ComplaintsforMidas

• Initial Complaint

  05/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On August 8, 2022 I paid Midas at 8530 Michigan ************************* to replace my front catalytic converter. My engine light came on indicating a problem. The code said that the converter was not compatible with my automobile. On June 14, 2023, Midas removed and replaced the converter (because I know nothing about cars, I didn't realize until much later, they replaced it with the SAME product.). Again, the engine light came on and for the third time, August 29, 2023, they removed and replaced with the SAME product. I asked for a replacement with the *** converter. At first, until my son-in-law called them, they refused to honor the warranties, saying that it was void after the first replacement. Then when the owner said he would give me a discount toward the correct converter, the amount they quoted for the *** converter was nearly $400 more than my Buick Dealership quoted me. When I asked about this disparity, they said they could not match that offer. A lie just to make the "discount" no discount. This is an unethical practice and should be reprimanded. Midas offered no transportation back and forth those three times as well as the time those three time caused inconvenience and stress to me. I am an elderly widow on which they took total advantage.

  

  Business response

  05/17/2024

  The initial work was done by a prior store owner. We cannot attest to what was said or done prior to our acquisition of the store in January of 2024.

  We did offer to replace the converter for the customer. We offered a discount for the work that had already been done (note - this was work done under the prior owner, not our company) and we would replace the converter at our quoted price. She insisted she wanted the discount we offered and a price match to the dealership price, which we could not do. Our offer to her was the discount or price match, but we could not do both.

  We cannot attest to the offer of transportation for the customer either, as we did not operate the store at the time of the incidents.

  There is nothing unethical about our offer to her. We were offering a discount for work we did not perform as goodwill to her. 

   

• Initial Complaint

  05/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I took my truck to Midas on March 16 because the engine light was on and said I needed a coil replaced. I had a tuneup done a few months before which is why I went back. They ended telling that wasnt the problem and that they could do a diagnostic on it. They call and tell me theres a hole in the engine. I have a warranty on my vehicle still so they ended up sending the engine to them and paid for the repairs. After receiving my truck on April 30th , once I got to my job I opened the hood because of a funny smell and notice the covers , bolts and screws are missing. The line to the windshield wiper isnt connected, so I call ***** the ** who tells me to bring it up the next day. They put all the covers back and bring it to the front for me. I get in the truck and notice engine light is back on. I tell ***** who gets it off and I ask about the smell. He tells me it will go away in a couple days. The next day on my way home from work it wont drive past 35 and I speak to ***** again who tells me to bring it back. They drive it and tell me its the transmission. Ive had my transmission replaced over a year ago by AAMCO which is right next door to Midas. I take it to AAMCO that Friday and then Monday they call to tell me whoever worked on the vehicle didnt connect 3 tubes all the way which let air seep in and would only leak while driving. It let air in and drained the transmission. Now Midas wont take the blame and warranty company said its in my hands now to deal with the company.

  

  Business response

  05/17/2024

  Our General Manager has spoken with the customer about her complaint. We do not agree with the allegation we are responsible for the failure of her used transmission. We offered her a $250.00 refund as goodwill for her inconvenience in returning for the engine covers to be reattached, which she refused. However, we maintain we did not cause the failure of a used transmission that we did not install.

   

• Initial Complaint

  06/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My daughter took her vehicle in to Midas on 10/3/22. They charged her for a diagnostic without informing her of the cost upfront. I had an issue with that and spoke to **** and ****. We resolved the issue and allowed them to replace the catalytic converter and two O2 sensors on her 2014 Buick Encore on 10/28/22 with a warranty. The engine light came back on 11/1/22 and we took the vehicle back. They claimed there was a leak by the converter and tried to charge us. I argued they should have noticed this when replacing it and they fixed it. My daughter did not drive much from December 2022 - February 2023 because she had a baby. The engine light came on again on 3/25/23 and we took the vehicle to *********************. They told us the O2 sensor failed. Again, we took it back to Midas. We paid for the labor for one O2 sensor to be replaced on 4/4/23. On 5/1/23, the light came on again and we took it back. On 5/19/23, the light came on again and we took it to ******* for a diagnostic. Their conclusion was a bad catalytic converter. Back to Midas again on 6/1/23. Talked to **** and a technician. The tech checked the code and said the converter is bad. **** was visibly upset at the mention of ******* and refused to believe that was the problem. Dropped the vehicle off on 6/2/23, picked it up on 6/6/23. Engine light is on again as of 6/16/23. Each time the light comes on, it is the same code. Midas says that code can be any number of issues and refuses to replace the converter per the warranty. I need a refund of the money we paid them to have the car fixed. I understand there was work done on their part, but the refusal to replace the very part that has been pointed out and is under warranty is unacceptable. The last time we went to them, we were met with nasty attitudes. I've been hung up on twice. One was very blatant and right in my face by ****. My husband has tried to speak with them to no avail and we are trying this as a last effort before we file in small claims court.

