Midas Muffler-Manassas

Review: Took car to Midas in July/August for Emissions Test. Nothing wrong with car, just needed an emissions test for our registration renewal. Was told car did not pass test due to a bad catalytic converter and needed to pre-pay $1300 for the part. The average price range for a common catalytic converter is $150-$500. But, we needed the car to pass for the registration. We had asked about a waiver to get the registration and was told not to worry, we'd get it, just needed to come back to have the new catalytic converter put in. A couple weeks passed to save up the money to pre-pay for this part. We paid for the part and scheduled the repair and was also told we needed another part costing over $300. Repair done just before the weekend. While driving out of the parking lot, we heard clicking to the car. We never had any clicking to the car before and asked the shop manager. He said that was normal and to just drive it around and the noise would stop. It was during Labor Day weekend so they were closed on Monday. Went in on Tuesday at 7:30am, when they opened, to tell manager about the continued noise and to fix it. We sat for 5 hours waiting for our car! No one spoke to us or told us what was going on or why it was taking so long. Others that came after us left well before us. After 5 hours and contacting our family to tell them how long it was taking, we were finally told that they couldn't find the root of the noise and that now it may be another issue or the engine, which he was asking for another $5000 to fix. We had just had the oil changed 250 - 300 miles ago and knew it could not be that. We had the sticker to show. Then the manager said he changed the oil, but we never asked him to change it. We left Midas and drove the car to a local Hyundai dealer who told us our engine was going out. The 3rd cylinder was dying. Our car was running fine until Midas touched it. We went back to Midas to get copies of all the work done on the car. The manager mentioned contacting DEQ to find out about a waiver for the registration. When pressed about getting the waiver and why it was so hard to get it from them, he said that he had not had a certified licensed emissions inspector since June of this year and showed our daughter a copy of the last emissions waiver done there which was dated in March 2014. So no one was EVER able to give a waiver and we spent nearly $2000 chasing behind repairs we were told would help our car pass the emissions test. We kept Midas informed of what their work was doing to our car and even waited 5 hours for them to find a resolution; instead did nothing, fixed nothing and even told us of yet another problem. We even stopped by 2 additional times after that Tuesday, September 2nd to complain and get resolution. As a result of this negligence, our car is no longer driveable and we are left with repairs totaling over $5000 to fix it. Consumers beware!!Desired Settlement: We want the money we put into these repairs (catalytic converter, etc) refunded back to us. ($1964). The car performed worse with the "new" one in it. the repairs were unnecessary and were way overcharged for the parts. There was a constant ticking like a bomb was going to go off any minute, and it was running fine before. We also want this as a permanent record of the Revdex.com website as an official complaint and warning to consumer to beware.

Business

Response:

October 21, 2014Per your letter dated 10/17/2014, I wish to enclose the following course of events as they transpired:On 07/29/2014, a 2007 [redacted] was brought into the above location for an emissions test. The mileage on the vehicle on this day was 250,142. The vehicle did not pass the emissions test. Manassas Midas invoice #[redacted]. The vehicle would need further diagnosis to determine the problems. On 08/23/2014, the same 2007 [redacted] was scanned with our diagnostic equipment. We found that the Manifold converter was not performing internally. The computer diagnostic confirmed the need to replace the catalytic converter at the manifold, which is a very specific component in the 2007 [redacted] exhaust system. The mileage on the vehicle at this time was 252,224 miles. Manassas Midas invoice #[redacted]On 08/28/2014, the customer came by the shop and prepaid for the vehicle specific, special order, manifold converter. Manassas Midas invoice #[redacted].On 08/30/2014, the vehicle was serviced. The Manifold Converter was replaced, Along with the converter, we had to replace the Bank 1 Sensor HO2(Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor). The sensor had to be replaced because the sensor was stuck in the manifold that was being replaced. Most likely, due to the amount of time in service, along with the heat cycles experienced during the time of operation, caused the internal threads to become gaulded. This made the removal an impossibility. This could only be determined during the removal of the Manifold Converter. Thus, we have the additional expense for this piece. We were able to save and reuse all other manifold studs, nuts and attaching hardware to complete the job. Manassas Midas invoice #[redacted].After finishing the installation of the Manifold Catalytic Converter and the B1SI sensor, we drove the vehicle to verify proper operation. We verified that no dash lights were activated, and during the live diagnostic drive cycle after the completed service, that no further codes were present. Additionally, the emissions readiness monitors showed to being in the pending state. The vehicle would now need further driving to allow the monitors to complete enough drive cycles so they would set. Once the monitors were set, this would allow for the retesting of the emissions. The second emissions test, either pass or fail, would allow for the completion of this vehicles emissions requirements per the County of Prince [redacted] and the DEQ, Department of Environmental Quality,The customer was waiting for us to finish the final road testing. The customer took the vehicle immediately after we finished the final test drive. All dash lights were out, all final test showed no codes, and no other signs or noises were present. When the vehicle came back to the Manassas Midas on 09/02/14, the emission monitors were found not ready for the second emissions test. Our Diagnostic Tech verified the computer data. The monitors were not ready. Additionally, our Diagnostic Tech found a code—[redacted]. This identifies the timing advance at location Bank1. We also checked the oil level and found the level to be approx 1 quart low. We also discovered that based on the oil sticker posted on the windshield, that an oil change should have been performed many miles ago. William, the Store Mgr., did talk to the customer about the oil change history. Part of their discussion revolved around the customer stating they had been replenishing the oil in the engine periodically. We did find oil in the trunk of the vehicle, The conversation with the customer pertaining to the Vehicle potentially having an oil consumption concern did conclude with the customer. Additionally, due to the mileage on the vehicle, the normal wear associated with the internal components of the engine, and their own personal knowledge of the engine history should be used to assess the future plans of their vehicle from this point.The customer drove the vehicle off the Manassas Midas parking lot on 09/02/14. The vehicle has not been back since. If the customer would like to explore the idea of replacing the engine, we can try to assist them in finding a replacement engine. They could purchase the engine at the wholesale cost, and we could possibly replace the engine for a labor charge. There would be no other assistance available. All details of any further work would need to be discussed with the customer.Thank you for your time and assistance, T. Kevin T., Franchisee