AAMCO Reviews

AAMCO used three different power steering pumps and claimed all three were faulty, blaming AUTO ZONE. On 2/14/14, I was told that the car was ready, when I started it the squeal noise was still there. The service manager ** said to take the car and drive it over the weekend and the noise should go away, if not bring it back on Monday, 2/17/14. This is what I did because it was no better, actually the more I drove it, it became worse. I could barely turn the steering wheel without it making that squeal noise.

On 2/18/14, I called to check on the status of the car and mentioned the payment method and was told that AAMCO didn't accept AMERICAN EXPRESS although the AE logo was displayed in their window. On 2/19/14, i went to get the car thinking it was surely fixed . I paid for it using a borrowed credit card. Started the car and the car was still making the same noise. I left the car once again very upset.

On 1/26/14 i returned to AAMCO. The noise was still there. I took the car not knowing what else to do. I took it to a small mechanic shop, told the guy about the problem. In less than two hours, my car was fixed. The other mechanic charged me $67.00, he replaced A MISSING BOLT. The car is running quite well now. No thanks to AAMCO. I think AAMCO took advantage of my situation because they have apparently got away with this sort thing many times before. Wish I had known before I went there.

All I know is they have had my car back 6 times in the last 2 months. Every time I pick the car up the gas tank is empty so I gas it up and the transmission fails so I drop it off and a week to 10 days later they return the car with no gas. Why am I paying $150.00 to $200.00 for gas for them to drive my car around because they never fixed it right. I am disabled living on social security disability and have spent over $5,000.00 to fix my car when I don't even have the car, they do. This has ruined me financially and it keeps getting worse every week. I thought Aamco was a reputable company but now I am doubting it. How much must I spend? They are driving around on my grocery money. When will it all end? It is Thursday morning 3/6, I hope to hear from you by tomorrow and I think Aamco owes me money for gas and 2 months worth of ancillary expenses I have encored while Aamco still has my car. 2 months is too long to fix a transmission.

Took it to another shop to have the diagnostics done on it. The car has seven gears and was not going past third! We called AAMCO in McDonough, Ga to see if they had this $36,000.00 diagnostic machine to evaluate the car with and the answer was NO! Cannot even talk to the manager because he doesn't want to hear what I have to say! I have asked to talk to the owner - have waited 3 days, and still waiting! Must mean the manager doesn't want me to tell my side of the story! I'm begging you never take your car to AAMCO! My car is still parked and they don't care!

After numerous calls to ** where he promised me a call back with no follow through, I finally got a call back 2 weeks later quoting me $5800 and when I said the quote was so far from the original I didn't know what to do with it, he told me repeatedly what a dealer would charge. I told him I know what a dealer would charge and the only thing that matters is the quote they gave me because that's why I brought it there. They refuse to see that and continue to quote other high end places I wouldn't have gone to. I called their corporate office and received a call back from Jim, their local GM, who said he found things that didn't need to be replaced after all (Well that's interesting) and offered to lower it to an arbitrary low 4's but only if I left positive reviews on websites... He took the posture of doing me a favor and refused to see the bad position that I was put in by their deceptive practices and this apparent bait and switch.

When I told him this was crazy and I needed to go talk to **, I was told by Jim I couldn't talk to ** about this that he didn't want me going down there and that I needed to settle this with him over the phone. I told him I no longer trusted this company and wanted to take my car elsewhere and he said nobody else would work with my warranty so I had to deal with it. I called my warranty company and they said that was a lie as long as the business has a Tax ID, I could take it there. I'm now two weeks into a rental car and my car is in pieces at a place I never would have taken it to had I got an honest quote. I have several places that would have done it for less but now it's like they are holding my car hostage to extort money from me and going so far as to lie to me and say nobody else will work on it. I want my car back and I want others to be aware and protected from them and these practices.

I decided to wait for the final decision on Monday to be able to have it done. Over the weekend, I tried to use fuel injector cleaner to see if that would help avoid paying that much for the pump. After using the cleaner, the car did stall at the stop light twice but started right back up. It seemed like the cleaner was working but not enough to stop the problems. On 11/25/2013, I decided to take the car to AAMCO to have the service completed. I thought it could be the filter, not the pump.

Another manager, Charles, said that he will call and order the filter and have it changed. While talking on his phone, he tells me the filter can't be changed alone. I would have to get the pump changed also because of the model and make of the car. Then, he explains that it would be an extra $90.00 to run a diagnostic test. However, Sam had already did that. Charles stated, "You do what you want to do because it's your money." Sam comes in and states that he'll take care of it. The car was left there and it took about 2-3 hour to service by the mechanic named Junior.

Around 4:30, Sam stated that it was fixed and ready to go. Paid the Charles $364.01. Around 5 P.M., the car shut off again but turned back on in about 10 minutes. Called Sam and he advised to bring it back in tomorrow since they close soon. Sam stated that it was a bad part and they will change it to a new one. On 11/26, delivered the car around 12pm to Sam and he had Junior work on it again. It took about 2-3 hours again. The car was taken for a test run once it was finished and it shut off again around 3:30 pm. Called Sam again, and he advised to bring it in the next day again to put in a new part.

On 11/27/2013, the mechanic, Junior, worked on the car again. So, around 2 pm it was done. Sam and an assistant went for a drive for 30-40 minutes and said the car did not stop at all. So, I thought it was okay. I took the car for a drive and it broke down again right down the street. I went back and Sam said that they will call in for a new part, because that is the only thing that could be wrong. They put in a full tank of gas and then had the mechanic work on it for about 20 minutes while they waited on the part. We went to ask for a refund but Sam said to give it a drive one more time. We took the car for 30-40 minutes and it didn't stop or break down. We thought it was okay and left.

The car drove well for the rest of the day and Thursday 11/28. Then, on Friday 11/29, it started to show the same symptoms. Around 2:30 P.M., on the Veterans Highway the car drove okay. Once I arrived at my location, it was jerking slightly on acceleration while driving. I never experienced the jerking motion while actually driving until this day. I just thought it was because I was on the highway and it could be a gear shift change. When I left the location around 3:20 P.M., the car it stalled twice on me while idle. It stalled but started back up right away in a minute or so.

I called Sam immediately and explained the car broke down again and I wanted the refund. Sam said that he wouldn't be in until Monday to issue a refund and to bring the part back. So, I proceed to enter the highway to get home. I drove a few miles while accelerating my speed. About a few minutes later, the car would stop and jerk constantly again while accelerating. It felt like it wasn't receiving any gas to the engine. Then, a second later, the car started decelerating from 60 mph to 0. I was pressing on the gas as much as I could, and it felt like no gas was being pumped to the engine.

The car stalled and I couldn't start it up again right away. I was on the middle of the highway with cars flying pass me to avoid hitting my vehicle. Not sooner after that, I was rear ended by another driver causing significant damages to my car. Amazingly, I was not hurt but the car damaged so much I could not drive it. I want help with this because I think it a faulty part put on my car, and if the mechanic could not fix the issue then they shouldn't have took on the responsibility of doing it. I want compensation for the days I had to deal with this misfortune.

I took to the closest Aamco to me which is in Fort Pierce, FL. They diagnosed it is a fried transmission again and would need to be rebuilt. They call the Pompano Beach Aamco because they would be the ones who would have to honor the warranty and pay for the work. Meanwhile, the Fort Pierce Aamco started work on my transmission and said it should be done by Oct. 29. A few hours later, Pompano Beach Aamco calls Fort Pierce Aamco and tells them to stop working on my van, that they wanted to do the work themselves and would get it towed to them.

Two days later, my van gets towed to Lake Park Aamco, not Pompano Beach Aamco. It then sits in the lot for close to two weeks with no work being done. I know this because I drove down to their shop on Monday Nov.4, to see what was going on, and saw the battery, and water pump sitting in the back of my van that Fort Pierce had taken out and my van parked in front of their store. They had all kinds of stories to tell to try and distract me, but nothing to offer concerning my van. Two days later they call to say the transmission is clean, but the check engine light and transmission light came on with a test drive, the diagnostics were going haywire, that I needed a solenoid, possibly a toggle switch, and indicator switch. By the way, Jay the manager says, "These are all external costs that you will have to pay for." I ask how much, and he doesn't give me a direct answer because they are not certain yet as to all the problems. Next day same thing, we are having other issues that are not under warranty, but would not tell me the cost.

I then call corporate Aamco to tell them what is going on. Attempted to call them over the weekend, but they are closed so had to wait until Monday Nov.11. Tuesday, Nov. 12, I get a call from Pompano Beach Aamco and they say they are going to tow my van to them because they are getting so many different stories about what is going on. Thursday I get another call saying the transmission fluid is clean, clutches are clean but the torque converter needs to be replaced. Late Friday afternoon I get a call that is is done and I can pick it up. I was at work and didn't get the message till they were closed. I call Saturday Nov. 16 and state that I had taken my van to Fort Pierce and expected to pick it up in Fort Pierce.

Fort Pierce is 20 miles from my home, Pompano Beach is 110 miles from my home. Carmen can't do anything about that until he talks with the owners. Monday, Nov. 18, I call corporate Aamco again. I also tell corporate Aamco that I have a $700 rental car bill because of this ridiculous situation. They say they will talk with the owner of Pompano Beach. Later Monday, Carmen of Pompano Beach calls to say my van is on its way to Lake Park Aamco and that is the best they can do. This is 77 miles from my home. I call Enterprise to see if I can return my rental car there and they agree with no extra charge. I drive to Lake Park, get my van. The receipt I have to initial and sign doesn't list any work that was done. Just says fixed under warranty.

Aamco had my van from Oct. 24 until Nov. 18. I have no idea what work they actually did. I could smell burnt transmission fluid right away when I started to drive it. I am still trying to get them to pay some of the rental car fee of $700. I will be taking my van to my mechanic for his opinion. The Aamco nightmare continues. Each Aamco is individually owned and they really don't honor the warranty unless you take it back to the original shop that worked on it. Even then you get a run around as I did. The managers talk a good talk to make you think all is well. Close to one month to do who knows what is outrageous. Plus they did not fix the transmission right the first time around. Never go to Aamco.

Now it is a little over a year later and car once again will not go into gear so I called AAMCO and notified them I'd be bringing the car back for a third time. When they called me to pick up my car, they told me that I needed to replace my front CV axles as there is a leak, and that they could not do the warrantied service on my transmission until I paid them $977 to replace them!!! I got my car diagnosed at another body shop and they concluded that there was no axle issue; it is completely an internal transmission issue. I would DEFINITELY not recommend AAMCO to anyone after this!

I took it for a second opinion (Aamco). They confirmed since AAMCO rebuilt the tranny, the differential has to be the problem. To ease my obvious concern particularly since hesitation on take-off was never experienced before transmission rebuild, AAMCO extended the warranty to 36,000/36 month, with the assumption that if it fails, it will fail during this period. I wrote a letter to AAMCO and was about to contact AMEX and dispute the charge (see letter details) citing the big concern about the shimming and hesitation on take-off. I lodged a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repairs, who spoke with AAMCO and advised me to keep everything documented should a failure occur.

Since it is not a daily driving vehicle I decided that it does not really terribly bothersome since it was intermittent. I resigned to the fact it is the rear differential and that I will fix it in the future. Tired of listening to rattling noise from underneath, I took to Amoco in Winchester, who confirmed that the noise is not coming from the transmission. I gave up and resigned to leave it as it is again, since it is not a daily driving vehicle. In the last two weeks, the hesitation started to get worse and stronger. Last week, the transmission failed to shift while in drive on takes-off, it is very heavy. Only when I manually shift it from first to second that the transmission works.

I suspected it is time to fix the rear differential as Amoco advised me five years ago and then again four years ago by another Aamco shop. This time I took it to Rear End Specialties and Gear Master shops, both of which been in business in excess of 20 years. Both advised me that my hesitation and skipping was not due to rear-end issues, rather due to transmission failure. Gear Master went to explain that the valves in the transmission vacuum are not engaging automatically. The mechanic cited concerns with the 4L30 transmission model built by GM. NOW, this changes equation in its entirety. I waited this long trusting it is a rear-end. Now the fact that the transmission rebuild was defective forces the issue to escalate this matter. I was gravely misled.

In short, Aamco have convinced me unfairly all this time that the transmission AAMCO built was fine and the problem lied elsewhere while the second opinion from another AAMCO location collaged WHEN in actuality all along the rebuild job was defective. It took 34,000 miles later (3 years and 10 months since I received the second AAMCO opinion) for the problem to reappear!

After the cooler was installed, the transmission temp issue went away. I told them why didn't they check it before they threw a rebuilt transmission in. They said slipping. My transmission was not slipping when I brought it in. I went back the following week to pay on the transmission job and tried to hand him 200 towards the balance and they refused to give me a receipt saying, "Trust me". Well, I am holding the final payment till the end of the 3 weeks and hope I get a receipt. Now I know I did some wrong, no estimate, nothing in writing, no copy of anything. They put in a transmission I did not need and gave me the truck back with the same problem I brought it in for. What I needed was just the 350 transmission cooler, not the 2400 transmission rebuild. Do not take your car to them.

Original Review: Aug. 23, 2013

My 2000 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro was serviced at Aamco in 2012 located at 3029 South Street Long Beach, CA. In May of 2013 I return my car to Aamco for the third time, with the same issue. Transmission kicked down and had shifting problems. Aamco informed me after the fact that they had to send my car to another auto body shop for electric repairs. Aamco never got my permission to send the car to another auto shop for additional repairs. While my car sat on the street at the other auto body shop it was HIT causing front end damages. I am now without a car and Aamco will not take fault for the damages. Aamco is responsible for my car. I had my car tow in to Aamco. Aamco did not have my permission to send my car to another shop. Not only that I paid over 3,000 dollars for repairs with Aamco, and was still having the same issue with the car... Aamco never fixed it properly.

Well my car broke down and left me stranded on I68. I called the Wheeling station to ask what I could do and he suggested taking it to a near station. Well this was a Friday and they close at 5. The gentleman also informed me that my warranty wouldn't work at the station in Maryland. I did not have the nationwide warranty which means, I would have had to have it towed to the Maryland shop, which I priced at $250, would have had to wait till Monday just for them to possibly look at it and wait another week for repairs to have to pay in full again.

I ended up having to get it towed back to Wheeling which cost $680. My car was looked at that Monday and luckily the problem would be taken care of cuz of the warranty I did have. I was told that It would be done that Wednesday or Thursday. So I called them Wednesday just to see the progress and the guy informed me that it wasn't ready and that they have been backed up and had only taken the transmission out. At this time they still didn't know what was wrong with it. The guy called me Thursday and told me that it was pump inside the transmission and that it wouldn't be done until the following week!! I asked why I was told Wednesday or Thursday and he just went on that they were backed up and blah, blah. The guy asked what was the big urgency that I needed my car...

Umm I have a job! He did nothing but apologize and said he would do the best He could. I asked if the company could do anything about compensating me on the towing fee, my ruined trip, and the days' pay I had to miss of work. He said that AAMCO is a franchise and privately owned and there's nothing they could do. The guy that I talked was the owner and basically said I can't do anything to compensate you. I ended up getting my car back a week and a half later. This has been the worst experience ever and will NEVER do business with them again and would NEVER recommend them to anyone.