  

  Business response

  06/28/2023

  On 10/28/2022 MIDAS diagnosed defective catalytic converter and replaced it for $1578.23 with customer approval. At that time the front exhaust pipe replacement was recommended but declined by the customer due to cost. Customer returned on 11/4/2022 with exhaust leak noise from the previously declined front pipe. The front exhaust pipe was replaced at no cost with a customer loyalty discount. On 4/7/2023 a failed O2 sensor was replaced under its part warranty. On 5/10/2022 the customer returned with a check engine light on. The vehicle was sent to *************************************** to confirm the catalytic converter system was working properly. ******************* updated the *** program to the latest version (Work Order ****** attached). The Chevrolet dealership confirmed MIDAS catalytic repair was proper and operating properly. The customer continues to complain about a check engine light that is on that is unrelated to MIDAS service. No replacement of the catalytic converter is needed.

  Customer response

  06/29/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  There was no other service requested on 10/28/22 when the converter was replaced. They patched the pipe 3 days later when the light came back on. The invoice from ******************* states the converter has been replaced several times which is not true. It was replaced once. According to Midas' own technician, the vehicle needs a factory converter. **************** converter installed by Midas does not work. They took my money and refuse to correct the problem with a factory converter because it will cost them more time and money. It's unacceptable that the vehicle still has the very same issue we paid them to fix. 
  
  Regards,
  
  **************************************
  

  

  Business response

  06/29/2023

  Agreed that catalytic converter has been replaced once by MIDAS with a converter meeting OE specifications and confirmed to be working properly by ***************************************. ECM codes do not accurately indicate a defective converter operation and may be related to a manufacturer ECM programing issue which should be addressed by Chevrolet. This is beyond the scope of the MIDAS warranty for the catalytic converter replacement. The catalytic converter is working properly.

  Customer response

  06/30/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  The converter installed by Midas is not working properly per Meineke. I don't know why Midas continues to reference work done by *************************************** because of them. I did not know the Buick was being taken anywhere else for any work so I have no recourse with Chevrolet. My name is not and should not be on that paperwork. It was Midas' choice to take the vehicle there when they could not even attempt to replace the converter with a factory one. They went there searching for something else to blame the light on and I had no idea until after I called looking for the vehicle when we didn't see it on the lot. They took it to ******************* on their own and claimed they did me a "favor" by paying for it. If this is outside of the scope of their warranty, why would they go to these lengths to try to correct the issue? I'm sure it has cost them more time than money and now they don't want to have anything else to do with the Buick. But I also have a problem, the same problem I went to them to have fixed and I will not accept anything less than a refund. 
  
  Regards,
  
  **************************************
  

  

  Business response

  07/18/2023

  MIDAS believes the catalytic converter is working properly. The Customer is invited to return to ********************** for reinspection and confirmation that the catalytic converter is working properly. If issues are found related to the original work any necessary repairs will be handled per the MIDAS warranty. Please call ************ to schedule the visit. Thank you.

   

  Customer response

  07/19/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  I have spoken to the store owner whose phone number was provided in this response. He will not admit there is an issue and basically hung up on me because he did not like that I said the converter needs to be replaced with a factory one per his own employee. I have returned on several occasions to get this car fixed so I will not waste my time again so they can continue to say it's not the converter and refuse to check the actual part. They look for other issues. I will not accept anything besides a refund. I will have this vehicle repaired by the dealership soon.
  
