Pep Boys Reviews

Well, when I went to pick my car up, this is the 3 store I've taken it to and when I picked it up and drove it home, it would not go past 50. My engine was straining for it to be a 350 high performance crate Chevy engine. It would idle high low, high low light would go bright, dim, bright, dim then so I took it back. They sent it back. What they said I needed I said, "Let's do it." So they so-call did. When they did what they could, now it would cut off on me while I was driving it. So they sent it to store 0383 and they didn't fix it. They said all they was doing is the wheel alignment.

So back to 0119. Again when they said it was ready, I was excited hoping I can finally drive my car. Well on the way home, it cut off on me so I towed it home and let it sit until I moved to California. They told me it was under warranty for 100,000 or 3 years. Well I got to California and tried to drive it after it sat and it started. I drove to a friend of mine. It made it there but on the way back, it cut off on me on the freeway. So it sat. Then I finally took it to store 0608, 147 South E. Street, San Bernardino. I got it towed to ** and told him what was going on with the car and they took a look at it. They later told me whoever put that engine and the electrical did a horrible job. They didn't even know how the alternator was hooked up. The wiring was bad burnt wires on the manifold, hoses missing on the carb, leaking from the valve covers, gaskets out of place on the water pump and the window was broke.

Well they said they would take care of it. They kept my car for about a month and 15 days. I went to get my car and I told a drive now my brake were squeaking. Car was still doing the same thing - engine idling high, low high low. Smelled like gas. Suspension was terrible. It was bad. Well, this time, my brakes went out on me. So I took it back again. This time, I dealt with the store manager. Beforehand, I did call customer relations each time and they would say take it back so I did. Each time I would call, they tell me the case has been closed. I didn't understand why. Well getting back to it, I took it back to be fixed again... They kept the car for about a month. I went to get it. The windows still wouldn't roll up - gas smell, engine still doing the same thing idling high low. It's cut off on me again.

I was driving through Bakers Drive, threw brakes went out again. Almost got home, car shut off on me. While it was park, radiator was leaking. The suspension is bad. It's not right especially for the money I spent. I spend over $6500.00 and I cannot drive my car to this day. I don't want to take it to Pep Boys anymore. I believe I deserve a refund and they close the account again. It's not right, not fair at all. Please help. I will represent myself and I am willing to do an administrative process and file a lien against them and get a judgement for triple the damages. I want to make record of all of what's going on. The San Bernardino store can tell you how bad the car was when they got it and they obviously couldn't fix it or make it better so help me please.

Since 12-5-08, I did not attempt to check the radiator or even open the hood. My truck is parked in a fenced yard on my property. To open the hood requires that a hood latch be operated from inside of the cab. I have never had to deal with a problem like this before. I trusted them that they were professionals and that once the hood was closed that everything was done and was in working order. I feel that it was a deliberate act. There was no need to touch the radiator cap.

When I get my van home it is smoking. Thick white smoke is coming out the tail pipe. I think it is the impurities I was told about. So I drive to work & home for a few days (about 18 miles roundtrip) for a few days striving to blow out the impurities. The smoking gets worse & now it is blowing oil out the air filter & tail pipe. I take it back to PEPBOYS & they tell me I need a tune-up that would cost almost $500.00. What about the smoking I ask? You may have internal engine damage - which we do not repair but you can take it to an engine repair shop down the street! I complaint to the PEPBOYS corporate customer relations department. The $500.00 tune-up disappears with explanation but my vehicle is still running bad.

Back & forth I go with my vehicle to the store & over the telephone with customer relations. Each time I get my vehicle back, it is running worse & there is a new problem. The final straw was Friday, Saturday, & Monday (October 24, 25,& 27). To make a long story short, Customer Relation Agent Karen told me to take it to another shop, get an estimate, send her a fax of that estimate - implying PEPBOYS - would restore my vehicle because of their lousy mechanic work. At this writing, my van is sitting on the rack of another shop with a $1505.00 bill but now PEPBOYS is reneging on the deal & not allowing me to talk to the Customer Relations Agent, Karen, who originally suggested this course of action. I do not have the money & I need my vehicle to get to work. Can you help me?

