Aamco Transmissions Center

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

In response to the first line I was never told any of my transmission could be used.  “You need a new one”  $3800  Yes Money was an option the blue book on the car was $6000.  Seemed like a dumb investment ask to have them put it in the trunk and I would have the car picked up as is ( in to them for the $395 tear down) He talked to me for 20 minutes on the phone he can get a used transmission for $2800 out the door will help get a better sale price blah blah….. I said ok $2800 but it needs to be fixed.  The determination the TCM was faulty  girl on the phone told me part was 500-800 and then would require programming which can be expensive.  I said FORGET it put any remaining parts to my transmission in the trunk Im taking it somewhere else.   ( The TCM prices online were $200) .  I drove the car home the same way it came in in limp mode minus $2900 and no old transmission parts from the faulty one.  They NEVER offered to do the TCM at cost or any part of the last yellow section.  Ron Stafford has never even taken the time to call me.  I took the car to a Mercedes shop and they told my TCM was fine didn’t need replacing need to be reset and programmed.  $400 in reprogramming of the computer and I was good as new.  Both outside mechanics doubted it needed a new transmission just a shop with the right computer to analyize the problem and recommend the fix.  They would have like to inspected the old part for me but it was not given back to me as requested.  I would like to go before the next Revdex.com ARAC at their next meeting which is in October I believe.  I have spoken with an attorney and if the merchant doesn’t want to step up and do the right thing we will head to small claims court. 

Regards,

In Oct 2014 AAMCO misdiagnosed my transmission problem. When I first brought it in for a severe vibration, they said I needed engine mounts and they could not proceed any further with the 'diagnosis' unless I replaced them. I paid $350 for that. The vibration was not as severe but still there. When they seperated the engine from the transmission, the vibration went away. Thus we know that the problem is the transmission and not my engine. The transmission rebuilder said I needed a new torque converter. This was replaced under warranty but the vibration was even worse. Without telling me what they were going to do, they took my spark plugs and trottle body out of my engine and did a compression test. Their mechanic claimed that 2 cylinders were reading 130 psi and the others were reading 135 to 165. I was told that before they could continue diagnosing my vibration, I would need to pay $5000 to replace my engine. That was 'the next step' in the diagnosis process. They would not guarantee that replacing the engine would fix the vibration. The service manager was insulted and angry that I did not believe I needed a new engine. When we did a test drive he glanced at my oil pressure guage and said my engine was worn out. It was reading 20 psi at idle and 55 at higher revs. This normal on a Chevy 350. The engine goes 3000 miles before the oil is down a quart. I know my engine. It was running perfectly with no vibration before the transmission was replaced by AAMCO Flagstaff in Sept 2014. Over the last 3 months the transmission gets noiser every day. This rebuilt AAMCO transmission has about 6000 miles on it now. It still shifts but there are black particles in the oil and sometimes it squeals between shifts. I've learnt to live with the vibration. My concern is having my truck break down in the middle of no where.

NOTE: I think that the mechanics who work at this AAMCO do good work even though one of my engine mounts was installed crooked (according to another AAMCO location in [redacted] that I will not mention). I would trust them take things apart and put them back together neatly. What they're not good at is diagnosis and trouble shooting.

To Whom It May Concern,

On July 7th Transmissions facility with an issue with her vehicle stuck in a lower gear and only being able to  reach a speed of 32mph. Our manager checked [redacted] in and we completed a free MPI Multi-Point Inspection on her vehicle. We road tested the...

