Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Meineke Car Care's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Meineke Car Care

  720 Cambridge Blvd O Fallon, IL 62269-1964

• 

  Meineke Car Care

  10712 Lincoln Trl Fairview Heights, IL 62208-2008

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/13/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  They put a starter on your car. Afterwards, it was lagging. I took it back to Meineke and said it would not start up they blamed it on an electrical problem. I went to Scotts Auto repair in ************. They told me that the starter was the issue and replaced it. My car ran fine afterwards. I went to the Meineke on ***********************************************. The starter 687 dollars plus labor.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/22/2024

  Unfortunately, the Meineke Nationwide Warranty policy does not refund money for past service and/or repairs.  If the starter needed replaced per another non-Meineke location, the customer is obligated to notify the nearest Meineke to discuss these findings and the process to proceed with possible replacement of a part or product.  Our vendors not only will credit us for the product, but they will pay us the labor it takes to replace the product.  Meineke has absolutely nothing to gain by not replacing a defective part under the terms of the Meineke Warranty.        

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/23/2024

  I have had repairs completed, by another business. Since I will not be receiving a refund, I am requesting the complaint closed.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/10/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  9/29/22 timing belt changed($1298.52) car has been having issues every since . engine light stayed on for some 6 months,in which the Manager **** said that the light would go out on it"s own .
  
  the car is hesitating to start and has bee since the tining was changed. **** recommended a bad key,i replaced the key($150.00) same problem.
  **** then replaced cam sensors(479.00) 7/24/23 engine light went off ,car still hesitates to start.
  **** says fuel pump is bad replaced it 645.99 8/3/23 car still hesitate to start.
  on 8/10/23 **** couldn't explain what was wrong with the car and said his wife had a cruze and he told her to get rid of it. so now i'm with car that still hesitates to start. i'm now trying to get it to the dealer to have it checked out. I DESIRE A REFUND ON THE SERVIUCES THAT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE ISSSUE OF STARTING WHICH WAS THE FUEL PUMP. I ALSO HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO FIND THE PROBLEM

  Business Response

  Date: 08/23/2023

  Dear BBB:
  I have spoken with the Store Manager, District Manager and
  the General Manager about this vehicle. 
  It sounds like this has been an ongoing problem.  At the customer’s request, we did replace the
  timing belt in September 2022.   The vehicle
  ran much better than it did when it came in. 

  
  I do not know what order everything took place exactly because
  I was not involved. 

  
  Since the engine still was hesitant to start *** ****** took
  the vehicle to a dealership.  The staff
  told *** ****** the timing was off.

  
  *** ****** brought the vehicle back to Meineke.  The technician pulled the cover and the
  timing was not off.

  
  Doing further research and diagnosis, the technician found
  that the fuel pressure would bleed off faster than it was supposed to when the vehicle
  was shut off.  This is when the Manager recommended
  a fuel pump.  Once the job was completed
  the pressure didn’t bleed off anymore, but the vehicle still was hesitant to start.  This is when the manager could have offered
  to install the old pump and keep looking. 
  He did not.  *** ****** paid the
  bill and has the same issue.  The fuel
  pump may have solved a future problem, but not “The” problem. 

  
  After the discussions I have had with the GM, he has done
  more research to the possible problems. Apparently, a defective cam solenoid can
  be the cause even though the timing is set correct.  He also has the original fuel pump.  
  If *** ****** would like us to swap out the fuel pump with
  his original and refund the money we will certainly do so.  The GM would also like to take the vehicle to
  our Collinsville Location and defect out the timing kit and cam solenoids to
  make 100% sure that the product we installed is not defective and set to the
  exact specifications.  Obviously this would
  be at no charge.  If *** ****** wants to
  drop the vehicle at the Fairview Location we can make arrangements to get it to
  the Collinsville Location **** **** **** ****). 
  All three of the above Managers have been copied on this message.    