But he will eat some of the cost and I pay $1400.00 more dollars! Why if you are taking such a loss, do business correct, make me whole, give me back my 1200.00 plus dollars so I can get this done elsewhere! How is it I see all these reviews and they still are getting away with this!? This needs to be on TV all over the USA!!!!!!!!!!!! I will not stop, will picket, will print all these reviews and hand them out. I also am contacting TV...in hope a new company will care...beware!!! Never use AAMCO! AAMCO themselves care less! They are accused of ripping off the people they talk into buying into this so called franchise...read up on it!

AAMCO themselves are doing fraud!!!!!!! To the people they took big money from! This entire franchise, company whatever you want to call it is a disgrace! All needs to be closed down! AAMCO name removed from all these shops! Legalized stealing?????? That is what it sure looks like! AAMCO steals from the suckers that buy into the franchise, then these owners get the consumer!!!! After paying AAMCO huge fees and percentages it is no wonder they have no interest in their customers...I say victims we are not customers!

I will not let this go...any others in Texas tired of the rip off...come on here. We can all do something to change this! I want a vehicle that runs or my money back period...as is stated in courts of law...to be made whole!!!!!!!! P.S. Why DID dealer only want cash?????? I would take my auto to a school before AAMCO!!!!!!! AAMCO how do you stay in business? Franchise cover up!!!!!! This is a joke with no humor!

The next week when I called him, he said they got the computer in and flashed it but it didn't work so it must have been a bad computer. He told me the shipping cost alone was going to be $200 to send the computer to them. Now he calls back and says they can't locate another computer because no one makes one. Well, where did he suppose get the first one they put in my truck? He quoted me a cost of $895 to rebuild the power train module. I called Ford and they said after market places rebuild them so I called two companies and they both quoted me $249 to rebuild my module. I called AAMCO to stop work on my truck and they said they can't because the company already sent the part out. How could they send a part out that they haven't received to be rebuilt? I negotiated a price from $1,350 to $900 to continue the work. They said it would take approximately 2 weeks to get the part.

Today, 11 days later, I went in to find out where we were at and he said he hasn't received the part and it would be available in 2 weeks. I asked who he sent the part to and it was “A-1 cardone.” I called them and they said they needed a tracking number so they called AAMCO and Michael the manager would not give him the name of the parts distributor he got the part from and hung up on him. I have filed a complaint with the Department of Justice as we speak so I will never take my truck to AAMCO anywhere. I'm sure they are going to tell me that this wasn't the problem but something else is and it will be an additional cost. This man should be fired and the company sued and taken to the cleaners so they can see how it feels.

What kind of business does this? This is not the first time either. AAMCO will never get my business again. I will be sure to inform everyone I know to stay from that company. A TOTAL RIPOFF.

I received the car back a week later (November 2012). 3 days after going out of town with the car, the transmission went out again. I was forced to rent a car which cost me over $300 since I was out of town. The car was towed back to Morgantown since the work was guaranteed. They kept it another two weeks and my wife went to pick it up. As she drove home, the transmission was slipping. She had AAMCO tow it back for more repairs. They kept it for two more weeks. I returned home after being out of town and picked up the car a third time. It, again, was slipping. I drove it back to AAMCO. A tech drove with me and reported to his Manager that it was indeed slipping.

The engine fan was spraying fluid all over the place. My garage at home had a stain of fluid on the ground about 5x5. The mechanic jacked the car up, ran out to get me and said, "See, this is not our fault. Somebody installed the radiator wrong!" I looked at him and replied, "You put the new radiator in." The pins were not in the right place on radiator and it was leaking. The shroud was not put on right for the fan. He looked confused and shook his head. They kept it another 3 weeks. They returned it to me. They never apologized or even took responsibility for working on it 3 times and keeping it 6 weeks. Nobody did quality checks on the vehicle to see if the work was done correctly.

Incidentally, the owner of the business is a snake. He promised a reimbursement of my rental car expenses in November. I have called more than 10 times asking them for the check and the owner keeps forgetting. If others are interested in putting a website up warning innocent future victims of AAMCO, along with billboards, I would be willing to begin this process. I will update this post with a contact email.

I did not do my due diligence research or I would never have taken my auto to an Aamco franchise operator for transmission service. Aamco has had close to 500 complaints and a multitude of lawsuits filed against them for deception and fraud. You can just imagine how many customers were ripped that have never been reported on this site.

The location I took my car to was an Aamco franchise (they are all franchises) located at 13985 SW Tualatin Sherwood Rd, Sherwood, OR on the outskirts of Portland, OR. The manager there is a slick quiet taking manager, going by the name of ** (will not give his last name) that is nothing less than a professional con-artist. The owner of this franchise and others is a Mr. **. His corporate office is located at one of his other Aamco franchise locations, 120 NE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220. He is unreachable and his general manager will not return calls.

He was always very evasive of quoting a price selling me on the idea it may not be the transmission but the cable or some other part connected to the transmission. I asked for a ball-park and he said that his average cost of repairing a transmission, or its related attachments, averaged out at $200. I personally felt it was the transmission as it was difficult to put into reverse gear. I had quotes from non-Aamco private firms to rebuild the transmission was $2,000 to $2100 so I was prepared to pay that amount.

The next thing that happened, the manager called and said the transmission needed to be rebuilt. He said they would order the soft parts which would be $1799. I said, "What do you mean by soft parts?" He explained this cost did not include the hard parts. I became suspicious because he had not been totally truthful with me up to this point. I checked this hard part thing out with another Aamco transmission franchise and was informed that so-called hard parts very seldom need replacing.

Next, I caught him in a horrendous lie. He told me that that my auto needs a new alternator. That's fine, I accepted that. He informed me that since my auto had a heated windshield, they could only locate the right one from a firm in Cleveland, OH. The cost would be $268. I thought that strange with so many parts outlets in the greater Portland area that no one had this part.

I decided to do some research. Right way, I found three parts firms in greater Portland that had this part stock for $119. I reserved the part in the name of Aamco. The drive belt was $40 less Aamco's, discount of 40% for a total of $143. The manager had quoted me on the belt alone at $93.45 and $468 for both parts. This amounted to a mark up for Aamco of 700%.

When I called him the following morning with this news, he was like a guy in shock. He was stammering around, "I can't discuss this now; I'm just opening up the place. I have so many other things to do." He was almost incoherent. He was acting like a puppet on a string to me.

I have been in custom manufacturing, import/export and distributing business my entire business career before retiring. So I am aware of fair profit margins but 700% on top of his lies? Give me a break.

In conclusion, this is now the 8th day Sherwood Aamco has had my auto. The total amount of their final bill will be $3600 according to this Aamco franchise. They quote a 3- to 5-day turnaround on rebuilding transmissions. Today, I learned they did not have the skill to rebuild my transmission at this Sherwood, OR Aamco franchise so now, according to one of their technicians, it will be sent to a central location to be rebuilt.

Previously, a couple of days before my auto was to be finished, ** asked me for a $1,000 deposit. I questioned this as they had my chassis (it is a one of a kind, a limited run). I was threatened by Mike that if I did not put up the $1,000 deposit, they would put my old transmission back in and charge me $895 and I could have it towed away. I paid the $1,000 deposit

Needless to say, I am truly fed up with this entire affair and if my auto has not been returned in perfect running condition by the 10th day they have had my auto, I will discuss this entire episode with my attorney.

There has been no exaggeration in this entire complaint report. If you have taken the time to read this complaint in its entirety, pass it on to anyone you may know with a transmission problem. Should you or anyone of your friends or neighbors, or anyone, with a transmission problem go to an Aamco franchise, they will get what they deserve. These Aamco franchises are cash machines for the franchise holders. This is the theme corporate Aamco sells their franchises on. (By the way, Corporate Aamco takes no complaints).

Since the initial repair, his car was serviced four times under warranty by two additional Aamco franchises in Missouri and Arizona, due to repeated transmission failures. We incurred costs of lodging while the car was being repaired in MO, rental cars in MO and AZ while the car was being repaired, and towing the car from Missouri to Arizona upon the second transmission failure after Aamco service. The car was effectively out of service for 30 days between the initial Aamco service and the last service in Flagstaff, AZ which was completed on October 30, 2001. Peace of mind service? Hardly!

When I arrived to pick up my car after I was notified that it was ready, the techs were still finishing up. I was told by ** and ** that they were just noticing (after the multi-point inspection) that my battery terminals were corroded (I waited while they "cleaned them up"), and then they added that "3 of the 4 engine mounts in my car needed replacement"! They would work up an estimate and call me to schedule a time to replace them at a cost of only $900+! They then said all I needed to do was have my tires rotated, balanced and aligned!

Two days after pick-up, my car began dying again randomly and without warning. I had taken it through a car wash; all power went and the car would not restart! I called the shop. ** answered the phone informing me that the shop was closed and told me to "open the hood, wiggle the battery cables" and the car started back up. It lost power again 4 times before I could get the car back in. I called and spoke with **, my original contact point on this repair. I expressed my extreme frustration at paying over a $1,000 for a tune-up and sensor and having the exact same problems I took it in for. He told me to bring the car back which I did the following morning.

I received a call from ** later that day informing me that they drove the car several times, had no issues and when I picked the car up, they would review what was done. They open at 7:30 in the morning. I got there at 7:30. The neon "open" sign is lit; their gigantic shop sign says they are open at 7:30. The internet shows they open at 7:30, but the shop is closed up tight and no one shows until 8:30! The shop manager proceeds to tell me that now there are 2 bolts missing from the battery side to the left of the engine, and my entire battery/fuse box casing is messed up and "they don't do that"!

There was another man who had brought his car in to be looked at who had been waiting with me the entire hour and 15 minutes! He gave me his business card before I left if I needed a witness to the conversation I had had with **. I researched the cost of the mass air flow sensor they said was the problem. The part is $21.50. They charged me $162.50. I paid $102 for 8 spark plugs, $140 for 1 set of plug wires and $48.48 for a filter! They then threw in 2 wiper blades at a cost of $65.90. Only one needed to be replaced and that was not part of any of this! I was then charged $425 labor and to cap it off, they hit me with a $39.95 charge for labor to clean the top of the battery and terminals (a service remember that "they do not perform"!).

I have no trust or confidence in this dealer whatsoever! I was appalled at the 497 complaints I found through consumer complaints about AAMCO across the country! How can this be allowed to go on without any sort of regulatory agency here in the Commonwealth? I have filed a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Office in Richmond and will pursue every avenue to recover some/all of my money. With just a cursory bit of research, there are massive numbers of complaints and lawsuits pending against AAMCO shops across the country! Do not be their next victim!

Check your paperwork and keep your paperwork. They will tell you they remember your car coming in but they have no paperwork on it because they don't keep old paperwork in the store and the employees there half of them are only there for six months to a year. They are not very experienced. This happened to me in Hemet, California, 22 North State Street. I made a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau. Please, and I ask this, please get the word out. Luckily, I have another car but buyer be wary of AAMCO transmission. Share this with all your friends and family and get the word out. Boycott AAMCO transmission by all means! If you have a car in there, get it out of there. This also goes for any car that AAMCO will sell on a lien sale after a customer has not paid or could not pay because they were trapped. They changed prices and didn't notify the customer. When AAMCO sells you a car, don't believe them. When they tell you that you have warranty and that it's in the computer, just drive into any AAMCO. Don't believe it. It's a trick.

It's not in the computer because I just learned they are all franchisee and there is nothing in the computer that they put. It's just a piece of paper that they give you and if they don't give it to you, they will not honor anything. They will continue to screw consumers if you let this continue. By getting the word out, people will avoid getting ripped off and hopefully put this illegal kind of business out of business. These people have been doing this for years and still continue to get away with it if I would have known about this company and did my homework. I would never take my car to any of them. They would not get one red cent from me.

We are basically in a mess because we do not have the money for another transmission, and my husband has recently been laid off of work. My daughter may have to quit school and her job because she was the primary driver of the vehicle. When I called to speak to Richard, he was not empathetic at all. He mocked my new mechanic, Action Auto, and became irate and a bit nasty and in denial as I stated to him that not one but two mechanics had stated there was something wrong with transmission, and that there was something wrong with the pricing that the warranty company was billed, especially for a reconditioned transmission with a short warranty.

Firestone had asked us almost a year ago who did the transmission work because something didn't sound or feel right. We had brought the car back or called about it several times, within AAMCO's 12-month warranty, but Richard just laughed, saying the car was just fine. We even had to bring it back when two different mechanics attempted to check or service the tranny fluid but could not because they were afraid of stripping the bolt that had been placed on too tightly by AAMCO. We tried taking it back three times with the bolt issue, 15 miles driving each time. We were always tossed to the back burner with some excuse until they finally fixed it after the car sat for a few days. Then Richard blamed the others (as usual) for stripping the bolt.

Today, when I called AAMCO to inform them that we have a huge problem, Richard became angry that my mechanics said that in no way should a reconditioned tranny should have cost that much, had a short warranty, or should have to be replaced after only 20k miles. They also gave me some good info to bring up to him about good vs. bad rebuilt transmissions, questions to ask Richard, and that the word reconditioned did not coincide with the warranty company being billed such an outrageous price. Richard just called me back having the audacity to tell me he could do another transmission for me for $2,800. No apologies for the trouble we are going through whatsoever. Just another price quote. I am now checking to see if it was even legal to have my daughter who was a minor at the time to sign for the bill, okaying the huge bill. The bill I signed was blank, ironically.

I have spoken with the manager of AAMCO (I believe he is also the owner). Before the dealer touched it and he said he is not going to authorize any repairs, and after explaining the repairs to him, he now says he will not honor the warranty. This no longer falls in a warranty situation; this falls into gross negligence! I am asking for rental car rooms and food. The shop in Wyoming is sending me a DVD with video and pics of repairs.

He told me the following day that he would call me and tell me about what he found in the transmission and what the problem was. However, I did not hear from him. I knew then that no work had begun on my car. I stopped by the shop again to see if the car had been worked on yet. I stopped by that evening and Steve was in the parking lot. I asked him to see if he has worked on the transmission yet. First he said yes and I clearly saw my car was still in the parking lot. Then he said, "No. I will work on it first thing in the morning." Steve lied to me straight faced. I do not trust this business and ended up getting my car keys that evening. Thank goodness I didn't let them touch my car. Avoid AAMCO on East Colonial Drive unless you want to be lied to by crooks.

Let us start at the beginning. Back in August of 2012, I was starting to have transmission issues. I had decided to take my 2002 Dodge Neon to an Aamco shop locate at 5960 NW Loop 410. A service guy there named ** tried to help me with setting up an engine light inspection and then a diagnostic test. I had to leave the car overnight and then the next day I was able to get in contact with him concerning the results of the test. From what he was telling me, I had severe transmission problems. He quoted me with a price for the repairs. What he had told me nearly threw me off of my rocker, a little over $2700. At first, I told him that I was going to get the car back because I was not sure how I would pay for that.

He literally convinced me to allow the shop to repair the transmission stating that they had financing options available. Like a fool, I allowed them to keep the car for repairs. As the days had gone by, I was calling and checking up on the repairs of my car, wondering when the mechanics would be finished. In the midst of all of this, I had applied for a title loan with TitleMax. I was at the TitleMax place when I was told they could only preapprove me for only $2000-$2200 for the loan. Now mind you, the repairs had cost around $2700. I called ** on the phone there hoping he would provide another solution to this. What I got was someone who was all of a sudden rude.