I stated that I had been promised that my car would be done and that I had to be on the road the next morning by 8:30. He then hurriedly said that he would have it for me the next morning by 8:15. When I looked at their hour posted on the door, I saw that they didn't even open until 8:00, so there was no way that they could have my car done by 8:15. ( LIE # 2) We went back in and insisted that they do the tire change right then while we waited. They then informed us that it would be an additional $2.00 charge if we wanted to take the old tire home with us, as the people that pick up disposed tires would charge them if they did not have a tire that they had service. (CROCK OF BULL) Now, we had already been charged a disposal fee, this $2.00 charge would be in addition to that. SO, now were being charged $1.50 disposal fee, a $2.00 take away ourselves fee, and later on the bill, I found a $2.00 TIRE TAX FEE, in Delaware, where we have no sales tax.

In addition, there was a strange mechanic he called in to talk about other issues not related to what I needed replaced. Basically, it was a simple starter switch problem with either a defective relay switch or a shorted switch on the starter itself. I explained to the above person that I was a retired shop teacher and all that got me was an inaccurate description of what He thought was wrong with it at the level of a fourth grade student. The conversation drifted to a $25. analysis, possible replacement of my new battery and cable ending up with a new starter to fix a strong starting system with a once in a while clicking sound when attempting to start the truck with the final outcome being an expensive repair service to fix a minor problem.

Is this a possible rip-off? No, I am no longer going to see Pep Boys for repairs as they are no longer the greatest service around at a truley affordable fee. The opposite is now true, at least at that location.

Economically, they have lost my loyalty and my account. Physical damage did not occur as I took my truck out of their hands. Condescending remarks and refusing to listen to a customer can be devestating to a business when the truth leaks out. Let's hope the old Pep Boys comes back to serve us with excellent repairs and courtesy in dealing with us.

The next day when I started the car it sounded weird and the rpm is high even though it is in idle, so my son told me to just bring it to the dealer. I took it to the dealer and told them about the problem. Later on I got a call from the dealer and was told that they need to replace an alterenator belt because they don't see one . I also got a call from the Pepboys and gave me an estimat of $1188.97 to repair my car.

To make the story short the Mitsubishi dealer repair my car and charged me $67.89, they don't need to replace the alternator or the master cylindr that the Pepboys told me needed to be replaced. I am just wandering, are they doing it to all the female customers because we don't know anything about cars? If that's the case it is very sad that we cannot trust them.

Bought 4 tires, rebate filled out at the store, Rebate center denied rebate, more to be explained below. I'll try to make this short by points, Shopping for Tire at Pep Boys and seller said that there is a great deal buy 4 tires and get 1 free with mail in rebate. We purchased tire on 05-26-08 and because of the nature of some mail in rebate and my past experience with it. I was very explicit and asked all the questions.

Everything seems to be ok since the STORE filled out the rebate and mail it out for us. I though wow what great service and this shouldnt be a problem. Well to my surprise. Today is 08-11-08 and I received nothing. After doing some research I found out that you can call. It is the rebate center telephone number. Before I call I figured it would be good for me to check the website. We all know how you get nothing done calling a call center all the way in BFE country.

Website was quite easy to use. I found my rebate by entering last name and zip code. The Fun begins, the Rebate Status Inquiry states (Non Compliance Mailed) and the only thing that I can see which could have caused any kind of rejection is (Offer Date Range 05-04-2008 to 05-31-2008, Last Postmark: 06-14-2008). Are they trying to say that I didnt post mail the rebate on time? Did I not sent it? But Wait the FREKEN STORE filled out and mail the rebate form the DAY OF PURCHSE!!. How can it be late?

A little confused and ****** off, I put a call to the 800-829-1420 number and no surprise. I get some one that is a little hard to understand. This is Ok because as consumers we are very price sensitive so I dont have high exceptions for service that is not the fault of any company. However, after giving the person all of the informant he requested. He said Please wait a moment while I check on the status? he then proceeded to say Sir, we will not issue you the rebate due to non compliance, in order for you to receive the rebate you must meet the rebate requirements. These requirements are this and that and you meet all except that you did not purchase the EXTENDED WARRANTY?

