Dr. Nick's Transmissions & Complete Auto Care

Review: I purchased my vehicle from this business and have had all major repairs done here. Most recently, March 2012, they replaced the radiator and the head gasket plus amounting $2,700. There was a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty. I've only driven 18,000 and the head gasket went again. I had the vehicle towed to them for a diagnosis. They never turned a bolt, since there were no clean spots on the engine. They apparently listened to it and checked the oil. I was charged 104.75 for this half guess to the actual problem and told it needs a new engine. "It's an old engine" said [redacted], but as far as I'm concerned, the parts they fixed aren't old and should not need to be fixed. Most vehicles don't get a head gasket replaced once let alone twice. There was no offer off any discount or financial help as a good will gesture. I feel I got taken for the diagnoses charge and I'd like to be reembursed.

Business

Response:

Revdex.com,[redacted] had her [redacted] towed into our shop on or about 6/5/15 with a noise. The vehicle did not start and had to be jump started to diagnose the noise. After jump starting the vehicle, scanning the computer for codes and lift checking the vehicle it was determined that there was a noise coming from inside the engine, unrelated to the head gasket work we had performed over 2 years earlier. At this point we recommended to her to replace the engine completely with either a remanufactured engine or a low mileage used engine. She declined to have the repairs performed. We feel that we are entitled to charge 1 hour labor to diagnose, jump start, scan the computer and lift check the vehicle. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance in this matter.Regards,[redacted]PresidentDr. Nicks Transmissions and Complete Auto Care

Review: I brought my vehicle in for a "free" inspection. After several days of having my car in their possession, I was told my transmission could not be repaired and I would have to pay for a new one because it could not be put back together. I was never shown any "broken parts" which a mechanic usually will show you the problem. The vehicle was only 10 years old, maintained properly with just over 100,00 miles on it.

As soon as my car was returned after being "repaired", immediately there was a terrible burning smell which was coming through the heat vents. I was told that the smell would burn off and under the car was was cleaned, as this was "protocol" The engine was smoking which never happened before (I have 2 witnesses that can verify this).

I brought the vehicle to a different mechanic because Dr. nicks said it would cost almost 500.00 to fix a new problem I never should of had. While "repairing" the transmission, they nicked the power steering hose. I never had a problem with my power steering at any point. I had the hose fixed at another shop and they showed me what was wrong and how it could have happened. In addition, the vehicle was never cleaned as they stated.

Still, the terrible smell continued and I brought it back to Dr. Nicks. They had the vehicle for another several days and I was told there was a leaking seal and they could not figure out why. I overheard the owner telling another mechanic that it was a "refurbished transmission", when I was told it was new (and had to pay extra for that)" At this point, they had my car several times for days on end and finally gave me a car to use, which was barely drivable. The seat was broken, I could barely reach the pedals, breaks were grinding and needed to put gas in said car so I could get home. I could barely drive it, it was not safe. Another week goes by and there was an additional 300 miles on my vehicle and was told I needed to pay them an additional 2,300 for a transfer case.. At this point there was no trust left and I asked for my vehicle back. After over hearing the prior conversation about the parts being refurbished, I asked it see the receipt showing what they purchased to see if it was new, I was rudely told that it was an internal document as asked by [redacted]. To leave.

I brought it to a third mechanic and was told that I did not need said additional parts and showed me the problem. The wrong parts were put on (bolts etc..) causing the leak and it would be fixed for 250.00, not 2,300+ tax. And was told not to drive it on the highway because it could catch on fire, and to only drive it locally short distances.

When I called Dr. Nicks, to explain what I was told, I was called "a lunatic" and "delusional" by the owners son.

I do not believe that I needed a new transmission and all the problems that followed when my car was running fine and this was just an inspection. To all of a sudden have so many issues after the inspection over a span of over 2 months with them having the vehicle several times, days at a time, was just ridiculous. I was told there was no charge to try to figure out the problem, that they were "doing me a favor" (for a problem they caused).

I was not aware of their reputation in the community, unfortunately. All this time later, my vehicle is still not fixed And can only be driven very short distances.Desired Settlement: I would like no further business with this company. I have reversed the charges on my check. If they would like to take the matter further, I will ask for reimbursement for the additional money spent after they failed to repair the vehicle.

Consumer

Response:

I'm sorry I didn't fill out the form correctly. Yes I do want a refund. I stopped payment on my check and now I owe a collection agency. The reason I reversed the charges on the check is because they caused more than 600 in additional damage to the vehicle. They did not fix the problem, put the wrong parts on the car, did not do things I was told were done and wanted an additional 2,300 for another part I did not need. God forbid this should happen to anyone else. I feel taken advantage of it has been 3 months and the vehicle is not repaired. (I brought it to another place) and they have to order the correct parts.

Business

Response:

To whom it may concern,On 2/23/2015 [redacted] brought her [redacted] to us for a free performance check. She was referred by a local garage because they felt that she had a transmission problem. She was complaining of a jerking feeling and engine RPM's going up and down. Upon our road test and an electronic scan of the computer system it was determined that she had an internal transmission failure. At that time we called [redacted] to get her authorization to remove the transmission from the vehicle and do an inspection to see what was wrong internally. We also told her that if we have to get a transmission from the dealer it would cost approximately $3,900. She agreed to authorize the inspection. After we performed the inspection and found the damage, it was determined that the most cost efficient way to repair the vehicle was to install a [redacted] factory re manufactured transmission purchased directly from the dealer which comes with a 12 month 12.000 mile warranty on both parts and labor. We also noted at the time that the right front axle boot was ripped, the control arms for the front suspension were loose and she had a small power steering leak (common [redacted] problem). She declined these additional repairs at this time but she did authorize the replacement of the transmission. We then ordered the transmission and installed it, correcting her original complaints. After picking up vehicle she returned next day with a burning smell. We took a look and saw the power steering line was leaking-as previously mentioned. She then took the vehicle to another shop who replaced the hose. All is now good with the hose.After this she returned with a smell again. Upon inspection it was determined the right seal in the transfer case (it is an all wheel drive vehicle) was now leaking and causing smoking. Although we never removed that axle or replaced that seal we agreed to replace it for her in good faith at no charge to her. We also installed an axle that she provided (see ripped axle boot above). After 3 attempts at replacing the seal with three different seals (all at no cost to her), it continued to leak. After many hours of looking at this problem we determined that there must be a problem inside the transfer case causing this repeated leaking. Let me also say that during the seal installation process a bolt broke and we replaced it. She declined the transfer case repair.She then brought the vehicle to another repair facility for another opinion. They determined that the replacement bolt is wrong and needs to be replaced along with another seal for a cost of $215. I then told [redacted] to have them fix the problem and I will pay them the full amount, even though we don't believe we caused this problem to begin with. The repair facility was to order the parts and repair it for her. That is the last I heard from [redacted]. My assumption was that when the repairs were made, we would pay and end this situation. Also note that we provided [redacted] a loner car (although not to her liking) while we attempted to make this repair. In conclusion, the transmission repair we were authorized to perform is complete and working satisfactorily. The leak she has we agreed to pay for when completed at another facility, even though we didn't create the leak. We feel that although this has been an unfortunate situation, we have done everything we can to help solve this problem, including spending an additional 8 hours of shop time at no cost to her, provided her with a loaner car and agreed to pay for axle seal repair. We feel it is unreasonable for her to request a refund for a transmission repair that is not related to this axle seal leak.If I can be of any further assistance in this matter, please don't hesitate to email or call.[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: