Protrans Auto & Trans Specialists Reviews (%countItem)
Protrans Auto & Trans Specialists Rating
Address: 3420 Gato Court, Riverside, California, United States, 92507
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I originally went to Protrans for my automotive work referred by the positive reviews the shop had received on the internet. My original problem with the truck was that the rear differential was making a loud whining noise while driving. I took the truck to the shop in June of 2016. The shop diagnosed the problem as a bad pinion bearing. I had them fix the problem and the vehicle was returned to me. Within a few days of receiving the truck back I felt a grinding or chatter in the rear end on turns or when backing my truck into the driveway. This was a feeling that was not there before I took the truck to them before. While the vehicle still drove I knew there was a potential problem. I took the truck back to the shop on June 20, 2016 and told them about the problem. They claimed that they couldn’t feel anything but that they added friction modifier fluid to the differential. I picked up the truck and immediately felt the grinding again out of the rear end. This was considered a leisure vehicle for us for towing our boat and rv so outside of those trips it doesn’t get a lot of use. After almost three months we had only put 2,639 miles on the vehicle. I took the vehicle back on September 12, 2016 with the same complaint as before only to get the answer that they didn’t feel it. In my opinion this was an obvious grinding that even an average person would feel when driving the vehicle. If the shop was interested in doing anything about it they would’ve given it a more thorough look to see if there was something wrong. After two trips back to the same shop and no progress I gave up. I had a very busy work schedule and didn’t have time to keep bringing me truck back to them for them to just drive it around the block once and says its fine. In March of 2020 I drove the truck to Texas in a job relocation. The truck made it to Texas but the grinding hadn't stopped and had in fact worsened. I didn't want to take the truck to another shop but was afraid to drive it for any distance until the rear differential was diagnosed. I found a highly rated shop in Spring, TX called Certified Techs Auto, Diesel and fleet services. They diagnosed the truck as needing a complete rear differential assembly. They claimed that the reason the previous job failed was because the previous shop overtightened the pinion bearing. The differential oil was gritty with metal in the fluid and the gears themself scoring on them. I'm not a mechanic but I do know a little bit about cars. I know that a differential is not an area of the truck that should need this kind of attention in only 20000 miles. I reached out to ProTrans to try to resolve this issue Wednesday May 27,2020 amd spoke with Hailey. I explained to Hailey my issue and she stated that she would have *** call us back later today or tomorrow. I called back again on Wednesday June 3,2020 and spoke with ***. *** took my information same day. I received a call back from *** on Thursday June 4, 2020. *** stated that I should have brought in the truck before leaving CA and that pinion bearings only have a 12 month warranty through their manufacturer. I asked if the repair was only good for 12 months and he just stated that people come in all the time for service on their vehicles. I was also told that we are outside of our warranty. When I asked him "what can you do for us?", he offered to fix the differential so we can have a back up. There is no need for a backup if the job is done correct.
June al, 2020 Revdex.com *** Dear ***: We have outlined the three visits and the related work orders for this vehicle and customer: *** 6/15/2016 Custom Differential Bearing Rebuild $1,036.09 (12 month or 12,000 mile warranty) *** 6/21/2016 Added Additional Friction Modifier to Differential $0.00 (Correct vibration when backing up while turning) *** 9/12/2016 Clunk from drive shaft & rear transmission seal $160.59 (Luke drive shaft splines to correct clunk and new Seal to correct transmission leak) Work order *** to correct whine from differential when slowing down was repaired and corrected with custom differential bearing rebuild which comes with a 12 month, or 12,000 mile warranty on parts and labor supplied only at Protrans (warranty does not cover misuse , abuse or running differential low on fluid). Except for the visit on work order *** and ***, which resolved those concerns, we have had no further communication with the customer either by phone or in person. As far as the work performed on work order *** (differential bearing custom rebuild), it is out of warranty by time and mileage. Warranty expired on 6/15/2017 or at 232,569 miles (current mileage on vehicle, per customer, is 239,718). Furthermore, the explanation that was given to the customer by the repair facility in Texas, that Protrans s over tightened the pinion bearing, is not possible, because a pinion bearing that is over tightened would not last 1,000 miles, let alone over 19,000 miles_ Protrans has been in business for over 28 years with a reputation of the highest quality of workmanship. However when the rare occasion occurs that a customer has a concern with a repair that we have performed, whether it is under warranty or out of warranty, the customer would always make us aware of the concern before any work is performed at another shop, to provide us the first opportunity to correct the problem under warranty or perform a customer satisfaction repair on expired warranties. In this case, the customer never contacted Protrans in over four years on their concern, never brought the vehicle in for a recheck on the differential during the last 3 years, continued to drive the vehicle over 19,000 miles with no issues, and did not have us recheck the differential before there relocation to Texas.
