We went to Kevin's AAMCO company with a transmission that went bad on a trip to the Grand Canyon with my family. We had to have it towed from 20 miles south of Flagstaff, and unfortunately ended up in the hands of Kevin Lindsay. Kevin quoted me $5,887.48 to put in a reconditioned transmission for my 2006 Lexus RX330. That seemed quite high but we were in a pinch, in a different city with a non-functioning vehicle and needed to try and get it fixed. We ended up renting a car to continue on our trip. Once we returned to Phoenix the next day, we did some research and found that Kevin was charging about 3 times the going rate for the job we needed, so (as any logical person would) we contacted Kevin and told him to cancel the order and that we would just get it fixed in Phoenix. He agreed to cancel his shipment of the transmission assuming we would have a cheaper one shipped to him. We then found a transmission guy who would do the work for $2200, all in! So again, as any sane person would do, we called Kevin to tell him we wanted to tow it to Phoenix and would pay Kevin for his time thus far. He became obviously irritated and said he has 11 hours in it and that the car was in a condition where it cannot be towed. He even said it would fall apart on the tow truck in its current state and that it would take another 6-7 hours to put it back together. We told him that seemed quite high but we wanted a refund for the parts (about $4,000) but we would pay him for his time in taking apart the transmission. He became belligerent and said that if we wanted our money back we would need to drive to flagstaff and pay him cash for his time and then hung up on us. That seemed extremely underhanded, unprofessional, and possibly illegal.
We went back and forth with the Aamco corporate office – who basically could not do anything because all Aamco’s are “independently owned franchises.” At this point, he had our vehicle and our payment in full and was being completely uncooperative. Not knowing what else to do, we contacted the Flagstaff police department for assistance. They were helpful and called Kevin directly. Apparently, he not only yelled at the officer, but also flat out lied to him by telling him he received a letter from our bank stating that our payment was being reversed. (I wish it were that easy!) Finally, after help from the police department and a Senior Customer Service Rep from Aamco – he finally agreed to release the vehicle, and credit our card back for the price of the transmission but refused to budge on the time he supposedly spent on the car (without actually fixing anything) which was 18 hours! So $1800 and a lot of anguish later, we got the car towed from Flagstaff to a shop in Phoenix and STILL came out less than Kevin’s original quote! Moral of the story, read online reviews – if we read his existing reviews, we would have never gone to him in the first place. Lesson learned.
I originally took my 2001 Pathfinder to the Puyallup location mainly due to my great experience at the Lynwood location. The folks in Lynwood actually saved me from paying the Dodge dealer $3k for a transmission on my truck (cleaned a corroded solenoid).
However, I've had nothing but bad experience with the Puyallup location.
The first time I had it in, they repaired the transmission, which took about two weeks. That lasted a day, and I had to have it towed back. Next, the transmission was completely replaced, at a cost of just under $4000. Oh, and they had it for another three weeks. All told, it was 38 days in which hey had the vehicle, either at their shop or at the Nissan dealership.
Here it is, now December, and the vehicle is now back in their shop. At first, it was diagnosed as being a Mass Airflow Sensor problem. Great, fine, I said, replace it. They are charging me $500 for a $144 part, which is highway robbery.
However, the truck is still not right, and they have to drop the transmission again. They've had it a week now, and are just now getting to the problem for which we brought it in. Just spoke with Sam, and they'll be bringing it back from the Nissan dealer to repair/replace the transmission again.
Aside from the apparently lacking technical knowledge, customer service at this location tends to be an issue. I have found myself making daily phone calls to the shop to get news about my vehicle. I do this mainly because I have been promised phone calls with status updates, but the phone calls never come. When I get someone on the phone, usually Sam, I always seem to get "We'll get to it tomorrow".
So as of the writing of this review, Aamco Puyallup will have had my vehicle for a grand total of 45 days (38 the first time, and now 7 more).
EDIT: It is now 1/3/2017. The truck was supposed to be ready on Friday, 12/30/2106. Surprise, surprise, it wasn't. They've promised to have it back to me today, after replacing the transmission AGAIN.
I understand that you've had morons working their in the past. I understand that you can only move as fast as parts can arrive. Maybe pay for overnight shipping? Only hire the best?
You've had my vehicle for over sixty days. Make it right.
Vince Ornato, if your listening, give me a call and please tell me that I will be getting my truck back soon.
