ComplaintsforAamco Transmission and Total Car Care Center of West Palm Beach

• Initial Complaint

  08/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Aamco had my car 1 month. Put new transmission in and then drive 2 miles towards home and had to get towed back. After saying they would fix the problem they said I need a new engine. Vehicle had no oil in it and basically seized up. Buick GM did full diagnostic on car post aamco.

  Business response

  09/11/2023

  *************************** had his Buick Enclave brought to the AAMCO center in ********* Beach with a complaint of delay into drive on July 05, 2023. Our technicians have inspected the vehicle and found that the transmission was slipping and jerking. We recommended that the transmission be replaceed with a remanufactuted transmission. The customer authorized the repair. We completed the replacement of the transmission, test drove the vehicle to confirm that the transmission functions as normal. The customer picked up the vehicle on Auggust ********. The ********************** has 3 years ******* miles warranty. Please refer to attached initial inspection sheet (Q124727) it indicates that ************** had inspected the fluid levels and the engine oil level was normal.
  
  
  ******************** brought his vehicle back to our center on August 9, 2023. Complainining of check engine light on (indicating engine oil pressure issue). ************** inspected the vehicle and found that the engine oil level was nomal (refer to inspection sheet Q124761). The vehicle also had number of DTC code P0011, P0014, P0019, P0021, P0024, P0324. ************** recommended further diagnostics to determin the *** system issue. But the customer declined any diagnostics nor any repair. He towed his vehicle out. The vehicle was drivable and functioning when it left our center.
  
  
  We only worked on the transmission when the vehicle was in our center, the transmission still has warranty.Oil pressure issue was not present when the vehicle was delivered to the cutomer and this issue is not related to the transmission that we worked on. Any other system failure is not coverd by the warranty on the transmission. Since customer declined any further diagnostics nor repair, there are no other warranties. If he has any issues with the transmission we request the customer to bring the vehicle to our ********************** for any warranty service.
  
  
  
  
  If I can be of any additional help please let me know.
  
  
  Thanks,
  
  
  *****************************
  AAMCO Total ******** Center

  Customer response

  09/11/2023

   
  Complaint: 20509481
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  the  car was not drivable. I only made my it 2 miles down the road when it broke down and I needed to be towed after picking vehicle up from Amoco. Secondly, there was no oil pressure or very low oil, pressure due to the negligence of Amoco. Please see the receipt uploaded from ********** Buick. 
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business response

  09/13/2023

  **********************,thank you for submitting the report from another repair shop. They confirmed what we found and told you. When you picked up the vehicle from our shop there was no check engine light nor oil pressure message on the dash of your vehicle. After you driving the vehicle for a few miles it is probable that the oil sending unit started malfunctioning, causing the oil pressure to drop. You called our shop immediately and we recommended that you check the oil level. After checking the oil level you confirmed there was enough oil in the engine. This oil sending unit is a part of the engine, we only worked on the transmission, not the engine. It is a coincident that the oil sending unit malfunctioned shortly after you picked up the vehicle from our shop. You towed the vehicle back to our shop. Our master technician checked your vehicle and confirmed that there was enough oil but the oil pressure was low. He also found several DCT cods related to *** (variable valve timing) system.
  One of the most common problems found when diagnosing a *** system malfunction is low oil pressure or low engine oil level (there was enough oil in this case). Without proper engine oil pressure, the *** system cannot operate as designed. The variable valve timing system works best with clean oil. If the oil is dirty and due for a change, the passage between the *** solenoid and the rest of the system can become blocked, resulting in damage to parts and reduced performance. This type of failure are a result of lack of timely maintenance of the oil, with changing the oil with manufacturer recommended oil as recommend by the manufacturer.
  A faulty *** oil control valve can cause a huge performance drop,if it is unable to advance the camshaft timing during acceleration.Excessive Fuel Consumption: as the oil control valve fails, the valves may open or close at the wrong time, forcing the engine to burn more fuel than usual.
  But with low oil pressure it is not recommended to drive even though engine is operational, that is why we recommended first to fix the oil sending unit, that you declined. At our shop we only worked on the transmission and it still has warranty. If you any issue with the transmission, please bring your vehicle for warranty service. Any failure of any other system is not covered by the transmission warranty.
  The failure of the oil sending unit/engine is unrelated to any work we have done and responsible for. There was adequate oil in the engine when we inspected your vehicle initially and when we delivered the vehicle after replacing the transmission. Therefor, AAMCO shop is not in negligent in any manor.
  If I can be of further help please let me know.

