Firestone Complete Auto Care
Reviews and Complaints
Rip Off and Bad Experience - If you send me to Toyota dealer please give me my money back
My Toyota Corolla 2003 has been diagnosed with a broken starter on February 4, 2014. I was at Firestone Dillingham, Honolulu, Hawaii when my car did not start at all. The car service charged me per their invoice a full diagnostic of the car, an hour of labor and an outrageous price for a remanufactured starter, supplies and tax.
The invoice is as following:
Parts $220.05, Labor including full diagnostic $196.84, Supplies $11.81, all $434.32.
I took the car home on February 4, 2014 and while I was driving my car stated stalling. I called the Firestone Dillingham the next day and I explain what is happening with my car. They told me to bring it back so they can take a look at it. The staff called me on February 5, 2014 mentioning that they acknowledged the stalling, they thought might be a calibration program but after they clean up the battery cable ends and throttle body the car was presenting the same symptoms. The service manager advises me to go to Toyota. I took the car home; the car is drivable but is stalling while you press the breaks. I called Jessica Lau on Feb 6, 2014 explaining that I paid a full diagnostic service for my car and if they can work it out with me. She said that they are not so professionals (meaning that they only do minor services for the cars and I added, yes for a very high price) in Firestone Dillingham and she will send me to Firestone Pearl ridge where the mechanics have a longer experience. I took the car to Firestone Pearl ridge to Luis (who is the manager in charge) who explained to me that if the problem of the car is not related to the starter problem (which was the initial problem); I have to pay again a full diagnostic. I mentioned to him that my first diagnostic was paid in full $109.87 and I showed him the invoice. Dillingham Firestone charged me for a full diagnostic of $109.87 and not $25 as they supposed to charge me for a starter. In fact the battery check supposed to be free because they advertise that. I was overcharged on a full diagnostic, now Pearl Ridge Firestone wants me to pay another full Diagnostic?
I already paid for a Remanufactured Starter Cold Region Style the amount of $220.05 when the internet and the prices around are showing that a remanufactured starter cost is $111.95 (see attached) and a brand new starter is $178.00. Firestone Manager, Mr. Luis mentioned that there is a law that they allow the service companies to mark up the parts on top of retail price. It looks like the mark up is 100% to me, according to my math.
The initial price charged by Firestone for the starter was $344.50 but I complained for the rip off price and they offered a customer satisfaction discount of $124.44 including tax.
Firestone charged me 100% mark up on a starter price, a full diagnostic for my starter $109.87 included in $434.32 invoice and now a day after I have to pay another full diagnostic at Firestone Pearl Ridge because my car is stalling.
I want to know why am I paying a full mark up on the part when in the invoice is not mentioned the brand of the starter as (Denso Starter (that is a very important task in the invoice), why was I charged a full diagnostic of $109.87 when I suppose to pay $25 plus tax and now that my car is stalling I still have to go to Toyota for a full diagnostic when Firestone is for very long time in this business and have professionals staff members. This is an old car, Toyota 2003 and should not be a problem of being complicated or sophisticated. I called Jessica Lau to request a reimbursement for the diagnostic overcharge but she did not return my phone call yet.
I want to be reimbursed for the outrageous markup of the spare part ($220.05 - 111.95*130%) = 75.52 plus the overcharge diagnostic which supposed to be (109.87-$27.22 (starter diagnostic) = 82.65, total $158.17 and that does not include my time off from work that I took to solve this problem when the car is not completely fixed.
Now I will take this money and spend it at Toyota for a new diagnostic.
Attached are the invoice for starter $434.32, the detail explanation of my stalling complain and an example of prices for the remanufactured Denso starter that Firestone said they installed.
Thank you
Gabriela Bonilla
808-398-****
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Verified Reviewer | Manchester, ConnecticutWent to fix one thing, and left with a lot more
First thing if your ever end up taking your car there, make sure u take it to another place to double check their work.
Took the car to replace the clutch and they started recommending replacing old seals and routine things, and then it got worse, couldn't drive the car for more than few days till I couldn't drive it more than two blocks,
They charged more than $3000
Double charged me for parts, put in labor for things that they messed up.
Damaged thing during installation and tried to hide it.
Took the car to another garage tires international, and I showed them the long receipt from firestone, they took pictures and pointed out that there are some factory seals that weren't even changed and I was charged for it.
Took the receipts and the picture to another head mechanic in another garage and explained to me that it a common mistake that inexperienced mechanics falls for, which made the second receipt which was for $1518.45 is work they're trying to fix their own mistakes with my money!!
Lie One Lie Two Lie Three...Your Out!!! Goodbye Firestone
Too much wait time, not enough counter help
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Firestone Complete Auto Care Oil Change Review
Engine had to be replaced after work done 4 times by Firestone
Actual letter I sent to Firestone Customer Care To whom it may concern: I’m writing this letter to show my concern about an incident that occurred and ending up a bigger problem with the replacement of my engine. Not placing blame on Firestone but concerned that measures were not taken that might have saved me time and money in the replacement of an engine.