vehicle, scanned the vehicles computer system for trouble codes, put the vehicle on a lift and inspected the undercarriage for leaks and damage, and lastly we checked the levels and conditions of the vehicles fluids. After performing our Multi-Point Inspection we determined that the transmission fluid was low, the vehicle was in 3rd was not upshifting and the computer system had a p0715 gear ratio error code and input/turbine speed sensor A circuit error. After performing this inspection and reviewing what we found we spoke to the customer, explained the situation and recommended that these are internal transmission problems and in order to address them the transmission needs to be removed, disassembled and inspected. After we explained this to the customer we requested authorization to remove, disassemble and inspect the transmission to determine exact parts costs. The customer gave us authorization to proceed with the removal, disassembly and inspection. We completed this inspection process and determined what parts were worn or damaged and were causing the issue and needed to be replaced, as well as the parts that looked good and could be reused and determined exact costs for those repairs. We explained this to the customer and she stated that money was an issue so we looked into other options for her such as remanufactured transmissions and used transmissions. The customer was interested in a used transmission based on the price and parts only warranty. We received another authorization from the customer to order the used transmission and complete the repair. The customer gave us that second authorization and we ordered the used transmission and installed the used transmission. On our final inspection of the vehicle, we determined that the Transmission Control Module was faulty and needed to be replaced. We contacted the customer and explained that to her. At that time the customer didn’t want to authorize that repair and came to pick up her vehicle and pay for the used transmission replacement. In order to resolve the customer’s concern and help get the vehicle back to operating properly, we are willing to waive labor associated with the removal and replacement of the TCM Transmission Control Module. If the customer would like us to purchase the TCM, we will only charge the TCM at our cost. If the customer feels more comfortable supplying the TCM we will use their part. Either way, we would like to help the customer and resolve the issue.

Sincerely,

AAMCO Franchisee and Owner 33+ years

2014 [redacted] Misker brought her 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK320 into our AAMCO 

[redacted] · ###-###-####

Review: I took my car (which had been making a loud knocking sound)into AAMCO to have have it diagnosed and fixed. After having the car for about 2 days, I got a call telling me that it was the differential ring, which needed replaced. I was given the price, in which I was fine with and gave the go ahead to start the work. I was told that the part came from California and would take 5 days to get into town (odd seeing as you can buy this part from almost any major vendor online..). After 7 days, with me calling for updates on the car, I was finally told that the part came in. Then I was forced to wait another 3 days for them to actually start working on the car. Meanwhile, I'm still without vehicle, getting rides to work and such. I did not live in the same town (about 20 minutes away) from this AAMCO, so I needed the car to be done by the weekend, so I could head to the place of business and pick it up, but after waiting for almost two weeks, it seemed like at least it'd be finished by a Friday so I could head out Saturday. I was told that they were "busy" (Thursday) and had to wait till (Friday), in which I didn't even get a call back until about 15 minutes before they closed, telling me it'd be done the next day for pickup.... fine. Saturday I call to find out that despite the hours stated even on their website - they decided to be closed.... just because. I explained the situation for the millionth time about my location, work hours, and how they had no late days or way for me to come get the car. I was fine waiting till the weekend, but since they decided to not even come in at all - I was stuck! I just got the run around a million times over. MONDAY (2 weeks from when it went in) it was done... but I still had to leave work early to get it. I get there and the car is outside with the keys in it, covered with oil inside and out, filthy, stinking, and with ALL OF MY CHECK LIGHTS ON. The car has 2 headlight wires broken, the knock sensor was MISSING, and my ABS is disabled. No call yet.Desired Settlement: I paid $1,170 for this car to be repaired, and I got the car in totally inadequate condition than when I left it. I had to leave work early several times, getting a "our bad!" numerous times. The car wasn't even reassembled properly, and I have several parts falling off, not installed, or installed incorrectly/not how they were when I went in. I was told they needed to do some "homework" on what all the lights on my dash (ABS, VSA, Check, etc) meant, because they have "no clue" what happened.

Business

Response:

This is in response to the letter written to you by the customer referred to

In the above captioned ID number, without any drama.

AAMCO diagnosed the car to have a broken differential ring. It had three

Teeth missing. AAMCO ordered the part from the Honda Dealer. The part

was shipped from California. That accounted for the time delay. Buying

after- market parts to rush jobs, like the customer suggests we should have

done, only leads to opportunity for a less then quality job and early part

failure. AAMCO Stand’s for quality. Thus the reason for using

quality parts.

“The knock sensor was missing” exclaims the customer. Yes it was,

AAMCO admits. The customer only knew it was missing because AAMCO

called and informed him of that. Our Mechanic inadvertently didn’t insert it

properly. He returned at 5:00 pm which is our closing time to have us insert

the sensor. We waited for him to arrive and completed the repair with

satisfaction, I might add, because that’s the only thing the he hasn’t

complained about. So obviously what he brought the car in for repair

fbnctions.

“The 2 headlight wires broken, and my ABS is disabled.” These failures

Are coincidental. Our repairs had no connection with these problems.

When he brought the car back for the installation of the knock sensor we

quickly checked the other codes with our electronic scanner and said that

Page 2

More in depth diagnoses had to be done and that if he brought the car back

We could check further. NOT that we have “no clue.”