  Regards,
  
  **************************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  05/20/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On May 11, 2022 My car didn't want to start. I called Midas located on **** Michigan Road, ************************************. I talked to **** and told him that I noticed when it's hot out and I drive my car for a while then by mid evening it doesn't want to start. He told me to bring it in and they will have to diagnose it. I was told that would cost $165 but they will waive the fee if I decide to go with them to fix my issue. A few hours later I get a call from the Mechanic Ghene that they would have to REMOVE TIMING COVER AND RESEAL AND THERE WAS A **** LEAK SO THEY WILL NEED TO DO A SMOKE TEST TO FIND OUT WHERE THE PROBLEM IS COMING FROM. I asked if the reason my car isn't starting he said yes then told me the job should be no more then $1600. If I agree they will fix the problem and wont charge me to do the smoke test or to fix the **** LEAK. I agreed, I was told that my car will be ready on Friday May 13, 2022.Friday, May 13, ********************************************************************************************************************* order for my car to run. I need that piece. He told me the nearest place that had it was a ****** Dealership located 200 miles away in **** which is weird to me because he kept saying it was a common piece so no dealership closer had the piece. He also told me the piece won't be there until Monday at the latest. Now I am super inconvenienced because I expressed to them that I needed my car to get to ******* to take a flight that was prepaid for months in advance and that my stay in ******* was non refundable. My car was not ready so I had to rent a last minute rental from Turo rental which was $306.06 for the date Friday May 13, 2022 to Tuesday May 17, 2022. In order to make it to ******* Midway airport at 8pm to catch my 10pm flight to *******, **. I paid them $1400 to fix my car and the problem is still occurring. Took it to them 2x to fix it and nothing. Third time I was treated like complete trash. They won't fix it.

  

  Business response

  05/27/2022

  Tell us why here..

  Re:         BBB Complaint ID ******** dated 5/20/2022
                 Ms.Dalericka ********
  
  ******************** brought her 2008 ****** Camry with ******* miles to MIDAS on 5/11 with symptoms of car cuts off while driving. Initial investigation revealed that the check engine light did not come on due to being blown, blacked out or removed. Further diagnosis revealed that the engine timing was not being controlled properly due to a failing crankshaft sensor and harmonic balancer. The $1800 job was discounted to $1400 and approved by the customer. There was also a fuel system evap leak that was corrected at no charge. Completion of the job was delayed to Tuesday, 5/17, due to parts availability. The vehicle was test driven, run for about an hour and  restarted repeatedly with no starting problem before being returned to the customer.

  
  Shortly after picking up her car on 5/17, ******************** called the shop and said the car would not start. The MIDAS manager proceeded to make arrangements to tow the car back to the shop, but the customer was able to start the car and drive it to the shop. At customer insistence, the shop manager agreed to pay for a rental car while the vehicle was being diagnosed further. This is not a normal practice and far exceeded any customer ********************** or warranty obligation of the shop. The no start condition could not be duplicated at the shop. No crankshaft position or timing codes were present, confirming the prior repair was functioning properly. The car was returned to the customer with no additional charges on 5/19. Her rental car expense of $265.87 was reimbursed. She started the car and drove away from the shop without incident.

  
  Again, ******************** called and said her car was not starting intermittently. She was advised that we could not duplicate that issue and therefore could not diagnose and repair it. The original engine timing problem had been fixed and was not the cause of the intermittent no start that we could not duplicate. We had gone beyond normal warranty and customer ********************** actions with the prior no charge diagnosis and rental car reimbursement. We could attempt to find the intermittent electrical problem at $130 per hour to pay the technician, or she could take to the dealership or and electrical shop. No further refunds are appropriate. Further, there is absolutely no basis for requesting Uber and other expenses while her vehicle was in the MIDAS shop for repairs. All our dealings with ******************** have been professional. We are disappointed that she feels otherwise.

  Customer response

  06/06/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]
  
  Regards,
  
  Dalericka ********
  

  
  

  I am not satisfied because all I wanted was my car to be fixed. I'm a mother of two little boys so I would like to get to point A,B,C without the possibility being stuck on the side of the road and for $1400 I would expect the problem to be fixed and it's not. There customer ********************** towards the end was careless and pretty much shrug the situation off.  No one just has $1400 sitting around to blow off for a uncompleted job. That is unacceptable and I would like it resolved.

  

  Business response

  06/07/2022

  Original  vehicle issue was due to engine timing problem as indicated by *** codes. This was fixed by replacing a failing crankshaft sensor and harmonic balancer. This cleared the *** codes and no other starting problems were observed while at the shop. Customer claims to have ongoing no start incidents. When she returned to the shop, the intermittent no start could not be duplicated. The owner spoke to customer again on 6/7/2022 and invited her to return to the shop for further diagnosis. She declined, demanded full refund of prior service and threatened legal action. See prior response for additional detail. There is no basis for her demands.