I had my transmission rebuilt by this shop in OCT 2014. Two years later it failed OCT 2016. So I towed my vehicle to AAMCO Roseville since the transmission rebuild is under warranty. I am having to rent a car while waiting for the repairs to be finished. I had my vehicle towed to the AAMCO in Roseville on OCT 1, 2016. Today is NOV 1, 2016 and they still have not finished my vehicle. My rental car cost is now over $1,200 and climbing. Since day one, I have been pleading with the shop to help with rental reimbursement cost to which they adamantly refuse. So as a consumer, I would 1st, think twice as to whether or not I would even use this shop for initial transmission repairs/rebuilds. And if you decide to use this shop for a transmission rebuild, then I would be cautious as to the service you will receive from them WHEN you need to use the warranty for repairs that are probably most likely going to be needed. I am currently filing a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive repair to see what kind of solution we can come up with. But so far, AAMCO has very adamantly refused to help.
On Wed. July 13, 2016 after dropping our son off at the University of Alabama our Ford Expedition would not move at a traffic light after pressing down on the gas and the check engine light came on. I was able to stop and start the engine and get it to an AAMCO. The manager's name was Rick and told me he could look at it in the morning. The next morning he told me that the problem was the transmission and that the cheapest and quickest thing to fix it would be putting in a used transmission. The cost was $2900 and it would be ready Wed. July 20.
We came to pick up the Expedition on Fri. July 22. Rick told me that it was running great but that it putted at a stop light. I told Rick that it should not have any issues since we got a new transmission and there were no problems with it before we had trouble at the light in Tuscaloosa.
I asked for Rick to do a diagnostic to make sure everything was good before we left back for Nashville. A man named Angel did the diagnostic and showed me that it was reading misfires in all 8 cylinders. He told me it might need a tune up at worst it was a vacuum issue but that we were just fine to leave and drive home.
We made it to Birmingham and the Expedition lost power and the gas did not work just like before bringing it to AAMCO. I called Rick and he told me if we left it he could come get it some time. He was not specific, but if we could start it to try to make it to Nashville. We broke down 5 more times with the same issue until having to get it towed the final 50 miles. Rick would not let me talk to the owner. I called AAMCO corporate and the owner Steve Barley called me back. He told me it was a coincidence and that our car was fixed properly and we must have had something new go wrong 45 minutes after leaving their place. (Even though it was the same issue). Our certified mechanic in Nashville diagnosed and fixed the problem which was the fuel pump. He told me that they missed the problem and replaced a transmission that did not need to be replaced.
On Monday, July 25 I called to speak to Rick about the issue with our vehicle breaking down after they replaced our transmission. He told me that the diagnostic did not show anything directly wrong with the transmission. He told me that you look at two things when trying to find out what is wrong with a vehicle, the diagnostic and the mechanical side. He told me the mechanical side (test driving, taking apart the transmission) led him to believe that our transmission needed to be fixed and in our case replaced. I asked to talk with the business owner (Steve Barley) and Rick told me that he only comes in a couple of times a day.
I called back Tuesday morning to speak to Steve Barley and Rick told me that he was on vacation and would not be back until the next Monday. I called AAMCO corporate about my complaint and Steve Barley called me back that same afternoon and he did not realize himself that he was supposed to be on vacation. Steve Barley told me that he was a business owner and not a mechanic and that he trusted Rick's judgment and that it was just a coincidence that our car was fixed and 50 minutes later it broke down with the same problem in which I brought to them. He told me that our Expedition must have gotten a new problem with the engine after leaving AAMCO.
Took our daughters car in because transmission light was on. Car was driving perfectly, no signs of transmission problems. Had to leave it there through weekend. We were traveling on rode and don't live in shops location. We were told transmission was burned up and would cost $3300. We didn't believe them, but felt like we didn't have a choice since they had already torn down existing transmission. After picking it up, 45 min later transmission light came back on. We live out of town Texas and was on the way home. We called shop and was told to have it towed to Corpus Christie. That Aamco owner, Shaun reported all tho light was on, transmission was fine. He said it would cost $190 to check it out. He found the glitch was a $1200 repair to fix light. All we wanted to do at that point was get it home. We were told if we drove it 25 miles then the warranty would be invalid. The customer service was horrible at the Webster location. When asked a question, they would talk down to us. I asked them why was the light still on and the owner Mike said " We didn't check for that". Then he told me if the warning light was on, it could burn up new transmission. We feel like we were ripped off by Total Car Care. They thought they had us over a barrel since we were from out of town.
