ComplaintsforAAMCO Chula Vista

• Initial Complaint

  03/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 5/14/2021 ************************* brought her car to Aamco for a diagnoses. The company said the battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. Service advisor: *********************, Technician: *******************. They installed Battery pack ******* which was purchased from Autozone and charged her $6905.62. In May 2022 the vehicle would no longer start and the car was eventually taken to the **** Dealership. They told me that the wrong battery was installed in the vehicle and there was a sticker on the battery that says "Do not install this battery in a 2009 model vehicle." In January 2023 the car was towed to the Aamco store in Chula Vista. The service advisor took responsibility for the error and agreed to fix the battery. He sent the old battery back to Autozone and received a replacement. In February 2023 he let me know that Autozone sent the same, incorrect battery, to him so he would need to find a different solution. On 3/29/2023 I called him again and he claimed that the owner of the company is now debating whether he wants to pay $1700 to fix the issue by repairing the battery or if he wants to split the cost. At this point I would rather have a full refund of the cost ($6905.62) to be able to take the car to a trustworthy repair shop and get a new battery.

  

  Business response

  03/31/2023

  We regret the delay in repairing ********************** vehicle and apologize for any inconvenience. 

  Since the vehicle was brought in to us we have been trying to get the company that supplied the incorrect battery to provide a replacement. We located another vendor we could sublet the work to, but we preferred to get the correct battery from the original suppler. In addition, up until yesterday, we never heard from the owner of the vehicle and had not received her authorization to do the work. As of yesterday, the supplier of the original battery has agreed to send a replacement of the correct type. We also received ********************** written authorization to proceed. At this time, we are waiting for the new battery to arrive, at which time we will install it at no charge to the customer.

  Although there was no written warranty for the original repair in May of 2021, we acknowledge our part in installing the incorrect battery and we stand behind our work.

• Initial Complaint

  07/05/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My car broke down on 4/18/22. It was towed to AAMCO in Chula Vista. On 4/20/22, I authorized repair. I was told the engine was badly damaged. The price for repair was $5,361.52. I was promised a low mileage engine and a professional job. On 5/19/22, after a few delays, the job was done. According to AAMCO, one of the delays involved a problem with the engine timing. On 6/5/22, the car broke down in traffic. The engine light came on. The engine went into "limp mode" (limited speed). This was on a Tuesday. I called AAMCO on Wednesday. I talked to *** and he told me to take it in on Friday in the morning. On ******************** checked the car with a scanner and told me the problem was the throttle body sensor. I was low on cash, so I asked him if he thought I could replace the **** He said yes and gave me some instructions. I had to replace throttle body unit because the sensor is integrated. The car's condition did not improve any. I went back to AAMCO. *** checked the car again. This time he said it was the gas pedal sensor. I replaced the gas pedal with built in sensor. Again, no improvement on my car. Having no luck with ***, I decided to take the car to another shop. After a diagnostic ($120.00), the mechanic told me the car's engine has a short. I've come to the conclusion that there is something wrong with the engine and AAMCO cannot fix it for some reason. I would like my money back ($5,361.52). AAMCO acct#LOP020. Thank you for your attention.

  

  Business response

  07/09/2022

  Mr. ****** current problems are a result of his attempts to perform repairs on his own. We have done numerous Check Engine Light checks for him, but he then tries to fix the car himself. Unfortunately, he did not do the repairs properly and is now blaming us for for problems he has exacerbated by not performing the repairs correctly. For example, he switched the throttle body and connected vacuum lines up incorrectly and then tried to blame us when we could see it was a brand new throttle body that he installed. He installed a throttle pedal sensor, but did not clean the connector and did not set it to the proper spot. This is what caused the vehicle to go into limp mode. Furthermore, those parts can not be installed without using a proper scanner because the relearn process must be completed before the car is started. If this is not done, the car will not work correctly or it could cause the new part to go bad.
  
  The repairs we performed were completed professionally and properly. There is nothing wrong with the engine we installed.  If there is a short in the system, that means there is an electrical problem, not an engine problem. The electrical system was demonstrably operating properly when the car left our shop, because otherwise he wouldn't have been able to drive it.
  
  We believe ************** is trying to get a refund from us because he is short on money. The last time he came to the shop, he told *** that he was short on money because his job was slow so he needed to get some of the money back from the repair. We have extended this customer numerous courtesies and have gone out of our way to be kind and to help him. The problems he is currently experiencing are due to his own actions. It is possible to remedy his issues, but it would not be fair for us to do this work without being compensated.  There is no justification for a refund.

  Customer response

  07/12/2022

  ***** recollection of the facts are not true. I told *** that I needed my car fixed to get back to work. There's ************** available. I did not say I wanted my money back. The first time I mentioned this was on the complaint but I prefer my car fixed (the warranty honored). My car broke down ten days after it was repaired. I did not do anything to the car before it broke down. Again, I need my car fixed to get back to work.

  

  Business response

  07/19/2022

  In an attempt to resolve this issue, we encourage the customer to take it to one of the other independently-owned AAMCO centers in San Diego County for a third party opinion. Each AAMCO is a separately owned and we have no way to influence their opinion. If the customer has the vehicle inspected and they find that his current issues are related to our work, we will abide by their decision.

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