Canadian Tire
reviews and complaints

I stopped in Salmon Arm because my SUV stopped running. The closest thing was Canadian Tire. The checked the vehicle and told me it was the fuel pump. $570 later I drove out of there. Within a block I noticed that my fuel gauge was not working. Went back. They had to take the whole gas-tank apart again as the gauge and the pump is inside the tank.
2 hours later I was off again and wasted the whole day in there. Drove home to Vancouver. When I got to North Vancouver the car would not run again. I took it to Ford this time literally 48 hours after the Canadian tire repair. VOILA, it was a $9 relay that would quit working when hot. So there you go, a perfectly good 10 year old fuel pump replaced for no good reason. The problem was solved and the SUV ran for a year and half. Salmon Arm is 500 kms away so I was not going to go and complain. Because they are all “independently owned” (fancy name for franchise), the local store here would not do anything about it.
Well I thought, at least I have a new fuel pump and the old one would probably not have lasted more than a couple of years.
Well guess what, the Canadian Tire pump 18 months old quit working. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer and now it is another $600 to replace a part that did not need replacing in the first place and that it did not last 2 years.
Called to complain, it is out of warranty, it is out of area, they are independently owned so there is no Regional Manager, there is no0 way to complain there is nothing. This has been the most frustrating thing of my car life.
If I had known this, I would have gone to any dealer in the first place. WHY DID I DO THIS? I had my BMW repaired at Canadian Tire a few years ago and they screwed up the repair completely. Why did I expect my SUV to have a different fate?
I am an idiot for having gone there again. But I WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN ANY OF THEIR STORES AGAIN, NOR WILL ANYONE I CAN CONVINCE NOT TO.

We brought my Dad's van in to Canadian Tire at Rylander in Scarborough 4 weeks ago...

Problem: No heat from the heater.

Immediate Problems after it was "repaired" and we paid $300 for a replacement thermostat and a flush n' fill of the radiator:
No radiator fluid (van overheating!)
No heat.

We brought it back twice, the first time they just topped up the fluid. The second time, they said the heater core was plugged and that they had fixed it.
Still, no heat, now the engine is still overheating and possibly leaking fluid, because its all pooling in the van under the floor mats.

We brought it back again today.
"Foreman" said that repairs will cost upwards of $2500 and it would be easier to replace the engine entirely.

I complained further, we've been told we will get a refund of what we paid originally.

"Foreman" says that they aren't responsible for the engine block damage and that it likely had already happened before we brought the van in.
I disagree- I asked point blank, "don't you think it is reasonable to assume that a licenced mechanic would be able to spot that sort of damage easily?" He said "yes, they should have".

Of course the damage is recent... my Dad was driving around for nearly two weeks without radiator fluid.
They obviously drained it and didn't replace it when we went for the initial "flush n' fill" and this caused the engine problems.

I called their Complaints number and was given a Ref # and a promise of a callback with 2 days. We'll see what happens.

I'm furious, because this van was bought used less than a year ago, fully certified and we had it inspected.

I bought winter tires from Canadian Tire and had them install them. When I got the bill there was a charge of $7.95 per tire for a new valve stems. My vehicle is a 2008 Grand Caravan with about 10 000 km on it. I asked about the valve stems and they said on the tire course they took, some guy said vehicles with tire pressure monitoring systems should have the valve stems replaced every time the tires are mounted on the rims.

I called the service manager at my local dodge dealership and he told me that is absolutely false.

Another reason why no Canadian Tire mechanic should ever touch your vehicle!

We were in need of new tires so we got our two back tires changed at Canadian Tire. First issue was I had to wait from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to get the job done which I felt was too long of a wait when I was told it'd only be an hour. Then a few days later, my husband drove the car down a main street over a bridge when the rear tire completely fell off. Luckily he ended up in the other lane with no on coming traffic. Sad to say, we were not thinking (we were getting married the following day and had a ton of errands to run for the big wedding) and called Canadian Tire instead of Manitoba Public Insurance. Canadian Tire offered to have the truck towed to their shop where they 'diagnosed' the problem that someone tried to steal our tire and thus a bolt was missing and that was the reason why it fell off. I don't believe that for a minute given that our truck was an older 1997 rusty truck. The rims on the tire were scratched and rusty. Also, it was the older tire that was switched to the back as it still had some 'life' in it.

