ComplaintsforGateway Transmissions Inc

• Initial Complaint

  08/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 09/02/2021, I authorized Gateway Automotive, also known as ******* Automotive in ********************, to install a new engine in my truck after they said the full inspection showed sludge in the radiator and that meant my engine was blown. I also wanted them to fix my transmission. I authorized them to either rebuild the existing or install a new transmission, whichever was best. The engine was $8,381.02 and the transmission was $3,685.99. They decided rebuilding the transmission was best.During the few months it took them to get my new engine installed, they kept finding more and more things they said were bad that they somehow missed during my inspection. After receiving my invoice, I see many charges I did not authorize!! They had it towed somewhere for $200, put gas in it twice and I didn't know about any of that or some of the detailed charges associated other repairs. They decided to replace things I wasn't expecting replaced etc. By the time I got my truck back, they had it for ove ten months and ran up an extra $10,000 worth of work. I took it back three times for warranty work on the transmission and it STILL HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS WHEN I FIRST DROPPED IT OFF!!! Every time I dropped it off, I had just filled both gas tanks in anticipation of being able to drive my "new" truck. Each time I picked it up, both were empty!At this point, I have gone without my truck for over ten months, spent $20,835.20 and have an engine that sputters, transmission that makes noise and is near impossible to shift between 2nd and 3rd, and brakes that still shake the truck when braking with a load or hard. The last time I took my truck in for warranty work on the transmission, I even told them if it didn't work this time, then I want all of my money back AND for them to pay a competent mechanic of my choice to fix everything the way I expected a professional shop to fix things!So here we go...

  

  Business response

  09/03/2022

  First week August 2022
  
  ****** contacted Skagit Transmission to check ongoing transmission issues (hard to get out of first, difficult 2-3 shift) but never visited Skagit Transmission. ****** contacted ****************** Gateway upset,stating he had motor and transmission problems. He told ****** he did not want to come back in and never wanted to deal with *** again. When he was told that *** had retired, he asked for a call from Bill or myself.
  
  August 11, 12:56
  
  Called ******, he was unavailable requested I call later.
  
  August 12, 8:18
  
  Called ******, he was unavailable and said he would call back later.

  August 12, 9:54
  
  ****** returned my call and we spoke for approx.. 20 minutes. ****** explained his symptoms (sputtering/misfiring randomly and intermittently, acting like it wants to stall once or twice, feels sluggish or like pushing water when driving, also intermittent) (transmission too difficult to shift out of first, 2-3). I offered to pay Skagit Transmission to evaluate transmission concern, and requested that he return to us for warranty engine work. He became frustrated, stating he lacks trust in our company and that we ruined his truck for him (as in he no longer likes the truck after all the difficulties). He requested that we buy is truck from him for what he spent, plus the cost of replacing the vehicle, in consideration of the hardship we have caused him, his wife, and his daughter. I offered to find another Jasper ********* to perform warranty engine work. He agreed to consider that, and agreed to speak with me about it the following week, while also indicating he may/will be speaking with a lawyer.
  
  August 18, approx. 12:00
  
  I called ****** and informed him that ******************************************** had agreed to investigate his engine concerns, and were willing to work directly with both ****** and us. He agreed to take his truck to them, and I texted him their contact information.

  We know he has made at least initial contact both with Skagit Transmissions and with *******************************, although we have not received any word on what was discussed or progress to date.

   

• Initial Complaint

  11/11/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Gateway transmission received my car sept 12 to do a head casket replacement. They told me they would look at it for free and asses damage 2 days later they told me they needed more tests at a cost of $150 I did not hear back from them. I called them to find out what was happening and was told the test was “inconclusive” and it would be aprox $800 to take the head off and assess damage. Again I heard nothing back so I called again and they told me there was so much water in the block that the bearings were shot and I could replace the gasket but there was no gtd. that the car would not knock and perhaps break down again. They recommended a engine block replacement now 6 weeks after they had received the car. Based on the blue book and debt still owed on the vehicle we opted to put the vehicle back together with a new gasket so we could sell and recoup some of our loss. We instructed them to just put the car back together. They said they would start putting the car back together the following Monday (one week away) I have them a week to put the car back together from the time they were to start and called them the following Monday to see what the progress was( 4 days ago) they said they were just starting to take the engine apart. In two months they had done no work on my car at all. After two days I get pictures sent to me of rust inside the engine block caused by water that sat there for two months. They tried to blame the damage as old damage not in the last two months and that we now had to replace the block And furthermore there was rust in the turbo that would also need replaced for $1000 more, the engine block replacement was quoted at over $3k plus labor. If they had looked at the car two months ago and drained the water out when they received the car there would be no problem. Now they are refusing to fix the damage they caused by gross negligence if I do not pay the higher cost. And refusing to release the vehicle w/o payment for taking the car apart

  

  Business response

  11/17/2021

  I believe that Mr ****** will wish to withdraw his complaint as it appears that immediately after filing this complaint he reached out to our company and we are cooperating with Mr ****** to effect an equitable solution that gets him the repair he needs in a cost-effective manner. 

  Customer response

  11/18/2021

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

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