The customer never returned and then we receive a letter from the Revdex.com.

The customer failed to mention in all of his melodramatics that he told us

He recently purchased the car with all kind of parts hanging down from

underneath the car. The car was a mess underneath, yes. But certainly not

due to actions or inactions that we caused. All of the drama contained in the

customer’s letter is written to exude sympathy for his perceived

inconvenience and a poor acquisition of his recently purchased car.

We do not purchase parts from foreign manufactures unless we have to.

We do not control the transportation speed.

We do not control the condition of customer’s vehicles when they make a

purchase. And we certainly didn’t admit we have “no clue”.

Finally this customer is not complaining that the repair we made to his car

Is not functioning but rather that we did not pay more attention to his

Feelings and the inconvenience he suffered.

Consumer

Response:

I'd like to start this response by saying that I'll break down the reply, piece by piece, given by a Mr. [redacted]. Note that my response will be highlighted in red and italics. Please see below:

AAMCO diagnosed the car to have a broken differential ring. It had three Teeth missing. AAMCO ordered the part from the Honda Dealer. The part was shipped from California. That accounted for the time delay. Buying

after- market parts to rush jobs, like the customer suggests we should have done, only leads to opportunity for a less then quality job and early part failure. AAMCO Stand’s for quality. Thus the reason for using quality parts.

In no way did I suggest that the parts purchased should be some implied aftermarket parts. I've had numerous Honda technicians explain to me that over a week is a bizarrely long time for a true, certified Honda part - which normally come within a 2-3 business days. Either way - the wait was not caused primarily by this. I'd like to point out a certain website: http://aamcowashingtonpa.com/ - the AAMCO's site in question clearly states that they have Saturday hours. However - this AAMCO's owner/manager(s) have decided that they don't need to work on the weekends, despite the etching on the glass door and website saying otherwise. I'm not from the town that the AAMCO is located in, and like most hard working Americans, I work 8-5pm. One of the PRIMARY reasons I even used this AAMCO was because the hours were hospitable to my schedule - as learned from their site. Here, I find out that they not only have no inclination to even come in to work on the Saturday they are scheduled, but make it a point to leave early during the week, and refuse to accommodate their customers, even within the guidelines of their own supposed business hours.

“The knock sensor was missing” exclaims the customer. Yes it was, AAMCO admits. The customer only knew it was missing because AAMCO called and informed him of that. Our Mechanic inadvertently didn’t insert it

properly. He returned at 5:00 pm which is our closing time to have us insert the sensor. We waited for him to arrive and completed the repair with satisfaction, I might add, because that’s the only thing the he hasn’t complained about. So obviously what he brought the car in for repair functions.

Ah - I ONLY knew because, thank goodness, AAMCO told me my knock sensor was missing. Again - vital information here is that after my exorbitant wait on my absolutely pathetic service, I was not given any customer service towards the fact that I was using borrowed vehicles, while working and living an hour away - unable to come get my vehicle during the week. Again - this WOULD NOT have been a problem if these dedicated mechanics actually managed to work when scheduled (Saturday) for even 15 minutes so I could come get my car and pay in person. No. Instead, I'm forced to pay over the phone for product I haven't even seen, because I can't get these people to even stay a little after work so I can leave early, get a ride, and meet them for a transaction. So here I am, putting my faith in these individuals, hoping my vehicle is as complete as any other person would.

I have the leave the keys in my car, and I picked it up in the evening after work. Upon turning the car on, literally every service and emergency light was on, and the car was just filthy. So filthy, that my hands were blackened with the grease and dirt left on my steering wheel. The car ran, so I took it to a friend's house in town (Washington PA) where we attempted to figure out what was wrong. I tried calling the AAMCO, which was pointless because the employees were long gone. After hours of looking up things online, checking the car all over - we were tired (again... working 8-5 with an hour commute) and went to bed. The next morning I had to go to work, and spent the majority of my day researching the symptoms and calling other mechanics for estimates and opinions, as well as calling the AAMCO again. No pick up - until finally at 9:30 I get a call with "hey.. uh... is your check engine light on?" If memory would serve a Mr. [redacted] correctly, I exclaimed "yes! I've been wondering what's going on!" I explained the symptoms and was told to... sigh... yes... bring the car back... again.

So I did. See below.