OK here we go. My rebuttal comes. EXTENDED WARRANTY? No one mentioned any warranty at the store when I bought the tires because of the special deal. Even if I was absolutely stupid and did not listen. Should the customer service staff know that and tell me that before he fills out my rebates? What is this? The bate and switch technique? Sir we will sell you 4 tires and even mail the rebate in for you however we will just omit to tell you about some required details?

I was HOT on the phone back and forth with the guys and he hit my HOT button and said Sir, you sign the rebate at the store, so what, did you not read it? I replied Yes, I signed and I have no issue with that however I was not told about any warranty at the store when I bought these tires. On top of that, I asked the customer service rep to fill out the rebate to avoid issues like these.? He replied Sorry, but we do not have to tell you anything.

OK this is when I blew up and told the guy to stay on the phone while I get my digital recorder set up and I wanted him to repeat what he said to me about WE DO NOT HAVE TO TELL YOU ANYTHIG.? I wanted to get that on recording so that I can let the whole world hear this. Well no surprise [he] hung up the phone! And dumb me didnt get his name. 2nd call placed and this time. Time I was sure to set up my recorder and get he guys name. The guys name was Nick.

After going over the info again he pulls up my rebate and said please hold and said please wait? and wow. To my surprise the guy game back and said Sir, your rebate will be processed immediately.?

What transpired? between the 1st call and the 2nd call. Did someone get scared because they said something incriminating. The We dont have to tell you anything statement. Yes, the problem was resolved and I got my rebate but believe I am no happy about it. Regardless, dear consumers. This tells you something about how Pep Boys operate. Please be careful when you buy something there and when it comes to rebate get everything in detail in writing with blood whatever you have to do. I am going to proceed and file a complaint with the BBB and than also email this same complaint to Pep Boys Corporate office.

I felt that upon initial assessment that a more realist prediction would have been that the car had extensive damage and was no repairable in 1 day. I was told that they wouldn't be doing their job if they said that they wouldn't recommend trying to do the repairs. The manager even wanted me to pay by gift card up front before the repairs were done because he was afraid I wouldn't pay if the car wasn't repairable.

Total bill $953.95 not including the towing. Had to rent a uhaul to bring car back to MD for a total of 313.88, not including gas.

I have called PepBoys and its always we have only one guy on the others have called out sickso we can't help you today but you can come in and I can look at it for you. Well I am an amputee and I don't want to drive 30 miles for them just to look at it. And have the belt come off again going there, just so they can look at it and send me home. I can see why the belt is coming off. The pulley on the power steering pump wobbles.

over $150 on v-belts need to fix and but another power steering pump

When I came back for my car they had put on different tires, Cornell 1000 P185/70SR14- so I asked the service manager - Mitch M. why they did this and he said that the Cooper Trendsetter SE does not fit my car- I know this is a lie because I have seen advertisements for this particular tire many times- then he said he would have to charge me a lot more to put these tires on my car- Why didn't he just tell me that to start with?

Also they threw away the original paperwork and printed something else out on the computer ( misspelled my name- I guess to make it more difficult to figure out what happened in the future) that showed the Cornell 1000 P185/70SR14 tires had been installed at the stated price for the Cooper Trend setter SE- 1000 P185/70SR14 tires. So this is clearly a scam- I did not get my free tire either, so Pep Boys is running a scam using the Tallahassee Democrat Newspaper as a partner in crime.

Something else - I also heard the buy 3 get one free on a local radio station- this offer was made without qualification or having to buy anything else. I was on vacation from North Carolina at the time so I went ahead and paid for the tires to avoid any further hassles. I am not certain if all of 4 the tires were actually new (may have been on the rack for years) because the DOT code on two of the tires was blank. If you go to Pep Boys to buy tires be careful - became they may run a scam on you to.

