topic Re: My current auto repair experience in Community Chat

My current auto repair experience

gellen — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 19:10:02 GMT

I took my car into my auto repair shop, which I have gone to for years, when I was hearing a clunking noise upon breaking. I left my car there; awaiting a shipment of parts. They called me yesterday saying it was done. As I pulled away after paying a substantial sum I heard the noise again. I immediately went back and spoke with them. They had me drive it a short distance with one of their mechanics who confirmed the noise. He said they would call me at home to discuss. No call. I emailed. No response. I plan on showing up first thing Monday AM. Not happy since I purchased my car from them and have been a loyal customer. Has anyone else had a similar experience.? I am single and depend on this car!

Re: My current auto repair experience

Snowpuppy — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 19:21:09 GMT

Assuming this ìs a dealer, did you talk to the Service Manager?

Re: My current auto repair experience

spumoni99 — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 19:23:54 GMT

Here in CA we have a bureau of automotive repair you can report to. Do you have the car or do they?

Re: My current auto repair experience

gellen — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 19:30:46 GMT

Luckily I have it.

Re: My current auto repair experience

CelticCrafter — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 20:13:08 GMT

No one can fix anything the first time around...

Re: My current auto repair experience

shoekitty — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 21:26:50 GMT

@spumoni99 wrote:
Here in CA we have a bureau of automotive repair you can report to. Do you have the car or do they?

@spumoni99 Yes, and the Lemon act too! They get in deep doo-doo quick. My granddaughter had to use them. She got response within a week, problem solved

Re: My current auto repair experience

spumoni99 — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 21:33:30 GMT

I had a 2000 Honda Odyssey years ago, I was in the garage with my foot on the brake and it would not let me put into gear. It did finally let me but I was afraid something was going to happen and I would be stranded).

I took it to the dealer and when I picked it up it was 90 dollars and they said they couldn't find out what was wrong since it wasn't happening when they had it.

I made a complaint, can't remember how but the manager called me and I said there is a known issue with a sensor, how much is that sensor to change? He said 80 dollars. I said so why didn't they just change that instead of charging me for nothing. He said bring it in we will replace it no charge. Never had an issue with it again.

Re: My current auto repair experience

Mz iMac — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:31:59 GMT

@gellen "I took my car into my auto repair shop,"

"I purchased my car from them "

"They had me drive it a short distance with one of their mechanics who confirmed the noise. He said they would call me at home to discuss. "

I don't understand why you did not leave the car w/them for them to fix. Since you "purchased" the car from them they should have given you loaner.

What is there to talk about if they no longer have your car?

"clunking noise upon breaking"

Sounds like a brake issue which can be dangerous if you keep driving.

Re: My current auto repair experience

Kachina624 — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:42:34 GMT

@gellen. They see a woman customer and think they've got a push over of whom they can take advantage.

No more "MS. NICE LADY". Now is the time to go into wildcat mode. Pitch a fit in front of other customers and do it loudly. Make threats...whatever it takes.

Re: My current auto repair experience

San Antonio Gal — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:51:32 GMT

@gellen wrote:
Luckily I have it.

Why did you take the car when it wasn't fixed @gellen ?

Re: My current auto repair experience

gellen — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 09:28:25 GMT

I needed to drive it a block to the grocer to get food. I had been away a month The mechanic said that would be ok. He vouched to personally handle it when I bring it back. The repair shop is 1/2 mile from my home.

Re: My current auto repair experience

gardenman — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 12:51:02 GMT

Clunking noises are typically a failed rubber bushing in the suspension. It can also be something like a broken anti-sway bar. Brake issues are typically more of a whistle or squeal. You hear the clunk when you brake because the metal parts typically separated by the now-failed bushing are banging against one another as one wants to keep moving while the other one stops. You're generally safe driving a car in such a condition until it's repaired, as long as you don't do anything too extreme. (Taking sharp corners at 90 MPH. Making sharp, sudden moves, etc.) Just normal, around-town driving is generally safe enough for the short term with a clunking noise. You should be fine.

Re: My current auto repair experience

Karie2022 — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 13:50:07 GMT

We Just had an issue with our local auto place that we have been many times; husband brought my son's car in to check the brakes; they said the rotors were badly corroded and needed to be replaced. My husband decided to check the brakes himself due to cost, and found NO corrosion at all. Seriously dissapointed and wanted to complain but hubby wants to let it go. :0

Re: My current auto repair experience

Melzie — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 15:20:27 GMT

I've been going to the same mechanic for over 30 years, not a dealership. In situations like this I would always get a call telling me that they need to keep the vehicle overnight, over the weekend, that they're waiting for parts, or for another reason if none of the above. They never leave me hanging. Not a fun experience when they do leave you with no info, especially on a weekend when you have a couple of days to fume ofer it.

Re: My current auto repair experience

mrshckynut — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 16:01:18 GMT

one of my husbands friends is a mechanic at a dealership

he has personally taken care of our vehicles for a couple decades now

mrshckynut

Re: My current auto repair experience

shoekitty — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 01:57:18 GMT

@Melzie wrote:
I've been going to the same mechanic for over 30 years, not a dealership. In situations like this I would always get a call telling me that they need to keep the vehicle overnight, over the weekend, that they're waiting for parts, or for another reason if none of the above. They never leave me hanging. Not a fun experience when they do leave you with no info, especially on a weekend when you have a couple of days to fume ofer it.

@Melzie You sound like you have a keeper. We have one like that for the Land Rover. Best mechanic ever, so trusting and reliable! But he only does foreign cars of certain brands. The other mechanics are hard to find. Outside of a dealership. Excellent Car mechanics are a Dying breed For someone to own their own shop for so long, they must be good cause it's hard to stay in business now a days.

Re: My current auto repair experience

Kachina624 — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 02:29:18 GMT

@gellen. Did you take the car back today? What happened? We need a follow-up.