“The 2 headlight wires broken, and my ABS is disabled.” These failuresAre coincidental. Our repairs had no connection with these problems. When he brought the car back for the installation of the knock sensor we

quickly checked the other codes with our electronic scanner and said that More in depth diagnoses had to be done and that if he brought the car back We could check fbrther. NOT that we have “no clue.”

Coincidental? Coincidental of what? Poor mechanic work? I've had two mechanics look at my car since then, fixing AAMCO's shoddy performance and terrible service. These lights WERE NOT on prior to coming to this AAMCO. What kind of mechanic service just FORGETS to put vital parts of the car back on and call it "finished"? This alone is absolutely ridiculous.

Upon putting the sensor in and "clearing the codes" - I was given my keys and a "you're all done buddy!"... except every light was STILL on. The very same lights that AAMCO triggered. I made it a point to show that nothing was fixed, which granted me quite the annoyed reaction and labored strut to my car as if I've done something wrong by exposing yet another oversight. After about 15 minutes of fussing with a Snap-On diagnostics scanner, and a mix of "I don't know what this is" and "Every time I go in this path... it blocks me out.." and a very clear visual and verbal confirmation of TOTAL CONFUSION - I was told that they "need to do some homework on this one!" and asked to bring the car back... again. AGAIN.

I even re-stated the confusion about the shop's hours, yet again wondering why I have to miss work and spend my whole day, day after day on this shop's mistakes and wasted time. I was just given run around after run around.

The customer never returned and then we receive a letter from the Revdex.com. The customer failed to mention in all of his melodramatics that he told us He recently purchased the car with all kind of parts hanging down from underneath the car. The car was a mess underneath, yes. But certainly notdue to actions or inactions that we caused. All of the drama contained in thecustomer’s letter is written to exude sympathy for his perceivedinconvenience and a poor acquisition of his recently purchased car.

Melodramatics? So this is the company in question - the company that refers to their clientele's situations as "melodramatic". How professional. "Parts hanging down" is not only untrue - but totally off topic and having nothing to do with paying for a service, and instead getting terrible service. I don't care if that car came in with both doors missing and the wheels were from a bicycle - I came to AAMCO for a repair, and in the process had my car slapped together and given terrible service taking over 2 weeks for a basic repair (as stated by the repairman himself by the way).

The only sympathy I exude is that of the other patrons that have wasted their time and money on these mediocre at best "repairmen's" place of business. To call your poorly handled situation and lack of customer service "dramatic" just shows Mr. [redacted]' lack of professionalism and taste.

We do not purchase parts from foreign manufactures unless we have to.

Good.

We do not control the transportation speed.

It'd be nice if you actually worked on the car once you got the parts - or actually showed up on scheduled days though.

We do not control the condition of customer’s vehicles when they make a purchase. And we certainly didn’t admit we have “no clue”. Finally this customer is not complaining that the repair we made to his car Is not functioning but rather that we did not pay more attention to his Feelings and the inconvenience he suffered.

I'm ABSOLUTELY complaining about the "repairs" you've made to my car. If I bring a car in to get new tires, and you put nice new tires on, but scratch all the paint and dent my car - you better BELIEVE I'm upset about the service. Does the part you replaced work? Sure. For now. Knock on wood -

But did you manage to take an absurd amount of time, without any - ANY consideration at all for your customers disposition, including you not even managing to show up to work 3 weekends in a row to even make at the very least, the financial transaction in person? The answer is yes.

Let's not forget that you also managed to leave my car disgusting and filthy, break/dislodge several wires, "forget" to put vital parts of my car back, moan and groan about work YOU MESSED UP, and on top of it all, attempt to use your passive aggressive lack of wit to insult me after spending well over $1,000 at your place of business, putting trust in your trade. Pathetic.

Oh - and Revdex.com, if you're still on AAMCO Washington's site, please review the following:

http://aamcowashingtonpa.com/1010.gif

Right on their site is a coupon for $100 off of any transmission rebuild. My part was directly in the transmission. Upon asking about the coupon - I was told I was "already getting a deal buddy heh heh heh - we're basically doing this at cost".

These guys are crooks, and no good will come to them.

I really hope the Revdex.com investigates this to the fullest extent.