When a customer is out of warranty by the time and millage on a repair that we performed at Protrans Automotive, we have options to satisfy the customer, and in most cases it is performed at no cost to the customer. However in this case with the customer relocating to Texas, the vehicle is no longer in California, and customer already authorized the repair to be performed prior to any contact with Protrans Automotive, our assistance at this time has been removed based on the customer action noted above.
Since I was new to the area, I was referred to this place by a tire shop when I started hearing my car making grinding noise underneath. Pro Transmission towed my car to their repair shop (for $75 which would be added to the repair cost later).
After I received a call from Michael at the shop telling me that it would cost $2195.00 to fix my car I knew that I'd need time to scrape together those funds. When I new that I could not, I called back and notified Michael to stop anything being done to my car, I needed more time.
He never offered to put in a used transmission (which would have been less money).
I reached out to my previous mechanic in L.A. County where I had been taking my vehicles for repairs for the last 25 years. This mechanic offered to come and tow my car back to his shop, and offered a less amount, much less amount to repair it. So I decided to take that offer, since it was less, he was accommodating me and he was someone I'd known for many many years.
The next morning I called Michael to pay him for the tow fee and tell him my car would be getting towed out that day. He promptly told me that they'd already begun work on it, and I would have to pay $250 for them to "put it back together". I tried to reason with him about the large amount of which I did not agree with, since I had advised him not to work on my car. He would not agree, but replied that he needs to "pay his employees", insisted that I would need to pay a full $325. just to get my car back.
I felt like this guy was extorting money from me. I felt (and think), that he was trying to rip me off. It just felt really wrong. And I told him this.
I tried anyway to pay for the amount with my card, so that I could get my car back. But then he would not accept my card over the phone, saying he "didn't trust [me]". Also said that he needed an email from me giving him permission to charge $325.
I called my credit union immediately and inquired about disputing the charge, asked whether I was supposed to give a business permission thru email. The technician at my credit union said no, just state what I am disputing.
Soon after this debacle began, another person from the Pro Transmission called me. She gave me her email address, which I replied by email, stating I did not agree with the amount, but that I am being forced to pay for nothing, in order to get my car back. Minutes later she read her email and said that would not do. Again, I tried reasoning with this person, to no avail. She was absolutely no help whatsover.
Very much a problem for me. As for one thing I needed my car to drive to work. And the fact that I am a senior citizen, I felt taken advantage of. It was sickening to say the least.
An hour later my mechanic in L.A. sent his tow guy, who called Pro Transmission, and they informed him he would not be able to take my car from their premises.
This began to really inconvenience me, as I then had to take the next day off work to go down to Pro Transmission, pay $325 to the smelly receptionist, so that I could take MY CAR!
My reliable, smart, professional mechanic in L.A. got me a used transmission for $1,200. And since this took more than 1 day to repair, he paid for me to stay in a nearby motel. As I had no transportation of my own at that time, and I live far away from his shop. He also bought me lunch and dinner on both days. He went above and beyond for me, his paying long time customer, in order to help.
(which is much more than I can say about Michael and the employees at Pro Transmisson).