I did not get the same tires at the price that was agreed upon and did not get the free tire as agreed upon (buy 3 get one free. I am not sure ift two of the tires are actually new - no DOT code on two of the tires.

I feel I have been cheated out of over 600 dollars in faulty tires. I now have 3 new ones that I am watching closely as to avoid any more hazard potentials but I am very worried that they will blow out on me. Pep boys has charged me to replace defective tires and will not make good on this tire which has 2 pinholes which I only found by placing the tire into a large tub of soapy water. Had I not caught these defects in the tire I would have had a blowout which may have caused me to have a major accident.

The Mechanic there said there were leaks but nothing major. He advised me to take the car drive it for a couple days and bring it back. I guess it was to let the dye go through the system and he would be able to tell where exactly the leak is coming from. So i took the car back drove it for a week and made an appointment with them for Dec 11, 2007.

On the 11th, on my lunch break from work, I took the car in at Noon. An employee where I work picked me up because Pep Boys said it would be at least an hour before they look at my car. around 2:15Pm i get a call from pepboys telling me the diagnosis from the Dye. the mechanic said that there was leaking from the valve cover gasket and from the Oil pan gasket and the total would be $375. Since i didnt have much money I went for the least expensive choice of changing the valve cover gasket for only $90 and worry about the other one at a later time. about 45 minutes later pepboys calls me back and tells me that the gasket was glued to the cover and that it would cost me another half hour more of labor for them to take it off and put the new gasket. The total now came to $140. I agreed of course.

at around 3:50pm John(service Manager I believe) calls me back and said that THEY cracked the valve cover trying to take off the old gasket. He said he called all junk yards and dealers to see if they had a valve cover to get mine replaced. the fastest they can get one is either Thursday or Friday. In other words I need to leave me car there until they can install it, which wont be until the 13th or 14th. He did say it was going to be free of charge to replace the valve cover they broke. Now that was putting me in a tight spot. I am a Hardware Technician I need my car for work. I also have a 19 month old son that has had 2 febrile seizures which could come at anytime. I called John and mentioned to him about helping me with a car rental and he said that Pepboys doesn't do anything like that. He did say that if I can find someone that has an extra valve cover that I could get my car sooner. But pretty much i just had to wait untill Thursday or Friday and be without a car.

I have been unfairly inconvenienced by Pep Boys. I was told it would only take a couple of hours to fix. However due to their negligence its going to be at least 3 days. I am asking for rides to work. My boss wants me to rent a car. I have to ask to borrow money to rent a car. My gf was going to babysit her little sisters new born baby on Thursday Dec 13, but now cannot.

THe next day (6:30am) on my way to work, my car over heated, I was forced to have my car towed back to Pep Boys, the tow truck driver checked my radiator, it was empty, no antifreeze in it, the radiator had not been refilled. There was no signs of antifreeze on the freeway, or the ground of the suface street I ended on, after exiting the freeway. Upon inspection again at Pep Boys the shop rep. determined it was my heater core, this time. I was forced to have my car repaired, I was unable to drive it in that condition.

I spent 7:45am to 7:00 PM at the shop, and my car was still not repaired. I was given a ride home, the manager did offer to rent a car for me, but, if I had done that I would have to return to their shop the next day to work this out, and miss another day of work. So I got a ride to work from a co-worker the next day(Oct.2nd). I asked the shop rep. in advance have them save my old parts, as I had done at my initial visit, they did not do this.

The mechanic proceeded to pick parts out of the trash can and place them in a box, I am unsure if these are the original parts removed from my car. Before I left I ask that they go over all of the repairs with me before I drive away. When I entered my car my oil light was on, I asked the mechanic why? When I drove my car in the oil light was not on. He put two quarts in my car. As I write this report, my car is still not working. I've been without the use of it from Oct.1st through Present.

I am so afraid to take it back to Pep Boys, for fear that they will cause more problems. All of this cost me over 700$, Not adding the time missed from work because of this situation. I can be reached at my cell phone (818) 336-7993. This is not directed at the manager of the store, he did try and work with me, it's the shabby workmanship I am angry about. And the loss of my valuable time and wages.

