ComplaintsforAuto Tech Clinic, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  07/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  3/9/2024 I spent an estimated amount of ******* dollars. This shop misdiagnosed my car and failed to tell me that my car read a major engine code. There were 5 random men looking at my car when I was in the shop. I asked the owner what was going on he told me to trust them. Now 4 months later my car is giving me the same issue. I took it to my local Kia ********** and it was diagnosed with the same issue only this time my engine is completely going out. I would like this business to be investigated because they have people working on cars that are not certified mechanics. This has costed me a lot of emotional damage being that I am a woman and I feel like I was lied too. I tried to get the mechanics name who worked on my car but the owner refused to give it to me. Please help me get this business investigated.

  Business response

  07/30/2024

  Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Ms. ******** complaint regarding her visit to our shop.

  
  On 3/9/24, ****************** brought her 2017 Kia ****** to us with concerns about the check engine light and oil light. Our diagnosis indicated a failure in the #4 injector. ****************** approved the replacement of the #4 injector only. We also informed her of potential internal engine damage due to excessive oil consumption.

  
  ****************** returned to our office on July 22 or 23 (we can verify the exact date with camera footage) in a very distressed and unreasonable state. Despite our attempts to address her concerns calmly and professionally, she declined our offer to inspect the vehicle again and refused to work with us towards a resolution. Her behavior was irrational and combative, making it challenging to assist her effectively.

  
  Regarding her claim that we refused to provide the mechanic's name, we want to clarify that the mechanics name and license number are clearly listed at the bottom of her receipt. Additionally, her statement about unlicensed mechanics working on her vehicle is incorrect. All our mechanics are certified professionals.

  
  We deeply regret that ****************** feels emotionally distressed and that she believes she was lied to. We assure you that our team treats all customers with respect and integrity, regardless of gender. Our goal is to provide honest and reliable service to every customer. We are committed to resolving this issue and are still willing to work with ****************** to address her concerns.
  

  Sincerely,

  Autotech Clinic
  
  

  Customer response

  07/30/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your rejection of the business's response. 
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of why I am rejecting this response appear below:
  
  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution. Please type details here:]
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************

  Customer response

  08/01/2024

  
  
  You never mentioned one time the mechanics name when I came to the shop or told me it was on the receipt.  Stating that you have video footage does bother me. You failed to mention why I became irrational. *** the owner disregarded what I said about them misdiagnosing my vehicle by saying youre coming back 4/5  months later it doesnt matter address why my car is giving me the same issue. The dealership told me it was my piston rings which were causing the misfire that you guys misdiagnosed. 

   I hope you can also pull up the footage of my car being surrounded by multiple men. Which some of them had on regular street clothes. The owner *** also lied and said their was no way to check my piston rings when their was a way but your mechanic FAILED to check every component. Engines just dont fail out of the blue. Do better next time so the next customer does not lose their car all because the mechanic failed to take the time out test every component. Lastly, what happened to the owner reaching out to me Wednesday? It never occurred which shows that this shop doesnt care about customers. Just do better as a business because times are already hard for people have some empathy. 

   

  God bless
  
  

  Business response

  08/05/2024

  Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. We would like to address the points youve raised:
  Regarding your statement that "***, the owner, lied and said there was no way to check my piston rings when there was a way, but your mechanic FAILED to check every component. Engines dont just fail out of the blue":
  We are capable of checking piston rings, but there is a fee involved. Engines can fail when they are not properly lubricated, which is why you were informed that your engine was consuming oil and that there might be an internal failure. This was also stated on your receipt.
  In response to your statement about returning months later, here are the details:
  You brought your car in on 3/9/24 for a fuel injector repair.
  On 3/19/24, you returned to our shop and mentioned that the heat was blowing cool air while driving and warm at idle. At that time, there was no mention of any previous repair issues or symptoms.
  Months later, in July, you returned, expressing your concerns loudly and refusing to allow us to check the vehicle.
  Despite our attempts to address your concerns calmly and professionally, you declined our offer to inspect the vehicle again and refused to work with us towards a resolution. Our work comes with warranties, but per the manufacturers we work with, we must check the vehicle to determine the point of failure. Your refusal made it challenging for us to assist you effectively.
  Regarding the owner reaching out to you on Wednesday, we apologize for any miscommunication or oversight that occurred.
  We value our customers and strive to provide the best service possible. We understand that times are hard, and we aim to show empathy in all our interactions.
  Thank you for your feedback, and God bless.
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  07/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Date: 7/19- 7/25 This issue started on July 19, 2023 when I picked my vehicle up from the car dealership. I had my vehicle towed in to this shop, I never been to this shop before but it was the closest to were my vehicle broke down. I told them the issue, which was the car wouldn't accelerate, they said they reviewed it (towed into shop on 7/18), then told me the issue with the vehicle and it would cost $1,330 to fix it. They said I needed brakes, roters, calipers and a flush. I paid to have it fixed. When I picked up my vehicle I drove it down the street and noticed the brakes weren't as tight but I wanted to drive it some more to see how it rides. There was no major issue that day except the brakes felt a little funny. My daughter drove the vehicle on the freeway the next day and the brakes were not tight at all she was pressing all the way to the floor. when she got to her destination she parked the car. When she went to leave again the brakes were completely out and the vehicle started to jerk and wouldn't accelerate again. The same exact issue we brought the car in for. I called and they told me to bring it back in. We had it towed again to the shop and they call back and said it's the transmission. My complaint is my vehicle was given back to me and was not fixed and in fact was very dangerous to drive because the brakes went out. When we brought the car in the brakes were working fine. They did not inspect the vehicle properly the first time I brought it in and wanted to charge me more money to fix my transmission that they didn't say anything about when I initially brought my vehicle in. I had to get the vehicle towed for the 3rd time to another car repair shop. They could not verify if it was test drove the first time because it wasn't nor was it inspected properly the first time putting my daughter and my life in danger while driving this vehicle and they did not fix the vehicle what I paid for. They would not issue a refund either.