  Customer response

  06/09/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]
  
  Regards,
  
  Dalericka ********

   

  I declined to come back to the same location that didn't fix my car. I don't trust them now and they will probably mess something else up to where I would have to keep coming back. They told me a few codes ran off there machine but I never got a copy of these "codes" they claim was read. So they picked a code to fix and thought that would solve the problem but it didn't. **** called me to ask if the same problem was still occurring I told him yes. He proceeded to tell me they can run a diagnostic but that will be another $130. I just paid you all $1400 to find the first problem and you couldn't do it...why would I pay again. You all are the professionals and didn't deliver at all. I'm steady losing money and my problem is not fixed. I don't want to go to the same location who gave me horrible customer ********************** and treated me like trash after my second time of bringing my car back. Then I asked to speak to corporate or someone who is over the store **** told me he was the boss, he's the owner and that he didn't care if I go to another location, corporate or The Better Business Bureau he's the boss I'm not getting a refund so my only choice was to accept his offer to pay again for another diagnostic or go some where else. I declined. If your the boss the way he is trying to solve my problem is unacceptable. I am done going back and forth with this Midas location all they care about is getting more money after they have taken my money the first time without solving my issue. What's the point in the warranty if you guys aren't going to FIX THE PROBLEM.

  
  

  

  Business response

  06/14/2022

  Responding for third time, original issue was resolved. Refer to prior responses for specifics. Ongoing complaint has not been duplicated on return visits. Customer refuses to return, but wants a refund. That is not the way warranty works. There is nothing else that can be done. There will be no refund.

• Initial Complaint

  12/27/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On the 7th of October, I returned to the Midas store, because my brakes were making a grinding noise when stopping. **** has been the mechanic working on my 03 Mustang since June of this calendar year. We went on a test drive, and he was able to hear the noise I was speaking of. After getting the vehicle on a lift, he and I noticed fluid leaking from the calipers. Now mind you, this work was completed on 6-25-2021. So, three months later, and to the tune of $3497.09 (Invoice #*******) my rear axle shafts, seals, and bearings; rear shock absorbers; and rear brake pads, rotors, and calipers, I have leakage from my rear calipers? After seeing this, he informed **** to order the replacement parts and to schedule me for an appt. for Monday, October 11. I came back into the store yesterday, Monday, October 11th, only to find that there was NO ticket for the parts to be ordered, **** was at another store for the week, and the **** was swapped. I was not leaving my vehicle dry docked for another couple of days when nothing that was said was to happen occurred. As I was driving home, my ABS light came on, and low and behold, once I got into my garage, I raise my hood to check my brake fluid reservoir, and it was very low! The fact that my vehicle has had ANY issues after 6-25-2021, has left me disheartened, disenfranchised, and distrusting to say the least. Allow me to explain, not long after the service performed on 6-25-2021, my front calipers froze up out of the blue! Ive owned my Mustang since 2008, keep it well maintained with ALL my service records and have NEVER had a problem with my front calipers. So, on 9-8-2021, to the tune of $1160.35 (Invoice #*******) my front brake pads, rotors, and calipers were replaced. Since my ABS sensor light has come on, and my brake fluid reservoir has mysteriously run low, lets me know that either there is gross negligence or gross misconduct afoot. I am therefore seeking restitution in the amount of $4639.44.

  

  Business response

  01/14/2022

  MIDAS provides warranty coverage for all repairs performed. I have attempted to contact ************** to discuss and resolve his issue, but have been unable to contact him. The necessary process is for him to return to MIDAS for any warranty service. There is no basis for this refund demand.

  Customer response

  01/15/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 

  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]

   

  *Has the company addressed the issue of the dispute?
  
  
  No, the company has not addressed the issue of the dispute, as I do not have a cashier's or received a business check, nor have the funds been returned to my bank account, since I used a debit card.
  
  *If not, why?
  
  
  I am going to assume, based on **************** reply, that he feels no refund is warranted because I refuse to let them continue to damage my vehicle or waste my time while it is in their possession for multiple days at a time anymore. Not to mention that on (12/3/2021) there was a "brand new" diagnosis of what could be causing my issue - that had NEVER been found in the 5 months prior too.
  
  *Has the company met the agreement they outlined in their response?
  
  
  
  No, the company has not met the agreement they outlined in their response. Why would I return to a company when the owner didn't meet me on the scheduled day (11/24/2021) he was supposed to, failed to reach out to me AFTER I texted him and informed them that something was still "not right" with my vehicle, and lastly, only attempted to contact me once this complaint was officially filed from being a review?

   
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************

  
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