ComplaintsforDestroyer Automotive, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  01/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  BBB unable to locate business

  More info

  I purchased a rebuilt transmission with them on March 8, 2022 I spent estimated cost of $1900.00 on this transmission here we are not even 2 years later and the transmission is bad. Went to go get it replaced only to find out that the business is permanently closed ! How am I supposed to get my truck fixed now and I still have an active warranty!!!

• Initial Complaint

  01/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  BBB unable to locate business

  More info

  I purchased this transmission 9/20/2022. I also have a warranty for 3 year guarantee. I am now having issues with the transmission and this business is permanently closed to inspect and fix the issue?

• Initial Complaint

  01/15/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The engine began knocking in July of 2022 the engine 4 months old, I had the OIL changed on 4/7/2022. I took it to Destroyer, on 4/28/22 gas was removed battery stolen, they said the oil was low please see upload, they had my car for 15 days. They did not replace the oil they said was low. I have a Walmart proof the battery they gave me was not my Walmart battery, someone at the shop removed the EVERSTART sticker placed it on a dead battery, I have pictures. Destroyer told me the knock was not there, they could not hear it. THE KNOCK continued, under the 6 year warranty. I brought it back on January 3rd 2023 they released 1/11/23 saying Engine has failed. They claim the transmission CODES made the engine fail. The A/C Condenser was diagnosed by MIDAS as leaking but the tech said the transmission was great, just change the CONDENSOR. I had the CONDENSOR changed 9/26/2022 the mechanic said I had no problems with my transmission, it was taken back to DESTROYER for knocking louder, the mileage was 125581 when I had it towed in the mileage is now 125654 they drove the car knocking. Driving the car 73 miles while knocking, gunning it until they caused those codes on their (so they say) diagnostic. The transmission had no CODES, it was on the Fix Finder on Dec 18th, 2022 NO TRANSMISSION codes, my CURRENT transmission is less than 3 years old, the car towed in, running only knocking from the engine. DESTROYER drove the engine very hard, to fail the engine then refused to honor the 6 year WARRANTY. THEY LIED AND TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS NEW, PUT IN A USED ENGINE for $5397.00 and it failed less than 10 months. The ENGINE cannot fail, from transmission CODES, example of nonsense they tell women about car repairs. Destroyer is using the transmission as reason to not HONOR WARRANTY. I took the car to the transmission shop, it verified the transmission did not cause the ENGINE to fail, all gears are functioning. I want a FULL refund for rental cars and the engine. BAD ENGINE

  Business response

  01/16/2023

  Hello *******,

  On 4/28/2022 Ms. ****** had her 2011 Jeep Liberty towed into our shop to have her long block engine replaced with a used long block engine. At that time her vehicle had a prior electrical issue that caused her vehicle to be at the shop longer than estimated. We compensated Ms. ****** by deducting $200 from her bill to compensate for rental car costs.

  Ms. ****** brought her 2011 Jeep Liberty to our facility a second time on 7/11/2022 with the main concern of check vehicle no start, oil leak. Upon our inspection we identified that the vehicle was out of gas, 2 quarts low on oil, and that her battery would not hold a charge. Ms. ****** came into our facility and took her battery to wherever she purchased the battery to try and warranty the battery out. Ms. ****** then returned to our facility claiming that we took the sticker off the battery and replaced it with another sticker. The leak that Ms. ****** was concerned about was transmission fluid leaking from her transmission oil cooler (this is confirmed in Ms. ******’s initial complaint to the BBB by her statement “The A/C Condenser was diagnosed by MIDAS as leaking.” Ms. ****** declined all repairs, provided her own battery, and paid of facility $20 for gas. After installing the battery, we added oil to the proper fill mark, putting $20 of gas in were able to turn the vehicle on without any issue.

