# Cars.com API

> Cars.com returns car listings and dealer reviews, available as a workflow and API.

Cars.com search returns matching car listings in Cars.com search order; enter a make and model plus a five-digit US ZIP code. Cars.com dealer reviews returns dealership details, ratings, and recent customer reviews; enter the dealer name and a city and state or ZIP code.

- Page: https://fous.com/workflows/cars-com
- Handle: `@cars-com`
- Category: [Commerce](https://fous.com/workflows/category/commerce)
- Source website: https://cars.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026
- Fous is not affiliated with Cars.com.

## Methods

### Get dealer reviews

Operation `get_dealer_reviews`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Find a dealership by name and city/state or ZIP and read its latest customer reviews. Dealer-wide category ratings and recommendation percentage are null when Cars.com does not show them.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `dealer` | string | yes | `"Toyota of Naperville"` | Dealership name, for example Toyota of Naperville. |
| `location` | string | yes | `"Naperville, IL"` | City and state or ZIP code, for example Naperville, IL or 60540. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `20` | Most recent reviews to return, for example 20; maximum 100. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "dealer",
    "location"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "dealer": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Dealership name, for example Toyota of Naperville.",
      "examples": [
        "Toyota of Naperville",
        "Select Auto Imports"
      ]
    },
    "location": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "City and state or ZIP code, for example Naperville, IL or 60540.",
      "examples": [
        "Naperville, IL",
        "Alexandria, VA",
        "60540"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Most recent reviews to return, for example 20; maximum 100.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        20,
        43,
        3
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
      "location": "Naperville, IL",
      "max_results": 20
    },
    {
      "dealer": "Select Auto Imports",
      "location": "Alexandria, VA",
      "max_results": 43
    },
    {
      "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
      "location": "60540",
      "max_results": 3
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `phone` | string or null | `"(866) 214-1877"` |  |
| `address` | string or null | `"1488 W Ogden Ave, Naperville, IL 60540"` |  |
| `reviews` | array |  |  |
| `reviews[].date` | string or null | `"2026-09-28"` |  |
| `reviews[].text` | string or null | `"Excellent customer service, follow up details and truly helped me beyond what I could ever have expected from a dealers` |  |
| `reviews[].stars` | number or null | `5` |  |
| `reviews[].title` | string or null | `"Excellent customer service, follow up details and truly"` |  |
| `reviews[].page_link` | string | `"https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/reviews/?page=1&page_size=40&sort_by=MostRecent"` |  |
| `reviews[].reviewer_name` | string or null | `"deblbowen"` |  |
| `reviews[].reason_for_visit` | string or null | `"Shopped for a used car"` |  |
| `dealer_name` | string | `"Toyota of Naperville"` |  |
| `review_count` | integer or null | `9970` |  |
| `overall_rating` | number or null | `4.9` |  |
| `dealer_page_link` | string | `"https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/"` |  |
| `facilities_rating` | number or null |  |  |
| `recommend_percent` | number or null |  |  |
| `buying_process_rating` | number or null |  |  |
| `customer_service_rating` | number or null |  |  |
| `quality_of_repair_rating` | number or null |  |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
  "location": "60540",
  "max_results": 3
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "phone": "(866) 214-1877",
  "address": "1488 W Ogden Ave, Naperville, IL 60540",
  "reviews": [
    {
      "date": "2026-09-28",
      "text": "Excellent customer service, follow up details and truly helped me beyond what I could ever have expected from a dealership, totally different from the other guys down the street! Much better, thanks K…",
      "stars": 5,
      "title": "Excellent customer service, follow up details and truly",
      "page_link": "https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/reviews/?page=1&page_size=40&sort_by=MostRecent",
      "reviewer_name": "deblbowen",
      "reason_for_visit": "Shopped for a used car"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-09-28",
      "text": "Kyle provided excellent service helping us sort out a decision with purchasing our Toyota leased vehicle.  We really liked and appreciated his demeanor and knowledge.",
      "stars": 5,
      "title": "Kyle provided excellent service helping us sort out a",
      "page_link": "https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/reviews/?page=1&page_size=40&sort_by=MostRecent",
      "reviewer_name": "John and Karen Varacello",
      "reason_for_visit": "Shopped for a used car"
    }
  ],
  "dealer_name": "Toyota of Naperville",
  "review_count": 9970,
  "overall_rating": 4.9,
  "dealer_page_link": "https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/",
  "facilities_rating": null,
  "recommend_percent": null,
  "buying_process_rating": null,
  "customer_service_rating": null,
  "quality_of_repair_rating": null
}
```

### Search cars

Operation `search_cars`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Search Cars.com car listings by make, model, and US ZIP code. Results follow Cars.com search order within the chosen radius; listing details may be missing when sellers do not provide them.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `car` | string | yes | `"Toyota Camry"` | Make and model to search for, for example Ford F-150. |
