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AAMCO

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AAMCO calls itself "The Transmission Experts." This means they're experts at finding a reason to work on your transmission. Our advice: Find a trusted local mechanic to take care of your car and consult him regularly. You're more likely to get good advice and economical repairs.

Lyn of Downey, CA June 24, 2009

I took my car in on a Friday morning for an oil leak and possibly replacing a serpantine belt. I was told it would be 792 for labor, plus cost for parts. I told them that if it has to be done, it has to be done. They had my car all day Friday and Saturday until Noon and I was told that it would not be ready until Monday. Monday morning I receive a phone call and I am told that there is a noise that they need to repair and it would be an additional 100, so I authorized that. When I picked up my car on Monday and I drove it off there was a noise when I turned the steering wheel, so I call the manager, Lou, and told him that there was a noise so I took it back in. He told me that the noise is because the car is running the way it should now.

When I saw him I asked if I looked that stupid to him and indicated that my father had taught me some things about cars. He indicated that he had his best mechanic working on my car and he didn't hear the noise. I said to him that maybe his mechanic needs a hearing and he indicated that the mechanic is 18 years old. Uh, 18? Best mechanic? Right! As I was talking to Lou he continued to call me "Honey" and he said that he sprayed WD40 on it and it would get better.

As I told him that I felt a car shouldn't make a noise when it leaves the repair shop that it NEVER HAD. I then asked him if he bought a car and it had a noise wouldn't he expect it to be fixed? So, his reponse was, "I can put the old parts back on if you want". He also asked the mechanic to open the hood because "she knows about cars". Then he told me that he was the most honest mechanic I would find. My problem has not been resolved yet.

Nicholas of Chicago, IL June 18, 2009

I took my car in to have a humming noise and shaking in the steering wheel. I dropped the car off at 8:00am June 10th 2009. I received a phone call from Mr. Zoppa who informed me they took it for a test ride and heard the noise and felt the shake in steering. After diagnoses I spoke with Mr. Zoppa at 1:00pm and he told me the noise was coming from the transfer case and the shaking was caused by a failed/broken driveshaft center support. After having my car for a week , I received a call from Mr. Zoppa on June 15th and he told me the car feels great! He said no more humming or shaking.

I made it to the shop on June 16th around 1:30pm. I took the car for a test ride on the local side streets and drove back to the shop. Mr. Zoppa asked how it felt. I told him I need to take a longer ride and at different speeds.He assured and promised me I won't hear or feel any of the noises or shaking.After driving the car both on the highway and the streets I observed the same noise and shaking I requested to have fixed.

I took the car back June 17th 3:30pm and took the mechanic out for a test ride with me. As I drove the car the mechanic observed the noise and wanted to go back to the shop to check the tires. After checking the tires Mr. Zoppa and the mechanic took the car out for a ride. When they came back Mr. Zoppa shrugged his shoulders and said " I heard it but it went away real quick, my mechanic pointed it out but I must have been talking".

I then requested Mr. Zoppa, the mechanic and myself all go for a ride. He refused saying now that he never heard a noise. Mr. Zoppa simply walked away from me as did the mechanic. I was then approached by Ryan Andersen who was rude, ignorant and threatening. Mr. Andersen would not honor my request to take the car for a test ride so he can witness the problem himself. He refused. He also said"If you don't leave right now you are gonna get yourself into a losing battle" I made one last request for them to test drive the car again but they refused.

I believe I was taken advantage of by this Incompetent business.I will dispute this purchase on my credit card because my car still has the same noise and shaking. I missed some time at work due to the back and forth travelling to the shop.

michael of san diego, CA June 18, 2009

i had my 1992 explorer towed to aamco for an estimate to repair the transmission the manager christian called me the next day and said the estimate would cost 540 dollars i said how much would be the most it waould cost he said between 1100 and 1500 dollars and the 540 would go towards repairs he also said that hes done many of these trans missions as there are always the same sought of problems and that there may be an extra charge for metal parts i said ok he called bakck about a day later and said it would cost 2300 plus tax.

i told him no way i would have some one come and tow it away he would not allow that as he said he had to return it in the same condition that he got it this was on a thursday morning i was still in the santa rosa area and needed to return to san diego i asked if i could pick it up on friday he said no he wasnt going to work on it untill the following monday as he was going wind sailing on the weekend event hought the shop would be open saturday he said he needed more time i had to use a rental car to return to san diego he called the following tuesday and said the explorer was ready to pick up it took one day to get it ready when i returned one week later to pick it up the trans was leaking fluid and there was a puddle below the front of the transmission i left wit out discussing it and when i returned to san diego i called and complained about the unfair business practice of failing to disclose that it could cost as much as 2300 dollars if he did i would not have put myself on the hook for a 540 dollar estimate and that it was leaking athough he promised that the 540 dollars included new seals and gaskets and that it lokked like it had just been put back in haphazardly he would not listen to my complaints and started yelling at me and calling me names and then he said he was going to push it into the street and let the city tow it away and impound it and that i would lose my drivers license and then he hung up on me. i spent an extra two weeks car rental on this and turned in the rental and am now without transportation and a truck thats stuck in santa rosa