I think the proverbial icing on the cake for Pro Transmission was that their receptionist literally smells as if she has not bathed in months. I could smell her body odor as I stood on the other side of the counter. It was nauseous.
They also state that they are a 'family' business, and they quote bible verses in their email signatures. I think they are hypocrites, ripping people off and pretending to be Christians.
If I could I would not give this shop a rating, but maybe a minus 10.
They all seem just very lazy and apathetic.
On or about 03/13/18 I took my 2009 BMW 750I to Programs Automotive. Much transmission was slipping and giving codes. Protrans determined that pressure inside trans was off due to leaking of trans. They replaced seals and pan replaced trans fluid $418.28. Returned car to Programs as car was doing same thing. Slipping popping out of gear. Protrans determined on 03/19/18 that the Transmission Vavle body will have to be rebuilt $1768.86. Returned after repairs failed and after 2weeks to diagnosis was told on that transmission will a rebuild on 04/09/18. That also faile and returned car and was told that Transmission Valve would need to be replaced by a mechanic name *** and it was covered under warranty. On 05/24/18 I went to pickup car and was told that replacement part ( Transmission Valve Body)was not under warranty because the part that was not operating properly on the transmission body was a sensor that is part of the Transmission Valve Body and not a separate unit voided the warranty for work performed because it was "electronic" by the shop owner Michael. I paid the fee of $2564.56 because I needed my car. As a result I took 2 personal loans of approximately $6000.00 and paid at least $2000.00 in rental car fees. I believe this owner is dishonest due the fact that the warranty contract doesn't mention that electronic parts voids the warranty.not to mention that I had to apply for loan forgiveness and refinance my home due to excessive repair costs. I have incurred cost of over $10,000.00 for repairs and car rentals. I believe that the repair shop should honor the warranty and return the cost if the valve body replacement, cost of car rentals and at least the cost of $3000.00 that I shouldn't have incurred if they honored the warranty.
August 31, 2018
***
25825 Via Quinto street, 26
Moreno Valley CA ***
Work order # *** Dated March 13 2018 with Mileage 95,223
On March 13 2018 ***, towed his 2009 BMW 750i to Protrans Automotive and Transmission Specialist for transmission leak and 1-2 and 4-5 rough shifts. Diagnostics indicated that transmission was over 5 quarts low on transmission Fluid ( Leaking severely from transmission pan area and unable to road test vehicle with low fluid condition). Computer scan noted four transmission DTC trouble codes (4***, 4***5, ***1, 4***1 . Based on severe transmission fluid leak at transmission pan customer authorized Protrans to replace transmission pan which includes transmission filter and new pan gasket and add back all the fluid that leak from Transmission in order to road test vehicle and complete vehicle diagnosis- Estimate $395.00 = Tax ( customer authorized on March 13 2018 at 3:53 pm). With Transmission fluid leak corrected, road test indicated that transmission has inconsistent and hard up shift and down shifts. Customer advised that vehicle may have sustained internal transmission damaged form low Fluid conditions and will require internal inspection of transmission and valve body. Customer declined any further repairs on March 15 2018 and indicated will pick up vehicle when he gets back into town. Vehicle was picked up on march 20 2018.
Work order # *** dated April 2 2018 with mileage 95,975 ( drove vehicle 742 miles with noted Failure)
On April 2 2018 *** returned for further inspection of 2009 BMW 750i valve body and or transmission- estimate for valve body inspection and potential repair was $ 1698.95 = tax ( customer authorized on April 2 2018). Valve body inspection and installed valve body kit did not correct transmission internal failure from previous low fluid condition and noted contamination. On April 4 2018 we recommended to custom rebuild transmission- estimate $ 5,400.00+ tax ( Customer advised that transmission control module- i.e. transmission computer module, aka TCM is not included in custom transmission rebuild estimate). On April 18 2018 customer was informed that custom transmission rebuild was completed and ready for pick up. Customer informed Protrans that he did not have money to pick up vehicle and will be in the following week to make payments. On April 24 2018 Customer paid $ 400.00 in cash and $500.00 on a visa. Informed Protrans that balance of money will be paid next month on his next pay check ( Protrans waived the daily vehicle storage fee with his verbal financial commitment and for customer satisfaction). On may 9 2018 customer paid balance of $4498.51 and vehicle picked up.