| `zip_code` | string | yes | `"60601"` | Five-digit US ZIP code, for example 60601. |
| `condition` | string | no | `"any"` | Vehicle condition, for example used. Certified selects certified pre-owned cars. |
| `max_price` | integer | no | `30000` | Maximum listed price in USD; leave blank for no price cap, for example 25000. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `20` | Maximum number of listings to return, for example 20. |
| `radius_miles` | integer | no | `50` | Search distance in miles from the ZIP code, for example 50. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "car",
    "zip_code"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "car": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Make and model to search for, for example Ford F-150.",
      "examples": [
        "Toyota Camry",
        "Ford F-150",
        "Honda Civic"
      ]
    },
    "zip_code": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^[0-9]{5}$",
      "description": "Five-digit US ZIP code, for example 60601.",
      "examples": [
        "60601",
        "10001"
      ]
    },
    "condition": {
      "enum": [
        "any",
        "new",
        "used",
        "certified"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "any",
      "description": "Vehicle condition, for example used. Certified selects certified pre-owned cars.",
      "examples": [
        "any",
        "used",
        "certified"
      ]
    },
    "max_price": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Maximum listed price in USD; leave blank for no price cap, for example 25000.",
      "examples": [
        30000,
        100
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of listings to return, for example 20.",
      "examples": [
        20,
        30,
        5
      ]
    },
    "radius_miles": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 50,
      "maximum": 9999,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Search distance in miles from the ZIP code, for example 50.",
      "examples": [
        50,
        37,
        25
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "car": "Toyota Camry",
      "zip_code": "60601",
      "condition": "any",
      "max_results": 20,
      "radius_miles": 50
    },
    {
      "car": "Ford F-150",
      "zip_code": "60601",
      "condition": "used",
      "max_price": 30000,
      "max_results": 30,
      "radius_miles": 37
    },
    {
      "car": "Toyota Camry",
      "zip_code": "60601",
      "condition": "certified",
      "max_results": 5,
      "radius_miles": 50
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `listings` | array |  | Matching Cars.com listings in search order. |
| `listings[].vin` | string or null | `"4T1F11AK8LU926216"` | Vehicle identification number when shown. |
| `listings[].make` | string or null | `"Toyota"` | Vehicle make. |
| `listings[].trim` | string or null | `"XLE"` | Vehicle trim. |
| `listings[].year` | integer or null | `2020` | Model year. |
| `listings[].model` | string or null | `"Camry"` | Vehicle model. |
| `listings[].condition` | string or null | `"used"` | New or used; certified cars are used. |
| `listings[].photo_url` | string or null | `"https://platform.cstatic-images.com/in/v2/13f76573-c7ba-5f6a-a278-99d70818296e/6de18f6b-00c4-47d8-a10c-28693cc17092/zAX` | Primary listing photo link. |
| `listings[].price_usd` | number or null | `22643` | Listed price in US dollars. |
| `listings[].deal_badge` | string or null | `"Good Deal"` | Deal badge when shown, such as Great Deal. |
| `listings[].dealer_name` | string or null | `"Raymond Chevrolet"` | Seller or dealer name. |
| `listings[].listing_url` | string | `"https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/81368640-2a9d-4f5d-9a80-159651321ea1/?attribution_type=p_one&sid=1405919e-29ee-408e-` | Cars.com vehicle page link. |
| `listings[].dealer_rating` | number or null | `4.9` | Dealer review rating from 0 to 5. |
| `listings[].mileage_miles` | integer or null | `78517` | Odometer miles. |
| `listings[].distance_miles` | number or null | `47` | Listing distance from the search ZIP code in miles. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "car": "Toyota Camry",
  "zip_code": "60601",
  "condition": "certified",
  "max_results": 5,
  "radius_miles": 50
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "listings": [
    {
      "vin": "4T1F11AK8LU926216",
      "make": "Toyota",
      "trim": "XLE",
      "year": 2020,
      "model": "Camry",
      "condition": "used",
      "photo_url": "https://platform.cstatic-images.com/in/v2/13f76573-c7ba-5f6a-a278-99d70818296e/6de18f6b-00c4-47d8-a10c-28693cc17092/zAX1JNXSxlzQoMRDtGZU-VwWXRE.jpg",
      "price_usd": 22643,
      "deal_badge": "Good Deal",
      "dealer_name": "Raymond Chevrolet",
      "listing_url": "https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/81368640-2a9d-4f5d-9a80-159651321ea1/?attribution_type=p_one&sid=1405919e-29ee-408e-997a-62e5741ef75b",
      "dealer_rating": 4.9,
      "mileage_miles": 78517,
      "distance_miles": 47
    },
    {
      "vin": "4T1KZ1AK4PU083824",
      "make": "Toyota",
      "trim": "XSE",
      "year": 2023,
      "model": "Camry",
      "condition": "used",
      "photo_url": "https://platform.cstatic-images.com/in/v2/1d1be057-dc33-5f90-990b-c21610e43727/5d8741ce-ae02-44b9-a6d5-1ebf4c332a82/IUkqgYnIcFyT6JWVZoztBGEvxwQ.jpg",
      "price_usd": 34630,
      "deal_badge": "Good Deal",
      "dealer_name": "Schaumburg Toyota",
      "listing_url": "https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/64972d7c-5ce3-4946-a878-744d2a121225/?sid=1405919e-29ee-408e-997a-62e5741ef75b",
      "dealer_rating": 4.7,
      "mileage_miles": 36639,
      "distance_miles": 28
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Call the API with a Fous API key (`FOUS_API_KEY`). To create one, turn on Developer mode in Fous Studio, then open Keys & connections → API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys).