He then proceed to tell us the problem with the car was an exhaust problem and that they told us that in the beginning and that they do not fix exhaust problems and state that he had told us the car was not going to be fixed with the repairs that they did. I told him that when I talked to them they said nothing of an exhaust problem and that I would have never paid $700 for a car that was not going to be repaired and that would be crazy for someone to give you that amount of money and have an understanding that the car was still not going to run. Khillings in the meantime said he did not care and that the car was also out of gas and were we not able to afford to put gas in the car that is when my sons father stated that we were going to leave the car there and that we still hold them responsible.

The next day I contacted Pep Boys Corporate to let them know of the situation, no one contacted me back so I called back and they said the Khillings said that he had contacted me and explained the situation to me. I told them I have not heard from Khillings and that was a false statement. The said they would have someone contact me in 24 to 48 hours no one has contacted me, this has been going on for three weeks with me contacting them about five time and still no call from them.

I talked to the service manager Sal. They put some more stripes and more bolts, not the originals they lost though. Now the car hits the ground every ditch. Sal did a fine job but he can't do miracles cause the guard has missing pieces. I went to car dealer and the damage is around 400 dollars plus labor and Pep Boys won't fix it. Pretty expensive for an oil change. I should have stayed with the dealer.

Pep Boys' response was "we told you it was an electrical problem" and would not even look at it. On Monday, I had it towed to a repair shop. After checking, the owner called and said that I needed a new alternator. I asked him about the electrical problem I had. His response was, "No electrical problem - other than needing a new alternator". He replaced the unit.

I asked Pep Boys to reimburse me for the cost, since the unit was under warranty and they refused. I took them to small claims court and was awarded judgment of $411.29 plus $50 in costs In Los Cerritos Courthouse, Case No. ** on February 02, 2004. I have not heard from them and I don't know how to proceed at this point. I can only see more court time.

I ended up getting impatient so I called them. They told me that my vehicle was ready to be picked up. Jay **, the store manager, said that he had personally driven the Bronco around the parking lot and everything was fine with it. When I went to pick it up, Jay ** apologized and gave me the keys to my vehicle. After a short while of small talk, I went outside and started it. I immediately noticed two things: 1) I had 20 lbs more oil pressure than I had ever had and 2) the engine had a rod knock in it. Without even putting the vehicle's transmission in drive, I turned it off and went back inside to speak with Jay **. I told him that the engine had too much oil pressure and it had a rod knock. While not rude, he adamantly refused to go outside and listen to it. Mr. ** said that he had listened to it previously along with other certified mechanics and everything sounded fine.

After a few minutes of talking/arguing, and obviously not getting anywhere, I asked for the contact information for the district manager. Once again, he refused to give it to me. Jay ** accused me of trying to start trouble and said that the noise I was hearing was my aftermarket camshaft. Although I have put less than 5,000 miles on this vehicle since I assembled and installed the engine, I know exactly what my motor sounds like. The camshaft is nothing new. I also requested something in writing saying that the oil drain plug had fallen out of the oil pan causing a loss of oil pressure in my engine; Mr. ** refused. I inquired about the paperwork when damage occurred to a vehicle in the shop. He said that the customer got nothing in writing and he would not give me anything in writing.

Before I became too upset, and consequently rude, I left. I drove 1/4 mile to my work where I immediately started calling other Pep Boys in an effort to get in contact with the district manager. It appears that nobody knows how to get a hold of the district manager except the store managers and they would not give it to me. I called approximately 6 stores before I received a call from Mark **, the district manager. I explained to Mr. ** what had occurred (he had heard nothing about it beforehand) and that I had magically gained 20 lbs of oil pressure over what the engine has had since it was brand new. I told him that with the rod knock, I was not comfortable driving the Bronco the 25 miles home. Mark ** agreed to give me a 2 year, 2,000 mile warranty on the engine, but considering how they were already attempting to sidestep their responsibility to do the right thing, I find little comfort in it.

