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Meineke Car Care Center
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1.8 168 Reviews

Meineke Car Care Center Complaints Summary

33 Resolved
135 Unresolved
Our verdict: When using services from Meineke Car Care Center with a poor resolution rate, be vigilant. Understand the common pitfalls other customers have faced. Prepare thoroughly for any interactions with their customer service, and consider alternative solutions if your issues are not addressed satisfactorily.
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Meineke Car Care Center reviews & complaints 168

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2:25 pm EST
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Meineke Car Care Center Brakes Roaders

I went to Meinekee On july 2012 and they said i need to get new brakes and roaders so they said they replaced them and i payed them for the service. 3 month later i needed new brakes and roaders again but this time i went to a different car dealer and they said that meinekee never replaced my roaders and brakes i was driving metal on metal they put my 9 year old son in danger and me. They cheated me out of money, and i will sue them if i don't get my money back.

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Meineke Car Care Center Stole my battery

I took my 2010 Nissan Altima for a routine oil change and tire rotation. a week later my car would not start. I realized that the technician replaced my OEM battery with a old or defective battery. Of course when i confronted the counter/mananger he denied and was no way to prove it. Even though I hadn't open the hood since I took it there...
I demanded that they replace my battery with a new one and he said no...So beware of those crooked tech at Meineke on pat booker rd.
H 12/08/12

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Meineke Car Care Center Customer Service

HORRIBLE experience. My husband dropped my car off there for a simple oil change. When he came back to pick it up, they had completed the oil change and parked the car back in the parking lot for pickup. Turns out, technician left my car windows DOWN and it had been POURING for about 45 minutes. Yep, my car was soaked!

My husband informed the manager who then sent the technician out with two dirty rags that he thought would somehow magically soak up all the water. The technician not only failed at getting any water out of my soaked back seat and floor board. He also SMUDGED OIL ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR door and the fabric on the backseat.

My husband was already in a hurry and very frustrated so he just had to leave. I called the store back later and spoke to the manager, he basically made me feel worse and said to bring my car back RIGHT NOW so they could clean it. I was already late for my trip out of state so I could not abide by his demanding timeline.

I sent a complaint via the Meineke website and a woman named CONCHITA (Hi Conchita!) from corporate called and left a weird voicemail on my husbands phone. I have tried calling Conchita back at her corporate number of [protected] but she does not care to return my voicemails.

HORRIBLE experience, horrible company from corporate to manager to worker. I will NEVER go to another Meineke ever again.

SAVE YOURSELF THE TROUBLE!

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Dave Kristofek
, US
Dec 11, 2021 4:17 pm EST

Bolingbrook Illinois Location
Find another shop!
Called to have front brakes done, was told they could get it in this day and ordered the parts. Agreed to have appointment at 2:00. Got there, girl at front counter (whom I've had before), laughing and talking B.S. with mechanics when customers are waiting. Got to me, she never ordered the parts, checked my car in the lot and came back in. They were not aware that I needed Brembo size pads & rotors (even though I told the guy on the phone all the info. on the car). The car came with Brembo brakes, so they should have known that. Girl discussing rotors and brakes with mechanic and told him they were Brembo style brakes. Mechanic stated: "Brembo...never heard of them before". Are you kiddin me! A mechanic that has never heard of Brembo, should not be working on brakes...PERIOD!. All the while, the girl is a social butterfly, shooting the sh_t with the mechanics and laughing. She should have been fired a long time ago. The last time I was there, she kept interrupting the mechanic who was working on my car and shooting the crap with him and laughing. No problem, except he stopped working on my car while she was screwing around with him, causing delay on my time. She obviously needs the attention of the mechanics, and then can't do her job. Well, she then tells me that the parts are on the way and that the cost will be $70.00 higher. So after not originally ordering the parts prior to my appointment, not ready for my appointment, AND being told the cost will be $70.00 higher, I refused the service and will not return. I told the guy who originally took my call what I needed and apparently he was too busy shooting the sh_t with the girl, that he wasn't paying attention. Do yourself a favor and find another shop, because this place SUCKS! Oh, an while I was there, another customer just paid for repair work on his car (not starting). He paid, got his keys, and went to leave. Guess what? His car didn't start! Another customer came in after I was waiting for the girl to call around for my parts and he had light assembly fixed on his car about a month ago. Guess what? He was back this day because it wasn't working...AGAIN. Go to Quick Lanes in Plainfield on RT. 59. They are professional and know how to fix cars. This Meineke is a social club and their having a good time trumps your repairs. Get mechanics who know who Brembo is! Bolingbrook should not renew their business license.

