Smog Mart, Inc.

Paid for inspection, received paperwork with numbers that did not represent actual specs of break pads measured resulting in failed 174$ inspection

I drove my car to smog smart after having the car inspected and *** *** who is a fully licensed Automobile Repair Facility with the BARThe vehicle passed I drove the car from *** *** to Smog Mart and they said a tail light was out, and all the brakes were under mm and unsafeThese had to be replacedI drove the vehicle at the suggestion of BAR to *** *** were the manager and owner put the car on the rackHe took out his cage, I photographed the measurements as they measured and the measure mm4mm and mm at the lowestThey also suggested keeping track of the rear brake but would do so on rotation of the tiresI sent the photographs to BARI drove from *** *** and drove to *** *** a licensed SMOG BRAKE AND LIGHT INSPECTION STATION, the vehicle immediately passed without any issues and all measurements taken by *** *** were verified by *** *** as accurateThe time of driving between the three stations was hours, a minute drive t

I had my transmission replaced with smog mart months ago and I am having issues with the car and I can not get a complete diagnosis on it because a transmission mount and bracket had been removed by the repair company and never reinstalled itNow they are refusing to reinstall it because it is month past the warranty I feel that this should not be a warranty issue but an issue under ethical practices and workmanshipFor example should a company be allowed to remove items from your vehicle and keep them without your consent and because it wasn't noticed within their warranty period they feel no obligation to return or reinstall the item from where it came fromThat is my part to my car and I would like it back and installed where it was removed from

Review: I have a light trouble light, since I left this place. They said arrived next week for repair...Desired Settlement: REPAIR mine CAR!

Business

Response:

[redacted] come to Smog Mart, Inc. on 6/30/15 requesting an oil leak inspection, listed below are the results. THE UNDER SIDE OF VEHICLE IS COVERED IN ENGINE OIL. UNABLE TO PINPOINT OIL LEAKS AT THIS TIME. CAN SEE OIL AND TRANS FLUID ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE. CAN SEE OIL LEAKS COMING FROM MECHANICAL FUEL PUMP. FOUND THE EVAP CHARCOAL CANISTER BROKEN. WILL NEED TO REPLACE CANISTER. We did not perform any work to the vehicle other than an oil leak visual inspection only. Customer declined repairs at the time of pick up. Smog Mart, Inc. 7070 Stockton Blvd. Sacramento CA, 95823[redacted]

Review: On Tuesday 4/01/14 at 8:45am I took my car into Smog Mart Inc On Stockton Blvd. in Sacramento for some repairs. I wanted them to do a major tuneup on my car. I stated to them at the time I dropped it off that it wanted to die at stop signs/lights and over heated while driving in the city more so then on the freeway and I believe the Thermostat had gone bad, and that I had the water pump and timing belt changed out with in the last 30-45 days. I also told them that my power steering pump or hoses were bad and to give me a quote on that. [redacted] at the front counter told me they would do a diagnostic for $125.00 and that the cost would go toward any repairs if needed. On Wed. Morning [redacted] called me and told me " the Oil pan has a hole in it and needs to be replaced, the oil plug is leaking,and needs to be replaced. the power steering hoses are cracked and leaking,and need to be replaced and the CV books needed to be replaced as well as the Thermostat. He also stated that the transmission we over filled and the they would have to drain it and refill it, and do an oil change and replace the oil filter and air filter. He gave me a quote of $1500.00 parts and labor for a major tune up and the repairs he stated. I told him and do the work, and he told me my car should be ready by Thursday Afternoon 4/3/14, and I told him I'd be in Friday morning to pick it up. On Friday 4/4/14 I went to pick up my car at 8:30am. [redacted] told me they were putting my car back together and it would be about 30 minutes. 2 hours past and there still working on my car. again I was told "it's almost done". After 3 hours had passed [redacted] told me that they could not put the axle back into the transmission because the bearings that hold the axle had dropped. I told then to put my car together so I can drive it back home. He told me they would have to drop the tranny for $2500.00. I told then I would think about it.Desired Settlement: I talked to [redacted] 2 or 3 days later and he told me he had taken off all the new parts they had put on to save me same money and what did I want to do with my car. I told him I drove it in I want to drive it out and to give it back to me the way I brought it in running and drivable. He told me it can't because there is no tranny. I told him I was going to report them to the Revdex.com . In 1 hour he called and said he would put a tranny in my car. I've now had no car for 17 days. I need my car back runng

Business

Response:

Regarding [redacted] original concern, we test drove and where able to duplicate the cutting out issue during diagnoses. After inspection we found that the transmission fluid was overfilled.