I’ll try to explain all the details as they happened and the outcome of all the dates and services performed. It got to the point that I didn’t feel that the mechanics know what was going on and therefore delaying the preventive measures needed to avoid the engine replacement. First let me say that I have been a loyal customer with Firestone and had many services done to my satisfaction as promised by Firestone and that reflected on my surveys. However this last incident has made me question wither I want to continue doing business with Firestone.
The Store “Firestone Complete Auto Care Wylie My Name “BLAH BLAH BLAH” Vehicle: 2000 Ford F150 Pickup I rarely drive the truck because my wife and I carpool and I only drive it maybe once every couple of weeks and only around town. June 27, 2013 Brought my truck in for a coolant leak, was leaking the day before and I was unable to locate the leak, it just started to leak when I noticed the coolant on the concrete driveway, I topped off the radiator with water and drove it to Firestone as I have many times before, it’s only 3.5 miles away. Dropped off the truck and waited for the phone call to let me know the outcome. The technician called me to inform me that none of the hoses were leaking BUT the Lower Intake Manifold was, this would require replacing the Intake Manifold and other parts, like thermostat, hoses and clamps and of course coolant.
Picked up the vehicle on 6/28/13 and paid $1,739.36 Mileage 142,384 August 8, 2013 Dash engine light on, drive to Firestone and they ran a computer engine analysis and determined one of the injector connectors was not making good contact, due to previous service done on Intake manifold, correction made and NO CHARGE. Mileage 142,384 August 27, 2013 tried to start truck that morning and heard a loud noise like metal hitting metal then it wouldn’t start, had to have it towed back to Firestone. They ran more engine analysis and determined that it was OK, it started right up and ran fine (In their own words). Drove the truck home.
Cost $112.91 (65.00 towing) Mileage 142,409 Sept. 19, 2013 Engine light again, truck made loud noise again and I could smell coolant, drive it back to Firestone, they ran an engine analysis again and determined that it was misfiring and needed to replace the Ignition coil, they also replaced a cracked belt and license plate light. They said that the smell was coming from the engine where the Intake manifold was replaced and that it was not leaking and was probably coated on the engine and just needed to be burned off as I drive it. Cost was $415.88 Mileage not recorded.
Oct. 15, 2013 Loud noise again and this time it was making a continuing noise like a ticking noise and very loud. At first I thought it was the starter and didn’t want to drive it so I had it towed back to Firestone. Firestone ran another engine analysis and determined that I had either a blown head gasket or bent push rod or bearings.
They figured that one or more cylinders were full of coolant causing a hydolock and causing the cracked head or bent push rod, at that point they recommended a entire motor replacement. Cost $138.89 (75.00 towing) Mileage showing 999,999 (Not sure why they did this) It was at this point I started calling around to other mechanics around the area and talking to several people and they all agreed that it sounded like a cracked block and that it was cheaper just to replace the entire engine. I called around and found that Christian Brothers Automotive would do the work at a reasonable price, cheaper than Firestone. After I told them the story and showed them all the collected paperwork from Firestone they did a full system check and found that two cylinders were full of coolant and a cracked head gasket and head and a bent push rod and possibly a warped Cam.
Either way, the engine had to be replaced. Oct.16, 2013 Truck towed to Christian Brothers and work started on October 17, and completed on the 21st. and in their honest option this could have been avoided if they had listened to the customer about the loud noise, this is a sign that something was amiss and the smell coming out of the tailpipe was defiantly coolant, also the oil pan was full of coolant, however the Intake manifold appeared NOT to be leaking and that Firestone should have done more to investigate where the smell was coming from and should have ran a compression check on the cylinders and on the coolant system. Total cost $4, 973.97 Mileage 142785 Firestones cost for the engine replacement would have been $7,125.17, that’s a big difference in cost and now I’m wondering how many times I paid too much.
Mileage difference between the first time I took it in June until now is only 401 miles, as you see I don’t drive it very much and Firestone had it several times and never determined what the root cause was causing it to fail in a way that required the motor being replaced. I’m VERY UNHAPPY about this. Christian Brothers also determined that the battery needed to be replaced and that since this was a Interstate Battery and had warranty still left on it, they suggested that it be replaced. Since I bought the battery at Firestone back in Aug.
2009, I took it back on the Oct. 21, 2013 and they replaced it at a collected rate of 85%.
Total cost $120.19 Mileage 999,999 (again, not sure why they don’t record mileage) Christian Brothers Automotive was caring and understanding of my situation and I WILL continue to do business with them in the future, when I pay my account off with Firestone, I WILL cancel my card with them. I thought Firestone cared about people but I guess it’s just a word and really has no meaning.
High cost, very bad service, no responsibility
Firestone put a bad part in my car & caused my head gasket and head cycliner to crack!
Disappointment on service and appointment
Charged for unneeded parts
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Verified Reviewer | Chicago, IllinoisOvercharged and under serviced
Edit: To be fair, I need to inform that an $80 tow was added to my bill so complete cost of just repair is $350.