Also, Mark ** agreed to tow my Bronco home at their expense and give me enough oil and another oil filter so I could change my oil when I got home. Once the Bronco and I were home, I started the engine up and let it idle for around 20 minutes. Then I changed the oil and oil filter. With the correct weight of oil in my engine, I had 10-15 lbs less oil pressure than I had 48 hours previously. I cut the old oil filter open so I could inspect it for metal shavings. It was full of metal shavings and sediment. In all of the oil changes I have performed on the Bronco, I have never had that much sediment. The following Monday, I called Pep Boys customer relations line and once again explained everything that had occurred. They told me that Mark ** would be in contact.

It has now been a week and I have received no response. This following Monday, I am going to have the Bronco towed to an independent shop. The mechanic will remove the oil pan and a few main caps and inspect the condition of the bearings. Through our conversations, the mechanic and I agreed that damage has very likely resulted due to the mistake of Pep Boys. While none of you knows me personally, many people can attest to the extent of my automotive knowledge. I don't believe the store manager realized it either when he told me a couple of blatant lies. Jay ** told me that an engine could be driven all day long with absolutely no oil pressure and damage would not likely result. Jay ** also told me that even if an engine has locked up due to oil starvation, more times than not, it will be fine once oil is added to it. I informed the district manager of Jay **'s statements of fact.

All this time, I make sure that all the gauges are okay. I went to work for the day. After a day's work, I tried to drive the vehicle to PepBoys for them to see if there was a problem with the vehicle. I drove a few miles and noticed that there was steam coming from under the hood when I stopped at a red light. I then opened the hood and noticed that the radiator cap was not completely tightened. I then called up Pep Boys and they gave me their 1-888 towing service. I called in for a tow and after 2 hours of waiting, the tow truck finally arrived. The car was then towed to Pep Boys.

The service guy apologized and told me that there would be no charge for the tow service since the radiator cap was not properly tightened by the technician. They did a flush, refilled everything and the next day I picked up the car. Now, I notice the car has no heat coming out of the vents. So I brought it back to PepBoys and they replaced the radiator plug on the bottom of the radiator. I brought it back home and parked it for a week. After a snow storm, I started the car and let it heat up while I removed the snow from the driveway. Then I pulled the car forward and noticed that there was a puddle of anti-freeze in the snow where the car was running.

I then went to Pep Boys and explained the situation and I told them that I don't trust their service anymore and that I'm going to bring the vehicle to the dealer. The service manager told me that it was a good idea and that it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. He even told me that he would pay for the repairs if it was caused by the overheating incident. After the holidays were over and we got a decent day weather wise (not too cold - remember, no heat in car), I finally brought the car to a Chrysler dealership. They tell me that the radiator is leaking on the top. I asked the service manager if this could have been caused by the engine overheating and he told me that since the car is a 1996 with 104,000 miles, it is quite possible.

The service manager, Ricky, told me that it would be another $72.00 for labor and $2.00 for the part since the wheel was a certain design. I had to okay the work, but was not happy about this situation. The part had to be retrieved from another Pep Boys. I asked the service manager Ricky if I could have the other bolts replaced since this one was weak. My thinking was if one is bad, I don't want to pay another $72.00 for this again. The mechanic showed me the extra bolts, but did not replace them. His philosophy was that if it isn't broken, why fix it. I was not amused with this response. On Nov. 20th, I returned to Pep Boys to talk with Ruben **. I explained the situation to him. He stated "if he was there, he would have not charged me." He wanted to talk with the service manager Ricky and the mechanic to get their versions of the event.

I spoke to Ricky and asked him what the policy is if Pep Boys breaks something on a car. He did not know. Ruben ** stated that he will file a complaint and a recovery of $72.00. I went on vacation Nov. 22-29th. I didn't hear anything from Pep Boys when I returned home. On Dec. 7th, I phoned Pep Boys and spoke with George ** because Ruben ** was not available. He researched my claim and stated that it was denied. I later requested a copy of the complaint, but there was no response.