James of Houston, TX June 17, 2009

Took my truck in at 6:30 Saturday morning and left the keys in the drop box as was told. He claimed that he didn't receive truck till 10:00. This is after calling to see if they had started on it. Surely they check the drop box every morning, on top of me having an appointment and was told where to leave the keys. We agreed that there would be a 400.00 charge to pull the transmission, find out what is wrong and replace. If I didn't want it repaired. He called me back Monday morning to inform me that it would cost 3300.00 to repair. Told him no thank you, put it back together and I would come get it. Later, he phoned back and said after talking to his manager that they could give me a 20% fleet discount, like they give the police department and other various companies. This would be 2600.00 + the 400.00 for initial evaluation.

Again, I said no thanks, I had found someone else that could do for half the price. Then he went on about the warranty that I would receive and on and on. Told him again, NO. Ask to just put everything in the bed of the truck and I would send a wrecker to pick it up. I was informed it was against policy. I was told it would be ready around Tuesday afternoon or first thing Wednesday morning. Here it is Wednesday evening and still no truck. I even had the sheriff's department to go by Tuesday afternoon. Did not even phase the guy. Apparently this a routine thing according the deputy sheriff that paid him a visit.

Well I went there at 6:00 this evening and we exchanged a few explicit words. There has been an elderly man waiting in there everyday for almost a week now. This place needs a management change immediately. Bet on this, I WILL NEVER LET ANYONE I KNOW TAKE THEIR CAR/TRUCK THERE. It is better to walk than deal with a person like David.

Sri of Stockton, CA June 14, 2009

Faulty/Fraudulent Diagnosis My 2000 Honda CR-V's check engine light came on a few days ago. I realized that maybe it was due to a loose gas cap and checked it. Indeed it was loose and I tightened but the Honda manual said that it would take 2-3 trips before the light went off even after tightening the cap. I took it to AAMCO next morning anyway and had a coupon for a free scan. Chris took the info and after I waited for an hour, he came back with the diagnosis of "one cyclinder misfiring". He also indicated that in order to proceed further, I need to pay 98 to run an additional scan to figure out which cyclinder was misfiring.

Chris also informed that if I decided to repair the vehicle at AAMCO, they would credit that 98 towards the repair. I was not ready to do any of that. So I drove for about 25 miles to home before i needed to fill gas. After i filled gas this time and tightened the cap, the light completely went off and has NOT come back on since! It has been almost 200 miles and 2 days since AAMCO's (mis) diagnosis. Either they lied to get me to spend money or their "scan" is not worth anything. Either way, DO NOT trust these guys.

Steve of Port Orchard, WA June 4, 2009

Complete rebuild of tranny, been back to "get it right" several times now. Ths last time this franchise "fixed" my car, the check engine light came on, it was a disconnect vaccum line they "forgot" to re-attach. These a clowns at AAMCO are third rate shade tree mechanics at best. I wrongly associated company name with quality workmanship and technical expertise. Live and learn, next time its the Subaru dealer.

Michelle of Grayson, GA June 1, 2009

Upon discovering a problem w my vehicle a 2001 Honda Odyssey, I went to a trusted mechanic. Upon further inspection I was told there was a serious transmission problem that needed to be addressed. Since I am moving out of state I decided to use a company that was nationwide so that if a problem arose during the warranty period it would most likely be covered. I decided to get an estimate from AAMCO for that reason.

I was initially told that I would have to pay 79.95 for a diagnostic eval. I revealed that I had already been told I had at least 2 things that would require a rebuild and could they just take a look. Steve said that they would take the 49.95 and credit it if they did the work. I agreed. I did not leave the vehicle at that time, but decided later to call back to see if I could still drop off that day to take a look.

After inspection I was told worst case scenario would be 1,900. Steve called back to advise of the work that was needed and the price was slightly higher. He said taxes and shop fees were not included in the initial quote. I asked for the breakdown and he told me all the parts prices and came up with 2,171.01. When I added up three totals given it came to 1,931.28. I asked about the difference and he stated taxes and shop fees.

I wrote down all parts and prices and told him I needed to check with my husband and would call him back. My husband and I agreed that we needed it done and trusted that AAMCO could get it done. They got the work done in a timely manner and called to let me know the vehicle was ready to be picked up. When I got there to pay the bill the amount was higher than what I was told on the phone. It was now 2,212.98 a difference of 41.01.

I was not happy and when I asked I was told it was because of the taxes. I told him about the conversation and all I had written down and he did not seem to be willing to honor what I was told on the phone even though he could not find any additional charges that were not quoted in the note that I made when on the phone.

