Common Brake Repair Scam in Major Name Tire Centers

Right after a new transmission was put in my car, I went to Jiffy Lube, for an oil change. Mr clipboard came out and told me my transmission fluid needed to be changed, as did my wiper blades. I never gave them a chance near the wheels.

VIP Yore Centers in Maine

Notorious for recommending. Purchases that are pressing and unnecessary……

Firestone complete auto repair is another scam company. In short; I purchased a 17 yr. old BMW and took it to BMW for an oil change and filter replacement. They also took a video of all of the work needing to be done. I took it to a Firestone shop, showed them the video and requested the seals, hoses and belts be replaced. They charged me for again changing the oil and filter (328 miles since being done), and one seal. Through four and a half months and 1619 total miles my car had to be towed, pushed, and brought back for repairs seven (7) times for repairs. The elapsed miles between repairs was seven and a half miles (7 1/2 miles), 56 miles, 122 miles, 124 miles, and 150 miles, for some examples. Things "broke" that the BMW dealership later told me that they had NEVER seen fail. The repair tickets that I was charged were for vehicles that I found out later had more than 50,000 miles on the repair ticket. I contacted Firestone more than 25 times before I got any response, and that was to see copies of the videos from the BMW dealership. I was told more than 30 times that someone from the corporate office would be back to me in 48 hours. Finally, after more than nine months and more than 35 contacts by me, John T. at the corporate office (615) 937-4024 told me that Firestone is going to do nothing. I didn't know if I would have room to say that I was requesting service that I was prepared to pay for that would prevent breakdowns. I am disabled and have limited movement without severe pain. I've now spent thousands, and still the preventative work is not done yet and the work they charged me for continues to fail.

Pgh,pa Mr.Tire rodi rd. Got a inspection done on my 04 silverado. Had it for 4 yrs, never failed inspection. This guy stated i needed rear backing plates, which essentially are dust shields on the back of the rotors. 20 bucks each. But to install them, you have to literally take apart the rear axle. Total cost 1320 for labor and parts. The shields, new seals and everything. Mind you, they were never on the truck in the first place. He tried to compare it to a newer gmc sierra. I Tried telling this guy i work on my own vehicles so i no what is needed and not. and you definitely dont need them. Went to a chevy dealership 3 days later, passed with no problems. Told them what happened at the shop, they told me with no hesitation "he was trying to line his pockets". Such ashame how people are now a days.

Yep, and unless there's been a recall regarding a particular model really needing whatever nice-to-have-but-not-necessary-part(s), I'd advise sticking with the stock job. You never know until later whether an add-on really is designed to fit a specific vehicle without problems---until it's too late. Thanks for sharing.

I went in my local good year store to have my tires rotated and balanced. The manager came and told me my brakes, rotors, and front wheel bearings were shot. Said, he would quote me a price for parts and repairs. I told him no thanks, that I would do the work myself. Well, he came back to me with a quote of $1,380. I told the man.he was crazy! I knew i hard a warped rotor on the passenger side. The wheel bearing were perfectly fine, I bought the rotor for both sides, and brakes for a little over $200. I was too buy the bearings they said I needed, the bearings and dust caps would have cost around $120, so you're telling me, the were gonna charge me around $700 in labor?

This is not a exaggeration my father in law had more brake jobs done on his mercury topaz than Mario Andretti of course Mario had his own mechanics and my father in law had Sears auto center whose wrench turners worked on commision.

This is not a exaggeration my father in law had more brake jobs done on his mercury topaz than Mario Andretti of course Mario had his own mechanics and my father in law had Sears auto center whose wrench turners worked on commision.

I went to Big-o-tires down the road from Luke AFB. They told me that I was going to need need upper and lower ball joints along with inner and outer tie rods on a 2005 Silverado in 2008 that had less than 60k on it. They told me that because I lowered it it was causing problems. The problem was that it was completely stock 2wd LS ext cab 4.8 with a 4l60 and they thought I was an idiot. What they got was less business because I blasted them after going to 4 other places with no one telling me those problems and then telling people to avoid them for their fraudulent practice.

Please, fix your brakes! Spend the money, Totally worth it! Yep new rotors and all yes yes yes.

One of the things that a consumer can do is ask for the old parts. By law they have to return them to you. Don't let them tell you that they have a core charge. Brake pads and rotors don't, calipers might. The shop may back off if you tell them upfront.

I have a good one. My wife always takes her car to the dealer for the free oil changes. The last time she went, I received a frantic call from her that the mechanic said that there is power steering fluid leaking where the vehicle was parked. In fact, it is a major issue that must be solved post haste or she will risk losing power steering control of the vehicle. The mechanic puked up a long list of repairs that are immediately needed as seen from his inspection report. Wife calls me and I made a terrible mistake. I told her to tell the mechanic that her car has electric assist power steering and uses no fluid, hoses, pumps and other litter that he claimed needed to be replaced. What a fool am I. I should have had her use the AmEx card and tell the mechanic that she wants Everything replaced and fixed. That she doesn't want to ever have this problem with magic juice flowing from the steering system again. Of course it won't happen again because the car doesn't use hydraulics for the power steering. Then, I would take the invoice and my AmEx recipe to the local television news and other media sources. I blew it. Now another unsuspecting women (or man) is at risk.

It's not just tire stores. A Honda dealer told me my backup car (2013 Accord) needed rear pads, rotors AND calipers! I checked them myself, and while the pads were close to done, everything else seemed fine. Just to be sure, I took it to an independent shop I trust, and they agreed.

Many years ago my wife took our 1980 Trans Am to a transmission shop without my knowledge. When I came home she said we need a new transmission..$700. I had doubts. She said it was slipping and now it wouldn't shift out of first. She wanted to take it in the next day. But I started it up and went around the block. Then with the engine still running, I heard hissing. I pulled up on the curb so I could check it out. A vacuum hose had been pulled from the transmission. It was hard to get to, but I managed to reattach it. Then I test drove the car. It shifted fine. It must have been low on fluid so she took it in, whereby they simply pulled the vacuum hose off. I was livid, but I just told my wife don't just take it somewhere, let me check it out first. Women are easy targets.

A few ago I took my small truck in for a brake job at a major chain for tires and brakes. The golden touch will give you a clue as the the company. After leaving I felt the peddle acting spongy. I took it back next day and was told they would need to replace the master cylinder obviously that didn't fix the issue. Next was the brake cylinder itself. After about $3000 dollars ( not including the original brake job) I took it to my mechanic who promptly reattached a servo that they failed to reattach.. I took a picture and video promptly returned to the store. They told me there was nothing they could do for me. Called the franchise office myself and told them about this they were gracious and attentive. I received ALL my money back including the original brake job. So there I got a free brake install. New master cylinder brake cylinder all for nothing. There's a silverlining