Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation
reviews and complaints

I had my oil changed and they came up with over $500 of extra stuff that needed repair. Including a new battery that they claimed was low and turned out to be fine, a need to pay to clean the battery terminals, and changing the brake fluid. Just another company who wants to take advantage of women because they think we won’t know the truth or get a second opinion. Shame on you

On Monday this week, I went to have my CV joint replaced. I had an appointment. It was my first time using CBA and I chose them because of their extended warranty offer.

As soon as my car was ready and I was driving it out of the parking lot I heard a strange noise as I hit the brakes. Then I started hearing high pitched sounds as I went to an appointment 4 miles away. I called the shop and was told to bring it back and they’d ride with me to try and figure out what was wrong. I hadn’t had any noise issues prior to this.

One of the mechanics rode with me. He couldn’t hear anything. I could but it was faint. I let him drive. He heard nothing and said maybe some rust fell into the wheel area and was now gone.

I went home. On the way home as I exited the freeway I heard a loud high pitched noise that continued until I pulled into the drive. I called. I was told it would have to be looked at. Or perhaps it was my brakes and to go back to where I had them fixed.

The next day, I asked a friend to ride with me. They couldn’t hear it. After I rode alone for several miles, I heard a terrible grinding noise as I pulled into a gas station. Then I heard the high pitched noise again while driving home. It sounded like it was coming from the side where the cv joint was replaced.

I called CBA. I was given a word salad of being told the car would have to be looked at and I would be charged $67.50 after already paying more than I had wanted for the repair only because of the warranty.

Only if the sound could be replicated would they even look at it. Then, after I questioned that logic, he said they could put it up on the rack but would have to charge me and only give it back if they could replicate it was connected to the repair. That it could be something else causing it even though I had no problems with noise before taking it to them. They also did a check of everything for free when they repaired it and found nothing needing immediate attention. So they’d have to charge me and I’d have to dump more gas to return even though my original complaint was the same day of the repair within minutes and no one offered to check their work then.

After trying to get a:straight answer from Lem and not feeling he was being totally up front with me but was creating loop holes for the problem not being fairly addressed, I finally agreed to bring my car back to be left all day the next day. When I had told him I was having trust issues, his response was that he was not calling me a liar. He said that twice. Seriously? I never said he was. I was having issues with whether the company wouldn’t intentionally find something else wrong with my car while they had it, and charge me for some unnecessary repair. That made me feel like he was the liar accusing me.

In the meantime, I called another mechanic to get his opinion. He said to bring it by and he would listen to it. Although he couldn’t hear the noise, from the description he was sure he knew what the problem was. At no charge, he put it up on the rack and took off the wheels on the front. He then called me into the garage. He showed me where the rotor was bent against the wheel from the mechanic who did the repair pulling the wheel off incorrectly and grabbing the rotor at the same time. He showed me how the other side was alright and what it should look like. Then he had me take pictures for proof before he repaired it in front of me. He said he would have never let a customer go home without rechecking his work, especially where I had complained right after repair. He also asked me what I was charged and told me he would have charged $100 less. He told me when the brake pads are hitting the rotor like that, I will hear a high pitched sound or grinding noise. I was hearing both at different times. He knew. CBA did not.

I didn’t hear any noise after that. I sent CBA the pictures and a text and later called to confirm they got it and cancel my appointment for the next day. They mechanic I spoke to was not the same one from earlier. He looked at the pictures. He could see that was the problem. He said he was sure they would have noticed it when I brought my car back. That he would tell Lem and thanked me for calling. I still don’t know if they would have. I don’t recall getting any apology for this unnecessary stress. I only know I wonder if it was worth it to pay extra for an extended warranty when they weren’t willing to consider their work was improperly done and we’re having to charge me up front to check it and only refund he if they were able to replicate it. After talking to the mechanic who fixed the problem, I feel the attitude of CBA was poor customer service to put it nicely. I hope I don’t have any more problems with that car part or I may just have to suffer being out that money. I will not be recommending them to my friends.

The corporate model of this company is what sells people on the concept of this business. Each location is a franchise bought into by individuals that are "monitored by corporate". There actual automotive knowledge is totally dependent on the mechanics they hire. The fact that all the uppers in this company hide behind what they promise customers is false. They push the franchises to sell repairs to the customers no different than any other shop. But when corporate is contacted about it they tell the consumer, "we absolutely don't upsell work". Then go back and put all kinds of heat on the franchisee. The fact that they convince employees and customers alike that they do not perform standard shop practices and hide behind christianity to convince customers to use them is utterly sickening. I would love for others to chime in on this. And for all the customers that have drank Christian brothers koolaid, I suppose the people who are convincing you that this is a Christian business, will pay for it in the end.

i think this shop is the worst place ever to take a vehicle. they give you the run around and act as if the driver is the reason behind the vehicle needing repairs.

I Took my car to Christian Brothers Automotive in Lockport, IL for repair. I told them I had a Scanner code error that read -Error P0030, cylinder 4 not firing.
The guy told me that you could not get an error code if engine light does not come on, Wich is 100% incorrect, you cars computer registers errors.
I told them that I probably needed the Ignition coil and 4 spark plugs replaced. They did there own Diagnostic and Charged me $61 and came up with the same result. They overcharged me for this repair. The repair on my 2015 Chevy Trax 1.4L should have been from $220 to $352 on the high end. They Charged me $716 for this repair
They Charge me $173 for 4 spark plugs alone, C'mon !
I argued with them and told them to just complete the job as I was in dyer need of my vehicle. Ray Martinez runs this shop and he is a crook. I will be seeking out the CEO and CFO of this business to complain as well an Social Media. I WANT MY MONEY BACK, THIS IS FAR FROM OVER.