  The third time Ms. ****** brought her vehicle to us was 1/3/2023 for an engine noise and wanted us to look over clips that were “busted” near the throttle body. Upon inspection of the vehicle there were several check engine lights present and a bottom end knock. The check engine lights that are present are the following:

  ·       P0712 Code indicates that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) in your engine has detected a low Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor signal,

  ·       P0713 is an OBD-II generic code for a voltage problem with the automatic transmission temperature sensor

  ·       P0507 code indicates that the idle control system has an excessively high RPM

  ·       P0218 stands for “Transmission Fluid Over Temperature Condition

  ·       P0714 is a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) for "Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent.

  Based upon our findings the transmission failure is what caused her engine to fail because of being over revved. On our warranty document that Ms. ****** signed it specifically states “Destroyer Automotive is not liable for the following: Spark plugs, oil, oil filter, coolant, gaskets, seals, towing charges, loss of time, car rental, food, lodging, or any service or consequential damages arising from engine and or transmission failure.”

  In regards to Ms. ****** false accusations such as ripping the sticker off of a battery, siphoning gas out of her gas tank, going on a 72 mile road test with a vehicle with an engine knock. As a business we truly do not know how to respond to such false accusations. As far as the request for refund our shop is unwilling to provide a refund of the completed work. Ms. ****** has voided her warranty through acts of negligence and abuse both of which are not covered under the warranty.

  Customer response

  01/25/2023

   I am rejecting this response because: The transmission was on a fix Finder on the 18th of Decenber, it was also see by MIDAS on 9/6/2022 and another mechanic on 9/26/2022 plus had 2 oil changes ang a smog check, in which none of those mechanics referenced transmission problems to be addressed at any time, those codes are fake and ******* has never met me or serviced my car. Uploads of the services are available. On July 11 the car was taken in for knock. I have a recording, the oil had been changed so if it was low the engine was leaking or burning oil. Why didn't they replace the oil. They are not telling they are not telling the truth, nothing is wrong with the transmission, they claimed those codes after they recieved the car as to not honor the warranty.
  
  
  

  Business response

  01/25/2023

  Hello *******,

  Unfortunately, even with this information being re-presented our stance on the matter still stands. The date ranges that she is providing is in between the window of when we had her vehicle here. Not directly before or after which does not provide any evidence as to us “fabricating” a check engine light scenario to get out of warranting our work. The vehicle currently has transmission codes present, the vehicle is in limp mode because of the transmission, and the transmission damaged the engine due to over revving which is considered abuse and is not covered under our warranty.

  Customer response

  01/28/2023

   I am rejecting this response because: I will be sending detailed evidence to *******. I also have a recording of the knock from July 11/ 2022 and Jan 3rd 2023. The fabrication comes from you not honoring your 6 year warranty, by using Transmission  CODES as a reason. I know the transmission has nothing to do with the ENGINE. The transmission controls the wheel ans suspension, the Engine is the power source for the transmission, the transmission does not power the engine. Codes will not fail an engine, the ENGINE was no good from the beginning. I believe you fixed my old engine and took my $5000.00  because that what you do to your customers. I have paper work for the all the maintenance. Once you realize your not telling the truth let's see if you HONOR your warranty and refund all monies.

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I’ve paid over $5000 to this business over the past 5-6 months to have my engine repaired. Each time I get it out it breaks down an they try an to continue to pull money from me or keep the car on months on end each time it goes back in after they admit to a problem being their fault. I’ve been dealing with them for a year and a half now an out of that 18+ months they’ve had it 13 of them. This is a horrible business.

  Business response

  12/19/2022

  Hello Ms. ** La *****,

   

  These accusations couldn’t be further from the reality of the situation and interactions that we have had with Mr. ****.

  We originally installed a long block engine in his 2012 VW CC last year in November. At that time, we ma** a recommendation for a turbo coolant pipe to be replaced which was declined by the customer.

  The following month the customer brought the vehicle into our shop for us to check the vehicle for a coolant leak, smoking and overheating. Upon inspection we identified that the coolant hose that we recommended to be replaced had still not been replaced. Because of this Mr. ****’s turbo failed due to inadequate cooling. Since we recently worked on Mr. ****’s vehicle, we discounted the labor rate to half of the shop's labor rate and warrantied the turbo unit at no cost to him.