  Customer response

  09/14/2023

   
  Complaint: 20509481
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The other repair shop did not confirm what AAMCO told me. When I brought the vehicle to AAMCO the car engine was running perfectly just a slight slip in the transmission. **** said I like to keep the car an extra 3 to 4 days to drive it every day to make sure its running perfectly. After about three days he called me to come and pick up the vehicle, and I started driving only 2 miles when it started to fail requiring a tow. I feel I was deceived, **** would not even divulge the owner operator of the AAMCO franchise. Anyway, I have move forward with an attorney to seek compensation in for the damages. Thank you, ***
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a new transmission from Aamco about 2 years ago. It came with a 3 year unlimited warranty. The transmission started slipping and locking up in the beginning of September 2022. I contacted this shop to perform the warranty work and was provided an appointment for September 18th. They have been attempting to repair the transmission ever since with no success and I have been without a vehicle the entire time. They keep ordering wrong or bad parts. This is causing me much financial distress and I want my vehicle back and running properly. I am requesting that the transmission be replaced with another brand new transmission just like the one I originally paid for since this is beyond their repair abilities and still covered under their unlimited warranty. I have even contacted their corporate office many times, and still no vehicle.

  Business response

  11/25/2022

  ************************* had his 2010 ****** Rav4's transmission replaced at the AAMCO center in *******, ** in January 2020 with 36 months warranty. He brought his vehicle to the AAMCO center in West Palm Beach with a complaint of delay into drive on October 26, 2022. Our technicians have inspected the vehicle and proposed the repair to the original AAMCO center in ******* who holds the warranty. The authorized the repair and agreed to send parts necessary for the repair. They sent the parts but some of the parts we received were incorrect. The original center resent replacement parts. This incorrect parts shipments and receipt happened several time causing delay in getting the transmission rebuilt. The final part was received Friday November 18th.We completed the rebuild and test drove the vehicle on 23rd.The performance of the rebuilt transmission did not pass out quality requirements. As a result ************** will remove the transmission from the vehicle and review all components to rectify the issue. This will be done expeditiously as practicable.
  
  
  Most of the delay was caused by parts vendors sending incorrect parts. We are sure the problem with the transmission will be resolved and delivered to the customer as soon as possible. The ********************************************** are independently owned and operated shops that hold the warranty for any vehicle services by that center.If the customer has questions about what the warranty will cover, he needs to contact the original center in *******, **.
  
  
  If I can be of any additional help please let me know.
  
  
  Thanks,
  *****************************
  AAMCO Total ******** Center

• Initial Complaint

  09/26/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Paid for rebuilt 4L80 transmission on my 1991 motorhome. Paid $5000 for the rebuild, failed 15 miles after leaving AAMCO. Towed it back to the shop, paid $1500 more on a service I didn't need. Left the shop after the repair, failed again 15 miles down the road. Had it returned to AAMCO for repairs, it's now been 3 months after the last breakdown. 6 months in all.

  Business response

  10/19/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 6, 2021/10/06) */ We have contacted Mr. ****** ****** and updated the status of the repair. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in completing this repair. We don't like to make excuses but this vehicle is a 30 years old custom RV, we had problems locating parts to repair besides the sipping issues and we also have lost our technicians due to COVI-19. As we have agreed with to the customer in the repair order invoice, we will complete and deliver the vehicle as promised. We have received the final piece of the parts required to complete the repair. We are working to complete the work and expect to deliver the vehicle by the end of this week. Again, we have communicated this to the customer via phone and thank him for the opportunity.