I tried to tell him that the loan only covered up to $2200 and not the full cost on repairs of the car transmission. But he kept cutting me off, telling me to just tell the TitleMax people that it's $2700. He wouldn't even let me finish my sentences regarding the issue of how I am supposed be paying the remaining amount. I asked the TitleMax people if there was anything they could do as far as talking to him, regarding the charges. They said they really couldn't do anything. It wasn't in their authority to do so. I was dropped off at the Aamco station that same day after being told that I would need to talk to ** regarding other payment options. TitleMax was not going to release the loan unless I got my situation squared away. I tried to have a civil conversation with ** regarding what to do about the remaining balance if I had decided to use the TitleMax loan.

He had proceeded calling other finance places, but we could not come up with anything that would cover the cost of the repairs. He then proceeded to mention other options to me that I would need to think about outside the status quo. I did tell him, however, that in-house layaway was out of the question, because I needed my car. After one of the techs dropped me off at home, I started looking into some tough decisions that I may have to make financially speaking. All of a sudden, I got a phone call from Titlemax. One of the reps spoke with their District Manager and the Manager went ahead and approved the loan for a full $2700! I was so happy. I was picked up and taken to the Titlemax where I had to sign some papers and then dropped off. They went ahead and let ** know about the decision as well.

Afterwards, things still weren't running as smoothly. I was really anxious about getting my car back with it being nearly a week by now. As I had called ** once again asking about the status of my car, he once again was giving me attitude over the phone. I really felt like he was not being too upfront with me on when repairs on my car would be done or he just maybe didn't care to check up on it himself. I don't know. All I know was that he knew I had no car and was totally inconvenienced through all of this.

Finally, I had gone with a friend of mine on Saturday, after over a week to pick up my car. The repairs were finally done. However, when we got to the shop in her Porsche, I've noticed how well they treated her (she had a better looking car and was dressed really nice) compared to how I had been treated. As I thought about this long and hard, I felt like not only was I being treated indifferently as a woman (and I mean as far as being ripped off and such), but I felt like I was a victim of economic discrimination. I think you should be treated as a customer no matter how you look or what kind of car you drive. Anyways, I was able to pay the remaining balance (a small amount) and drove my car out of there. The car was really dirty, which led my friend to help me pay for it getting cleaned at a car wash. This was not the last of my transmission problems, though ...

In November of last year, before going out of town for Thanksgiving, I stopped at a local Sears shop to get an oil change. I was told by one of the techs that the transmission was leaking and he even showed me where it was leaking underneath the car. I proceeded to contact another Aamco shop besides the one where I felt like I had really bad customer service. This one was off of Vance Jackson Rd. I told them the situation and asked if I could take it by that shop perhaps after the holiday and that I had refused to come to the previous shop. The transmission fluid was leaking in droplets at that time. The man over the phone gave in and said that I could bring it by.

After the Thanksgiving holiday, I took it by that Aamco shop and left it there during the weekend for them to repair the leak. I had decided to drive around in a rental car for a few days. This happened around December of last year. I falsely felt secure thinking this Aamco would give me better service than the last one. Besides, the guy seemed somewhat more customer-friendly than ** did. By Tuesday that next week, I was able to drop off the rental and pick up the car from the Aamco shop. I was assured that the problem of the leak was taken care of.

Well, no less than two weeks later, I was at another auto mechanic place that was trying to fix something else wrong with my car. The mechanic told me that the transmission was leaking and showed me where it was leaking at. I just could not believe this! I was flabbergasted. I called the same Aamco that supposedly took care of the leak and he sounded somewhat surprised too about the incident, but told me to try and bring the car by so they (the techs) can take a look at it. I wasn't really able to take it back in to them until after the Christmas holidays (due to myself going out of town to visit family) in early January.

They were able to take a look at it and after a while, the service guy came to me, telling me that they weren't so sure why it was leaking the way it was, that it seemed like it was leaking in different places than previously. I was a little surprised he told me that, because these guys were supposed to be mechanics. Other mechanics told me that the fluid was leaking from the pans and more than likely, the transmission was rebuilt, but not brand new. More than likely, it came from used parts. I left the car at that Aamco during the weekend and had to take off from work that Monday, just to pick it up.

In the midst of this all, I had to rely on a rental car to get me to and from work. Less than two weeks later, the transmission was once again leaking. Mechanics from two different shops had noticed this and I had to take the car back once again to the same shop that supposedly fixed the leak the first time. Due to the Christmas holidays, I wasn't able to bring my car back to that Aamco shop until early January. I had to drop the car back off at the Vance Jackson Aamco on Friday and was able to pick it back up again on Monday.

As soon as I drove out of that shop about 10-20 miles down the road, the engine light comes on and I was thinking it could've been something related to the emissions part of vehicle. Yet, it was bothering me so I had decided to take the car to an Autozone, where they did an Engine Light Check. There were five different codes all related to the Transmission. I even took it to another shop where the Engine Light Check there came up with the same codes all related to the transmission.

I proceeded to take the car back to the first Aamco shop where I first got the transmission rebuilt, because I had warranty with them and was expecting repairs to be covered under that warranty. Carl Cox (owner of the Aamco store where I was at and the one off Vance Jackson) started telling me the results of the Engine Light Test, noting that there were a bunch of codes all related to the transmission. Mr.Cox told me that the techs would need to do an electronic diagnostic test to see if the transmission issues were electrical or mechanical by nature. If electrical, there would be repair-related charges, but not if they found anything mechanically-related.

I started getting into a heated disagreement with him after I had told him about all the transmission-related problems I have been having and disagreeing with him about paying for any other repairs because of it. I tried to tell him that just earlier that week, I drove out of the other Aamco shop and immediately started having problems with shifting to the point where the shifting was about to fail. This was why I had my car towed to the Aamco where I was at when having this conversation with Mr. Cox instead of driving it myself.

Cox's response was one of apathy. Basically he couldn't care less. He was just telling me that once the diagnostic test was completed and there were any electrical issues, there would be charges for repairs since electrical components of the car wasn't covered under the warranty (the warranty was for mechanical issues up to a year and electrical issues for 90 days and accordingly, the 90 days had already passed). He told me that I would need to sign paperwork he had in his hand to give the shop permission to do the diagnostic (even though he did not tell me there would be a charge for that as well). I still disagreed with any kind of repair-related charges and felt that repairs should be free of charge after the hell I've been through with his company. Mr. Cox started getting frustrated with me even telling me that I should "tow my car to another shop" if I don't trust what he's saying regarding my car (which I did tell him I did not).

Earlier, he tried to say that if there was an electrical problem with the transmission, more than likely, the transmission was going bad on its own (an excuse, I believe to cover-up a possible mess-up at the other shop when they were trying to fix the transmission leak). I finally gave in and signed the paper. I wasn't happy about it, but I really wanted to know what was going on with the car. Mr. Cox had his assistant manager give me a ride home after all of this. I did find it funny when I was there, that his other assistant was out on family emergency, but I was told by another worker at Aamco that he was supposedly fired. Interesting.

Anyways, later on that day, I found out the ugly truth about the diagnostic. I had spoken with a technician who knew a few people from Aamco (including Mr. Cox) and seemed trustworthy. I had told him all that had happened and he proceeded to tell me that the diagnostic test would be charged ($180) as well as possible repairs on top of that (if electrically-related). I proceeded to contact Aamco Corporate. I was trying to get someone higher than Mr. Cox involved immediately and try to settle this fiasco. I maintained my position that I shouldn't pay anything (including the diagnostic test) because I was wronged by this company, Aamco.

After several tries, I finally got a hold of a Steve **(by phone). He was the Regional District Manager of the Aamco shops in Texas. Located in California, I was referred to him by someone else within the Aamco Corporation. I proceeded to tell him about my situation with Mr. Cox and possible charges on the car that I was disputing. I asked him if he could intervene and try to talk Mr. Cox out of ripping me off more of my money. Steve told me that he'll see what he could do. What came afterwards, was over a week of waiting, waiting for what could be a resolution to this issue. In the midst of all of this, I had to take the city bus to work. I was walking to and from the bus stop (probably over a mile of walking). I also came in 30 min. later for work (although I did have an understanding supervisor). Steve was really busy and traveling a lot, which, I assumed, was why there was a slow response.

Mr. Cox also tried to call me several times, but I ignored his calls, wanting instead to hear back from Steve first. I was able to get a hold of Steve (I believe within the fourth week of January 2013) and his only solution for me was a small discounted rate. He had told me the diagnostic test results came out with the problem being related to a speed sensor (which was an electrical component). I told him that I still refused to pay and that I was going to tow my car to another auto shop. I also asked if there was still a rate for the diagnostic test. He told me that he would call Carl right back and see what else he could do and then call me, but he did advise earlier that I call Carl.

At first, I didn't want to, but I finally did. His associate manager was on the phone and then she transferred me to him. I asked Carl about any charges and he told me that I would still need to pay for the diagnostic and repairs. I told him that I would rather have the car towed somewhere else and then proceeded to ask him about the diagnostic charges. Mr. Cox only gave me a small discount ($160, would you believe that!). He also told me that I would have to pay him the diagnostic first before towing the car elsewhere. I was very disappointed in the outcome and somewhat disappointed that Mr. ** wasn't that much help, even though he was over Carl. After getting off the phone with Carl, I called Steve and let him know that even though I was not happy with the results, I thanked him anyways for trying to step in and defuse the situation.

Afterwards, I had to go to the bank that weekend (taxicab) to take out the $160 for the diagnostic test. Beforehand, I tried taking out a loan, but it didn't work out. I called Aamco while at the bank and told them I needed a ride to the shop to pay the diagnostic so I can get the car towed to another shop. The assistant manager over the phone told me they couldn't do it today (it was Saturday), which I had expected since they would be closing in a bit. I asked her about Monday. She said she could not guarantee that I could get a ride to and from the shop. I guess it depended on the amount of work they were doing there and if they would have enough mechanics so they could send one to help me out. I was adamant that they do offer to pick me up and drop me off, especially since this whole fiasco was a big inconvenience to me transportation-wise.

So, she told me to call back on Monday. I took the bus back home. On Monday, I called back the shop and once again it was the Assistant Manager (I believe her name was **). I asked her about a ride to and from the shop and she told me that she was the only one there at the time and Carl was at the other shop. I asked her when he would be back. She told me she did not know. I asked her about sending a tech out to pick me up (I was at work at the time). She told me she did not have enough techs at the shop to do that. I was so frustrated and told her that this was horrible customer service.

I called back the next day. It was the same exact thing. I was so frustrated and emotional, that I had proceeded to call Steve ** again, hoping he would talk to Carl once again about my situation. I even called the guy who referred me to Steve the first time and asked him to get Steve to call me. I found it funny that throughout this whole ordeal, none of them called me back. I really felt like they were ignoring my phone calls (I had left a few messages on Steve's answering machine). In the midst of all of this, taking the bus to and from work, walking a little close or over half a mile after getting off the closest stop, I really felt like once again, I was being taken advantage of. I really felt like Carl Cox was the culprit in all of this, possibly telling people at his shop not to help me out, that I have to somehow find my own way to get there and pay the $160. I was very frustrated with him and I admitted being a little aggressive in my words towards him (but you must understand, I was a frustrated customer).

Finally, by Thursday of that week (Jan 31, 2013), I got a friend to take me to the Aamco shop and pay the $160 for the diagnostic test. At the same time, AAA was able to come by and pick up my car to take to another car shop that I felt like I could trust. I just came in and out paying the $160.00 to ** at the time. I did not say anything to Carl, who was also at the shop. My friend was able to take me home afterwards and the speed sensor on the car was finally replaced on Friday or Saturday of that week. The other shop charged me a fair price, since they knew that I had been through so much with Aamco. I finally picked up my car at the shop in working condition. Beforehand, it was only shifting first gear.

The troubles with Aamco started ever since they rebuilt my transmission in Sept 2012. I had two transmission leaks afterwards in November and December. Then when I drove off from one of the Aamco shops in early January 2013 after they had fixed the second leak, my inner shaft speed sensor started going out, which leads me to believe that somebody could've messed up on something while fixing the leak, even though they claimed that they checked everything and didn't see any wiring out of place.

I would have to say that I had the worst customer-service experience I had ever received out of all the car shops I had dealt with. Aamco is horrible! All they care about is ripping off your money. I am a living testimony to that.

So he called me and said, “The parts cost you $1,894.” And in addition to that, I have to pay another $1,044 for them to install the parts to the transmission. So then I asked him, “Okay, give me the total price.” He said $4,400. I was like “Oh no. That is not what you told me.” So I was like “There’s no way I’m going to pay you $4,400 just for you to fix the transmission.” So now I have to take them to court to get my car back from their shop, because I am not going to pay $4,400! So yeah, I’ll see them in court soon. So please if you’re reading this now, do not take your car to AAMCO. And please tell all your friends about this. Thanks!

Now, I'm told they have to order the parts. I get a call from AAMCO on 01/23/13 saying that the parts are in. I then made an appointment on 01/28/13. I dropped my car off at 8:00am and was told it was a 5 hour job. I called later for an update, and I was told that the mechanics had a hard time turning the bolts because it was cold outside. I called the next morning and was told they were still working on it. I called around 3pm, and I was told I was slowing them down from completing the job because I called a second time. At around 4pm, I received a call from AAMCO stating they needed to order a part, and it would be in the next morning. I called the next day at 4:30pm and was told they just picked up the part, and my car would be ready by noon the next day. The next day, I get a call and was told that my car would be ready by 5:30pm.

When I picked up my car on 01/31/13, the check engine light was on and was told they had the wrong part; it was just a sensor, and my car was okay to drive. They would order the right part, and it would take about 30 minutes to an hour to put it on. Now this was a 5 hour job that turned into 4 days. My warranty company allows for me to rent a car, but since I was told everyday my car would be ready, I was not able to get one. I was also charged a new deductible because the warranty company considered this as a new claim, which should have been fixed the first time. I called on 02/07/13 and was told that the part would arrive on 02/12/13. On 02/13/13, I took my car and was told they located the part. They would pick it up, and my car would be ready that afternoon. When I called on 02/07, I was told the part was just being delivered, and that’s why it was taking so long to arrive.

When I arrived on 02/13, I was told the part was being picked up. During the time that I was waiting for the part to arrive, my tiptronics stopped working. When I called to get an update, I was told they had the wrong part. I received the same story the next day. Now it's day 3, and I still don't have my car. A 30 minute to 1 hour job turned into 3 days and beyond. For a company that specializes in transmission, I don't understand why they always order the wrong part.

I am going to lose my job and housing because of this. I cannot afford rental of my own, and I have no more family or friends to get rides from last min. I will not have enough money to pay for repairs if this goes on just one more day. And as far as the "quality" of work performed, if anything happens because of their incompetence to the vehicle, I will be jobless and homeless in one week. Please help! Thank you.

