This Car Rental Nightmare Will Make You Never Want to Share a Ride Again

Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
When your dream road trip turns into a potential drug bust, you know something’s seriously wrong with the system. 🚗💥
In a jaw-dropping tale that sounds more like a crime thriller than a car rental experience, Krisztian Riez found himself caught in a terrifying ordeal after renting a vehicle through Turo, the San Francisco-based peer-to-peer car-sharing app.
A Rental Gone Wrong
Imagine driving across the border, thinking you’re on a chill road trip, when suddenly Canadian authorities flag your rental car for a narcotics inspection. That’s exactly what happened to Riez, who discovered trace amounts of fentanyl in his Turo rental - with the horrifying realization that his 6-month-old goddaughter could have been in that very vehicle.
The Legal Battle Begins
Refusing to let this slide, Riez is now suing Turo for $1.5 million, seeking not just compensation for his emotional distress, but also pushing for systemic changes in the company’s safety protocols. His message is clear: these aren’t just isolated incidents, but a pattern of negligence that puts innocent renters at risk.
The Bigger Picture
Peer-to-peer car rentals have become a wild west of potential criminal activity. From drug trafficking to human smuggling, these platforms are creating significant loopholes that traditional rental companies simply don’t have. Experts like UC Berkeley’s Susan Shaheen warn that the lack of standardized cleaning and background checks makes these services inherently risky.
Riez isn’t just fighting for himself - he’s fighting for accountability in an industry that’s been playing fast and loose with consumer safety. As he puts it, “I’m tired of hearing ‘It’s not our fault’ or ‘Not our issue’.”
Stay vigilant, Bay Area - your next rental might be more than just a ride. 🚨
AUTHOR: mb
SOURCE: SF Standard