• Initial Complaint

  09/21/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was 100% over charged by the amount of roughly ***** to rebuild a XXXX X.3ltr V6 Chevy Silverado... nothing special.. to rebuild the transmission was ******** Something is not right and I am reporting this to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Attorney Generals Office, and the Better Business Bureau.. I have recordings, the receipt.. also estimates for the same repair from local reputable transmission shops(all the quotes are roughly the same amount).. I also go a quote from the Chevy dealership for a brand new transmission with labor and a 100k warranty for ******** Why would the rebuild be ***** when a brand new one with labor and everything is 4K... I have a recording of Mike the person that handled my bill and I'm asking him to explain how he got this number and he kept going in circles.. even called a lady who supposedly works for AAMCO and tried to have her explain it to me and she didn't want to get involved...I have a lot of video I can't upload here

  Business response

  10/08/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 7, 2021/09/23) */ This customer **** ***** towed his vehicle in for with a complaint oil leak. Our initial inspection indicated that the crank seal was leaking, possibly the valve covers leaking (oil allover the engine and transmission area, needed clean up and inspection). The vehicle computer had P0300 (Random engine misfire), C0265 (ECBM Motor relay circuit malfunction), P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire), P300 (engine misfire), and ABS light was on. Initial test drive indicated transmission slips in 3rd and 4th gears, works only 1st and 2nd gears. We recommended a diagnosis to determine the cause of misfire. Diagnostic time of 3 hours ********* was approved by the customer along with **** labor charge for Removal Disassemble and Inspection of the transmission (RDI). Upon completion of inspection of the internals of the transmission a final price for repairing the misfire (including diagnostics), repair oil leak of rear main seal, and rebuild and relearn transmission including tax was given to the customer as ********* The total price for the job before tax was ********* On 09/15/XX XX:XXam customer authorized the work giving 15xx as his last four digit of SS# as confirmation. Please review attached signed invoice IXXXXXX along with explanation sheet. In total the customer paid $5127.73 plus tax(total $5486.68), Not ******** as he claims. Let's be clear that the job is not only rebuilt of a transmission but to diagnose and repair misfire and oil leak of the crank seal. The transmission rebuild has 18months/18,000 miles warranty, the other repairs have 90 days warranty. The customer is required to bring the vehicle back for inspection free of any charge after driving for 10 days or 500 miles. Consumer Response /* (3000, 9, 2021/09/23) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) I was overcharged by several thousands of dollars! I will be taking them to court as soon as possible! Business Response /* (4000, 13, 2021/10/05) */ We repeat, this customer authorized the amount he paid for the repair no more or no less. The details are given below and in the attachments submitted previously. We recommend that the customer check his math. This customer **** ***** towed his vehicle in for with a complaint oil leak. Our initial inspection indicated that the crank seal was leaking, possibly the valve covers leaking (oil allover the engine and transmission area, needed clean up and inspection). The vehicle computer had P0300 (Random engine misfire), C0265 (ECBM Motor relay circuit malfunction), P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire), P300 (engine misfire), and ABS light was on. Initial test drive indicated transmission slips in 3rd and 4th gears, works only 1st and 2nd gears. We recommended a diagnosis to determine the cause of misfire. Diagnostic time of 3 hours ($404.85) was approved by the customer along with **** labor charge for Removal Disassemble and Inspection of the transmission (RDI). Upon completion of inspection of the internals of the transmission a final price for repairing the misfire (including diagnostics), repair oil leak of rear main seal, and rebuild and relearn transmission including tax was given to the customer as ********* The total price for the job before tax was ********* On 09/15/21 08:14am customer authorized the work giving 15xx as his last four digit of SS# as confirmation. Please review attached signed invoice IXXXXXX along with explanation sheet. In total the customer paid ******** plus tax(total ********** Not ******** as he claims. Let's be clear that the job is not only rebuilt of a transmission but to diagnose and repair misfire and oil leak of the crank seal. The transmission rebuild has 18months/18,000 miles warranty, the other repairs have 90 days warranty. The customer is required to bring the vehicle back for inspection free of any charge after driving for 10 days or 500 miles. Consumer Response /* (4200, 16, 2021/10/07) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) This can be resolved in out out of court, I will spend as much time and money needed to make sure justice is served. This matter will not and isn't being taken lightly...