  The next time we had the Volkswagen into our shop was in May of 2022 with the complaint of the vehicle not starting and an issue with camshaft/crankshaft alignment. Upon inspection of the vehicle, we identified that Mr. ****’s vehicle overheated to the point of causing internal engine failure. This was verified by conducting a block test, visual inspection of the heat tabs being melted, and conducting a tear down inspection of which we found bent valves. In our warranty documentation it specifically states “warranty is void if damage is done to vehicle as a result of overheating or pre-ignition, warranty is void if vehicle is subject to abuse.” Again, we discounted our work to help Mr. **** since he is a returning customer. Instead of charging him $3,895 for the long block engine and labor we charged him a discounted amount of $3,385.

  In June of 2022 the vehicle was brought back to us for a check engine light. At that time the issue was diagnosed to the oil separator and Mr. **** was charged only part cost no labor. We also installed a wheel bearing and hub assembly for part cost only no labor charge.

  In August of 2022 Mr. **** brought back his Volkswagen for us to check timing, and an oil leak. During our inspection process we identified again that the vehicle had overheated to the point of causing internal engine failure. The vehicle failed block test, had melted heat tabs, and bent valves. We covered the cost of the long block engine and the labor in good faith even though the warranty does not cover damage due to overheating.

  The following day after picking up the vehicle Mr. **** contacted us and stated that there was no oil in the vehicle and that there was a check engine light present. When the vehicle was brought to our facility our ASE certified Master Technician was able to “grab” data from the vehicle's monitors when the check engine light was triggered. The customer was driving the vehicle in an “abusive manner” based upon the data from the vehicle. The data showed that the vehicle was being driven at 87mph with the RPM’s at 6,305 at 100% throttle being applied. Which resulted in Mr. ****’s engine failed for the 4^th time at no fault of ours.

  As a business we feel that we have been more than fair when working with Mr. **** and have provided him numerous discounts on labor and parts totaling an estimated value of $5,548 in good faith since the signed warranty document states that damage due to overheating is not covered. Based upon the previous information stated we are not willing to provi** a refund of the work that has been performed since the damage that has occurred is due to no fault of or workmanship or parts. Each time the vehicle has had an issue it has been because of the vehicle being driven to the point of failure.

• Initial Complaint

  10/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Contact with destroyer automotive on 9/12 I spoke with a ****** about a remanufactured transmission and was quoted $2100 Made arrangements with ****** the vehicle was picked up I was told the car would be back on Friday however it was not ready I picked the car up on 9/23 speaking with **** about a use transmission instead of the remanufactured transmission i agree on with ****** **** and I went back and forth to the point an argument ensued **** than Threaten me to take a title lean if I didn't pay so i paid the bill I also noticed my windshield was cracked and the transmission was not Shifting right slipping Hard shifting.... I do not want to deal with this business **** was very rude and intimidation I've noticed my bank to dispute the charges and the Bureau of automotive repair

  Business response

  10/10/2022

  Hello *******,

  When speaking to Mr. ***** he was advised that we were installing a used transmission assembly in his vehicle for $1995 with a 3-year or 36,000 mile warranty. When we were checking out Mr. ***** he stated that he was quoted for a remanufactured transmission. At that time we advised Mr. ***** that we did not quote him a remanufactured transmission. We can verify that we did not quote Mr. ***** a remanufactured transmission by the warranty type that was offered as well the price of the work that was quoted, and the overall lack of availability for a remanufactured product. All of this was brought to Mr. ******* attention when he was here in person to pick up his vehicle.

  Regarding the issue with Mr. ******* transmission issue, we spoke with him on the phone and let him know to bring the vehicle in whenever so we can get an eye on the vehicle. Mr. ***** later than called and stated that he was busy and would bring it in later and we have not heard from him until this complaint. We are still willing to diagnose the issue with the transmission, and if there is an issue Mr. ***** is under warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles.