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/24/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  1) On 03-21-2023 I was billed for $552.00 from Meineke.
  2) All they were to do is install rear struts, and complete a 4 wheel alignment.
  3) when I picked vehicle up, seemed fine until I drove on highway sometime later
  then I notice a wobble feeling in rear end on car. Later that night looked at job that was done by company and notice that the bolts that hold the strut to the control arm were Welded to control arm(Not Installed properly with Nuts for Bolts). I found the Nuts freely "hanging around" in plastic protective cover for said-strut nuts. Thank Goodness they didn't get lost on the road. I went back to ***, the manager at Meineke explained my problem. I told him I put the bolts back on iy so I could make sure I brought it back safe so he could see. I told him I would like a refund for the shotty work that was done....see (4) attach pics.... Also the driveshaft boot was hang off a lil, didn't think anything of it until I removed boot a noticed damage to driveshaft( which may be entire cause of said-wobble. With many attempts contacting *** on this. he tells me, he cant refund. **** the district manager will call me. Like I said MANY times I have tried to get ahold of **** and nothing, no response. I've even tried calling the corporate complaint office many times as well and finally they said they COULDNT HELP ME ANY FARTHER...?

  Business Response

  Date: 07/27/2023

  Dear BBB: Mr. ******** has been in several times with multiple vehicles.  He is one of the few customers that we still allow to bring in his own parts.  No matter what happens our staff has time and effort involved in servicing these vehicles.  There are times that something doesn't go as planned or the work wasn't performed quite right.  The staff does remember this vehicle coming back to double check the torque on nuts and bolts related to the latest repair.  We have no problem "fixing" something that may have occurred related to service or repairs that we performed a within a reasonable time period of the repair.  What is done is done; there will be no refund.  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/21/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  ON 3/18/2023 WHEN TO MEINEKE. STATED ' RIDING ROUGH CHECK THE SHOCKS. MEINEKE REPLACES BRAKE SYSTEM, SHOCKS AND STRUT FOR $2,745.00 (SEE PAGE WORK IF NEEDED). STILL RIDING ROUGH TOOK IT TO ****** 6/20/23 395.65. ACKNOWLEDGE NEW PARTS, DID NOT UNDERSTAND LOUD NOISE WHEN HITTING ROUGH PAVEMENTS. FIX SWAY BAR TO QUIET NOISE. DID NOT WORK STATE MAYBE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS SAID TAKE BACK TO MEINEKE. TOOK IT BACK TO MEINEKE. DID A ROAD TEST(WHICH THEY SUCH HAVE DID AT FIRST) AND STATED IT WAS THE SWAY BAR AND LOWER CONTROL BARS AT $1,300 COST. PASSED ON SERVICE . TOOK IT TO ******* ********** ON 07/21/23, WHO DID THE CONTROL ARMS IN 06/09/2021.SHOW ME UNCONNECTED STABILIZING BAR BOTHS SIDES AND THE BRAKES SLOW TO RELEASE. BOTH WERE EASY TO SEE.CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE TOOK DOWN MY COMPLIANT 7/20/23. RESPONDED 07/21/2023 STATING ALL MEINEKE OUR INDEPENDENCE MUST WORK WITH THAT SHOP. NO FAITH.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/28/2023

  Dear BBB:
  On 3/18/2023, the invoice states: “CUSTOMER STATES riding
  rough check shocks as well CHECK BRAKES”.  Meineke installed new front and rear struts
  and front and rear brakes.  Three months
  later the customer decides the vehicle is still riding rough?  None the less, takes it to another location
  for this location to verify the parts Meineke replaced?  Then paid ****** to “fix sway bar” and it did
  not fix the problem!  ****** informed the
  customer it maybe the control arms.  Then
  took it to Meineke on 7/3/2023, the tech drove it, the manager priced out what
  ****** told the customer and that was all. 
  All we know is the struts are new and good and the brakes are new and
  good.  If there is an issue with the
  either Meineke will be happy to look into it and follow the terms of our
  Nationwide Warranty program.  As for the
  sway bar links being unhooked, ****** charged $395.65 to "FIX SWAY BAR."  Once
  this vehicle is taken somewhere else we have no idea what was done.  Meineke hadn’t touched the vehicle for 3
  months and I am quite certain the Meineke tech would have noticed the sway bar
  links were unhooked when at the time he was replacing the struts. 
  Nor here nor there, it sounds as it two other locations verified there is
  nothing wrong with the struts, but maybe a brake issue.  Feel free to take it into Meineke to have
  them check out the brake issue.  There are absolutely no grounds for a refund of any sort.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/02/2023