Aamco will burn you. They are the worst "auto mechanics" That I have ever seen. Just stplaced a jack under the tank and buckeled it. Next they didnt repalce the transmission lines, instead took my fuel injection system apart? And the transmission lines popped under pressure 50 miles into the new 3800 dollar transmission. Stay away from these con artists!
On the day I brought my car for transmission diagnostics, a man and a lady were cussing the Company out demanding that their car engine was damaged while in their care. Water in the oil and a major oil leak.
1st never let them drive your car alone. Never! Next demnd in writing ALL the parts they take off to be given to you AND all new parts they say they put in must be inspected by you before they install anything. Also the box and reciept from where and how much it cost.
We put a new torque converter in your car. OK where is my old one? no answer. They lie to you and damage your car then charge you to damage your car.
When they put a new transmission in my cr, later I learn that all it needed was a 5 cent o ring. Thats right. A 5 cent part and instead they, took my fuel injection system apart? Was never requested. Next they put the new transmission in and didnt replace the old lines. Of course they popped at 50 miles into the new transmission. The lines are obviously cracked from age. I have them for the law suit.
When I picked up my car, they said, their is your car. Get in it and leave!
Hey my tail pipes are on wrong. They are sagging. Again just get in your car and leave.
They drove my car 14 miles. Why? Went on a date?
They pushed my car to a lift and I see my gas tank is buckled from a jack!
In short I got no parts and was litterly kicked out!
They purposely didnt replace the lines to void the warranty because you cant drive it. Next they want more money.
I took it to another shop who charged me 750 dollars.
That shop drove it. Why are all these dirty mechanics driving my Jag Vanden Plaz. Why, they are just bad people!
Get every part. Never let any "Mechanic" drive your car. And always inspect the new part so they dont trick you.
Went to a ammco transmissions in McDonough ga,dropped my car off on a tuesday.on Thursday they still had not looked at my car.come to find out they locked my keys in my car.they tried to get the keys out and damaged my vehicle.the manager was real nasty and really ignorant.he said it was my fault they locked the keys n the vehicle.beware of this shop.i wouldn't bring a lawn mower to this place.
AAMCO Transmissions Reviews
We went to Kevin's AAMCO company with a transmission that went bad on a trip to the Grand Canyon with my family. We had to have it towed from 20 miles south of Flagstaff, and unfortunately ended up in the hands of Kevin Lindsay. Kevin quoted me $5,887.48 to put in a reconditioned transmission for my 2006 Lexus RX330. That seemed quite high but we were in a pinch, in a different city with a non-functioning vehicle and needed to try and get it fixed. We ended up renting a car to continue on our trip. Once we returned to Phoenix the next day, we did some research and found that Kevin was charging about 3 times the going rate for the job we needed, so (as any logical person would) we contacted Kevin and told him to cancel the order and that we would just get it fixed in Phoenix. He agreed to cancel his shipment of the transmission assuming we would have a cheaper one shipped to him. We then found a transmission guy who would do the work for $2200, all in! So again, as any sane person would do, we called Kevin to tell him we wanted to tow it to Phoenix and would pay Kevin for his time thus far. He became obviously irritated and said he has 11 hours in it and that the car was in a condition where it cannot be towed. He even said it would fall apart on the tow truck in its current state and that it would take another 6-7 hours to put it back together. We told him that seemed quite high but we wanted a refund for the parts (about $4,000) but we would pay him for his time in taking apart the transmission. He became belligerent and said that if we wanted our money back we would need to drive to flagstaff and pay him cash for his time and then hung up on us. That seemed extremely underhanded, unprofessional, and possibly illegal.
We went back and forth with the Aamco corporate office – who basically could not do anything because all Aamco’s are “independently owned franchises.” At this point, he had our vehicle and our payment in full and was being completely uncooperative. Not knowing what else to do, we contacted the Flagstaff police department for assistance. They were helpful and called Kevin directly. Apparently, he not only yelled at the officer, but also flat out lied to him by telling him he received a letter from our bank stating that our payment was being reversed. (I wish it were that easy!) Finally, after help from the police department and a Senior Customer Service Rep from Aamco – he finally agreed to release the vehicle, and credit our card back for the price of the transmission but refused to budge on the time he supposedly spent on the car (without actually fixing anything) which was 18 hours! So $1800 and a lot of anguish later, we got the car towed from Flagstaff to a shop in Phoenix and STILL came out less than Kevin’s original quote! Moral of the story, read online reviews – if we read his existing reviews, we would have never gone to him in the first place. Lesson learned.