After draining fluid to the correct level and cleaning the throttle body, we took the car for a test drive and found that the vehicle would no longer feel like it wants to shut down or overheat per customer's original concern.

Review: Prior repairs resulted in additional damage causing the engine to blow out.

Summary of Facts

*2/19/2013 - Vehicle brought in for oil leak repair. Smog Mart completed a full diagnostic and determined the leak was due to a faulty oil pan gasket. Smog Mart also recommended additional oil-related repairs to correct the problem. Total cost of repairs was $604.18. Due to my travel plans, Smog Mart advised me to complete the repairs in two phases; 1. Oil change only and, 2. Oil Pan Gasket, upper and lower cooler line, transmission fluid. Due to the nature of the repairs, I asked and received confirmation from Stan that, there should be no issues driving to Los Angeles however, he did advise me the check the fluids during the trip which, I did. Stan was correct. I did not experience any issues during the +1000 mile round-trip.

*2/21/2013 - Additional work completed to repair oil leak. After repairs were complete, I was advised by Smog Mart of a crack in the radiator and, it should be replaced. Smog Mart replace the radiator for a total cost of $890.23.

*2/26/2013 - Vehicle is returned after Smog Mart completes all work and provides assurance that the vehicle has been fully repaired and running excellent. After driving the vehicle twice, it sat for approximately two weeks.

*3/10/2013 - Engine blows during trip to Chico Ca. The vehicle is towed to a local repair shop and, the technician advises the engine blew due to a faulty oil stem.

Desired Settlement: The suburban is currently at Smog Mart and, I am requesting that Smog Mart repair the engine and return the vehicle as soon as possible.

Business

Response:

Business' Initial Response

Sorry for the bad communication, the customer also filed a complaint with the BAR. When the BAR come down to our shop to inspect the vehicle they had insufficient information for Mason Toriano. We advised the customer that we would still honer our good will offer of giving him free labor on replacing the Engine. Customer has agreed to pay for the engine and the parts that have to be replaced with the engine replacement. Customer is aware and OK with going with this good will offer.

Review: I took my truck to Smog Mart to have a diagnostic check because it was shaking. Smog Mart did the diagnostic and the results they gave me was one of the pistons was only giving 90% instead of the 140%. [redacted] at Smog Mart said the piston was causing the shaking. I asked [redacted] "Can you do the job, and are you 100% sure you can?" [redacted] replied "yes, of course we can." I allowed Smog Mart to make the repairs. The job took over 2weeks, and I got a phone call every other day from [redacted] with problem after problem, costing me more money. I trusted [redacted]. I paid $3400.00. I drove away only to come back with problems. I had leakeage from the radiator , and informed [redacted] of the Leakage. [redacted] said"bring it by so I can check it out." I did. The hoses Smog mart replaced the first time around, where not put on correctly by their mechanic. A day later my truck started shaking bad (still).I called [redacted], I explained that my truck is shaking worse than before, and he said "bring it by." I took it back for the second time, and he checked it out, and he said " he drove it, and felt the shaking, but has no idea where it is coming from." He also advised me to get a second opinion. I took his advice and took my truck to Maita Cheverlot, and paid an additional $130.00 The results I got from the dealer was my motor mouths where bad, and needed replacement. Also, my hose to the radiaor was not put on correctly. Maita made the repair to the hose. Being that I paid Smogg Mart my entire life savings of 3400.00 I do not have the means to pay for the motor mouths to be repaired on my vehicle. I faxed Smog Mart and expalined the results over the phone, and asked [redacted] what he plans to do? "He said nothing, adn the motor mouths were and tear. The motor mouths casued the shaking,and the problem never got fixed. 3,400.00 the problem still exsist. Smog mart took my money and never fullfilled their commitment of fixing the shaking on my 2005 Trail blazer. I am not the first. Their ratings on the internet explained by others state the same.