```bash
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
: "${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example}"

curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 120 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@cars-com",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_dealer_reviews",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
    "location": "Naperville, IL",
    "max_results": 20
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
import json
import os
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = os.environ.get("FOUS_API_KEY")
if not api_key:
    raise RuntimeError("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example")

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@cars-com\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_dealer_reviews\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"dealer\": \"Toyota of Naperville\",\n    \"location\": \"Naperville, IL\",\n    \"max_results\": 20\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=120) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
// First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
const apiKey = process.env.FOUS_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) throw new Error("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example");

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(120_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@cars-com",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_dealer_reviews",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
    "location": "Naperville, IL",
    "max_results": 20
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

Or describe the data in plain language: send `{"api":"@cars-com","prompt":"Describe the data you need, with every detail"}` to the same URL. Fous fills in the input, runs the method that fits and returns only the fields you asked for; `data.route.calls[].request` is the exact call it made. Routing is free; the run costs the same.

## Use cases

- Compare car listings by price, mileage, and distance.
- Find vehicles near a target ZIP code.
- Review dealership ratings and customer feedback.
- Track recent customer reviews for a dealership.

## FAQ

### Is Fous affiliated with Cars.com?

No. Fous is not affiliated with Cars.com. This workflow reads the public cars.com website and returns its data.

### How much does it cost?

Each run costs 1 credit. With pay-as-you-go, a credit costs 1¢; monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Cars.com account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from cars.com when you run it; repeating the same request within a day may return the saved result. Fous checks this workflow automatically; it last passed a check on Sep 29, 2026.

### What cars are listed near a ZIP code?

Search cars returns matching listings by make and model near a five-digit US ZIP code.

### What reviews does a dealership have?

Get dealer reviews returns recent customer reviews and dealership details for a dealer name and location.

## Related

- [CarGurus API](https://fous.com/workflows/cargurus.md): CarGurus helps shoppers browse dealer-listed new and used cars with deal ratings, and view average used prices, price ranges and 12-month price history by model year.
- [Autotrader API](https://fous.com/workflows/autotrader.md): Search new, used and certified cars for sale across the United States.
- [Carfax API](https://fous.com/workflows/carfax.md): Carfax provides used-car listings near a US ZIP code with free history highlights, plus open safety recalls reported by CARFAX for a VIN or US plate.
- [CarMax API](https://fous.com/workflows/carmax.md): Search public CarMax used-car listings.
- [Carvana API](https://fous.com/workflows/carvana.md): Search used vehicles for sale on Carvana.
- [mobile.de API](https://fous.com/workflows/mobile-de.md): Search cars for sale on mobile.de.
- [Tesla API](https://fous.com/workflows/tesla.md): Tesla offers new and certified pre-owned vehicles across the United States and nearby open Supercharger sites, with delivery estimates and opening hours only when available.
- [OfferUp API](https://fous.com/workflows/offerup.md): Local marketplace for buying and selling items.
- [All Commerce workflows](https://fous.com/workflows/category/commerce)