I had the left front brake hose blow on my 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 4x4. I had it towed to the above site on Wednesday night. I was ASSURED it would be done by Thursday night. Nope. Nor did I get a call the next day about it. I finally called at 11:30AM on Thursday to find out what was going on. Even though I had talked to them 3 TIMES the night before about the work to be done and gave them my info, as well as them having it from the tow, it was claimed they had no idea about the truck, who owned it, or what needed done. They had though, pulled it in and had looked at the brake lines. (So did they know about it or not?) I told them on Wednesday that I NEEDED my truck by Thursday night and I was ASSURED. Well, it would not be done on Thursday. It was FINALLY done at 2PM on FRIDAY. I get the bill and I'm surprised by the cost. $473 for replacement of both hoses. I understood why so outrageous once I saw the breakdown. I was being charged 1010% over cost for the parts! I understand profits are on parts, but this is ridiculous! I could have picked up the part at an auto store for $7 but was charged $80! What really got me mad was when I said I understand why the bill is so high with the part price, it was then tried to be reasoned with because "It is a hose that has fittings, on both ends!". In other words, I got the typical "you're a female and you know nothing' routine.
Even the HIGHEST auto parts store had the hoses for $25/each. At this price, the profit is over 3x or 300%!
So now my car is done an extra day later, costing me an extra car rental day and my intellect is being insulted.
100% profit on part, I can accept but this was quite high. They did 'appease' me by giving me $30 off the parts. That was nice but I still paid over 1000% for the part.
I also paid for a 'brake fluid flush' at $70 while my receipt says 'brake fluid replacement'.
For reference, The Firestone in Midlothian, IL estimated $206 for complete both front brake hose replacement. The store in Homewood IL estimated $229, and in Tinley Park, IL $272.
In all fairness, after I balked at the price, they gave me $15 off each part so final was now $430.
I especially love how they gave me a sheet with 'recommended' repairs needed. They said I need new rotors on my front brakes. Just $300 even though I had just done all of my brakes, including 4 new rotors and calipers. They also recommended '2' new tires. Just another $307. They didn't say which 2 and all 4 tires have only 20,000 miles on them.
When I picked up my truck, they did offer a Firestone credit card application....
A year before, I paid $320 for all new HARD lines for the rear brakes. Recent political policies closed their doors.
Needless to say I will NEVER return to Firestone.
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This is why I do everything myself. Have a bunch of old fords and saved thousands over the years.
Those labor prices are insane. And mechanics are real crooks if they see someone who don't know.
Rare to see a 4.6L engine leak from valve cover seals( I don't see a head gasket). There are L and R gaskets. I have one from 95 and still dry.
Who knows though.
At that mileage the rear end could be leaking. That bill is very dishonest though.
The clutch though I would probably bring in cause you have to drop the trans.
I would be interested in why you needed a head gasket replaced with a clutch replacement. That's on two totally different sides of the engine. One on top, the other on the bottom back.
The clutch was starting to go off, and the head gasket they said it was cracked and they can replace it, but what i dont get, is why is in the receipt, its saying a set so thats two, why was I charged for two?
Is there a way to post pictures here, the se,o.d garage that i took my car to, took picture, of the things they found.
Btw fhey left one of the screws on the headgasket wiithout its rubber washer thing, the piece of rubber that you put it befor u tighten the bolt.. i mean getting paided that much and still lazy enough to leave something out, even if it was that small.
Are you an ***? Dont ever go to these fast lube places they are bs.
u need to find a independent shop that deals with your car model, or become a diy'er as i have done. I just did a timing belt on a dual cam volvo interference engine with waterpump,tensioners, and idler pulleys, I did the whole pcv job.
this is a 1994 volvo 850 turbo btw. I wouldnt be able to own it if i couldnt fix it myself.
Well that work was done on an 04 mustang gt, and i was taking summer classes there i had to find a place that can fix it, and i had to pick a place that when i drive back to kansas, i can a branch of them here if i needed to.
And good for you, you can do some work on your own car. None of what you said was helpful.
Hello,
My name is Tom and I am from the Firestone Complete Auto Care Corporate Office. I have read through your concerns and would like to see if I can be of assistance.
Please message me at social@***.com so that we can get management involved to look at your air conditioning.
Please include the invoice number from one of your A/C services in your message and your comments posted here. I also would like to advise that your warranty is also valid at any of our corporate owned locations if the Homestead location has been unable to do so yet.
No thank yoh, that was the last time i will ever step a foot in a firestone store.
And btw i just noticed since you mentioned it, my ac never worked the same after taking it there, my heater was working fine ever since i got it, and i never had to use to since the summer but when it get cold it was doing it job properly, now it feels like something is wrong with it. And its taking a lot longer for it to heat it even when its o. Max
Contact your state office of the attorney general & file a complaint, which you can probably do online. I would also see the area prosecutor. You might also involve a local TV station trouble shooter.
Thank you, thats what i'm doin right now
I sincerely wish you luck. Sometimes you have to put your trust out there and it gets walked on.
I learned my lesson about Firestone.
Not to the bill as you though. Close, but not there.
I'll never step foot inside their store again.