ComplaintsforFirst Choice Automotive of Alexandria, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  11/23/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I brought my 1999 Ford Taurus to get the compressor and office tube and they built the vacuum line but when I got my car back it was running by itself and running like a tractor. I told them about it and they didn't do nothing. Me and my son almost got in a wreck and could have got killed. I brought my 2003 truck over there to get a tune up and they charge me 600 and when I got my truck back it was still not running too good. It was idling up and down and I had to get another mechanic to fix what they messed up.

  Business response

  01/19/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 9, 2022/01/19) */ First Choice was contracted by ***** ****** 7/21/2021 to work on her 2003 Ford F-150. She requested we tune up her truck and address the failing steering. We replaced spark plugs/fuel & air filter with new components and her failing steering idler arm. These components had been overlooked in the regular required maintenance of said vehicle. Her F-150 ran tremendously better, engine had more power and drove straight with no slack in steering. She expressed no complaint about this repair or attempted to contact us. On 7/23/2021 ***** tasked us with repairing her driver door ( which had been damaged from SOMEONE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK SAID DOOR WITH A SLIM JIM) & tailgate handle. Some time later when she brought her Taurus in she mentioned she was having issues with the F150 door. I told to just bring it in and we would check it out. She never brought it or contacted me about it again. Any repairs to this door would probably have been warrantied and still are.. On 7/28/2021 ***** tasked us to replace her AC compressor & charge the system on her 1999 Ford Taurus., We completed this repair and the AC blew cold. The integrated & complicated vacuum distribution system on her Engine had exceeded its life expectancy and the brittle plastic tubing disintegrated at the slightest touch. With this vacuum plumbing failing the AC actuators would not switch from defroster to dash vents so the cold air only blew on windshield. Unfortunately this vacuum distribution line assembly was no longer available from Ford/ not available from after market such as Auto Zone or O Reilly's/ and all used assemblies from salvage yards were in the same disintegrated state. We fabricated a similar assembly from bulk hose to repair this problem. This uncommon repair requiring the creative engineering skills of our most experienced mechanic, was done, but had be worked into our schedule at the time we were in a 2 month backlog. This was done at no charge. From lack of maintenance her Ford Taurus required additional repairs( not unusual; for said vehicle with 21 years of age and over 200,00 miles. On 10/1/2021 ***** picked up Taurus without performing these repairs. She was given a written explanation of this condition and its symptoms. She has NOT contacted us since then, and appears to drive her vehicle at her choosing without seeking repairs elsewhere. First choice without additional contact from ***** or return of either vehicle could not address her concerns nor give her any consideration to accommodate her. Her lack of mechanical understanding of these failing components probably contributed to her choosing to continue to drive her Taurus without these repairs. This would have put her in said dangerous operation she experienced. See attached invoice #XXXXX. Thanks for your consideration Sincerely, ***** ******* Consumer Response /* (3000, 12, 2022/12/12) */ I Ms Erica ****** was not happy at all with the service because my car was driving by itself and when I would hit the brakes it wouldn't brake. My son and I almost got killed.

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