Addendum to a complaint made on 2/6/2014; I would like to add that this has inconvenienced me and my life. I had to leave work early to take my truck back and forth to Smog Mart. Also, taking my Trail blazer to get a second opinion left me without transportation.Which caused me to cancel my daugters doctors appointment. The vehicle they provided for me to barrow was un-safe, and the gas gage was broke which lead me to running out of gas with my children inside during high traffic volume. Which endangered my children. This vehicle was loaned to me when my truck was at Smog mart for 2weeks. [redacted]Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of 3400.00 including the additional 130.00 for the diagnostic [redacted] asked me to get. (Second opinion)

Business

Response:

[redacted] ORIGINALLY COME IN ON 12/31/13 - INVOICE # [redacted] FOR A DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

Review: shop replaced the exhaust sys on a 77 monte carlo

tne muffler is not quite as per the origanl. shop suggested additional work to reduce noise level

problem date: on-going, pur date 3/27/13, inv # [redacted], amt $848.00. muffler replacement is not quite as the original part. I informed the shop of the problem they stated there was noting they could do other then add an additional part at additional cost of $95 plus to resolve the noise level issue. They never informed me about the possibility of the noise problem otherwise I would have taken it to the automotive dealer and get the work done there.

I drove the car for over 1,000 miles to allow for the newness to wear off and possibly reduce noise, but to avail. I was expecting noise level to be the same as the original system. This is a luxury car and the origianl noise level of the system should be almost noiseless.Desired Settlement: request that the shop resolve the noise level issue by installing the part they recommended at their cost or obtain muffler from dealer and replace. I paid for work that I did not get.

Business

Response:

Business' Initial Response

When customer originally come into the shop he requested for us to replace the exhaust system as a preventative maintenance because his exhaust system had wholes and was corroded. The Customer never brought the vehicle in for a noise issue or a diagnostics. We did not recommend any work to be done, this was just as a preventative maintenance. When customer returned because he suspected that the car was making to much noise on 6/03/13, we told him we would check and advise -- after checking the system for leaks we confirmed that there was none and the exhaust system was not abnormal and sounded perfectly fine. We informed the customer that the exhaust muffler and pipe that was put in for the vehicle was the only thing available. Since this vehicle is a 1977, the dealer does not have this part because its discontinued. We advised customer that everything is normal and the sound was normal as well. The customer was not happy. We informed the customer that if he really wanted it to be quieter then he could install a resignator to help mute the sound that he felt should not be there. This is just a add on piece that does not belong there. There is nothing wrong with the system and the noise is Normal...

Consumer's Final Response

I agree that I took my vehicle in to have the exhaust system replaced since most of it had corrosion and that I did not ask for a diagnostic for a noise issue. I asked for the work to be done expecting the exhaust system to operate and sound as the original did. It is not normal for the level of sound coming from the reapairs completed by the shop. This vehicle (1977 Monte Carlo Landau model)is considered a luxury vehicle which originally had a quite exhaust system such as the luxury vehicle of today. The low rumble that these repairs have made is not in accordance to this type of vehicle.

Replacing the items required for this type of work should encompass the same level of luxury as the original vehicle and the completed work does not.

Whether this shop or another shop states that this is normal is not the issue. The issue is that the level of noise the exhaust system now creates is NOT normal for this vehicle and it should be remedied by the shop.

There was no disclaimer by the shop that this type of problem could have occured and them being professionals should have informed me of the possibilties of such.

Therefore I again request that the shop correct the problem by installing the device they mentioned or refund the funds I paid so that I can search for another place that can do the work accordingly.

Respectfully submitted,

Business' Final Response

The vehicle was brought in already having a exhaust issue and no way to compare to the originality of the vehicle's sound. After we have changed the exhaust we confirmed that there where no leaks and that everything was installed properly. No such rumbling noise was present. If there is a rumbling noise other then what the engine puts out, we would be more then happy to re inspect it again.

No other work then the exhaust was done at our shop, The customer may want to have the vehicle's engine performance checked to see if it could be causing a higher rumbling sound that the customer claims to be having.

We contacted the dealer directly and confirmed that they do not carry OEM mufflers for this vehicle due to it being a 1977. They advised us to call a muffler shop.

We strongly recommend for the customer to get a second opinion on this matter with another shop.

We apologize about your concern, but all new parts where used during the installation of your exhaust and no abnormal sound was present.