• Initial Complaint

  06/22/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In January of 2021 my daughter was in Florida for the month and her car started having transmission problems. I called the AAMCO and took the car in, they said we need a new transmission and so they rebuilt the transmission. The told me it would take 1-2 days it ended up taking 7 days which was very inconvenient. My daughter then drove back to Maryland at the beginning of February. Once she got back, the transmission fluid started leaking. We took the car to the AAMCO in *********, MD on March 8, 2021 and they said that the problem was it needed an axle seal. We did not get the car back from being repaired until March 17th. Then about 2 weeks ago it started doing the same thing again. I took the car back to ********* and they said it needed a new transmission. We dropped the car off on 6/16/21 and they still have it. At this point I want a refund. To top it off the car was left running all night in *********- i know this because I got a call from the police at 5am on 8/19.

  Business response

  07/19/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/06/23) */ It is very unfortunate that this customer's vehicles transmission is not working correctly, and we completely understand the inconvenience. To document the events correctly as follows: This customer's (her daughter's) vehicle was brought to our shop in West Palm Beach in later part of January 2021. After diagnosing the vehicle, we gave the customer two options to take care of the issue. Option one was installing a remanufactured transmission (a costlier option) and the option two was rebuilding the transmission in the customer's vehicle (a lower cost option, where all worn and damaged parts would be replaced with warranty). The customer chosen the second option. The vehicle was delivered to the customer on January 23, 2021 after repair. As a standard practice we request our customers to bring the vehicle back to our repair center after 10 days/500 miles of driving because there is possibility that gaskets normally settle down and may start leaking. We want to prevent this by reinspection and necessary adjustments so the life of the transmission can be warrantied. A week or so later this customer called and said that the transmission was leaking and she (or her daughter) needed to drive to ********* We request that the vehicle to be brought back to our repair center to fix the leak and prevent any damage to the transmission. She did not bring the vehicle to our center instead drove the vehicle to ******** with a leaking transmission. The vehicle was driven under low fluid condition for several days before it was brought to the AAMCO center in ********* ** on March 8, 2021. This event by its self is enough to void the warranty. But Aamco center in ******** fixed the leak under warranty. As the customer stated that seal had started leaking again two weeks before they have taken the vehicle to AAMCO center in ******** on June 16, 2021 for the second time. This is the second time the customer has been negligent, and the warranty could be voided. But we offered to fix the transmission again under warranty. Since the AAMCO center in ******** does not rebuild transmission, we wanted them to remove the transmission from the vehicle, ship it to our center in West Palm Beach. We will rebuild and return it to ******** for reinstallation. This process will take approximately 6 days under normal circumstances. But the customer refused to allow us to perform this warranty service as of the last communication. We request the customer allow us to fix the transmission and reinstate warranty for the balance of the term as it was originally stated. We will follow up with this response after the issue has been resolve. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2021/06/24) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) I never had any options when we brought the vehicle in for their repair. We did whatever the manager at the time suggested we do. We were also told it would take about 2 days and it took over a week. As far as the leak she had to head back home early and did not have a choice but to drive the car. We have done everything possible to take care of this car and have always had all maintenance done. As soon as we got back out mechanic checked everything out and then he said we needed to take it back to Aamco. We have had it in the shop 3 times since having the transmission replaced. This last time was the last straw. While there, it was left running overnight and I received a call from the police at 5am telling me the car was left unlocked running the Aamco parking lot all night. I have lost all faith in Aamco and would like a refund. I do not trust that the car will be fixed properly and also cannot do without the car for another week. I have been patient and tried to get things taken care of BUT it is not feasible to leave it there any longer waiting to be fixed. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! you took advantage of a 17 year old girl bringing her car in for repair. Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2021/06/26) */ We want to reinstate that it is very unfortunate that this customer's vehicles transmission is not working correctly, and we completely understand the inconvenience of not having the vehicle for use. The latest information we have is that the customer has removed the vehicle from the AAMCO center in ********* *** This is denying us the opportunity provide warranty service as per contract and per our previous offer. We want to highlight the facts here: 1. This customer's vehicle has a type of transmission called CVT transmission which is considered "technically challenging to rebuild" by most transmission shops, including many of the AAMCO centers do not rebuild the transmission that include the AAMCO center in ********* *** That is why we need to have that or one of the other shop remove the transmission and ship it to West Palm AAMCO for rebuild then return for installation. If the customer does not want to go to the AAMCO center in ********* *** we can find another AAMCO center near by that would do this job. We need the customer's cooperation to provide the service. 2. As stated above, CVT transmission the parts are not readily available and with due to COVID-19 we have had delays getting parts for all repairs. But we believe that we will be able to provide warranty service at a reasonable time. 3. AAMCO centers are independently (locally) owned and operated franchises and have business relationship to provide warranty service. Therefore, AAMCO center in West Palm Beach has no control on how the customer/vehicle was handled at ********* *** If the customer is unsatisfied with what happened at the AAMCO center at ******** , MD then she should contact that center for resolution. 4. AAMCO center in West Palm Beach does not discriminate (nor take advantage of) based on age, color, creed or any other factors associated with the customers. When a customer brings a vehicle for repair, we inspect or diagnose and the give the customer option's to repair along with the price for each options. It is the customer, who decides which option works for them and authorize use to perform the repair. 5. This customer has been negligent the first time when she drove the vehicle with a leaking transmission from West Palm Beach to ********* and the second time driving vehicle for two weeks with a leaking transmission (admitted both) before they have taken the vehicle to AAMCO center in ******** on June 16, 2021. This is could cause substantial internal damage to the transmission and is considered abuse. Therefor the warranty can be voided. Refer to attached warranty page of the customer's invoice. Now that we know the customer has removed the vehicle from the AAMCO center in ********* *** if further driving caused additional damage to the transmission and the vehicle will not be able to be driven. This abuse may cause us to refuse warranty. 6. We request that the customer contact use at AAMCO center in West Palm Beach so we can assess the situation and arrange to provide warranty service expeditiously. Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2021/06/28) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Give me a break! THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEAKING IN THE FIRST PLACE. AS SOON AS WE NOTICED IT LEAKING WE TRIED TO GET IT UP THERE. IT WAS NOT DRIVEN AROUND TO DO FURTHER DAMAGE. I WENT WITH THE RECOMMENDED WORK PER YOUR MANAGER AT THE TIME. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH YOU AND THE STORE. EVEN THE ********* OFFICE SAYS HOW NASTY YOU ARE TO THEM AND THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HELP US. THEY TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE NO DAMAGE IF WE GOT THE CAR BACK. IF NOBODY REBUILDS THEM THEN WHY DID YOU??? I HAVE LOST ALL FAITH IN AAMCO AND WOULD LIKE A REFUND FOR FAULTY WORK. Business Response /* (4000, 13, 2021/07/07) */ We have communicated with the customer over the telephone last Friday, July 2nd 2021 and negotiated the options to resolve the issue. We are waiting on the customer to give us the direction to proceed. We will update this up on resolution.

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