ComplaintsforAAMCO Scottsdale

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  09/06/23 I dropped my **** F150 off at AAMCO in ********* for a transmission rebuild. It's been 27 days since I've had my vehicle. I was told the rebuild went well, however, they could not finish it and had to send it to **************************** on 09/25/23. Upon calling AAMCO on 09/27/23, and speaking with the manager, ********, I was told he had been out of town. I then asked ******** why nobody else besides him could have called to get a status on my vehicle while he was out town. I explained that I have been without a truck for 27 days and counting, that it's my work truck, the only truck that would hold all of tools, and my only vehicle. I further explained to ******** that I am now out 9k from not working for 27 days. ******** stated, well I knew that there was a short in the rear door signal, and that was causing all of the problems. I explained to ********, my truck was working fine with the short with my old transmission. I further explained if you have experienced Service Techs why didn't they inspect my truck for possible issues that could arise after the rebuilt transmission was installed, instead of tearing the old transmission out and rebuilding it, only to find out there's an issue. So far I've paid AAMCO $4,300.00 to rebuild and install my transmission, am out 9k due to loss wages, and am still waiting to hear what **** is going to charge me for some that AAMCO may have done.

  Business response

  10/12/2023

  We understand the customer's concern. I will contact customer to let him know that we are still working on his vehicle. We have the vehicle in our facility in North Scottsdale doing the repair. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working hard to complete the repair.  It is no longer at ******************************. Once we have completed the repair we will confirm if the vehicle needs any further repairs. Thank You

• Initial Complaint

  08/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  8/18/23 I dropped off my car for repairs and I advise the shop that I would require to pick up my car early as I was going to be headed out of town. The shop refused to release my car even tho they hadnt started working on it. I ended up having to call the Scottsdale police and while the police were on route the shop employee moved my car from the front parking lot into one of their bays while I was asking fir the keys. They refused to release my car to me.

  Business response

  08/24/2023

  To Whim it MAy concern,

  *************************** and *************************** did bring their 2014 Dodge Challenger in to ** and authorized diagnostics on their vehicle on 8/17/2023. After diagnosing the issues on their car we found the vehicle needed a Catalytic Converter along with 02 sensors. We called ********* on 8/17/2023 and gave him an estimate to repair his vehicle and He and his wife approved the work. They requested financing to pay for the repairs due to the Catalytic Converters had to be paid up front to order them. We explained to ********* that the Catalytic converters once ordered could not be returned and we also made a note on his repair order which he signed. When ********* came in to pick up his car the work was still in the process which Scottsdale *********** confirmed. All the work that was completed by Aamco Transmission was approved by *************************** and his wife ***************************; on 8/17/23 By electronic Signature which we have a copy on file. We will not be issuing any credit or refund. All sales on this invoice was final and paid for.

  Thank You,

  *****************************
  

  Customer response

  09/01/2023

  I do not accept the response from AAMCO! My issue / complaint is that i advise ****** the night (8/10/23) i dropped off the car that if they weren't to be able to get it done on Friday 8/11/23 that I would need to come and pick it up as i was planning on going out of town and that i would then just drop it off on Monday 8/14/23. Well when i showed up on Friday 8/11/23 to pick up the car at 8am the car was NOT being worked on and was parked in the front parking and not in one of the bays. I was asked to sign a second invoice describing the work to be performaced and in which they added that if I didn't return the car to them by Monday 8/11/23 I would be charged the amount of the parts ordered ($4,373.55). I signed the invoice (in front of ******) and then he said that wasn't my signature (event though I had just signed it in front of him) and he refused to give my keys back. That is when i called 911 and asked of a officer to assist with the situation as i had comnplied with their request to sign the invoice and they still refused to release my car. The REAL COMPLAINT is that while I was on the phone with 911 and the police were en route ****** had an employee move my car into the back of their facility. Remember that ****** told me that the parts were not in and when i arrived at 8:10am they were NOT working on my car and it was parked out front. When the police arrived they took my statement and then went in and took the statement of the shop and they informed the police that the car was being worked and had started removing tires and had the car on the lift and they also advised thepolice that if (at that time) I wanted my car that I would need to call a tow truck and at my expense have the car towed since it was now not driveable... The unethical business practices at this location were shocking to me as i complied with all their request to have my car released to me on that Friday 8/8/23 and they still held my car against my will.