I say if you want to get your car done right, take it to the right people/mechanics!

i had goten a work order for a tire repair on a 2008 Volkswagen suv in the shop we have too tire Manichean one of steel rims and another for expensive rims i was using the plastic tire machine 1st too remove the tire but the machine had got stuck in the rim. i asked the managers son "David" to help me his words quote" why are u using that machine its a piece of crap use this one" as he takes it off the other one too put on the steel one the same thing happens it gets stuck. He had grabbed 2 pry bars too get it unstuck but for him pressing the rotation button he had scratched the rim. customer had asked if i wore a seat cover in his car and i told costumer i had put a floor mat sir but no a seat cove for i haven't worked on a car all day so my uniform was clean i had been upstairs the whole day with no work. my other manager branice had told me im so mad at u for not waring a seat cover i cant look at you get out of here so i too her words and went home for it was 20 min form home time.as i come in the next morning my boss Joe taveras try too tell my im suspend an could be fired for his son scratching the rim i sead that not fair and how come im getting in trubble for something i didn't do as for back in the year another worker Alister had seized a moter by dubble gaskiting it and he got a pat on the back n don't worry. as for me a scratch on a rim and im fried please what kind of people work at Canadian tire. I think this is ridiculousness and if anyone can help me il'd appreciate it.
thanks. Eric Garcia

My 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan was not delivering heat to the interior. Took vehicle to Can. Tire Waterloo for diagnosis. They wasted an hour of my time and told me they would need to flush the heater core with CLR to clean out possible debris to the tune of $170. I did not have time for this, so I took the vehicle and froze the rest of the day (-20C). Later looked up "Grand Caravan no heat" on Google and found many hits related to low coolant levels. I opened the radiator to check level and found that the rad was only half full. I filled it with fresh antifreeze and voila, we have heat.
So, they wasted an hour of my time, charged me 50 bucks, and didn't even open the rad to check it. Then they want to hose me another $170. I will NEVER go to "Crappy Tire" for service again.
A very disappointed ex-customer.

Complaint to canadian tire, hunterhorn drive, calgary

On august 23 – 2008 I dropped a tire for repairing on front-right side. It was only deflated. Next day I came back for picking-up the tire and I went to black diamond, where I stayed one month to work. Next day I installed the tire back on my car and my steering wheel vibrate a lot. I couldn’t come back right away because I was very busy to my job in black diamond.
One month later I came to canadian tire to tell them they forgot to balance my wheel … they check it and they said : “yes it wasn’t balanced”. After that my tire didn’t vibrate any more my steering wheel …
Now I ‘m asking you how is that possible to pay for repairing and balance my tire, and actually to not balance my tire …?
On december 19 – 2008 I came again to canadian tire for a different tire, on rear-back side. I felt a big hopping (Jumping) on my rear side of my car … I dropped my tire and I came back on december 21 to pick it up. I asked that person if it is something bad and he said “ it’s all right now …”
I installed it back on my car and … I felt the same big jumping … nothing changed …!
Next day, on december 22, I came again to canadian tire to ask what is happening …
I met mr. Wane and I asked him why my tire it is not fixed and why they said “your tire it’s very good now? “
He said “it’s not our fault and maybe it’s something wrong with your car …
I said my car is good because I changed that “jumper” wheel with a different one and everything it’s good, no hopping …
I asked him why they didn’t check better my wheel and to tell me cannot be fixed?
In that moment he became irritated and he told me “I have to deal with many people in every day, I am exhausted to explain to everybody …
I said “ i’m computer technician for a big store in calgary and i’m dealing like you with a lot of people in every day, and if they have a complaint I have to explain them why and how ….
He became nervous and said : “ i’m not coming to your job to tell you what you have to do! “
I said : “ if we cannot fix a computer we are not charging any penny and we explain why that computer cannot be fixed …. We never charge for a bad work like you, and then to lie that everything it’s ok … “
And anyway I never been nervous with a customer like you …
He started to talk loudly with me and he asked me if that tire is installed on the car …
I asked him why he is more nervous than me and why he talk louder that me …
In the next moment he said “ get lost “ and he left me slammed the door hardly ….
I was shocked … I never seen something like that in canada …!

If I would be only half rude, nervous and impertinent like this guy I would be fired immediately
I cannot understand how you can have this kind of employees, incompetent and aggressive … this non-educated guy should go work hidden in a warehouse, not to work for you in a customer service position …
I think your standards and requirements regarding hiring people are very low …

Theodor stoica december 23 - 2008

Took my car in for an mvi, swapping of summer tires to winter and an oil change. They said i had to leave my car there all day and they would shuttle me to and from the shop to home. Regardless of all that. They called me 4 or 5 hours into it and told me they changed the tires, the oil and that they found a broken bearing and a broken rear spring...heres the catch. They said they broken spring was connected to the lower arm by a bolt(which was seized) so they would have to replace both the spring and the lower arm. i said "cant you cut the bolt instead of replacing the lower arm" they said no its not that easy"
anyways...end result ...i picked the car up...paid $350.oo for tire swap, oil change and bearing for a wheel. they rejected my mvi and gave me a quote for another $1350.00 for the repair of my broken spring.