I asked him if he could have my van towed back to me. I paid him $64.00 for the towing. That was the amount of money he charged me. ** also suggested I contact AAMCO in Roslindale, MA regarding them honoring the warranty. The person I spoke with there the name is **. He told me until I get those things on the list taken care of, he could not do the transmission and honor the warranty. After speaking with him, I had my vehicle towed to my mechanic. He said those things on that list had nothing to do with the transmission but he fixed them anyway. I called ** at AAMCO here and ** at AAMCO in Roslindale, MA that the things on the list that was given to me had been taken care of. ** said he would honor the warranty after ** looked at the transmission for analysis. My problem is now neither one of them is making arrangements to have my vehicle towed back to AAMCO. I was told I have to pay for the towing. My van is not drivable. Why am I supposed to pay for towing when it is in AAMCO's policy to offer towing service to their customers at no cost to them for major repairs such as repairing or replacing the transmission?

We went back that morning. We live 65 miles from Tucson, got there and they said they drove it and heard nothing. My husband asked to have the mechanic ride with him, and they told him that he couldn't ride with him until 3:30pm that afternoon, when this was at 9:00am in the morning. Needless to say, we spent the whole day in Tucson waiting for the mechanic to drive the pickup again. Then, it was the manager who rode with my husband, and said he heard nothing. We took the pickup home once again.

On the 15th of October, my husband called AAMCO again and told them we had heard the noise at least six times, which we documented in a book and the time we heard it. Bring it back again, this time the manager said, "You need to take this pickup to another mechanic," which we did - Dave's Auto Shop. The manager rode with my husband and right away he heard the noise, said it was the mounting bolts on the turbo waste gate that were loose. He tightened up four bolts and charged us $70.00. Now, we want our money back from AAMCO for doing repair work on our pickup which had nothing to do with the problem.

On Friday, August 17th, we picked up the car from Aamco. Check engine light came on while driving home, transmission was again shifting hard and slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear. On Monday, August 20th, we dropped the car back off at Aamco after hours; we used the drop box. On Tuesday, August 21st, we contacted Gregory with customer service for Aamco. He stated that he would contact them and then follow-up with me. Gregory called back stating that they were still troubleshooting and following advisement from technical services.

On Monday, August 27th, I contacted Gregory. He stated that they were obtaining a new core and would install the rebuild this week. On Wednesday, August 29th, Mark of Aamco called to say the car was finished. On Monday, September 3rd, I picked up the car from Aamco (they were closed Labor Day). I drove one mile and brought the car back due to the steering wheel being grossly out of alignment. On Tuesday, September 4th, I notified Aamco as to why car was returned to them. They said they would complete the front end alignment. On Tuesday, September 4th, I picked car up from Aamco after hours.

On Thursday, September 6th, the car was noted to be leaking transmission fluid. On Sunday, September 9th, I dropped the car off at Aamco after-hours; I used the drop box. It continues to leak transmission fluid. On Monday, September 10th, I contacted Mark with Aamco explaining the leaking transmission fluid. On Monday, September 10th, I contacted Gregory with customer service to voice dissatisfaction with Aamco. A message was left asking to return my call (call was never returned). On Monday, September 10th, I was contacted by Mark at Aamco letting me know the car was finished. He stated it was a cracked sensor. I asked Mark for a copy of the paperwork for the transmission replacement (core change-out). He stated he would contact the corporate office and have it mailed to me. We picked up the car after-hours.

That was nineteen days in the shop at Aamco over the course of five separate visits and thirty-nine days without the car. I dropped car off four different times (not counting the original tow to Aamco), picked the car up five different times.

Update: On Sunday, October 14th, daughter reported transmission is slipping. On Monday, October 15th, transmission failed. Aamco was contacted (original service paperwork was never received from corporate office as promised).

I have a 1969 Ford F250 I had serviced approximately 3 months ago. They serviced my transmission and transfer case. By doing this - they had to remove and reinstall both components as well as the "jack shaft" driveline. I have driven less than 1000 miles since service and my u-joint had a catastrophic failure while driving. I had to have my truck towed home and boat which cost me $810, of which I am not pleased with at all. I believe they improperly installed my u-joint, and/or failed to notify me that it was in need of replacement. The following is what my mechanic friend indicated he believed happened.

"Was the U-Joint a greasable one? edit note - yes (did it have a zerk fitting - yes). And if so, standard mechanical procedure is to look for evidence of rust coming out of the cap. If none, then grease the u-joint before removing the driveline (this helps keep the cap in place when the driveline is removed). Once the driveline is out, it should have been checked for roughness and/or being stiff or loose and then when the driveline is reinstalled, it should be greased again.

This failure appears to be clearly lack of lubrication or a misaligned cap (u-joint not properly in place when installed), not excessive torque. This should never happen in that short of a time frame or mileage. One final note this is a jack shaft drive line it is not down in the mud or water and the drive line angle changes very little (only when the mounts and frame flexes). This means the lubrication does not get pushed around the rollers; however, when they do fail, the failure is fairly slow.

Consumer's Desired Resolution: I want them to make this repair at no cost to me as I truly believe it is from improper installation. I would like to seek reimbursement for my towing charges as well - but understand that might be a long shot. I just find it very hard to believe that the u-joint was properly installed when it failed is such a short distance. Note that my truck is currently in their shop and I am hoping to have this resolved asap. Thank you in advance.

BBB Processing:

09/19/2012 - Web BBB received consumer rebuttal : (The consumer indicated he/she did not accept the response from the business.)

Problem 1 - The U-joints and shaft were absolutely taken off as the transmission nor the transfer case could be removed for service without taking out this shaft. I ended up doing this repair myself (as I certainly wasn't going to pay them the additional quoted repair of $585). I did have it towed home as mentioned above. My shaft had to be rebuilt because of the destroyed yoke, and elongated hole that the u-joint is pressed into as a result of the above mentioned failure, a completely rebuilt shaft with new u-joints and yoke fitting that was destroyed was an additional $173 (and personally installed in about 25 minutes).

After talking to many mechanics, they all agreed that the shaft had to be incorrectly installed in order to fail in that very short distance (likely by one of the needles in the needle bearing cap had slipped out into the cap and would consequently not seat into the Yoke properly). This put it out of center allowing the shaft to move back and forth excessively and as more of the needle bearings were destroyed due to this imbalance - catastrophic failure resulted. Note - this shaft has gone over 100,000 miles with no problems and it was fine when they received it and it should not have gone out in less than a 1000 miles after repairs at AAMCO were complete.

Problem 2 - It was my understanding during my service visit to AAMCO that the main reasons for this service was to #1 - repair leaks in both Transmission and Transfer case; and #2 - thoroughly go through the transmission to ensure future reliability of this vehicle (due to its age and planned future use) - including bearing replacement, gear inspection, and synchro replacement. Carlos (the supervisor at the time - he has since left AAMCO) indicated they would need to pull both the transfer case and transmission and send them to their 82nd street shop for this work (apparently this is where they do all the transmission repairs on the bench). My original quote was for around $1200 and it increased to $1427 for these repairs. I agreed - and "thought" this was all performed.

I took delivery and after about 100 miles found that I needed to replace the transfer case mounts as the vibration under load was so bad it was shaking the truck. I purchased new mounts, lowered the transfer case and installed new isolator mounts - problem went away (note - this did not require the removal of the shaft and yoke that failed - just to be clear). My issue here is - the shop shouldn't have used mounts that were 43 years old without at least indicating that they were completely shot and giving me the option to replace (they are the "experts" after all?). I also noticed that my transmission seemed to be excessively noisy since my service.

I took it into Carlos - and he said it was likely due to the rubber boot being destroyed and a direct line of sight from the shifter down to the transmission from the cab. I assumed he was correct (with some trepidation), and drove it occasionally for the rest of the summer. After I just replaced the shaft - I took it in again to the new manager - and indicated that I still think the sound was way too loud (new rubber boot since installed). He had one of his mechanics come with me for a test drive and determined that, indeed there was something wrong inside the transmission. So now I'm thinking - well - I guess it's a warranty issue since I just had it inspected with wear components replaced.

Well - to my surprise - seeing my receipt (this is where I feel I am being fully taken advantage of) that all the work that was done, as far as the receipt says, was replace seals in the transmission and transfer case. So - either the receipt was wrong or I was fully misled as to the service I thought I had paid for. Their receipts are not very descriptive - there is a charge of just under $1000 for the removal and install of both those components. I had figured that the overall rebuild was included in that cost. Now the regional manager is denying any type of responsibility and that because my receipt says just reseal - they are not responsible.

So here is where I am today. I have spent $1427 for original repairs. I needed to purchase new mounts for $80 and install them myself. I had a major failure of a shaft and u-joint that they indeed removed (I saw it on the bench) that cost me a $810 towing bill and $173 rebuild (on my own - with install on my own). Now I face a transmission that needs to be serviced yet again (with under 1000 miles on it) so either I need to have it rebuilt (again?) or will likely end up replacing myself. This will cost me $895 plus shipping I would suspect around $300-$400 for truck freight to get the rebuilt one - and send mine back (core charge). So, in addition to severe financial burden, this has caused me significant grief and time (of which I do not have a lot to spare) - I am now looking at a total bill of close to $4000!

I thought all of this was done with my initial bill of $1427, so needless to say, no, I am not happy with this owner's response or frankly treatment of customers. The regional manager has been nothing but rude and condescending. When I had done all of my research to try and determine what happened and told him what I thought had occurred, his response was "well - if you're such an expert - why didn't you do the work in the first place?"

Given the costs I have subsequently incurred and major inconvenience of this poor repair - I am requesting a full refund of my $1427. My bills remaining in order to bring it up to what I thought was done will still exceed my original expense to AAMCO - and I'm still out the towing bill.

Let's get back to the basic complaints:

1. The Jack Shaft (intermediate shaft between the transmission and transfer case) was taken out by your mechanics. It was not done by standard protocol (grease, take out, inspect, re-install, and grease). There was no new grease added - and one of the needle bearings slipped upon installation. This mistake of standard removal and reinstall is the direct cause of the failed u-joint. Cost - $810 towing + $173 shaft rebuild. Total request reimbursement - $983

2. I was told by Carlos (the manager at the time of my service) that I was paying for a complete overhaul of my transmission and transfer case. I paid 10 hrs of labor for this work. I am now told by the regional manager that they only did a re-seal of the transmission and transfer case. So, here is where I stand with this: I was able to get a copy of a 1975 Motors Parts and Time Guide (the bible for repair Labor accepted hours). In this guide I found the following labor rates: Transmission R&R and Overhaul 4 speed 1969-1974 F100-250 w/ 4 wheel drive - 5.3 hrs

Jack shaft removal and reinstall is covered 2x in the above hours - so 0.3 hrs should be taken off the total leaving exactly 10 hrs of labor for a full overhaul (which is exactly what I was led to believe I paid for). For just a renew (of transmission and transfer case) which is what the regional manager tells me was done - combined time of 5 hours. So, either they actually did the overhaul and something was incorrectly done causing what now requires a (or another) full overhaul, or (2) they grossly overcharged me for work. I now have to get the transmission rebuilt - I have priced it out for a full rebuild and with me doing the removal and install, it will cost $875. So, I either want reimbursed this $875 (for what I was led to believe I already paid for), or a credit of 5 hrs labor of which I was overcharged - $500.

I am seeking closure on this so I can put it behind me. If this is not resolved within the BBB format, I will be forced (and will certainly proceed) with filing a small claims with Multnomah County, at which time I will seek out full reimbursement of $1,858 plus all associated filing fees.

10/12/2012 BNA Email Forward Final Response to Consumer

On 10/04/2012, Mike called and informed us that the vehicle was ready to be picked up. Mike gave me the balance due. I explained to Mike he had not yet given us a written estimate, and asked why they proceeded to repair the vehicle. I then went on to explain that the balance he was giving me now, was much higher than his original "oral" quote. Mike flatly explained that when I gave him the birth date and last four digits of my social security number, that I was giving him authorization to repair the vehicle. I reminded him that we had not yet been given a written estimate, only an oral estimate. I explained that he himself had stated, "The information I gave was only for the initial breakdown." Mike again insisted that a written estimate, signed by myself was not needed. I disagreed and then ended the call and headed over to the Aamco.

When I arrived at the Aamco, Mike was there to discuss the situation. He informed me that Aamco actions were legal, and that I was to remit the payment as shown on the invoice. Mike and the owner, Mark (who was on the Aamco's phone), both explained that they were in their legal rights to do the repairs and charge the price listed. I argued for some time, to no avail. I was told if I wanted our vehicle, I would pay the price, stop holding up Mark's employee, Mike, and take my vehicle and go. We ended up going from an oral quote of $1119 and taxes to an out the door non-quoted price of $1461 plus taxes. We feel that Aamco, Mark and Mike planned and executed a fraudulent transaction.

I understand Cottman and AAMCO are sister franchises. I do not understand why they do not trust each other nor do I understand why they simply could not have worked together to cancel the check and give the credit card info on Saturday. Today (Tuesday), I called Ryan at 2PM to see if the check came. He said no. I asked him when the mail is usually delivered and he told me 12 noon! I asked him to call me when he checked the mail, confirmed he had my number and asked him to call me back. It is now 3:30PM and I have not heard a thing nor has he ever called me. I had to call him every day after 5PM to get updates even though he had promised to call.

My wife had abdominal surgery on the 20th. She was in the hospital 10 days and is now home. We need to get back to Seattle for many reasons and my car remains hostage, work done, warranty payment approved for 5 days! Wednesday will be the 6th day. Aside from the health issues and daughter missing school, as with everyone else, time is money including mine!

I asked him if I could come in on Monday a day after it expired and he said no. When I went to leave, obviously angry, he told me not to take it out on him and I mentioned that if he were good at customer service, he'd at least honor it. He went off and yelled at me that I didn't know what I was talking about and told me to leave the store. Later on, come to find out I'm not the first person he's yelled at/cussed out. This guy should not be running a business. Shame on you AAMCO for not doing psychological testing before giving anyone with money a store; I will never use this establishment again and won't stop until everyone hears my complaint.

Their main office in PA said that Rolla trans told them that they could do no more. AAMCO customer care in their main office is terrible. I refuse to pay them for something they didn't fix and for them putting parts in my truck that did not need replacing. I have the letter from Ford that says that they examined the parts AAMCO changed and that they are good. When I get my truck back, I have to take it to Ford to have it fixed. Don't go to Rolla AAMCO and customer care. They don't know what they are doing.

My car had to be completely rewired and that it was going to cost me $400.00 just to have them look for the problem. That did not include the actual repair or any parts that were needed. They said that they charge $100.00 per hour for the repair and that was estimated to be between 10 to 15 hours. That still did not include any parts to be replaced. Then they said that I would not pass DEQ and that would need to be taken care of as well. At another 3 hours, with all that said, it would cost me almost $2,000.00. I didn't have the money to pay for that and I took it elsewhere to get an estimate.

I went to a friend of mine, who had a friend who worked on cars and had his mechanic certification. He was a mobile mechanic. He checked the car and replaced the fuse that was for my lights and tested for emissions. He said, "You will have no trouble passing the DEQ" and I didn't! I passed! Without any repair for that. The fuse cost me about $2.00 and because it was an easy fix, he did not charge me a dime. AAMCO was going to charge me $2,000.00 and I got the repair done for $2.00. Am I angry? Damn right! They will be contacted by the BBB and any other place I can complain to. These jerks are in Tigard, Oregon. Think about this before you take your car in there and ask yourself, do I lose my $2,000.00 vacation or do I lose some pocket change?