• Initial Complaint

  04/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I brought my car here as it needed a new engine. I called and the owner Rob stated he could do the engine for 7,184.46 we agreed. I had my car towed there same day. 10/18 2021 it took about 3 weeks for them to complete the job. I wasn’t in a hurry just happy to get it fixed. I received the car back. They informed me that there was a 6 year unlimited mile warranty which is why I chose them to begin with. About a month after receiving my car back, it started to misfire really bad so I took it to destroyer and asked them if they could look at it as it was under warranty. Quickly they declined and said “nothing it’s doing is related to any kind of warranty, it’s most likely a spark plug or a coil” so I had another mechanic check it out. Was over at that shop for about 2.5 weeks, they informed me that the engine has no compression in cylinders 3 and 4. So I had it towed back home. The next day I called destroyer to let them know my findings they said I can tow it there and they would look at it. Which was about 2 weeks out I had to wait. So April 11th I had the car towed there. About a little over a week and a half later they call me and tell me that my car isn’t covered under warranty that my radiator hose cracked and I had no coolant in my car which caused the motor to overheat. That statement isn’t true. My car never ran over normal temp and I didn’t smell any coolant burning or see any leaking. And the other mechanic verified the coolant was all there while at the shop prior to destroyer. I picked my car up today 4-25-22 had it towed. My car was gushing with coolant it was leaking everywhere. So basically what they did broke the hose and trying to say that I overheated the engine due to a faulty radiator hose which isn’t true. I have the other mechanic and the other tow drivers as witnesses. My car wasn’t leaking any fluids prior to this last time at destroyer. It only leaked when I picked it up from there today. So they voided warranty and broke my piping for radiat

  Business response

  04/27/2022

  ON 10/18/2021 THE CUSTOMER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO US REQUESTING INSTALLATION OF A USED LONG BLOCK ENGINE WITH SPARK PLUGS, OIL, OIL FILTER AND COOLANT.  AS STATED ON INVOICE 441.

  
  

  ON 12/17/2021 THE CUSTOMER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO US REQUESTING US TO INSTALL AUXILIARY RADIATOR AND WHEELHOUSE.  AS STATED ON INVOICE 739.

  
  

  ON 4/25/2022 THE CUSTOMER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK FOR US TO CHECK.  AFTER INSPECTION THE CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BROKEN COOLANT HOSE, FAILED THE BLOCK TEST, HAD NO COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM, HAD LOW COMPRESSION, AND HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET DUE TO OVER HEATING.  THE CUSTOMER STATED TO US ANOTHER SHOP CONDUCTED A COMPRESSION CHECK AND FOUND NO COMPRESSION, ALSO FAILED BLOCK TEST AND MISFIRING. 

  THE CUSTOMER DECLINED REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED OUT OF OUR SHOP ON 4/25/2022.  AS STATED ON INVOICE 1214.

  
  

  AS PER OUR WARRANTY,  NUMBER 9 STATES:  WARRANTY IS VOID IF DAMAGE IS DONE TO VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF OVER HEATING.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Business response

  04/28/2022

  THE CUSTOMER STATED TO US  THAT ANOTHER SHOP CONDUCTED A COMPRESSION CHECK AND STATED THERE IS NO COMPRESSION IN CYLINDERS 3 AND 4.  90PSI

  
  

  I CAN ONLY GO WITH WHAT WE FOUND WHEN HE BROUGHT US THE VEHICLE.  THE REASON THERES NO COMPRESSION BETWEEN CYLINDERS 3 AND 4 IS BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN IN BETWEEN THOSE CYLINDERS.  WE VERIFIED THIS BY DOING A COMPRESSION TEST.  ALSO ONE OF THE PLASTIC HOSE CONNECTIONS WERE BROKEN, AND WAS EXTREMELY LOW IN COOLANT WHICH VERIFIED IT WAS OVER HEATED.