Review: On 6/30/2015 this Aamco station replaced the differential on my 95 GMC Sierra truck. They mentioned that they purchased used parts to save me money although I stated that I would be just as happy to pay for new. On 9/18/2015 as I was driving down to Lancaster South Carolina I noticed a rough vibration from the rear of the truck. People passing informed me that the rear of the truck was on fire. Turning off of interstate 77 at exit 49A terrable banging from the rear brought my truck to a hault on the ramp. I had to slide under the truck and put out the fire from the crankcase oil that had sprayed onto the gas tank and sourrounding the differential. I managed to put out the fire on the gas tank first with bottled water I brought with me and then putting out the fire on the differential. It could have been very tragic had the gas tank errupted.Desired Settlement: I would like the entire rear end of the truck repaired to include the damage to the gas tank and the shocks and any other parts that may have been damaged due to the drive shaft disengaging or parts that have been damaged by fire.

Business

Response:

Please be advised that we are in the process of takingsteps to rectify Mr. [redacted]’s complaint.We have shipped a rear axle and drive shaft to the AAMCOTransmission repair shop in Monroe NC.The AAMCO Center will install the parts at no cost to Mr.[redacted].I trust this action should make Mr. [redacted] whole oncemoreSincerely YoursEugene W[redacted]CC: Mr. [redacted]

Review: On 12/19/13, I calld Aamco to verify that they would work on my 2003 Jaguar X Type that started leaking transmission fluid the night before. [redacted] verified that he was able to do the work and had worked on other Jaguars. The car was towed to Aamco 12/19/13. On 12/24/13 was told the car should be done that day, they installed a used flywheel, filter, front seal, and pimp bushing but then had to be take it apart again, because they check the torque converter that was broken. I picked up my car 12/26/13 after hours. On 12/27/13 I notice both rocker panels were damage from Aamco's lift. [redacted] refused to fix the body damage properly after admitting fault to the damage. On 12/28/13 the car was leaking gear oil. On 12/31/13, I took the car to Aamco to change a seal to stop the leaking, they ordered the wrong seal. I was offered $300 for the body damage which doesn't even cover the parts. That evening I got a transmission fault code for the first time and the car began leaking transmission fluid out of the gear box. For my car the gear box has gear oil in it not transmission fluid. Called [redacted] 01/02/14 about the new issues he said to drop the car off that day and the car was alright to drive while it's leaking transmission fluid. On 01/06/14 called Aamco was told they have to replace the inner transfer case seal and should be done that day. Since I hadn't heard anything I called Aamco on 01/08/14. The car was done they also replaced driver and passenger axle seals. [redacted] admitted to having the transmission out and apart a minimum of 3 times which is not recommended for any transmission. On 01/17/14 the check engine light came on with code P0791-intermediate speed shaft sensor which is located in the transmission. Then 01/18/14 the transmission fault light came back on. On 01/20/14 I called Aamco about the issues said its been there 3 times it needs to go somewhere that can fix it. He yelled I'm not paying anything, see you in court and hung up on me. On 01/31/14 I called a Jaguar dealer gave them the check engine light code and was advised based on the code that the transmission needs replaced. On 02/27/14 called Aamco in Crafton they agreed to look at the car and dropped the car off to them that day. Crafton Aamco tried working with [redacted] to resolve the issues but [redacted] would not tell them what he all did or how far he went into the transmission. I called Aamco corporate and received a return call from corporate on 03/28/14 they said there's nothing they can do and advised me to call my car insurance about the body damage. on 04/02/14 I picked my car up from Aamco Crafton and was told based on their diagnosis the transmission should be at least rebuilt and should have been rebuilt from the beginning and I have too much money already in this transmission so they didnt charge me for the diagnosis and 2-3 hours labor. I took my car to another transmission place, non Aamco, on 04/04/14, it was suggested to put a used transmission in my car due to all of the issues they saw from the work [redacted] did. There were missing brackets, bolts were striped out and had to be rethread, there was silicone RTV sealant all over the transmission and gear box. For my car the sealant shouldnt be used just seals are used. I spent $1818.96 at Aamco. I now am spending another $3000 to get my car driveable again. Since I havent been able to use it since mid January. I feel Aamco should refund me since instead of fixing my issue they made it 100 times worse.Desired Settlement: I feel Aamco should refund me the $1818.96 since instead of fixing my issue they made it 100 times worse. They also should pay for the body damage to be fixed properly.

Business

Response:

AAMCO did receive a 2003 Jaquar on a tow truck on 12/19/2013. The complaint was a leak from