I called Brian in Blacksburg and told him the situation. He got in contact with Matthews and called me back and told me I will know what is wrong on Monday. Monday came, got a phone call from Josh in Matthews who told me it was the transmission and I will know exactly what is wrong on Wednesday. Wednesday came. I called, and nothing. Thursday came, and I still haven't touched it. On Friday, I called Josh in Matthews, and he said he hasn't talked to the builder and he will call me right back. That was at 5; it is currently 6:10 on Friday. And I haven't heard anything. I know when I do hear something, it will be another $2800 that I do not have.

I was reassured that this would take care of it. I went to pick it up and pay the bill ($1,400), which was much more than I was told. I was charged for plug wires? They insisted that they called me. At that point, I have no choice but to pay. I’m happy to get my truck back after 3 weeks. I started it and, wow, it’s the same noise as when I took it in. I’m feeling kind of used, abused and alone. I looked for other complaints and found ConsumerAffairs.com. I then searched AAMCO and it looks like this is a standard practice for a franchisee. They are making repairs that are not needed to correct original problems.

Like everyone else, I brought my car in to fix the transmission thinking they're probably better than bringing the car to the dealer, since they're cheaper. Their online profile makes them look really big and reliable, but the truth is far from that! They're really out to suck as much money as they can. My experience at the Libertyville Center was horrible. **, the manager, is deceptive, dishonest and a total scammer. The first impression they give is friendly, courteous. But all these are facades and lies, to get you to agree to opening your car. Once they touch your car, it's almost impossible to stop the repair work. You just have to continue on after they touch your car once - that's how they con people's money. There's no return since you already spent that much on just opening your car (Btw, no one charges ** $700 just to open the car for checks).

But the manager did not get my permission to take apart my car but did so, claiming that my social security number is authorization to take apart my car. And demanded payment for disassembling my car before I can get my car back. On Friday evening, I wanted to get my car back but upon threatening to call the police, he fled immediately, locking the place up. So, I had to drive all the way back on Saturday, wanting to settle the issue peacefully but just getting my car back without payment. He refused again.

Troubled, I called AAMCO headquarters and spoke to 2 of the corporate directors: ** and someone else. They sound exactly the same: fake, sales-y, sleazy. I thought the directors would be more reasonable and help me in this case. But they weren't. In fact, they probably are the ones behind all the scamming. There's no way they'll ever help you to get money back ever! So, I had no choice but to call the police. Thank God the police were so helpful and understanding. The 2 officers helped to finally get my car back after speaking to the boss over the phone.

Bottom line: Do not send your car to AAMCO, Libertyville Center. Do not give them your social security number. If you already sent your car to AAMCO, and regret doing that, don't be afraid to call up the police or threaten to sue them in court. You will probably win the case. I am pretty sure that other centers have many similar bad experiences to share. Just search on Google, you'll find tons of negative reviews. It's just my luck that I sent my car there without prior research or investigation. I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else.

To put into park, I had to slam it into park or I could not get the key out and the whole inside dash vibrates now when I brake. I took the vehicle back to them and they told me I had an oil leak. I told them I just paid you $1,400 to fix a leak and I still have one. He said they were concentrating on the transmission. He said, "You have had this oil leak for some time." Now as a mechanic, if you see oil leaking down on the transmission, would you not contact your customer to say you have this problem? I don't know if they pulled the transmission out now. If they did, they never cleaned anything because the oil is on the transmission.

The man told me it is only a small leak. What a bunch of rip offs. I filed with the BBB and got a call from the shop to bring back in at a cost of course to take a look at the oil leak. I would not take my bicycle to these people. Rip off. I contacted the corporate office and they said they would contact the shop and get back to me. Well, I have not heard from anyone yet and that was almost two weeks ago.

Stay away from them. Take it from a former employee. All the locations are owned by the same owner, who doesn't care about your car or you. He just wants to take your money. If you go on there, they will lie to you about your car. I'm only saying this, because I'm a very honest person and I thought I was getting in a line of work that I enjoyed. I love cars and have been around them for 15+ years.

When you have people going in, not knowing anything about cars, they will rip you off and sell you things you don't need, just to make profit, even if it doesn't fix your car. They will tell you "It needs this." You ok it, then they will say "Oh, now it needs this." I would have to lie to customers about what's wrong with the car, even though it never got looked at. The owner and upper management approve of these tactics. I don't like how they treat their employees nor their customers. So if you can, stay away of any AAMCO, if owned by Henley. If you go into one, ask if they are owned by Henley. Please don't go get ripped off.

When I call him, he never answers and the person that does says he is test driving a car and they will have him call when he returns. He has never returned a call. Joe Casey owns or manages the AAMCO locations in Salem and Blacksburg. He clearly is not interested in customer service or even honesty. He has over $700 of my money and I still have a car that is not functional and he doesn't care. AAMCO's corporate office is only interested in selling franchises. There is nothing on their website related to customer service. At a corporate level, they do not care about their customers and clearly, that attitude filters down to the people that run their service locations.

Five months down the road, it started making the exact same noise when it went out. So, I called them with a few choice words! They told me to bring it back in but that it was going to take a few days to fix because they were backed up! I explained to them that wasn't going to work because it was our only vehicle. Luckily, my mother-in-law let us borrow her car. So, they told us it was a sensor and we needed to pay $85 for its replacement! I said, "Nope, your warranty says you will be held accountable for poor workmanship." They gave it to us for free and sent us on our way!

The very next morning, it started the same noise again; and our 4x4 high and low lights were flashing! Same thing happened when our tranny went out the first time! So they told us to bring it back in again. We did, and now according to them, the professionals, it was our transfer case! So, they agreed to take it apart and see what was wrong with it for $300! I again told them "No way, you should have checked all of these parts when it came in!" The mechanic told me that the tranny and transfer case have nothing to do with one another, when in fact, they are connected by eight bolts! They told me they would rebuild it at a discount cost of $450 total, and I said only if I can make payments because I've already dropped $2k into their poor work! They disagreed and told me to come and pick up my car.

While this current issue was going on, they gave me a "loaner car," which is against corporate AAMCO's policy. This loaner car had no registration and had expired tabs, and the transmission slammed into gears! Great, I was in a death trap pregnant! I was done. I called the mechanic, screaming at him and telling him that they needed to replace it all or I was going to call corporate and report them. The lead mechanic called me a ** and told me to take my business elsewhere! What? Are you serious!

I called corporate, and they wouldn't do anything for me, even though I still was under warranty. So my hub and I took the transfer case off ourselves and discovered that the bolts holding the transfer case to the tranny have three of the eight that were the original, one was completely missing, three were different types and length, and one was so small that they used a sealer to keep it in the hole! I was pissed! But I came to find out it wasn't our transfer case but that it was our differential that was damaged when our tranny went out! Wow! So we unplugged our transfer case, so the differential doesn't try to grab the four-wheel drive.

1 year and 4 months down the road and a whopping 15,544 miles on our tranny, it threw first and second gear and overdrive! What! Are you kidding me! So I decided to call the original location, and guess what? They were shut down! So now, I'm playing phone tag with their consumer complaints office, because I am going to hold them accountable to have it replaced; and if I have to contact my state's attorney-general and BBB, I will! And if they agree to have this replaced, I will be standing in their lobby, watching them take it out and put in a new one! This gal is no joke to mess with! I will make sure they take care of me, and no one ever goes to them! Period!

Showing, according to their diagnostic, I needed a tune-up, fuel filter, air filter, fuel system cleaned and the throttle body cleansed didn't fix the problem! The problem hadn't been fixed, so I took it back into them on 4/10/2012. They performed another multi-point check and tests revealing that the following areas are in need of attention, which as it turned out was one of the same items that I had already paid listed among the items they claimed to have fixed on 03/14/12. However, as it turned, they recommended the same servicing - cleaning both the throttle body and the fuel system, and named this time treatment. They tested to see if the carbo cleaning on the throttle body (that they did a second time, not mentioning anything about a fuel system pump, but it shows installed and paid for).

They only mentioned a cleaning/treatment of both items they claim to have fixed again, but I noticed that they have stated this second time (to say or mean) that for now, my vehicle ran and idled okay, but that they knew it would be back because the vehicle was never fixed, paying them a total of $859.47 - twice $165.00 to have the throttle body de-carbonized and for the fuel system, $90.13, and again, $179.74. A total of $269.87. My questions are and also concerns are, they seem to say in their comment that my vehicle will need to revisit their shop because they made the statement "at this time". Nowhere does it say that it runs well. They charged me again for work they had done before, seeing though that they charged me for a new fuel pump relay, which isn't mentioned in diagnostic that my vehicle needed this.

Of course, the problem still exists is the reason I'm filing this complaint with your office. I had my son Robert ** to take my car to them on 5/01/2012 because the problem hadn't gone away. I was in the hospital and wasn't able to take it in myself and so I had my son to get it. When they came up with it being the alternator this time around, something must be wrong with their diagnostic machine. They did another one of their multi-point check and tests. This time, the test revealed that it was the alternator. According to the test, the alternator is no longer creating a charge. Test revealed that the output charge was .5 volts, below minimum specifications for my alternator, recommending that the alternator be replaced to continue testing on my vehicle. I can only assume to see it continues to run the same as when I took it into their shop.

This third time wasn't a charm. This time, I had enough. I got frustrated that they would ask me for more money and declined to let them do any further testing. If the diagnostic of their mechanics had revealed the problem only by now, obviously because it wasn't doing its job or they were playing on me to get more money. It should have shown that the alternator wasn't performing up the standard requirements. They had charged me twice for work they had already done and was trying to get me back into this shop to charge me more money to fix and/or assess the same problem, when the first diagnostic performed should have done the job.

This shop is privately owned. In my opinion, this owner saw a way to milk me for more and more money. Still, there is no mention about the transmission light and my car functions the same as when they fixed it. I would like to mail or email a copy of the invoice with the information exhibiting this complaint.

My husband and I have been greatly inconvenienced, being I have to get up earlier to bring him to work so I can get to work or doctor's appointments, and he has to find a ride home from work. Our other car is not in that great of condition, and is being used way too much and now it is giving us trouble. They do not seem to care. Obviously, they have money in the bank and a reliable vehicle to use. We, little people, don't seem to matter to them. As I am writing this, it has been two months and I have only had my car nine days out of those two months. I am at my wit's end, and I am seriously considering contacting the news media about this situation. My husband and I worked hard for our money, and we can't afford to put out that kind of money and be without a car. In my opinion, AAMCO of Metairie, LA is dishonest and unfair, including its manager, Mr. Bobby **, its owner Mr. Paul and corporate, Mr. Mike **. AAMCO owes us a lot more than a measly $300. Please help.

Two days later after picking up my car, I had to run it back as it was gushing transmission fluid. I learned then that they needed to replace a seal. Luckily, I was not without my car but again, no apologies. In fact, they thought it was kind of funny. Now in June, they had to rebuild the trans again. I am still awaiting an explanation of what they didn't do right in the first place. Also, I want to know about a refund if I have to bring it in again because I believe I will. They have been evasive and dishonest. They have told me in the past that a tow truck was on the way when one was never sent. Instead, only the owner and senior tech came out. They also claimed that they had driven the vehicle many times and did not experience the problems I have been having.

This last time, I insisted I drive and they were the passengers. Finally, they believed me because I was the witness. I believe they would have never copped to it had I not been in the car. They told me my car is ready and it's ready to pick up. I am waiting for a call back as to what happened. This was a total nightmare and I will never go to an AAMCO again. I want to pursue this as far as it will go.

They fixed it and I have put over 70,000 miles on it and it shifts beautifully. The overdrive is part of the transmission and had they fixed it the first time, the transmission would not have gone the second time. It cost me $3,990.00 this time. 9 months later, it’s for a total of $7,731.52. Plus, they gave me a free 3-year, 36,000 miles warranty compared to a 12,000 miles, 1-year warranty the first time. Hmmm. I have spoken to other transmission places and all have said it is standard procedure to replace or offer to replace the faulty harness which caused the first one to go and caused the second one to go to their own admission. I was never told or offered to replace the harness which controls the overdrive. I know that if an overdrive is going on and off while driving as well as towing, it will tear up a transmission as I studied auto mechanics in high school. I was told about the harness the second time in which it was replaced and I have had no problems since and have put 70,000 miles on this one. AAMCO screwed me and did nothing but take me and my money! I have a court date on May 30th in Delaware as I am trying to sue them. I also wrote the BBB and the attorney general.

I called corporate and some, to Anna **, in the consumer complaint department and true to Aamco form, she asked what is it that I wanted her to do. Smh! I could extend this complaint for another page; however, don't know if it's worth it as I don't think Aamco will respond nor do I think they understand the power of word of mouth, social media and good customer service. Nonetheless, please stay away from Aamco. Their decentralized business strategy is horrible and will hurt them in the long run, not to mention their mechanics, at least, at the Vauxhall, NJ branch suck!

She then told me that was a base price only and that the paper I signed explained that. The paper in question that I briefly read because I was already in distress because I had just brought the car almost less than 24 hrs ago and already it was costing me money I didn't have. I explained to her that I didn't quite understand the contract terms on the document I signed, that's why I asked her what did it mean. She told me the paper I signed only was to authorize them to start the work on the car, never anything about a base price because if so, at that moment, I would have paid the $185 for the diagnosis and took my car somewhere else.

I then spoke with the manager which all he did was remind me he owns the store and that he makes up his own rules, and that if I wanted to the store policy, I would have to get a lawyer and a subpoena. He also said just to put the my transmission in a box and in my trunk and to make my car tow safe, my $960 deposit would not be refunded. I believe I was treated very unfair and $960 is too much because it was not explained to me correctly! I have up to 6 p.m. today to remove my car from Aamco or I will be charged $75 a day storage, so could someone contact me regarding this matter asap?

On Monday, February 20, Bob notified that the transmission was gone and that it would cost $5,200 to rebuild the transmission. I stated that was entirely too high. Why would I pay $5,200 for a rebuilt transmission when I could purchase a new transmission from the dealer for $3,900? I told him that this price was ridiculous and I would come to retrieve my vehicle. He then notified me that I would have to pay $795 to put the transmission back in my vehicle. I was stunned because I never signed or gave authorization to have the transmission taken out of the vehicle only to determine if the problem was the transmission. On Tuesday, February 21, a certified mechanic and I went to retrieve the vehicle, only to be told that the price to rebuild the vehicle was $6,200 (the price changed) and $795 was due.

The mechanic informed the shop that they didn't have to drop the transmission to determine if it was gone, they could have driven the vehicle or put on a machine and inform me that the transmission was gone and gave the cost. This was not done nor did I sign a contract. AAMCO is refusing to return my vehicle unless I pay them $795 to reinstall the transmission. At no point did I sign or authorize to have any work performed.

During the course of 2011, we had been in Florida for a total of 8 weeks which is how often the car was used! In 2012, we decided to go down again on April 18 to our condo and all of a sudden my son was driving the car and it wouldn't go into any gear! This occurred on W. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. The car was only revving on a very busy street, and my son could’ve been hit from behind and got seriously hurt!

I had to have the car towed back to AAMCO Transmissions, which cost me $77.00. When I got there, the manager, **, told me that he had to check out the car and have the general manager, **, get back to me. I was also informed that from when he reconditioned my old transmission that I had driven about 7,500 miles and my warranty was out of time.