Get this...i got another mechanic to look at it...THE SPRING WASNT EVEN BROKE!..

i could not believe it...1 month before christmas. my kids almost did not have a christmas because of this. Regardless...the other mechanic found that all i needed was a set of brake pads, thats it. $135.00 is all it cost..

moral of the story is...dont go to canadian tire for car things...if you do...get a second opinion.

I live in Fort Nelson 4 hour away from Fort st John, when in town for medical resons did a little shopping at Canadian Tire. Found a snow blower and bought such for my husband for christmas. Returned home to see flyer saying the item was now on sale 100.00 dollars cheaper, called store to say I was dissapointed in the fact I would have waited the day and saved the money. Was rudely told the stores policy is not to allert people of the savings as the store needs to make money. In this time of money trouble I found this to be a cold and uncaring way for a manager of any store to act. Fort Nelson has had both our mills close in the last 6 months so every dollar counts. I feel the store should value there customers and not turn them away, these type of coments make the trip further south much more warrented.

Yours Truely
Layed of Millworker

This is to lodge strong compliant against Canadian Tire-Auto Service. About 10 days back I left my car as there was red bulb glowing "service the engine soon" message. They called me and told me that sensors have to replaced and with all, incl service they charged me over CAD 1000.00 Now, again yesterday the buld started glowing with same message. They took my car and referred the earlier serivice done and that they would not charge me anything and they would call me after fixing it. They called me telling it is different computer issue and that they can't fix it, I need to take to the dealer and I need to pay CAD 140.00

1.They did not diagonize the problem right the first time, 2. they charged me over CAD 1000 for not diagonizing well, after that next time when I dropped the car 3. they said they will not charge me anything further as the problem seems to be related to computer which was checked and charged already 4. and finally they want me chare for something that they can not fix. How ridiculus it can get !

When we drop the car and if service center diagonizes the issue and if we are not willing to get it fixed, I understand they charging us for the time and diagnosis. That is the risk we take. Similarly, when they identify the issue and if they can't fix it, they should NOT charge us anything. Because that's the risk they should take.

In general, they were all very bad service technicians, they lack complete customer service and unfit to be in car service industry. If any one can advise who should I complian about Canadian Tire also with in Canadian Tire, is there any business person that we can talk to?

Bought a company brand slow cooker which did not cook meat through and left veggies raw. Did not retain receipt. Upon retutn to store had to listen to two employees squabble over how it was neither of their jobs to be at the service desk...well who the hells job was it, not MINE!Then they refused to do an exchange or send faulty equipment back...I left the damn slow cooker there and they can shove it where the sun does not shine...never will another item be purchased in a canadian tire store!I am sure Walmart or zellers will appreciate the business

I was given the beginner limit of $400.00 and had the card for awhile making payments ontime etc.
I had a pre auth charge coming out monthly. Last yr family emergancy resulted in a maxed card. After a few months not using it cuz it was maxed I get a bill for $600.00! Hello! my limit was only 400! Two months later a bill for $800! I find out though my card was maxed and available credit was zero, they allowed my pre auth debits charged to my non exsisting credit limit that they thought I was going to pay them! Umm No! After a nasty convo they cancelled the un auth charges and I closed my account...Bad Business

i went to Canadian tire and i got the exercise machine Gym Weider Weightstack 300$, on 03/11/2008, the machine is not worth it, is not smooth when exercising and sometimes it keeps blocking when exercising. Is unstable even if all screws are tights!

i when to return it today to the Canadian tire store (not even 15days after) they toll me they cannot take it, they have to call the company in order to replace the parts ( even i said the parts are OK nothing is broken, is the machine itself that is not good ) so, , , , , bla bla bla with the manager. I told her that they should put a note that machines are not refundables and she told me THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED to do that.

What a gift from me to Canadian tire, 300$ + taxes for a machine that is not worth even 50$. This is ridiculous !