Work order # *** Dated may 24 2018 with mileage 96721 ( drove vehicle 746 miles)
On May 24 2018 *** drone vehicle to Protrans to diagnose check engine light and transmission malfunction light ( will not shift out of 3rd gear, no engagement into park or reverse). Testing indicated that transmission control module computer ( TCM) has internal failure. Vehicle TCM computer is mounted onto the transmission valve body and is not serviced by BMW separately ( other manufactures allow TCM computers to be purchased). Therefore based on his new failure of transmission control module we recommend to replace TCM computer which included transmission valve body. Protrans offered this repair for the cost of TCM and program cost only ( Labor provided at no cost to customer -$500.00 value). *** Authorized this TCM and program cost in June 14 2018. Vehicle was completed and ready for pick up on June 22 2018. Customer was unable to pick up vehicle until July 11 2018 for his explanation of waiting for further payroll money to be earned ( Protrans waived the daily storage fee as a courtesy and for customer satisfaction).
In summary, Protrans offered a step by step repair on vehicle transmission that would allow customer to save a maximum amount of money as compared to a BMW dealership re manufactured transmission. Customer requested Protrans to be flexible with his limited budget and his potential for future earnings with accepting payments on repair work with no storage fees ( Protrans agreed to financial term). Therefore based on the above timeline, providing parts at cost, waiving labor cost on TCM installation, storing vehicle and waiving storage cost during the months that customer was waiting on future job earnings to cover authorization repairs ( waiving storage fees for customer satisfaction). It is our opinion that customer has been treated very fairly ( labor provided at no cost and TCM provided at cost - see work order # ***) and was at no time forced to perform any of the above repairs at Protrans ans always had the option to have any licensed repair facility to perform the above repairs and any other licensed repair facility would expected payment upon completion or repair.
I am rejecting this response because: It has been my contention that Protrans provided bad customer services . It has never been my contention that they didn’t do all the things noted in their response. However, they still have not justified how they charged me for the valve body as 2 separate parts when the n reality you cannot purchase or repair the unit as separate parts. The transmission valve body is one unit. Therefore, the bases of my complaint has gone unanswered and the reasoning of his assertion that “ it’s electronic “ as he told me the day I picked the vehicle up remains unexplained and unjustified. Unfortunately, Protrans has chosen the tact of we’re the good guys and by inference label me as ungrateful because they have done favors beyond the normal. Whatever cost they claim to have been absorbed have been completely has been completely erraticated by charging for repairs that the mechanic “***” said was completely covered by warranty and is not stated in their warranty that electrical parts void said warranty.
I had work done on my car completed by Protrans Automotive. They replaced some coolant hoses and coolant hose clamp as well as other work. About a month later I noticed that I was still leaking coolant so I took my car to the dealership. I was told that the coolant hose clamp was not tightened and that is why I was leaking coolant. I had to pay $120 for the dealership to tighten that clamp. In January 2018 I contacted Protrans and let them know there was an issue and that I had to pay for additional repairs that they should have completed correctly. I spoke with the owner and he asked me to email him the bill and that they would reimbursement me. I have since emailed him two additional times and he has not replied to my emails.
Hello ***,
I received your letter today regarding a client of ours, ***. Her request of getting back $120.00 was already satisfied. We issued a check, in the amount of $120.00 on our check # 5087. But just to make you aware, any work we perform is under warranty and must to brought back to our shop. The incident she is referring to, occurred 3 months later, to a area of the vehicle we did not work on.
Also, she was sending emails to an address that does not get used.
Thank you for your time, and we would appreciate this matter as closed.
Thank you
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 12798613, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me, pending receipt of the check.