I can only describe my experience as poor.
I originally took my 2001 Pathfinder to the Puyallup location mainly due to my great experience at the Lynwood location. The folks in Lynwood actually saved me from paying the Dodge dealer $3k for a transmission on my truck (cleaned a corroded solenoid).
However, I've had nothing but bad experience with the Puyallup location.
The first time I had it in, they repaired the transmission, which took about two weeks. That lasted a day, and I had to have it towed back. Next, the transmission was completely replaced, at a cost of just under $4000. Oh, and they had it for another three weeks. All told, it was 38 days in which hey had the vehicle, either at their shop or at the Nissan dealership.
Here it is, now December, and the vehicle is now back in their shop. At first, it was diagnosed as being a Mass Airflow Sensor problem. Great, fine, I said, replace it. They are charging me $500 for a $144 part, which is highway robbery.
However, the truck is still not right, and they have to drop the transmission again. They've had it a week now, and are just now getting to the problem for which we brought it in. Just spoke with Sam, and they'll be bringing it back from the Nissan dealer to repair/replace the transmission again.
Aside from the apparently lacking technical knowledge, customer service at this location tends to be an issue. I have found myself making daily phone calls to the shop to get news about my vehicle. I do this mainly because I have been promised phone calls with status updates, but the phone calls never come. When I get someone on the phone, usually Sam, I always seem to get "We'll get to it tomorrow".
So as of the writing of this review, Aamco Puyallup will have had my vehicle for a grand total of 45 days (38 the first time, and now 7 more).
EDIT: It is now 1/3/2017. The truck was supposed to be ready on Friday, 12/30/2106. Surprise, surprise, it wasn't. They've promised to have it back to me today, after replacing the transmission AGAIN.
I understand that you've had morons working their in the past. I understand that you can only move as fast as parts can arrive. Maybe pay for overnight shipping? Only hire the best?
You've had my vehicle for over sixty days. Make it right.
Vince Ornato, if your listening, give me a call and please tell me that I will be getting my truck back soon.
I had my transmission rebuilt by this shop in OCT 2014. Two years later it failed OCT 2016. So I towed my vehicle to AAMCO Roseville since the transmission rebuild is under warranty. I am having to rent a car while waiting for the repairs to be finished. I had my vehicle towed to the AAMCO in Roseville on OCT 1, 2016. Today is NOV 1, 2016 and they still have not finished my vehicle. My rental car cost is now over $1,200 and climbing. Since day one, I have been pleading with the shop to help with rental reimbursement cost to which they adamantly refuse. So as a consumer, I would 1st, think twice as to whether or not I would even use this shop for initial transmission repairs/rebuilds. And if you decide to use this shop for a transmission rebuild, then I would be cautious as to the service you will receive from them WHEN you need to use the warranty for repairs that are probably most likely going to be needed. I am currently filing a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive repair to see what kind of solution we can come up with. But so far, AAMCO has very adamantly refused to help.
On Wed. July 13, 2016 after dropping our son off at the University of Alabama our Ford Expedition would not move at a traffic light after pressing down on the gas and the check engine light came on. I was able to stop and start the engine and get it to an AAMCO. The manager's name was Rick and told me he could look at it in the morning. The next morning he told me that the problem was the transmission and that the cheapest and quickest thing to fix it would be putting in a used transmission. The cost was $2900 and it would be ready Wed. July 20.
We came to pick up the Expedition on Fri. July 22. Rick told me that it was running great but that it putted at a stop light. I told Rick that it should not have any issues since we got a new transmission and there were no problems with it before we had trouble at the light in Tuscaloosa.
I asked for Rick to do a diagnostic to make sure everything was good before we left back for Nashville. A man named Angel did the diagnostic and showed me that it was reading misfires in all 8 cylinders. He told me it might need a tune up at worst it was a vacuum issue but that we were just fine to leave and drive home.
We made it to Birmingham and the Expedition lost power and the gas did not work just like before bringing it to AAMCO. I called Rick and he told me if we left it he could come get it some time. He was not specific, but if we could start it to try to make it to Nashville. We broke down 5 more times with the same issue until having to get it towed the final 50 miles. Rick would not let me talk to the owner. I called AAMCO corporate and the owner Steve Barley called me back. He told me it was a coincidence and that our car was fixed properly and we must have had something new go wrong 45 minutes after leaving their place. (Even though it was the same issue). Our certified mechanic in Nashville diagnosed and fixed the problem which was the fuel pump. He told me that they missed the problem and replaced a transmission that did not need to be replaced.