  Business response

  09/13/2023

  This issue has been resolved. Initially customer wanted to pick up his car that Friday 08/18/2023 but parts were already ordered. He did end up leaving the vehicle to complete the repairs. Since this incident the customer brought his vehicle back on on 9-7-2023 for additional repairs. After the last repair on 9-7-2023 we have not heard from the customer so we assume he is satisfied.

  Customer response

  09/18/2023

  Well the issue is still not resolved as I brought the car back on 9/7/23 because the check engine light came on ****(after the repairs / $5,000 for the inital repairs)  for the same issue that I brought in the car orginally. I was told they "cleared" the engine codes but as of 2 days ago the check engine light has come back on with the same code I orginally brought the car in and have now spent close to $7,000 in repairs. This doesn't take away from the fact that they refused to release the car to me after I had signed their paperwork (as stated in my orginal complaint) and complied with their required request but they still moved my car before the police got there so it looked like they were working on my car when they didn't even have the parts. I had NO CHOICE but to leave the car so they could work orginally it because they moved it without my ********* I was there to pick it up... I will be brining the car back once again becasue as i stated earlier the check engine is back on so in my mind this issue is not resolved.... 

• Initial Complaint

  01/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The service manager at AAMCO failed to fulfill several verbal promises made regarding the service of my vehicle. My request for service (a transmission replacement) was prepaid $5,000.00 in full and I have not received the completed services by the agreed upon date. My vehicle was released to AAMCOs care on 12/21/2022 at which point I paid and was advised that the transmission replacement would be completed in 5-7 business days (approximately 01/04/2023). ****** neglected to inform me that the car would not in fact be ready at that time. When I called to check on the status, I was told that the car would be ready on another date, and he would contact me with an update. This pattern continued for weeks. Not once did I receive a call from ******. Instead, I would call on the new date that he specified and be told that the car is still not ready. When I told ****** that its been too long to not have my vehicle, he had no solution for me perhaps a referral to another location or shop - but dismissed my concerns and continued to not follow through with his promises. As of this writing (1/19/2023), I have not had access to my only form of transportation and AAMCO has had my money with seemingly no concern or urgency in returning my vehicle to me. I am seeking immediate and expedited completion of my service and a chargeback in full due to unsatisfactory service received.

  Business response

  02/13/2023

  This complaint that BBB that was received on 1/19/2023 was on a Sunday. We had completed the install of the transmission on the 1-17-2023 but there was programming that needed to be completed including a drive a cycle that needed to be performed. The customer picked up her vehicle on 1-23-2023 from our facility in good working order and I have not heard from her since. If she should have any further questions she would need to contact our office at ************. Sometimes repairs can take a little longer due for part delays. We will not issue any refund regarding this transaction. All work that was performed and completed and approved by the customer. We do apologize for the time delay.

• Initial Complaint

  09/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I can share with anyone the email I sent to Aamco 14 months ago, after I picked up my vehicle from them, that is yet to be answered. The work wasnt done right the first time and took two weeks. The vehicle broke down as my family and I were attempting to go on vacation. As a result the trip was over. Going back the second time they never offered a loaner/rental reimbursement, but they did offer a refund that they would handle later, because they knew this was my only car. They brought it back and took way longer the second time to fix it. Close to 2 months. They were just as terrible with follow up throughout the entire process. I had to stay on them. They would always make new excuses but also told me flat out more that once I wasnt the priority. Even though the second time, I was there under their warranty because of their work only a week after leaving. Also, the lot was broken into in June of 2021 and my catalytic converter was stolen. They said they sent it to a reputable shop for that repair but it was a total hack job. Never saw that ro/receipt. The vehicle is currently about to throw multiple codes because of this exhaust job that Aamco did. I had no clue how bad they did here either. A recent trip to a Penske dealership found this issue while the vehicle was in for a flashing transmission light. Thats right! My transmission just 14 months later is already losing pressure in 4th gear. Aamco cant fix anything. They even break things that are working. Lastly, they damaged the body of my vehicle for the months that it was there too. The cars are packed on this lot. No notification of that damage, no response to a 14 month old email or the follow up email a week later, no promised refund, and ultimately no transmission fix. I need them to step up and fix what they couldnt the first time and not make the excuse its two months out of warranty. I cant afford $3000 every year for a new transmission.