  Please contact ****** *********** ###-###-#### and ******* ********** ###-###-#### with my permission. Both stated there was new parts but they were not secure, bolted and/ or cuf-linked. I did make appointment on 7/3 with meineke after their inspection and test drive. They never stated there a need for adjustment of their work. Which I would have paid, at a reasonable price. They wanted to charge me $1,300 for work that was already done by a different shop. The compliant was made based on Genuine inspection (no cost) an AAA certified auto shop. I'm an AAA member and the controll arm was under warrant.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/09/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I took my 2017 Chevy Equinox to Meineke in August 2022 because my engine light was on. I paid $2,200 for them to put a timing change in. That same day I picked my car my engine light was still on, and they told me to just drive the car and the engine light would go off. I ended up taking it back 3 different times about the engine light being on, and they continued to tell me to drive the car some more. I also called Meineke's corporate office and they said that Meineke told me I needed a cam phaser. Meineke did not tell me I needed a cam phaser until after they had put the time change in, and told me I had to drive the car so many miles and the engine light would go out. I've also taken it to different auto shops and it was confirmed that I needed a timing change. When I took it to a *** ********* ********* I was told that if the timing change was done properly the light would've been off before I left Meineke after it first being installed. It is now time for me to renew my license and my car won't pass the emission test

  Business Response

  Date: 05/23/2023

  Back in August of 2022 this vehicle did come to Meineke not running
  correctly.  The check engine light was on
  and the manager was asked to check for leaks. 
  At the time the technician found that the vehicle had engine timing codes in
  the computer. After a discussion between the manager and the technician, the
  manager recommended a new timing chain kit, an oil change, coolant change, a
  valve cover and some additional gaskets either to stop a leak, part of the
  timing kit or valve cover.  Once the
  repair was completed and while still in Meineke’s possession, the engine jumped
  time.  The technician researched the
  issue to find bolts backed out of a cam phaser on the cam shaft.  He wasn’t sure if it was related to his
  repair or something someone had done in the past.  He shared his findings with the manager and
  they decided to tighten everything up and re-set the timing to try and save
  Mrs. ******** the additional money if this was just a coincidence.  The manager had a conversation with Mrs.
  ******** about the possible need for a cam phaser set if this happened
  again.  It is recommended but declined on her Meineke Invoice.  
  After having discussions with the staff, I was informed Mrs.
  ******** did come back in enquiring about the engine light on.  The manager informed her that the engine
  needs the cam phasers to solve the problem. 
  The manager offered to discount the labor at 50% off, if not 100% off
  with approval from the GM.  Any other
  parts that may need replaced in the process that we had replaced in August
  would have been defected out and replaced at no charge.  Mrs. ******** would have to cover the expense
  of the cam phasers just as she would have in August 2022.   She
  declined the service and left.
  The parts on the vehicle now have nothing to do with the cam
  phasers that need replaced.  These parts replaced
  in August 2022 where general maintenance items and parts to solve a leak/s. If
  there is an issue with any of the parts or service we performed in August 2022
  we will be happy to honor our Nationwide Meineke Warranty at any of our
  locations.  The additional costs of the
  cam phasers now are no different than it would have been in August 2022.   In
  closing, if Mrs. ******** wants to buy the cam phasers from us I will allow the
  manager his offer to discount the labor 100%. 
  There will be no refund.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/31/2023

  They did not tell me any of this.  They never informed me of a 50% or a 100% off.  They told me to drive the car until the light went off.  I took the car back to them three times.  I took the car to Buick and they informed me that the car was out of time and that I needed to take the car back to whoever fixed the car.  I could not get Meineke to  correct the problem.  I called Meineke cooperate and they  told me that I needed a cam vasers, but the shop guaranteed the timing chain  for one year  and later on down the rode that I would eventually need a cam vasers.