I returned two days later because my car seemed to be pulling to the right; I thought it may be due to replacement of driver side trans axle. I brought the paper with the prices on it to try to remedy the situation and get the difference credited back to my credit card, but he was not very interested in hearing and was very defensive. After waiting for about an hour he said the tires were low on air and they gladly put more in and the car was no longer pulling to the right. I thanked him and proceded to inquire about the price quote.

When it was all said and done the owner Michael Pringle said that Steve mispoke and that he was not going to do anything about it. I told him that phone quotes should not be given if they will not be honored. We went back and forth for a while and although he could not justify how that price was determined, he still would not budge.

I finally asked if he was going to do anything about it and he stated "NO" he was not. I looked at him and said "And You don't care either, do you?", he stated "NO I Don't". I then let him know I WOULD be contacting his corporate offices and would let them see the note with the price breakdown and how unprofessional he was.

Rosalyn of Raleigh, NC May 28, 2009

ON Feb.20 this year I picked up my 1996 Mustang after paying 2101.01. (I had received an estimate of approx. 1300-1400), which was taken in with transmission problems. I received a 1 year warranty. Two months later on the 29th of April my Mustang wouldn't go in reverse, so, being under warranty I phoned and the manager "MO" said he would send a tow truck to my home for the car.

The following day a car was sent to bring me to the shop to pick up my Mustang. I was told the car worked fine, they had no trouble with the reverse or any part of the transmission and so the towing fee was not covered by the warranty and I had to pay 58.00 I didn't appreciate that but I had to have my car.

Two weeks ago on May 15th my car again would not go into reverse and this time I drove straight to the same AAMCO garage, left the car running and asked the manager to please check my reverse that moment himself, which he did, and because it wasn't engaging reverse (as I had stated on the 29 April), I was told to leave the car, the warranty would cover the problem and I should expect my car back in 2-3 days. It has now been 13 days and lots of excuses!

I WANT MY CAR and I want it working as it should be to honor the good faith I began this business transaction with. I have never been offered a "loaner' vehicle and in these economic times I can't afford to rent one, nor do I feel it is my responsibility to do so! I've been told so many versions of what's wrong, what might be wrong, why it's taking so long, etc, ect, it's really having a depressing effect on me. In the past 2 days I have become physically sick over this because travel I postponed from last weekend (because of this) and rescheduled for this weekend may have to again be rescheduled, only this time I have no idea how to advise anyone!

Kevin of Vista, CA May 22, 2009

After 3 days of having agreed to a complete re-manufactured transmission with lifetime warranty transmission repair, I call to see if the work was complete. The cost of this repair was 3800.00 plus. The AAMCO mgr. in forms me that the car still has problems. So, now feeling that maybe this place might be facing something beyond their capabilities, I say well let ne come get the car. He tells me he was going to have a techician check into why is was not working properly.

You would think after having replaced the entire transmission and related parts that he would be somewhat diplomatic with his customer. I sense his frustation and now feel this representative has no concern for my peace of mind, I say let me talk to his supervisor or owner. He responds, "that will not do you any good". I then say I am coming to get my car. He may have assume I was not going to pay for at least a partial of the originally agreed upon amount. Having the warranty, I would have probably paid the full amount just to take it to another AAMCO shop.

At this point I just wanted to end having to deal with this apathetic manager. He tells me "you can go ahead and take I drive down here but you are not going to get your car until I say so" and slams the phone down hanging up on me. I am now worried this hot tempered and rude AAMCO manager is now going to sabatage my car to relieve a volitial personality urge. I have consulted with my lawyer, filed complaints with the bureau of automobile repair, the AAMCO website, and a consumer advocate. Will post with how this nightmare concludes.

Juan of Dallas, TX May 21, 2009

I took my truck about 2 months ago to have the transmission check because it would't shift into reverse. they told me that i had to have a new Transmission or rebuilt it. well i had them rebuilt my Transmission which costed me 2,600.00 and one of the first problems i had with them was that someone broke into my truck at the aamco and stole my stereo which costed me 494.00 and they said they weren't responsible for the theft. but i think if they werent responsible they wouldn't of paid for my window to get fixed.

well as i drove my truck i could feel that my truck wasn't all that great but i work in OKC, Beaumont, TX, and Dallas, TX so i didn't have time to stop by and take it. i took it to this aamco in Dallas, TX. they said that who ever rebuilt this transmission crossthreaded a bolt and cause it to break the transmission case which messed up the transmission,

so i called the aamco in Beaumont, TX to let them know so that they can pay for the damage and they told me they could not do anything about it and they weren't going to pay for anything because i had went over the miles of the warranty. I believe that if it had been a different issue with the transmission it would be ok for me to pay because of the warranty if they would have done the job right and had not caused any other problems with my trasmission and i had only went over 60 miles of the warranty.

so now i have to pay for a new or another rebuilt transmission. I would advise anybody who would even think of taking there car to an aamco to think twice and make the decision in taking it somewhere else if they want the job done properly.

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