  Business response

  09/20/2022

  We did rebuild the transmission in **************************** ***** odyssey. I have not received a phone call about any of the issues he is describing in the complaint. The transmission is under warranty by time as it was only rebuilt 14 months ago. If there is a problem with the transmission we are happy to fix it for him under warranty.

  As far as the exhaust system, we sent that to an exhaust shop for the catalytic converter replacement. If there is a problem with their work, we can send it back there. Unfortunately, without ************************ making me aware of any issue, it is impossible for me to know what is really going on with his vehicle.

  Body damage? I was never made aware of any body damage... This is the first I'm hearing of it. If you had damage occur at our facility, why didn't you tell me until 14 months later? Tell us why here...

• Initial Complaint

  09/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This started off as an innocent mistake, and turned into a predatory situation.I originally brought my car to the dealership for a transmission issue. They said that the car needed a new transmission, but as they didn't have any financing options, I chose to go to AAMCO as they did. At AAMCO, they had the same diagnosis. On Friday Sept 9, I entered into an agreement to buy a new transmission and signed all the paperwork. The car would not be worked on until Monday morning.Saturday morning I received a call from the dealership, that they had made an error. There was a class-action settlement that included my vehicle, where due to a known transmission issue, they had to replace the transmission at no cost to me. This omission happened as I wasn't the owner of the car when the case settled, so I wasn't notified at the time. (The class-action settlement specifically says it has to be serviced at the dealership).Excited thinking that I just saved $5,000, I immediately called ****** at AAMCO Saturday and told him I needed to pick up the car as the transmission replacement wasn't needed. That excitement quickly turned to something else... when he told me I had already signed the agreement and he has a no cancellation policy; even though no work had been done on the car. The finance company called him as well, and he responded with the same. I even offered a $500 cancellation penalty to cover the labor costs, and that was a no as well.Some may say, "You signed the agreement." That is one way to look at it. Another is having some decency to not cost someone $5,000 for a transmission they don't need, when they have offered you the labor costs to keep anyways.**At the same time they were telling me the car was in the shop already being worked on, I took pictures of it outside with the windows open overnight. They later admitted they hadn't started yet.

  Business response

  09/19/2022

  To Whom it may ***************************************** brought his vehicle with a transmission malfunction on 9-9-2022. After checking his vehicle we confirmed that his transmission had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. ************* told us that he just picked up his vehicle from the ****** Dealer which they confirmed that his transmission needed to be replaced but they did not have financing options and that is why he was bringing it to us. That same day *** told us he wanted a reman transmission and he applied for financing and was approved. On the same day 9-9-2022 he had us purchase a reman transmission and completed all the necessary paperwork including financing docs and signed our estimate approval for repair paperwork and authorized us to start the transmission replacement which we did. On the next day he wanted to cancel the process but it was to late we had already started the work and had already received the reman transmission he purchased on 9-9-2022 from us to install. On 9-14-2022 he came in and picked up his vehicle because the work was completed.
  

   

  Thank You,

  ******
  

  Customer response

  09/19/2022

  There are three issues at this point, only the first (labeled #1) was applicable at the time of the initial complaint:

  1) The work was not started when I requested a cancellation of the purchase.  I have photographic proof that the car was parked outside the shop with no work having been performed as of that point.

  2) I did not order a remanufactured transmission. This was a classic bait and switch routine by the shop. I paid for a new transmission, which I did not get.

  3) The transmission turned out not to be the issue, as the same problem persisted after the repair.

   

  To mitigate my losses I sold the vehicle on 9/18/2022 and used the proceeds to pay off the financing for this repair.  I lost $4700 in this debacle with Aamco Transmissions, in large part due to dishonest business practices by the manager.

  Business response

  09/21/2022

  In response to issue #1 Work had been started on his vehicle. We have lots of vehicles in our back lot that have been worked on.

  In response to issue#2  A remanufactured transmission was ordered from the dealer and that is what we agreed to and is what he paid and ordered for.
  

  In response to issue#3 If there is an issue with the work that was completed by our facility, the customer would need to bring his vehicle back into us under warranty. He has a 12 month or ****** Mile nationwide warranty.

  As far as the customer selling his vehicle we can't help him there. He should have brought his vehicle back into us under warranty.
  

  Customer response

  09/22/2022

  The issue with the car was not a transmission issue (as it turned out).  Short of taking out the used transmission they put in and reinstalling the original one, which was not defective, there is no remedy to the situation.  The business has not shown the slightest bit of interest in realistically resolving this.  The BBB can consider this case as closed, but unresolved.