Well, ** did get back to me and told me point blank that it would cost me another $1,500 to $2,000 and he wouldn't honor my warranty. I explained how I am not a resident and don't drive the car daily like I drive in New Jersey. But he insisted that I pay the money or have my car towed, which is what I did. My husband then tried to talk to ** and was told that maybe he could adjust the price by replacing parts that were still under warranty. Me, a woman was never told that! I need you to understand that this rebuilt transmission would have broken down sooner if I drove the car more often.

The time frame should not negate the usage factor that is involved here. Also, as far as I'm concerned, I was also discriminated against by this general manager due to him being flexible with the price for my husband and not me. My objection to the way that your dealer handled this situation is a definite black eye to all of AAMCO Transmissions dealers. My complaint will not stop until I get my car fixed by your organization! In reality, my rebuilt transmission that your dealer put into my car lasted for 7,500 miles. What a disgrace! Are there no qualifications or training that is required when you sell these franchises? Please get back to me and let me know what you will do to remedy this situation.

I told them that I would like to get a 2nd opinion and they told me I could pick it up in a few hours. When I got back to the shop to pick it up, I found that my transmission was completely disassembled still, each and every part was taken apart, and that it was in four shallow boxes sitting outside their side shop door in the parking lot. I went in to talk to the manager, who I’ve been talking to this whole time, and he told me this is how they get returned. I was never told this when I dropped it off and if he would have told me this, I would not have agreed for them to look at it.

About 20 missing parts were not returned and they do not know where they’re at. I became furious because I was expecting that the transmission would be how I left it with them. He didn’t say anything to me at this point and said have a nice day. I did not sign, verbally agree or informed of what would happen by leaving it with them. I have taken my transmission to many other shops after this, and they will not even look at it or try to fix it since it is completely disassembled. So now, I am out a transmission and do not know what to do at this point. I tried contacting the manager again but he will not say or do anything to resolve this situation.

About a month later, I finally got my transmission back. It ran fine for less than 6 months before the transmission went out again. I took it back and they said they can't do anything about it since it was past the warranty. It is frustrating because I am still paying on this $4,000 transmission that doesn't work and I figured if I spent that much, the transmission should work longer than 6 months, 6 years seems to be more like it. I talked to the Bureau of Automotive Repair and they said they can't do anything since it’s past the warranty. Is there anything that can be done?

I went to pick it up and he kept messing up running my card. He showed me where he credited it because he kept overcharging me. I waited four days and it never credited back to my account, although the charges went through. The total (still overpriced) bill was supposed to be about $660. He charged me $1100 total for a batter cable and a starter! Long story and several trips over later, they refunded the massive $400+ overcharge and I just had to eat the $660. Fine. I was told free diagnostic, free tow, $85 labor (wholesale charge? after complaining of the $105 because they wouldn't tell me over the phone that it was this high). Then, when I took it, after paying, I was able to drive one day before I had problems of acceleration on the freeway.

Back to AAMCO. They took it in and plugged it into their machine making it a 10 min. diagnostic while I sat rather than the free 2-hour one. I was told they would do. No codes came back. Guy took my van to get his lunch and came back with "It's mechanical. You need a new tranny." Cost? Originally quoted $485 for opening it as a break, then re-quoted their standard wholesale price (since I was mad at them) of $595, just to open the tranny and look at it. Then this money would be applied to the total cost of repairs. How much total? "We really don't know." Yeah, not happening. I asked him to just check on what it would cost to buy a rebuild one. $3000 to start not including installation. Right. I already priced these myself. Anyway, "Don't touch my car. I'm coming to get it." I called another shop. Rebuilt, free install, free tow $1200 if I need a new tranny. I might just replace parts. Wow, I'll never take any car of mine back to AAMCO for any reason ever... ever. And I'll make sure everyone I care about goes somewhere else.

After a week or so, I received a call from Mr. ** and he informed me that the transmission was repaired and in proper working condition. Mr. ** then proceeded to explain to me that my catalytic converter was also damaged and the cost to replace it would be $900.00 for an aftermarket unit, including installation. I told him I would call him back.

After doing some research of my own and making some calls to local muffler shops, I found out that the work could be done for under $200. At this time, I called Mr. ** back and told him what I researched and that I would just pick up the vehicle. When I picked it up and started to drive it home, it had the same exact symptoms that it had prior to the AAMCO managed by Mr. ** repairs. The vehicle continues to have acceleration issues, a weird metal burning smell and a grinding noise that came from underneath the chassis. These symptoms were the same that prompted me to have the vehicle towed to the AAMCO in Clermont, FL.

At this time, worried about the mechanical integrity of the vehicle and my personal safety, I turned around to the AAMCO in Clermont, FL to speak with Mr. **. Once I arrived at the AAMCO shop, I began a conversation with Mr. ** in reference to the mechanical problem the vehicle was still experiencing. The way he explained his diagnosis of my vehicle, it made me believe for sure that the original problem was never the transmission and I had been scammed for $2,300.00 repair bill.

Mr. ** first defended the work by saying that when I brought in the Mercury Mountaineer, the engine was running rough and he believed it was an ignition issue, maybe the plugs but it was the converter that was the issue and that sometimes, the diagnoses seem like it's one thing and not another. He then mentioned that he checked the converter before ruling that it was the transmission. I found that incredibly troubling because prior to receiving an estimate for the repairs of the transmission, he never mentioned to me that he checked the converter. He only mentioned the converter issue after the transmission was rebuilt.

Clearly, Mr. ** seeing how upset I was, getting offered to ask the owner of the AAMCO shop in Clermont, FL if he can fix the converter at no additional cost and if so, would that make me happy. I told him that would be a start. Two days later, I had to follow up and call Mr. **; he told me that he took apart the converter and removed a piece of loose melted metal and that the vehicle is running fine now. I picked up the mountaineer; at this point, I have spent a total of $2,300.00 and the vehicle was making noises from under it when I put it in drive. In addition, after the supposed transmission rebuilt, it cannot be shifted properly.

I am extremely frustrated and angry over what is going on with the AAMCO in Clermont, FL. I have been scammed. I know that I have been misrepresented to spend money on a rebuilt transmission and that my transmission was running better then it presently is. What I am looking for is a full refund of the $821.95 that AAMCO cashed and AAMCO not to deposit future postdated checks I wrote to them under the payment agreement.

I am very disappointed with this matter and I expect a resolution immediately. My intentions are to stop payment on future checks, contact the Consumer Protection Agency, Better Business Bureau and the State Attorney Generals Office and file a small claims lawsuit in Lake County, Florida. Then, I will start posting on the Internet under all company postings and contact AAMCO's corporate office. The reason I'm telling you my next steps is so you will understand the anger and disappointment I am feeling.

The AAMCO owner does not replace all the parts that he said he will have to replace, sometimes he replaces the customer's transmission with a junkyard transmission and charges them for rebuild. Because he cannot do business, he signs bad checks and most banks would not do business with him. He is a big rip off. People, don't take your care to AAMCO Transmission in Chantilly and no one there is certified and you will never get your car back on time. Workers are not sure to get paid at the end of the week neither.

I contacted them on Monday morning to find out what the problem was and was told they could not find anything. At that time, I told Ryan he should have told me that was not the problem in the first place and I should have been able to make that decision to have work done on my car that did not solve the problem that I brought the car in for. If they could not find out the problem, they should have told me the work that was being done would not correct the check engine light and let me take it somewhere else, not charge me $1100 for work that would not have done.

I was looking forward to coming into AAMCO for the first time. Loved the commercials. However, the disappointment was certainly enough for me to take time out of my busy day to write this **. The one service provider at the front desk at the Sterling, VA AAMCO was horrible in customer service. Good luck. Off to merchants. However, if you acknowledge this email and send me something worthy of discounts, I may reconsider. Northern VA is a profitable place. I have much influence within these communities, which I enjoy having for reasons just like this. Cheers.

On December 4, 2009, when I came to pick up my van, his front desk lady (who was his mom) told me he wasn't there, and I needed to come back and talk to him later. I had to return right away, because my van ended up having a problem with the linkage and took off, while children were in it. I had brought my van back, and they said sorry, but Don wasn't back yet. They fixed it, and I drove home. It happened 3 times again, and they had to tow my van back to the shop. When it was finally fixed, my husband and I sat down with Don in his office, and he said he was sorry again, and not to worry about the warranty, he would make a note of it, and gave us a free oil change for all the problems. He never gave us a new receipt. We never got a receipt for the multiple returns of the van, or even a credit card receipt.

The only reasons why we went with his shop was it was AAMCO, and when I called around for a quotes and warranties. He was the only place that offered a 3 year warranty. Even though it was a bit more money than all the other shops, we wanted a longer warranty. We have always heard horror stories about auto shops, and wanted a good warranty, and now we are living one of those horror stories. We have been fighting with AAMCO and Don for over a month, and neither one will do anything. The first time I spoke to Don ** on the 13th of December 2011, he said, "I was being nice to offer you a 2 year warranty". It's normally a year, and he doesn't offer other warranties. After he said that, I reminded him that he was AAMCO, and they only offer 3 years, or lifetime warranties. He said he isn't AAMCO, and doesn't have to follow that. I continued to call corporate, and spoke with Michelle and her manager, who said even though I didn't agree with the warranty that Don printed on the front of my receipt. AAMCO has to back the store owners, and whatever he printed on the receipt. I told them I never agreed to that, never signed it, and that the back of his receipts say 3 year warranty on rebuilt transportation. I left that shop believing I had a 3 year warranty, and was part of his family. AAMCO said they'd call him, and ask him to look at the van.

On Thursday, December 15, Don called me back and said he'd look at my van, but I have to pay for everything, the tow to his shop and the hours looked at it. I didn't agree and said he should look at it for free, and that my husband would call him. My husband called him later and he was out of the shop all three times he called. On Friday December 15, my husband finally spoke to Don. Don basically said to my husband to ** off, and that he's not doing anything, and that we can't prove anything, and it's our word against him, and we are going to lose.

We felt helpless and couldn't believe that he did this to us. When we were in the shop, he acted like we were family. He told me about his granddaughter coming in from out of state, how his dad owned the business, and after his death, it was left to him. His mother was working the front desk, and told me about the new great-grandchild that was coming, and how her husband worked this place with a smile and a handshake. Don showed my husband all his collector cars that were in the shop, and they talked about cars. We sat in his office, and were told we are like family, and how happy he was to have us bring our van to him. Now, 2 years later, we are told to "** off" and "too bad". This is wrong on so many levels.

On January 12, 2012, I spoke with AAMCO corporate again, hoping that I wouldn't have to file anything. I was told by Anna **, to file with the attorney general, and if the attorney general found that the shop owner didn't hold up to the warranty, then the attorney general can call her, and AAMCO could have another shop fix my van. So this is the bottom line: I never signed the receipt, because I was told it was going to be a 3 year warranty. I was told by Don ** he was noting that we had a 3 year, not a 2 year warranty in his records, and I was never given a new receipt. I would like my van fixed, at the cost of AAMCO with a different shop. I will not return to Don's shop, after the way I was treated. I am just asking them to hold to the warranty, and fix my van. I am stuck in a small town, and can't take my children to school or the doctors in the middle of winter. This has been the hardest month for me, with my van being broken during Christmas, and now snow storms. We spent our money to fix our van, thinking it would last, and if I knew the van would go out 2 years later, I would have bought a new van instead of fixing it.

I do not travel long distances. I was home from work for over a year, so there was not a lot of driving at all. I had a warranty on the rebuilt transmission of 12 months, or 12,000.00 miles. I just find it hard to believe that only after two years, I am now replacing the transmission again! Something doesn't sound right, and something is definitely fishy.

So I ended up taking it elsewhere to get it fixed $375.00 for repair and $60.00 for a new water pump and thermo. The funny thing Tom told me they cannot take the word of another mechanic like I would take their word, not.

My first problem with them came from the fact that they did not contact me to tell me that a battery was needed. After I returned back to the states, the battery was immediately made available to them and would have been brought to them before I returned if they would have contacted me and told me that a new battery was needed. A week of wasted time and no production being done on my car. The communication and customer service here at this AAMCO has by far none been the worst I have ever had.

My next problem comes from the fact that Joe H and his technician have been stringing me along every time I did talk to them promising that it would be fixed by a day and it has finally been completed (January 28, 2012). They have had my car over a month time. My main problem with them is that I gave Joe Handy the permission to work on my car by giving my birthday as a confirmation to do the work and they started to. My dad was also in communication with AAMCO because he too saw the poor service they were doing and the long amount of time it took for them to do a service. With my dad knowing more about cars, he began talking to them to see what was going on.

In their talking, additional work was done to my car that I never agreed to have done but now I'm held responsible for the amount due. I agreed to have a catalytic converter replaced which caused $575. I was told this information by Joe H and Mike (technician). I called them today (1/27/12) to get a confirmation on the price and to my surprise, Joe H informed me that it will cost $1800 for whatever service they did. The only person who has lost in this situation is me on both ends. I have had to make outrageous arrangements to get back and forth to work. On January 16, 2012, I was dropped from a college class which I needed to graduate but unfortunately I did not have transportation because AAMCO still had my car. I had to get a letter from AAMVO explaining their lack of ability to have my car done in the amount of time they had the car. My dean did not accept the letter and I was dropped from the class. These directly affected me because my financial aid relied on the fact that I be a full time student. If there is anything that can possibly be done in this situation please contact me so that we can stop this from happening to people.

To resolve this, I believe they should stick to the original agreement that Joe H made with me for the price of the service and to take into consideration of what their lack of ability to have a minor job done in a sooner amount of time. I could have taken my car anywhere for them to have in this amount of time. I came there because of their supposedly good reputation but that was not true. I was dropped from a college class that I will be held responsible for directly because they had my car and I relied on information they gave me in regards to when I would have my car back and they failed many times meeting the deadline dates they gave to me. I have lost large amounts of money, time, college credits and work hours/wages because I have relied on lies by Joe H and management.

They suggested that I should not drive my vehicle without the tip stick tub. They then referred me to a local dealership where I was to go get the part and also pay for the part that they had broken! They then charged me full price for the service and no compensation. Did I mention that it will take four days to get the part because of the weekend. In short, Aamco broke my Jeep, made me pay for it, and left me without a car for four days, all for a simple transmission fluid change. Worst customer service I have ever had. Do not take your car here!

The trans flush does not look like it has ever been done except for the first time after that, who knows? I know Nissan tell me it looks burn and is brown so you tell me if it is being replaced. I would believe Nissan now, before I would the people at Aamco they blamed on Brandon. I have called the customer service and talked with a lady there and she was supposed to have John, the owner, contact me. That's been three days ago. Nothing from him. What a surprise. So Monday morning, I'll call the BBB, see if that gets me anywhere. You can not trust anyone anymore. They won't touch my truck again unless I see what's being done so I know it's being done .

We took the car to the AAMCO in Catonsville, MD. They took it apart and looked through it and found a bolt that was floating around the transmission, and they told us this would have caused the car to not stay in park. I asked them how to file a claim with their company to get the damages for her car and my car, and they said that we would have to file a claim through our own insurance companies. They said it was her fault for parking it, and there must have been a faulty emergency brake. What?

When she got to Maryland, she had parked the car on a flat part of my driveway, turned off the car, set the parking brake, stepped out of the car, and started to walk away. The car started sputtering and moving forward, got to a small embankment, rolled down the hill, hit my new car, and almost hit my house causing damage to both her car and mine. AAMCO refuses to take responsibility.

