Description

My vehicle was towed into the Meineke in Blue Springs, MO on Friday 06/30/2023 due to it overheating. When explained to the mechanics, on 07/01/2023, I requested the radiator fan to be replaced, an oil change to be completed and the air conditioner to be looked at. After speaking with technicians at the Blue Springs location they informed me that my radiator fan was fine and they needed to replace other parts and perform additional tests for the car (cooling system inspect and pressure test, engine diagnostic, tire pressure monitoring system testing, replace air filter, rotate tires, engine oil leak, dye and inspect, remove and replace engine coolant thermostat housing, flush coolant system, remove and replace engine coolant outlet housing gasket and ac electrical system testing). Assuming the vehicle was fixed when told it was ready to be picked up, I arrived to find out not only was my hood dented from one of the technicians (who informed me) there was a tablet placed somewhere on the car under the hood and when slammed down not only did it damage my hood, but it damaged the tablet. When I started the vehicle the check engine light was still on and my oil had not been changed. I went back inside the location and informed Mike, at the front desk, that I had not received the oil change. Instead of addressing the issue, Mike asked me if I was sure that I was supposed to get one. I had informed Mike that I had the conversation with him over the phone on Saturday about the oil change and radiator fan in which they then changed the oil in the vehicle. On the initial visit I had paid $2017.04 and still left with the check engine light on. When driving off the power in my vehicle had immensely decreased, but I had assumed it was due to the issues I was still having with the vehicle since the check engine light was on. I had then spoken to Brad Smith, Director of Operations, in regards to the situation. Brad referred me to a shop in Kansas (7525 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 66204). I was able to take my vehicle over there on Thursday (07/06/2023) to have a full inspection completed on the vehicle. During the inspection the mechanics and manager stated they were unsure what the other shop had and hadn't done because in the system it showed that certain parts were not replaced or certain ones were, but they were either new or not touched. The manager also stated that the invoice (in which was provided at the time) from the other shop had looked "squirrely" and made it look like I could have possibly 'been charged triple.' The manager also stated she was unsure that if the parts they actually replaced were actually needed if the main part (radiator fan) was fixed in the first place. When the diagnostic check came back it showed that the cooling system inspect and pressure test, engine diagnostic and remove and replace radiator fan assembly was needed which amounted to $536.62. Immediately the shop manager had reached out to Brad Smith who stated they would be able to charge me for the price of what they pay for the part $114.00 (estimated) and he would be able to take off $40.00 per hour for the labor. The following day I reached out to Brad myself and explained further the situation. Brad then agreed to allow me to pay for the price of the part if he paid for the labor. I then had to make another appointment on Monday (07/10/2023) which interrupted my work day due to the job being 3 hours long. I then arrived and was given a different amount in which was over $300.00 as the manager stated that was what Brad had sent over. I provided the paperwork in which showed the amount of the part which was immediately updated. I waited 3 hours plus to have the proper part fixed and eventually left with what I thought was a fixed vehicle after paying $137.48. The air conditioning now works since it was related to the radiator fan; the check engine light was finally off. Upon leaving work the same day (07/10/2023) the check engine light again came on. I went by AutoZone and O'Reilly's to have the codes checked. After getting the codes checked it stated the engine underboost and turbocharger bypass valve stick needed to be repaired. There were not problems with the turbo beforehand as it was recently replaced in the vehicle by another mechanic. I was also having normal acceleration with the vehicle, but now there are the same issues that I was having when the turbo was cracked and needed replaced. At this time I am unsure if they did not do something properly which made additional issues towards the vehicle or if something was broken due to negligence, etc. At this time I am going to have to take the vehicle into another mechanic, dish out money to have everything looked at, addressed and fixed. Not only have I drove to different Meineke locations, but the vehicle has been in the shop for 6 days (roughly).