  Business response

  08/02/2023

  The customer came in complaining her car would start but not accelerate and the dash was giving a message to "check fuel fill inlet".  Upon inspection, the technician found both front brake hoses leaking and both front calipers seized.   The vehicle was also scanned for fault codes and a smoke test was performed. No current fault codes were found and the light was cleared.  Vehicle was not test driven at the time of inspection due to the condition of the vehicle.  The customer was called and explained the issues found with the vehicle.  She also approved the replacement of both hoses, calipers, brake pads, and rotors.  The customer never complained of shifting issues and no transmission codes were found. 
  The vehicle was repaired and test driven afterwards.  Vehicle was braking properly and not jerking.  The customers immediate concerns were repaired.  As explained to the customer, excessive driving while calipers are locked up can cause the transmission to over work and cause internal damage. 
  The customer returned complaining the vehicle wouldnt start and the brake pedal was going to the floor.  The vehicle started multiple times and was test driven for roughly 20 minutes.  Once the vehicle was warmed up the transmission started to act up and the vehicle went into limp mode.  There were no transmission fault codes.  The customer was advised the vehicle needed a transmission replacement and the brake system would be bleed as the pedal was slightly soft.  The customer denied all repairs and diagnostics.

  Customer response

  08/02/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your rejection of the business's response. 
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of why I am rejecting this response appear below:
  
  In the statement from the business my vehicle was not test driven after the repairs were made of it was then they could have felt how the vehicle was driving and how the brakes felt before it was given back to me. At that time the vehicle could have been reviewed further. The vehicle was given back in a unsafe bad state and the parts that were replace me I agreed to have fixed because the business said that was the issue why it wasnt accelerating. I brought my vehicle in because it would not accelerate the brakes were not giving me an issue at the time. My complaint stands the proper inspection was not done when I initially brought my vehicle in and it was not test driven the first time I brought it in after they replaced the parts they said was causing the issue. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  01/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My turbo went out in my car and I took it to Auto Tech Clinic. I paid about $1,600 for it to be fixed and as soon as they finished fixing my car not even a week later I had to bring it back because my car was going slow barely drivable. I took my car back again to them because it is under warranty and they said it was fixed and gave me my car for the second time. Two weeks went past and the turbo went out again! I took it to them and they warranted it out and got me a new one. I drove my car for a few weeks and while I was driving far on the freeway my check engine light came on and my car wouldn't accelerate at all and I got stuck. I then had to pay $200.00 to a tow truck for them to come and get me and I had my car dropped off at home and then I had to pay another tow truck to get it to a new shop that was recommended by my uncle. There was no way I was going to have it towed back to that place after it messing my car up 3 times. The new shop didn't know my turbo went out and I didn't either I asked them to look at it and figure it out for me. They called me two days later and said my turbo blew up and the pieces of it hit my engine and took my engine out. They said "it was due to turbo failure" So I called them several times at auto tech clinic and they said I would get a call back from the manager and I didn't so I called back and then I was out on hold for 15 minutes, spoke to the manager and he said to have my car towed there so he can diagnose it himself. I gave him the number to the new shop and he called and they told him what happened with the turbo and he said he didn't believe them because that's hard to happen and I told him my car was fine until they touched it and put the turbo in and he told me nothing he could do without seeing my car and I asked him to go up there and look and he said he could not, My car is almost $7,000 to be fixed because my engine has to be replaced and my turbo and I do not have the money to fix it and I shouldn't have to.

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