Earlier this month (November 2008) I went into the Canadian Tire Associate Store on Cemong Road in Peterborough, Ontario to get four new snow tires installed. I wanted their highly rated Goodyear Nordic tires. I was told they had them in stock but they could not make me an appointment to get them installed until a week later.
I was told the tires would be set aside and kept for me when I came in..and saw on their computer that they had been taken out of inventory. I asked the service person I she wanted me to pay for them now. I was told: no problem...they have been set aside for you so you can pay when you come in. I thought this was very good of them.
When I arrived a week later to get the tires installed I mentioned that the Nordics had been set aside for me..and left for lunch while the job was done.
When I returned I saw my car sitting outside and went over to look at the tires before going in to pay. I saw that the tires that had been installed were NOT Nordics but a cheaper tire.
I asked the service what happened to the Nordics I had set aside. I was told that someone must have sold them to another customer.
I then told the service guy I wanted the other snow tires taken off and my summer tires put back on. This was done and I was given a refund.
I would have thought someone would have called me to say the tires they put aside had been sold and would I like another brand...and it would have been nice if they had asked me the same thing before installing a different tire.
This is lousy customer service and a resulted in a complete waste of my time and theirs.
The other stores in the Peterborough area were all out of stock on the Nordics so I went down to Bowmanville where I was treated very well and had a new set of Nordics on by the next day.
I have also sent my complaint to the store.

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are writing in reference to the car service we had at Canadian Tire, Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton. We had oil change done on September 21, 2008. After service on our way back to home we saw steam coming out of the Car's bonnet, on inspection we found the coolant lid open and all the coolant was gone and engine temperature went up too high. The mechanic who did the service left the coolant lid open, we returned back to Canadian Tire Kingsway Avenue and reported that. The advisor informed us that they will get our car checked by certified mechanic this time.

After waiting for more than 2 hours finally the coolant container was refilled, but since than the car engine started making hissing sound. So when we went back to Canadian Tire in couple of days, the mechanic mentioned that the problem is with the fan belt and pulley and needs to be changed. They said it will cost $ 180 (approx) and will take 2 hours to replace, we said to change it and came back to home in taxi. After reaching home within 10 mins we got phone call from Canadian Tire that they haven't got the part so it can't be done. We had to take taxi back immediately and we were told they will ring me when the part is available.

With the type of service, time, money and inconvenience caused by Canadian Tire we were very upset and decided to go to Ford Agency to get it sorted. Finally Ford mechanics get it sorted and fixed but it cost us $ 579.80

We are very upset with the type of service and inconvenience caused due to negligence of the mechanic which cost us lot money and time. Although the problem has been fixed but we are still not sure the amount/type of internal damage being caused to the Engine due to high Engine Temperature. Luckily we were driving at very slow speed because of that we were able to see the steam coming out of the Engine on time. If we would have continued driving the car at higher speed, it could have caused much more damage or may ended up in severe accident.

We have already reported the same to Mr.Brian Hansen (Store Customer Service), but nothing has been done sofar. We hope you can understand the situation and therefore we request you to look into matter ASAP otherwise we are left with no choice, except to persue the matter and exercise our consumer right in the appropriate legal department/authority.

Thanking you,

Sincerely,

Mrs Harpreet Kaur Matharu
Mr. Sundeep Singh Matharu
Address: [protected] Street, Edmonton, T5M 0M6
Phone: [protected] | Cell: [protected]

I have a complaint about the Canadian Tire Store in Chatham Ont, I purchased a Noma Thermostat on 10/25/08. Returned the thermostate the same day for a different one. There was no one in the store to help me choose the right one. So once again I purchased the wrong one. I went to return it on 11/01/08 and was givin the most humiliating time. First she said the receipt was wrong. Which it wasnt because that is what I was givin. Then she called the manager and some one in a suit who stared us down for 15 min. Then she appolized that she had read the wrong code. She continued to tell us we would receive a gift card for the return which was fine. The thermostate cost us 44.04 with tax. She was only able to give us the amount for 14.00 as that was a sale price. We were so frusterated that we took the thermosate back and vowed never to return to this store. What a scam they run. We will be shopping at Home depot or Walmart from now on as they have no problems with return items. How can such a great store be run like this? unbeleiveable.
Sincerly Mark

If you can find any other store to buy your goods from in Spruce Grove DO IT! The customer service people are down right hostile. I have stood in line and listened to a teller talk down to a customer, and yesterday it was my turn.

As I strolled throught the store, spending my hard earned dollars and quietly whistling to myself, a middle aged customer service agent was walking near me.

I called out, " excuse me!"

she stopped and snapped, " were you just whistling at me?"

I stood there stunned.

" Because calling excuse me is fine, but if you whisle at me ... I am not dog.. i dont like to be whislted at..."

Anyways, it degenerated from there.

My advice to you: The people in that store ARE NOT HAPPY you are spending your money to help them earn a living. SO DONT . Go elsewhere.