• Initial Complaint

  08/04/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On 10/7/2021, we took our vehicle to AAMCO located at ********************************************************, phone number ************. AAMCO determined that the transmission needed replaced and did not repair and return the vehicle to ** until 2/4/2022, stating they were "waiting on the part." We paid $4577.51 for parts and labor, to AAMCO on 2/4/2022 and brought the vehicle home. Within the first 10 days, the transmission was slipping and we returned the vehicle to AAMCO as the repair and parts are under warranty. ***** has called numerous times to get updates and was told they were in dispute with the transmission company and were waiting for the dispute to be settled. AAMCO is charging $2200 for a second, rebuilt transmission and is not honoring their warranty for parts and labor. We have requested a refund of $4577.51 due to facts presented above so that we can take our vehicle to another service provider. AAMCO has refused to refund our money and has refused to fix our vehicle without us paying $2200. We have tried to reach out to the owner of AAMCO and we are repeatedly told he is on vacation.

• Initial Complaint

  05/30/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The shop owned by this person on ******************************* destroyed my transmission and the ******** location tried to extort money from me by holding my car for money not discussed in advance. ****** from the ******** location then had my car impounded when I refused to pay.

• Initial Complaint

  02/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  *************************** Director Aamco I had my car serviced at Aamco on November 4,2021 by the service Manager *****************************.located at ****************************************************************** **'I spent $2249.68 ,for the car hesitation upon acceleration and bucking. They charged me the enormous price of $2249.68 and the transmission was never replaced. They charged me for a tune up, a timing belt and test system for proper performance. This monies charged to me was way way over the top and should never have been charged especially since the car was never fixed.The car is continuing to hesitate and still is bucking upon acceleration I feel that I was completely ripped off for the $2249.68 and did not receive any service for good money that was given to Aamco and charged an exorbitant price for a car that was never fixed.I would like my monies refunded immediately and my car fixed properly Thank you ***************************** ******************************************************** ******************************* ************ cell #********************* <**************************>Nov 30, 2021, 1:29 PM to mpekula, bcc: me **** I am disappointed that I have not spoken with you .***************************** just called me from Aamco, I asked him to cover the expense of the rental car, last time my car was left at the Aamco for 3 days. He asked me to bring in the car, which I will do tomorrow morning, but need the okay from you that my rental car will be covered for the days left at Aamco for them to check the car again.Please ensure that he will cover the cost of my rental car, since I am already out of pocket over $2300.00 and my car has not been fixed yet. It is as bad as it was before I brought the car into Aamco.Please advise.Thank you ***************************** ***********

  Business response

  02/22/2022

  To whom this may concern,

  We called ***** yesterday 2/22/22 on explained to her that the work that was done on her vehicle is under warranty. We invited her in so we could take a look at her vehicle but she refused. She is not entitled to a refund and we will not be issuing one.

   

  Thank You,

  *****************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  08/26/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I towed my truck to AAMCO to fix or replace my transmission which failed to reverse, it worked. They gave me an initial much lower repair cost and then the cost escalated from there. They turned in my original transmission for a rebuilt transmission and was unable to solve the problem. They ordered a second transmission and could not get that one to work either claiming it was an electrical problem, not the transmission. They have not been able to repair my truck having it for 2 weeks now. I told them I wanted my truck back and would pay them for unrelated work involving a cluster low oil pressure warning message, apparently that issue has been repaired. The main issue is that AAMCO set up a 12 month payment plan with ************** for the total estimated repair ****, apparently they have already been paid even though the work is not completed and they will not return my truck. I even offered to pay for the transmission they installed but will not tell me how much they paid for it.

  Business response

  08/31/2021

  To whom it ************************************** brought his **** Chevrolet Silverado into our facility with his Transmission malfunctioned along with some electrical problems. It did take some time to figure out the electrical issues and we do understand the customers concerns. We have completed all the repairs to satisfaction and the customer acknowledges all charges. He has picked up his truck since receiving this complaint and his truck is in working proper order if you should have any questions please feel free to contact me at ************
  

• Initial Complaint

  07/06/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  It going on two years from the first time they had my car start. It has only been about 6 months since the last time the car was touch by them. I believe it was like ******* out of my pocket.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