This is Friday, 12/30/11, and he has been calling since 4:30 with no answer. A friend had been there, saw his truck and the bays were open. Now, this has left him with no truck for the long holiday weekend after he has already been without it for two days. He works and is having to make arrangements for transportation to and from work. This has been the worst and the most unprofessionally-run business I have ever encountered. I am not sure what legal actions are possible at this time. However, my patience has been worn very thin.

We have been dealing with this for a couple of months now and are being treated with no respect. In my opinion, the manager is the most disrespectful and unprofessional manager I have ever encountered. I will not be using your services again and I will advise all my friends to do the same. I will be contacting the Better Business Bureau and the local media. We have a troubleshooter at one of our local TV stations to inform the public of such businesses. I believe that this problem would be of interest to them. I would appreciate a quick and favorable response to this problem before further action is needed.

My thought was a possible transmission problem with this vehicle, as I explained to David. David advised he could have the on duty mechanic test drive it. And if that could not determine the problem during that time, he could do computerized diagnostic to determine any problem associated with my vehicle. Of course, a computerized diagnostic was needed at the cost of $185.00.

A couple of days later, David contacted me by phone. He advised that I had some major problem that would cost between $1900 to $2300, depending on what I decided to do. So, I met with David on 10/3/11. He advised me that I did not have a transmission problem, but I would need two ignition coils replaced. And he advised me the importance of replacing all six just in case the other four would cause problems later. The cost for all six ignition coils would be $539.46. David then informed me of the problem with my bad fuel consumption. The fuel rail needed to be replaced at the cost of $589.70. Also, the DPFE sensor’s replacement cost was $127.06. The intake gasket’s replacement cost was $74.97. Lastly, six (6) spark plugs cost $47.76. Finally, the labor to complete the work cost $925 including the $185 diagnostic labor, for a total cost of $2303.95.

I informed David I couldn't afford to have the vehicle repaired as it was too expensive. So, I said that if they could just put the engine back together, I would pay for $185 and drive back to my residence. David advised me that the fuel line was so severely damaged that it would be impossible to drive the vehicle. David explained that he could give me up to 12/31/2011 to pay the balance in full. So, I decided to have AAMCO repair my vehicle for $2303.95. I made several installments and paid in $2303.95 on 12/22/11 to Kurt, the shop service manager. Kurt advised he could have the vehicle ready later today, but insisted no need to rush, that I could pick up later tomorrow or after Christmas.

I will not even try to bother trying to sue them at this point because I value my time in this Christmas season. Maybe after Christmas I will review my feelings and then pull the trigger. You may ask, why worry? Here is why. With this long list of current customers' complaints, these crooks are almost certain to laugh themselves silly betting that no one will act. My car still has a number of error codes and Tammy was abusive and unprofessional at the shop. She called up Dave with a view to give me a tongue lashing, but I refused and I will definitely contact an attorney. I am out $1,000.

So we went to pick up our car. This was Friday and we have to work on Monday. What happened? Guess what, he wanted the whole amount in full and said he would have to keep the car until it was paid in full. I said we had made it clear that we could not pay that all at once, we need half the payment. He said I can't do that. I said, "what about the sign outside?". He said, "that takes about three business days". Remember, this is Friday and work is Monday. What the heck! He could have told us this a week ago, but did he say anything?

No, he just said we have this payment plan no credit check (very misleading). But now when we came to pick up the car, he said it takes days for that to go through and I will have to keep the car here until it was paid for. It was crazy. Then he said we could pawn the title to the car, no way. I said we will pay it in full. It took everything we had; our food money, Christmas money, everything. He got paid. We would have taken the car somewhere else if we have known he was going to do this. The man is dishonest and not to be trusted, run away.

I told him that wasn't possible because BMW quoted me a price of $5000 and I was coming to him because he originally quoted me a cheaper price than BMW. He stated he wasn't in the business of ripping anyone off and he would repair the car for cheaper than BMW. We agreed he would purchase my transmission from a BMW dealership. He completed the repairs and called me once the work was completed. I asked him to fax me an invoice so I could pay him. He faxed me an invoice on November 4, 2011. On the invoice, it stated a rebuilt transmission and rebuilt torque converter with a 12 month/12,000 mile limited warranty.

I called Edward several times after I received the invoice to get more information from him. He kept lying to me about getting the transmission from BMW and after me being persistent, he finally told the truth about where he got the transmission. He admitted to getting the transmission from a vendor other than BMW. He didn't stick to our original agreement. He admitted he blew out a tire while driving my car on the highway and replaced it with his spare Mercedes tire and told me to get it fixed because he wanted his tire back. He still has my car, for approximately 2 months now, and I haven't been able to renew my tag. He stated he wouldn't charge me a storage fee for my car being there for so long.

The guy was supposed to call us on Saturday to tell us what was wrong with the car. He didn't. On Monday, he said it's either A or B. On Tuesday, he took the transmission down. He didn't start on the car until Wednesday and said that it'd be ready on Thursday. It wasn't. My husband and I drove all the way down there and it wasn't ready. We finally got our car on Friday afternoon and the guy expected us to pay in cash even though he never mentioned it once.

I left my vehicle there and later in the day I received a call from the manager Orlando, he stated the total parts & labor would be $1608.25 and it would take at least 2 days for the work to be done. I was a bit skeptical and told him I would have to think about it and I that point Orlando became more like a salesmen. He stated with the work that was going to be done on the vehicle my car would run like brand new and from the diagnostics that were done on the vehicle those were the only issues my vehicle had. I agreed to pay the amt and had to rent a vehicle for 2 days from enterprise I paid a little over $100 for a 2 day rental. On Thursday, I was told to pick up the vehicle at around 4:30pm that it would be done, I paid the amount that was owed and drove my car home. On the way home, I noticed my car was driving worse than before I took it there, the engine light was still on and now it had a strong smell of oil!

I called the Orlando and was told to bring the car back the next day. On Friday, I took the vehicle back, they kept my vehicle all day and was told at 4:30pm when I went to pick it up I was told that my car's transmission was fine and that it had a leak that had nothing to do with what they had fixed and that they would need to order the part was told to bring it back Sat. I then brought my vehicle back Sat and was told to pick it up by 4:30pm and when I went to pick up my vehicle I was told that they were too busy and hadn't been able to work on it to bring it back on Mon. I had a friend of mine drive me to work on Mon and drop of the vehicle at 8am; I tried to give them enough time to work on my vehicle and left it there until Tue morning. When I went to pick up the vehicle on Tue I was told the vehicle was all set and that they had fixed the leak as a courtesy even though it had nothing to do with the work they did.

Once again I drove the vehicle home and I right away I noticed the strong smell of oil. I then brought the vehicle back to them on Sat Oct 29, 2011 and Orlando the manager test drove my vehicle, he said again that there was nothing wrong with the transmission and the vehicle must have a different problem and mentioned the reason why I smelled oil now was because a hose needed to be replaced (but they never noticed this problem before and the hose was right on top of the engine?).

He even had the nerve to say that my car was supposed to stall like that, that the model vehicle was known for doing that. After taking my vehicle back and forth to them and nothing ever being done except for them wasting my time and money I decided to put in this complaint. I'm very upset that they took advantage of me the way that they did and now I have no more money to get my car fixed! If my car breaks down Ill lose my job and it will be like a domino effect.

Many days later, I was going to give up the work and told them they had until Tuesday before noon to have my car ready or I was going to take my car out to another place. They magically found the car part and called me minutes before 12 and said the car was going to be ready that same day. At the end, they never gave me a warranty with the 1 year/12,000 miles. I paid $802.25 for the work and they just wrote this warranty on my bill, and wanted to charge me extra if I decided to take my car part that was damaged. That same day, I decided to take my car to have the oil changed. I asked if they could check the work they have just done to my car. That was how I found out that my car was fixed with masking tape. I have pictures of it.

I was so mad, I went and complaint. They apologized and they where going to fix it at no charge. They also said they didn't know the mechanic did this. But they said that he was just trying to do me a favor so I wouldn't spend more money? I was never told this part was broken, they said it was already broken when they changed the SAP and that it fell on the mechanic's hand. What if I never took it to change the oil that same day? I would have never known what they did to my car. I do not trust them to fix what they have broken and I really don't know what to do.

I was told by Stanford he did not hear that, yet at the bottom of my bill he had written, "will pick up after hours". He proceeded to do as he wanted. I got the truck back 1 week later. Instead of fixing the truck with in the original quote of $817.97, I paid $1,127.17, because I hurt his feelings. There is spit, all over the inside of my truck, no excuse for that. I did not notice it until I was in the direction of the sun. After cleaning the out side of the windshield, I realized that it was on the inside, and figured out from the bubble, and the thickness of the goo that it was spit. I will tell anyone who will listen about my story. Boy, you made a bad choice to spit!

I had to call them in the afternoon. When I did call, I was hung up on when I told the shop manager Jeff that I was going to take my vehicle to Ford to have the engine looked at since they couldn't find anything wrong with the transmission (I would have asked for an estimate on the work from AAMCO but I didn't get the chance). When I came to pick up my van, I couldn't even get the manager's attention or time. He had some guy who I was sure was an illegal immigrant bring my van around and was told, "Chor keys are en the car".

When I looked at my van, I noticed that the sliding door had been opened. Why was the sliding door opened if all you were going to do was a road test? I tried to get the manager to come out but he suddenly had disappeared. I just decided to leave and am completely boycotting a shop that hangs up on people and treats them like they're trash once they find out they might not be getting the business. Scandalous to the last drop and I plan on telling everyone in my community which I've lived in for over 28 years about it. I already got my friend to stop going there and I will continue until that shop learns to respect people and the decisions people make with their cars. Oh and about the rating, I would have given them 0 stars if I had a choice.

I called AAMCO and said do it. My husband and I went to meet with Rick, who now has us dealing with Jenny. We go over everything and we said we would come back the next day, we needed to make sure that we would be able to swing the high monthly payment. We go back the next day, they say now we can only give you $2898.00. They told us to come back Monday and sign papers because the bank they deal with is closed. I call Rick yesterday and he told me that we do not qualify for the loan do to something on our credit. I told him that I was told there were no credit checks. He said no there are credit checks. I called AAMCO again and they said no it is a no credit checking facility. Well, now I have no way of getting my car back.

My husband has had to miss work. He works different hours, so he ends up sitting around work for 2 hours a day. We have been running around trying to get another loan, but our credit is bad. We need the car back. It is not our fault this happened. AAMCO sent us to this loan place, and the loan place lied to us. Not only do I want them to eat the cost, I want restitution for the inconveniences, but I want to compensated for the pain and suffering this has caused me and my family.

Oct 25th, I made a decision to have the car towed to the local Aamco Transmission shop at 3670 Thornton Ave, Romi Transmissions as it turns out. After speaking with Zack the managers, and him telling me it will be most likely 4 days, at the most. I arranged to rent a car for 4 days, in order to travel back and forth to work. Oct 28th, Friday, I spend waiting for Zack to call me, thinking I can return the rental car. Finally I called, to be told by Zack the car will be ready Saturday. According to their website, the shop closes at 12:00 on Saturdays, I need the rental car back by 10:30 AM.

Oct 29th, Saturday, it is my grandsons 15th birthday lunch. I make the plans to return the car, join my family for lunch and wait to hear from Aamco for my car to be ready. My fiance, prior to joining us for lunch decides to drive by Aamco to check on the progress of my car (since no one has called). He discovered the car is still on the rack, the parts sitting on the shelf and Zack standing outside chatting with someone. Now Zack said my parts guy brought the wrong converter kit and the car will not be ready today.

Oct 31st, Monday, I had to take my fiance to work at 4:30 AM, since I returned the rental car additional costs. Again no calls from Aamco. So I called early telling Zack I really need my car today, so could you please call me by 4:00 so I can arrange to leave work early. No call all day, finally my fiance called and asked what was the status of the Lexus. At that time Zack said, we put it all back together, drove it and heard a noise. Yet, no calls to me or my fiance. Telling my fiance I told her noon today, he never told me noon.

This business establishment has no regard for their effect on a customer, they lie about their intent of repairs on the vehicle and say they will call with updates but never stand by their word. Not only did this effect me personally, but my family since I was upset by the news at the birthday party, my fiance had to get involved, along with him having to borrow a car on the 5th and 6th days, my co-workers had to cover for me to take time to go get the car. The 7.5 hour transmission job took them 7.5 days to complete. And to add insult to it all, they charged the credit card on the morning I dropped the car off, not after the repair were complete.

A few miles down the road, the light came on and when she called, they said to bring it back of which she did. Another test and now the problem was in either the wiring to the PCM or the PCM itself and the repairs would be from $200 to $1000 depending on what they found. Because of another experience I had just a little over a year ago with another Aamco on Indian School, where I had taken a car back four different times within a month for a service light and after a little over $800.00, I am still driving with the light on and it did stay off long enough one day for me to get through emissions.

Due to that experience, I wanted to talk with Danny about what he had told my wife. He did tell me that it was his bad due to a borrowed reader and when I simply said that it causes me to have doubts about the repair, he immediately threw a pen on the desk and accused me of calling him a liar. I stated that I simply said doubts and didn't call him a liar and that I wanted to explain about the other Aamco experience. He said, "I don't care about the other ** Aamco and for me to take my ** car somewhere else to get it fixed. I started to ask to just let me explain why and he said that since it was a family-owned business, he wouldn't waste his ** money on fixing my vehicle. Again, he then stated for me to take my ** vehicle somewhere else.

I don't know if he was just having a bad day but problems outside the place of business should just be left outside. I could have gotten stupid and really argued back with him but he and his shop aren't worth it. So Aamco, I know I'm only one little consumer but from here on, I will pay twice the money to have my vehicle repaired anywhere but not on an Aamco.

I initially told them I would not authorize the $240 but after they pestered me by calling back insisting it could probably be fixed very easily, I did authorize the $240 extra diagnostic as they claimed it was the transmission. They then called and said it was indeed a transmission problem and wanted an additional $1100, plus or minus, half the $240 I had already authorized. I told them absolutely not and that I would pick up the vehicle and needed to pick up my daughter from school.

I was very surprised when I arrived as the vehicle was still up on the lift. I asked why the vehicle was not ready and they said they wanted to discuss it further. I told them we had already discussed it and I need the vehicle then. After about 15 minutes they finally gave back the vehicle and said to return the car for the extra work. I told them I would consider it. I then took the vehicle on October 27, 2011 to the Concord Chevrolet dealer; they did a new diagnostic and found no transmission problem at all. As it turned out, it was an ignition switch problem which they fixed for a total of $547.66 which included the diagnostic, fix, and oil change. It had nothing to do with the transmission.

Today, October 28th, 2011 I went back to AAMCO and showed them the two invoices and asked for a refund. I was told that the manager, Mo ** was sick and they could not make a decision. I told them to contact him or Corp. Headquarters and I would give them until 10am, two hours to call me back with their answer. I did get a call but they said without the manager they could not authorize the refund. I do not think they made a mistake but out and out fraud as they had me pay $240 on the premise that this was a needed in depth transmission problem. The Chevrolet dealer found the correct problem and fixed it for far less. I have both invoices, if you need proof.

