note, I had an unknown charge on my card that same day so my bank locked my card which was a blessing in disguise.

We called Lava Car Rental the next morning & explained that this mechanic had no proof of negligence other than a “smell test” & he told us previously this didn’t sound like a fuel issue. Unfortunately, it was the same woman as before & she started yelling at us again. She gave us the same link & demanded us to pay $2,300 to get the car back. If we didn’t pay, we didn’t get the car. She also threatened our friend’s rental car (from a different company). Right after, I got attempted charges to my card, totaling over $9,000. My partner & I received dozens of calls & threatening messages from the mechanic demanding our money & that he “wouldn’t stop until it’s paid.” He sent personal information (bdays & address) about myself & my partner & threatened us repeatedly. I have pictures of his aggressive and hostile harassment documented. Just to be clear, we paid for our rental car for all 10 days when we only had it for 7 of the days. There was no damage to the car. The mechanic fees were covered under our insurance & we were not liable for any other fees.

Lava Car Rental scams their renters & works with a third party mechanic to fulfill this scam. They escalated this scam to threats when we refused to pay based on legal standings. This was not only unprofessional but entirely illegal.

May 14, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Leah,

Thank you for sharing your feedback.

We understand that experiencing a breakdown in a remote area is stressful, and we regret that the situation escalated into a dispute that left you feeling frustrated and unsupported.

We would, however, like to clarify several important points. The vehicle stopped due to fuel contamination, which the roadside inspection identified as being consistent with incorrect fuel having been added to the tank. This conclusion was not based solely on a "smell test" but on the roadside technician's inspection and findings after attending the vehicle. The symptoms observed were consistent with fuel contamination, which was identified as the cause of the breakdown.

We would also like to clarify that the roadside technician who assisted you is not a Lava Car Rental employee. He operates as an independent service provider and was dispatched to assist with the vehicle in a remote area. While the payment dispute that followed was understandably frustrating for everyone involved, we agree that some of the communication during this situation was not professional and does not reflect the standard we expect from our service partners. We are sorry for that aspect of the experience.

While we reject the allegation of fraud or attempted scamming, we do recognise that parts of the communication during this dispute became unnecessarily confrontational and should have been handled more professionally. Following this incident, we have reviewed the matter internally and taken steps with the external service provider involved to ensure that a situation of this nature does not happen again.

Regarding the recovery and repair costs, payment was requested for the roadside service that had already been carried out. The technician travelled a significant distance, attended the vehicle, diagnosed the issue, and restored it to a drivable condition. However, there was a disagreement regarding responsibility for the service and the resulting costs, which ultimately remained unresolved.

We would also like to clarify that the vehicle was ultimately left at the location and had to be recovered separately rather than being returned through the normal rental process. This created additional operational costs and challenges that had to be addressed.

As for the allegation of attempted charges, any amounts requested were related to the roadside assistance, vehicle recovery, and associated services following the fuel contamination incident. At no point was there any attempt to charge for services that had not been provided.

We understand that there was a genuine disagreement regarding responsibility for the breakdown and the resulting costs. However, we believe it is important that the circumstances surrounding the incident, the roadside intervention, and the handling of the vehicle are represented accurately.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

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