  
  

  THE ENGINE WARRANTY IS VOID BECAUSE OF OVER HEATING.  (AS #9 ON THE WARRANTY DESCRIBES)

  Customer response

  04/28/2022

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  *******,

  This shop is not ethical. The only reason I took my vehicle to another shop is because when I originally told them it was misfiring they told me it had nothing to do with the engine warranty. So I had it towed to a shop in la habra called No Limit motor sports. They confirmed with me that there was no compression in cylinders 3-4, and it wasn’t caused by overheating. Destroyer said there was no coolant which isn’t true at all. There was no coolant leaks at all prior to the last visit to destroyer. When I got my vehicle towed back from destroyer the last time it was leaking coolant bad after it in their “care” for 2 weeks. They broke the hose, the mechanic shop it was at prior to the last visit can testify to that.  My vehicle never overheated. It was always operating at normal temperature, and no leaks or scents of coolant. This shop is very unethical just read their yelp reviews. They have 1 star.

  
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  on6/24/2019 took my 1998 chivvy Tahoe 2door to Destroyer Automotive,Inc. for a motor rebuild they charged me$ 3426.89 they gave me a warranty for 6years well in July 2021 the motor start knocking so I contacted Destroyer automotive Inc then I was advised to tow the truck to there shop that resides in riverside ca so I did tow my truck there on 7/19/2021 my truck sat in there yard waiting for parts they said where on back order from 7/19/2021 to at less 10/2021 ok now I receive a call from destroyer automotive,Inc telling me that there shop was broken in to and my rims where stole off my truck. so I was at work in Wyoming so when my job was completed there I came home on the 11/14/2021 so rested up and I went to there shop to see my truck outside with my windows down and my motor parts outside the vehicle on the grown so I asked them when will my truck be finished the tell me when I bring them some rims I say to them sir my car came here with rims and he tells me that I'm responsible for the rims that came on my truck to his shop on7/19/2021 I need BBB help with this matter and when I took my truck to get the motor fixed the first time some one broke in there shop and stole my radio out of my truck they are vandalizing my vehicle every time it there I took pictures of my before I left yesterday I was so up set of the condition these people have left my truck outside in it is very ridiculous I am reaching out to BBB to help me resolve this problem ones and for all with this shop and they told me one price to fix the truck before the truck got there to be repaired once the truck got there they went up another $1300 on top of the $2195 I have the original receipt.

  Business response

  12/01/2021

  IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINT 16154740

  
  

  ON OCTOBER 10 AND 11TH OUR GATED PROPERTY WAS BROKEN IN TO.  THREE PEOPLE CUT INTO OUR FENCING AND VANDALIZED THREE VEHICLES, STOLE SEVERAL CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND STEREO EQUIPMENT.  UNFORTUNATELY, MR. ******* RIMS AND TIRES WERE ALSO STOLEN.  WE CONTACTED THE RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND GAVE THEM A DETAILED LIST OF ALL VEHICLES AND PROPERTY THAT WAS STOLEN.  WE THEN NOTIFIED ALL THE CUSTOMERS THAT WERE IMPACTED AND PROVIDED THEM WITH THE POLICE REPORT INFORMATION.  THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DID ARREST THE INDIVIDUALS.  NICK, OUR SERVICE WRITER CALLED MR. ****** AND ASKED HIM TO SEND A PICTURE OF HIS RIMS AND TIRES TO HELP WITH THE RECOVERY PROCESS.  MR ****** HAS ALSO FILED HIS OWN REPORT FOR THE MISSING PROPERTY.  

  BECAUSE THE VEHICLES HAS NO TIRES WE ARE UNABLE TO MOVE IT.  WE NEED MR ****** TO PROVIDE US WITH A SET OF RIMS AND TIRES SO WERE ABLE TO MOVE IT AND CONTINUE WORKING ON THE ENGINE.  WE HAVE CONTACTED MR ****** ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ASKING HIM THIS.

  
  

  ONCE WE HAVE THE RIMS AND TIRES WE WILL FINISH THE VEHICLE.  

  
  

  
  

*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. ↩