They replaced a solenoid. The bill came to $775 and that was fine. We left the repair shop, and within three miles, the problem occurred again. We returned the vehicle to the repair shop and they said that they would have to look at it again. They found a wiring harness problem, the same thing the print out from advance auto said it was from the beginning. AAMCO now, after charging $775, wanted to charge again for parts and labor. We feel that we have been taken advantage of by this company. We expressed our thoughts to them with no response but "sorry", and that's not good enough.

When I brought my car into this AAMCO, the following day, I received a call from Mike ** & was given an estimate of $2,150.00. I agreed to this price. Today, Mike ** called me again with a much higher estimate of $4,000.00. I explained to him I could not afford this price & would just pick up the car. This is when the bullying & harassment began. Mr. ** said "listen, I am just trying to help you. You said you had 2 grand before, why do you want to waste all the work I put into the car? It's gonna cost you close to a thousand dollars for all the labor I have done & for putting your transmission back together! So, you are saying you want to throw away your money? If you have 2 grand, we have financing options"...I again said "my wife just lost a baby & we are struggling financially. Please just put the transmission back together & I will pick up my car". He replied "I don't think you understand me! We are all going through hard times! There's financing & I can give you a $100.00 off coupon, or listen! Just leave the car parked in my lot. We will do a handshake deal. I want to see your face here once a week with money. When you pay off the 4 grand, you get your car back. I won't charge you interest either. You & I both know you have the money. I know you aren't going to tell me how much you have, but you're not listening to me. I don't understand why you aren't letting me help you! Why do you want to throw away a $1,000.00 on nothing? You aren't making sense! I am trying to explain to you different payment options & your not listening"!

This went on for 55 minutes. I kept repeating "can I please just have my car back? Can you put the transmission back together, so I can pick up my car"? He would not relent, he would not stop going on & on. He started becoming angry. I explained how much we are struggling & could not afford that much money at this time. I asked again "can I please pick up my car"? He replied "yeah! Sure you can! But you're not making sense! I am trying to help you & you are not letting me help you"! I then said "I will save up the money & bring it back to you"...& his reply was " I don't care if you bring it back to me or not, but you can't drive your car around after you get it from my shop, it won't go far". I felt at this point, he had made a veiled threat. I was finally able to get off the phone with Mr. ** & called the Volkswagen service center (I had been to the previous day). I explained what happened & what this man had said to me, (regarding my not being able to drive the car around) & they suggested to "immediately bring it to them when I pick up my Jetta from AAMCO". I cannot believe how my wife & I were bullied by Mike ** (who said he owns this AAMCO)!

He would not allow us to get off the phone, or accept our request to not have my transmission fixed there, or take what we had told him into consideration. The last thing he said was "If you have a thousand dollars to just throw away for nothing, I know & you know that you have the money now to fix this car". He then had a man named Nick ** from the shop call us to ask us again to fix our transmission with them. This man left a voicemail saying "he knows my boss for 47 years & he wants to talk to me about the car". I cannot believe this has happened. I was bullied & my wife who just lost our baby was bullied over the phone by Mike ** for close to an hour. How is this legal? I am to the point, I am actually frightened to drive the car away from AAMCO, I have no idea what they have done to my car, especially when he told me it was "undrivable". The date today is 10/26/11 & they still have my car. I was told "it will be done in a day or two".

One week later, I noticed that my transmission was now leaking on the ground. I brought it back to AAMCO and they tell me the seal had cracks in it and they would fix it. Now my car delays when shifting. I called the corporate office who tells me I need to bring it back to that AAMCO or bring it to another one only during the week. I advised them I cannot do that because I would not be able to get to work and get my kids to school and pretty much there is nothing else they can do for me.

So I left my car on Monday, gave the first down payment on Wednesday and the last down payment on Saturday. Monday morning, I get a call saying that the grand total was $2,200! I was very angry due to the fact that he gave me a price first and now it's something else. It's already been a whole week that I have no car and I have to go to school and work!

When I tried to drive the car home, it wouldn't even start. Huge plums of white smoke were coming out of the tail pipe. The entire car was shaking. The car was running great on Wednesday when I brought it in, except for a small radiator leak. Now, the engine is ruined. I just don't think that they have the right to return my car to me this way. It is nothing like it was when I brought it to them. I know they burned up my engine looking for the leak. But they were stating that it just happened to occur while it was with them that day, and that the car was old and it was going to happen anyway. I have babied this car for 11 years and know everything about it. I am completely disappointed and dissatisfied about this. I have no idea what to do.

On July 5, 2011 I took my car to them with shifting problems, they also diagnosed that the front passenger brake had caliper problems. So after telling me that I have to do both front wheels with rotors, brakes and caliper, they charged me almost $500.00 to fix those. But they didn't address the shifting problem. They told me it was from the front caliper sticking. Now on August 23, 2011 I took it back to them because the shifting problem got worse. They did a free engine scan only to tell me they have to do a diagnostic on it. They reported that I need a new EGR valve and new EGR selonoid. This cost me another almost $500.00 dollars. I was told to bring it back a couple days later to do a secondary cleaning for the EGR tube. I went back on August 27, 2011 and told them again about the shifting problem but the manager lectured me on why I should have came back after 2 days for cleaning. After cleaning it, they came up with a broken EGR hose and said that was the problem. They did replace it.

After that, shifting was worse than it was ever. On October 3, 2011 the car was not shifting at all. I took the car back to them and demanded they fix it right and that I will not give them another red cent for the problem because it was under guarantee. Dealing with ** was very frustrating as he proceeded to talk about his problems with his car and his high blood pressure. He walked away from me. My blood pressure was boiling. They dropped the transmission pan and found that the valve body was sticking. So they proceeded to do a cleaning and serviced it. When I picked my car up I was asked to sign a waiver relieving them of any responsibilities in the future, with no guarantees at all. I just wanted to get rid of them and leave.

On my home, I saw that the transmission dip stick wedged in-between the wipers and the hood. I opened the hood wondering if they put any transmission fluid. Not surprisingly, it was bone dry even after all those checks.

What kind of business do you call this? They rip you off and then don't stand behind their work. What if I didn't see that they didn't refill the fluids, I could have damaged the entire transmission. This needs to be reported to their corporate offices.

So, I got on the phone. She got rude and abusive to me, and she told me the same thing. So, he ended up taking a bus home, and I called another AAMCO in Houston because I did not want her to touch that truck at that point. He towed it to his shop, and he does honor the free diagnosis. By the way, I have not heard from them yet about what is wrong with the truck. I have turned her in because this is fraud to charge someone for something that has yet to be done, and it was an abuse of a disabled person. I would never take my car there, if this is the way they conduct business. I don't recommend this place to anyone. Beware!

Two days later, on Saturday the 24th, Mike left a message on my work phone saying they would not finance the balance. I did not get that message until Monday the 26th. I called Mike back on Wednesday the 28th to tell him I was working on getting the money and would have it by the end of the week. He told me the owner (Larry) put a lean on the car as of Monday and was charging storage. I asked why, and Mike said, "Apparently, if a customer does not pick up their car after three days from the work being done this is what happens". I asked Mike why he did not ever tell me this over the past two weeks. He said, "I had no idea that that the owner did that, but don't worry about it, I will make sure you don't have to pay it". I talked to him again on Thursday and said I will be at the shop before 12:00pm Saturday to pay the balance and pick up my car. On Saturday morning, Mike called my house and said the owner (Larry) is not budging on the lean, he will not release the car unless I pay an additional cost of $125.00. I was extremely upset, we went back and forth for a bit, I called the owner but got nowhere. I ended up paying the $125.00 so I could get my car out of there.

I have the paperwork I signed when I dropped the car off on the 12th and nowhere does it state the consequences of leaving a vehicle in their yard three days after completion of work. He left me the message on Saturday 24th, stating the finance company would not finance me and the lean was placed two days later. I know that Mike (manager) is fully aware of policies and procedures at the facility he works at. He said he had "no idea" that a lean & storage fees were involved. He was fully aware that my car would have a lean on it after three days but being a "salesman" he did not tell me the truth. I since have found out that the employees at AAMCO (Mike) works on commission. Since my transmission was rebuilt 25000 miles ago, did it really need $2450.00 in repairs?

The following day, I received a call from Paul saying that they found "metal shavings" in the pan, and that they had to take out my transmission and replace it with a rebuilt one. The cost was then $2,200. This was on or about 9 Aug 11. I approved this repair. I picked my car up on 10 Aug 11. On Sunday, 12 Aug 11, and after only driving my car a matter of less then five miles, my car wouldn't start. I had AAA tow it to my house.

I called Paul on Monday and he said to bring it in. I had it towed again by AAA to his shop. He told me that he did a diagnostic on the car and the code that came up was a P1389 (the ASD relay), and they checked all the fuses and it wasn't that. Then, he stated that they didn't know how to fix it, and that I should take the car to the dealer because it was probably the computer brain.

That day, I had my car towed back to my house to do research and decide what the best course of action would be. A friend of mine suggested that his mechanic from Rolls Royce (who happened to be at the end of my street) come up to my house to have a look. I agreed. That mechanic brought very little with him but what seemed to be a screw driver. However, this screw driver would light up when it touched different fuses. He found that the fuel injector fuse was blown. (Also keep in mind that Paul stated that his mechanics checked all the fuses).

Barry (Rolls Royce mechanic) replaced the fuse and after cranking the engine, it blew again. So, he crawled under my car and said, "I see the problem. When they worked on your transmission, they kinked the lume. One of the wires is grounding out on metal and blowing that fuse." He straightened the lume, dislodging the grounded wire. Barry replaced the fuel injector fuse again and the car started. I explained to Barry everything that had taken place with AAMCO, and he said that he could find metal shaving in any transmission and it may not need to be replaced. I then received an invoice from Barry for the house call.

I called Paul at AAMCO and informed him of the findings. While the car was in Paul's possession, I asked him if he could check out the passenger side door lock. It wasn't un-locking automatically. He reported that it was the door lock actuator and a humming noise from the rear differential. I didn't have any repairs on the door lock at that time.

While speaking with Paul about Barry's findings, I also mentioned that the passenger side door panel was loose and that they must have not put it back on properly. He denied that they had ever taken it off or even messed with my passenger side door panel. So it couldn't be their fault that it was loose. He also said that there was no way his mechanics "kinked the lume for the wiring while replacing the transmission."

At that time, I asked Paul if I could have my old transmission back. He stated that it had already been recycled. (Remember, this was only a few days after the initial replacement of my old transmission, and it was on a weekend. They are not open on weekends). I shook it all of to a bad experience.

Then, on Friday, 30 Sept 11, I was in a shopping mall parking structure. I reversed my car from a parking spot on the 6th floor and started down the spiral ramp towards the exit. The car cut off. I began to push my Jeep back up a slight incline to a parking spot so I could have a look. It was the fuel injector fuse again. I tried replacing the fuse myself, and it just blew out. So, I got down under the car and tried to see if a wire or "lume" was touching any metal again.

However, this was 9:00 PM and I really couldn't see well and didn't really know how to do it myself. So, I aborted that and called AAA, having the car towed again. This time, however, back to my neighborhood mechanic named Julio. On Saturday, 1 Oct 11, I called Julio in the morning and said, "I know what the problem is, but I don't know how to fix it." I told Julio that there was a wire that was grounding out and causing the fuel injector fuse to blow; thus, causing the ASD (Automatic Shut Down) relay to kick. Julio said he would get to it by Monday and that he would have to trace the wires to see where it was coming from.

Julio called me today, 4 Oct 11. He said that he fixed the wiring problem. They traced the wires back to the fuel injector number 3 harness, and that AAMCO "must have pulled the wires when they did the transmission." This was causing the fuse to blow, and the ASD relay to kick in, which shut the engine down on my car. Julio reset the computer and all is well. Not quite.

Why did I have to pay the invoices for the other mechanics, when it was clearly the fault of AAMCO for messing up the lume for the wiring? Also, why do I now have to pay for the repair on my passenger side door panel? Why did I have to go through all the abuse from AAMCO by them assuming no responsibility for their actions? Why can't AAG, Inc. (AAMCO) assume some responsibility for what they caused--kinked lume, door panel, all the towing, and the aggravation I have had to endure? Not to mention the physical pain I am in for having to push my car back up hill!

The steering wheel was so loose that it did not even click into driving position. They tried to tell me that it would be fine, I insisted that they fix it, and told them, that it was not like that when I brought it in and I wanted it fixed. They did tighten it up but it took another whole day to do it. They supposedly fixed the side light also. The side light flew out of it's anchor while I was driving down 95 at 70MPH. I purchased the LIFETIME Warranty which cost $1200. Thank goodness I did. The total cost was $6000 something. About June or July of 2011 (original repair August 2010) I started to have the same problem that I had had originally. I called the AAmco that I had gone to but they were no longer in business, so I had to go to the next closest one which is in South Ft Pierce (a 45 minute drive).

They told me that the transmission had not been fixed properly and they had to completely redo it. They had my car for 3 weeks again.

When I picked it up, it seemed okay. It has been about 3 weeks and since I got it back, the motor or fan or whatever it is that cools the motor no longer works. I returned and told them that it was not working, Aaron and Steve insist that it is working. Now the car gets so hot down by my feet on the driver's side that it burns them. I made this statement to the boys. They said they did not do anything to cause it not to work and that it was working. I don't know where to turn to. They also told me that I needed a new compressor and clutch for the air conditioner which was shutting off sometimes.That would cost $1250.00.

I told them that I found a compressor and clutch online for $350.00 and ask what the labor cost was, they said 3.5 hrs at $90.00 an hour. I understand that they need to mark parts up a bit, but not triple the price. Also the air started working again with no repairs. Is there anyone or anywhere I can go to solve this problem. I see people getting ripped off by this company every day. Thank you.

After 9 months, we had the same problem, again. Cara told my son to drop the vehicle off at Titusville, Florida AAMOC, as it would not "drive."To make the long story short, warranty is 12 months OR 12,000 miles. Since my son had put on 20,000 miles, it was no longer under warranty (even though he was told that the problem was a "valve" rebuilt by Cara at Merritt Island, AAMCO). When Cara was notified, she said she would "take care of it". My son was told that it would cost another $3400.00 and Cara reneged on "taking care of it".

My son will now have spent $7000.00, on a vehicle problem that should have been taken care of by Nissan! Good job Nissan, you have now lost a family of Nissan owners! And AAMCO, both Merritt Island and Titusville locations are totally lacking in business ethics and morals. Both Steve at Titusville, and Cara at Merritt Island appeared to have conspired to gain the most cash refused to take any blame whatsoever.

Fast forward nine months and 20,000 miles later, the transmission is worse than before. My son called Cara, and since the vehicle wouldn't make it to Merritt Island, she told him to get to AAMCO in Titusville, Florida. Steve at AAMCO in Titusville told my son that he would have to pay $495.00 to diagnose the problem, as it was now "out of warranty". This was even though we told him that he needed to call Cara. Cara originally said she would cover it. This $495.00 jumped to $695.00 by the very next day. Furthermore, it would now cost my son another $3,400.00 for repairs. Cara also changed her mind about covering the work.

My son and daughter-in-law are both in college (full-time), and they work their butts off. They do not have two nickels to rub together, let alone $7000.00 for a transmission that was never fixed the first time (never mind the thousands of complaints against Nissan!). How do people like this sleep at night? What are the chances that every AAMCO in the United States is just as devoid of ethics and morals, as these two here in Merritt Island and Titusville, Florida?