On Monday, July 25 I called to speak to Rick about the issue with our vehicle breaking down after they replaced our transmission. He told me that the diagnostic did not show anything directly wrong with the transmission. He told me that you look at two things when trying to find out what is wrong with a vehicle, the diagnostic and the mechanical side. He told me the mechanical side (test driving, taking apart the transmission) led him to believe that our transmission needed to be fixed and in our case replaced. I asked to talk with the business owner (Steve Barley) and Rick told me that he only comes in a couple of times a day.
I called back Tuesday morning to speak to Steve Barley and Rick told me that he was on vacation and would not be back until the next Monday. I called AAMCO corporate about my complaint and Steve Barley called me back that same afternoon and he did not realize himself that he was supposed to be on vacation. Steve Barley told me that he was a business owner and not a mechanic and that he trusted Rick's judgment and that it was just a coincidence that our car was fixed and 50 minutes later it broke down with the same problem in which I brought to them. He told me that our Expedition must have gotten a new problem with the engine after leaving AAMCO.
Took our daughters car in because transmission light was on. Car was driving perfectly, no signs of transmission problems. Had to leave it there through weekend. We were traveling on rode and don't live in shops location. We were told transmission was burned up and would cost $3300. We didn't believe them, but felt like we didn't have a choice since they had already torn down existing transmission. After picking it up, 45 min later transmission light came back on. We live out of town Texas and was on the way home. We called shop and was told to have it towed to Corpus Christie. That Aamco owner, Shaun reported all tho light was on, transmission was fine. He said it would cost $190 to check it out. He found the glitch was a $1200 repair to fix light. All we wanted to do at that point was get it home. We were told if we drove it 25 miles then the warranty would be invalid. The customer service was horrible at the Webster location. When asked a question, they would talk down to us. I asked them why was the light still on and the owner Mike said " We didn't check for that". Then he told me if the warning light was on, it could burn up new transmission. We feel like we were ripped off by Total Car Care. They thought they had us over a barrel since we were from out of town.
Aamco will burn you. They are the worst "auto mechanics" That I have ever seen. Just stplaced a jack under the tank and buckeled it. Next they didnt repalce the transmission lines, instead took my fuel injection system apart? And the transmission lines popped under pressure 50 miles into the new 3800 dollar transmission. Stay away from these con artists!
On the day I brought my car for transmission diagnostics, a man and a lady were cussing the Company out demanding that their car engine was damaged while in their care. Water in the oil and a major oil leak.
1st never let them drive your car alone. Never! Next demnd in writing ALL the parts they take off to be given to you AND all new parts they say they put in must be inspected by you before they install anything. Also the box and reciept from where and how much it cost.
We put a new torque converter in your car. OK where is my old one? no answer. They lie to you and damage your car then charge you to damage your car.
When they put a new transmission in my cr, later I learn that all it needed was a 5 cent o ring. Thats right. A 5 cent part and instead they, took my fuel injection system apart? Was never requested. Next they put the new transmission in and didnt replace the old lines. Of course they popped at 50 miles into the new transmission. The lines are obviously cracked from age. I have them for the law suit.
When I picked up my car, they said, their is your car. Get in it and leave!
Hey my tail pipes are on wrong. They are sagging. Again just get in your car and leave.
They drove my car 14 miles. Why? Went on a date?
They pushed my car to a lift and I see my gas tank is buckled from a jack!
In short I got no parts and was litterly kicked out!
They purposely didnt replace the lines to void the warranty because you cant drive it. Next they want more money.
I took it to another shop who charged me 750 dollars.
That shop drove it. Why are all these dirty mechanics driving my Jag Vanden Plaz. Why, they are just bad people!
Get every part. Never let any "Mechanic" drive your car. And always inspect the new part so they dont trick you.
Went to a ammco transmissions in McDonough ga,dropped my car off on a tuesday.on Thursday they still had not looked at my car.come to find out they locked my keys in my car.they tried to get the keys out and damaged my vehicle.the manager was real nasty and really ignorant.he said it was my fault they locked the keys n the vehicle.beware of this shop.i wouldn't bring a lawn mower to this place.