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12:26 pm EDT
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Meineke Car Care Center WHAT U DON'T KNOW COULD KILL U

Since 2006 I have managed and worked intermittently as a technician for Meineke, store #728 in Frederick, Md. In my opinion I have been dismissed from that shop because I would not let unethical, unsafe and uneducated repairs continue and I repeatedly pointed them out to the owner and current manager. On a daily basis I have witnessed them selling rotors, brake pads and calipers that my 20 years’ of experience suggest do not need to be replaced. Commonly, brake pads with as much as 7/32 of an inch left on the pads are replaced. Depending on a person’s driving habits, it is common knowledge in the industry that pads with as little as 4/32 of an inch could last up to a year, yet, I have seen this shop tell customers they need to replace their pads. Regarding replacing rotors, I have seen them recommend replacing rotors that in my opinion don’t need to be replaced. I suggest if you’re ever sold a rotor, make sure you ask for the old part and let the mechanic know you plan to take the rotor to a safety inspector to be sure they are necessary. Typically, rotors aren’t necessary to replace just because your pads need to be replaced. I believe that because the shop isn’t making as much money doing honest brake jobs, they are selling parts that aren’t necessary.

I have also witnessed the owner and manager do what I believe to be illegal safety inspections. They give safety certificates to people without looking at the car and put the cash in their pockets rather than putting the money through the shop. They have been putting unsafe cars that don't meet minimum safety requirements on the road to drive next to you or your children.
In my opinion because the store owner is so limited in his mechanical knowledge, many repairs go misdiagnosed costing the customer more money or worse, jeopardizing their safety and those on the road with them. I have personally witnessed mistakes, such as leaving steering couplers loose, which is a mistake that could kill someone, happen.

If you need an inexpensive exhaust repair I would completely recommend them. But, any exhaust part that needs to be replaced should be compared to another shop like your local tire store etc. No doubt there will be no savings for the customer going through Meinke. It’s also important to note that they increase the cost of any part they buy for the customer by as much as 300%.

After I began to speak out about the extensive misconduct of the mechanics and manager and owner of the shop, the work environment became hostile and I was eventually ousted on bad terms. I felt I had to report them to the local state trooper and hopefully they will never be able to do a safety inspection again. Also, be aware that the Better Business Bureau gives them a D minus rating as of August 2012, on a scale of A thru F. To see that information go to www.bbb.org.

I wonder if corporate gets paid for bogus inspections or all the work done under the table?

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3:32 pm EDT
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Meineke Car Care Center Did not honor what was stated on coupon

I Meineke's basic oil change for $19.95 from your website. I just got back from their Meineke location in Addison, IL 716 W. Lake Street. Owner Patrick Collins When I was finished I asked did they rotate my tires which they did not. They said it was a special request. Clearly states tire rotation and tire pressure check on the coupon. I then asked them if they checked the tire pressure and they gave me an attitude. I said that must be a special request as well. They did not comment back...obviously it was not done either. Also my truck went in with 151, 489 miles and they put a sticker on that the next service was 153, 489. Since when is an oil change only good for 2, 000 miles? They were not even busy they were completely empty. Now I know why. Very disappointed could of should of went to NTB or Midas to get all of the items listed above for the same price. Not the crooks at this location.

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3:34 am EST
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Meineke Car Care Center Won't pay up on Lawsuit

My name is Joni and I own a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse – this is my story :)

On January 17, 2009 at 8am I took my car to Meineke Car Care Center, #[protected] E Mill Plain Blvd Vancouver, WA) for my 90, 000 mile service. I was told when I dropped my car off that they would need to keep it for the majority of the day, which I told them would be fine. I left my phone and cell phone numbers with them so that they could call me when they were ready for me to pick it up.

Just before 5pm I asked my husband to take me over to the shop as I had not heard from anyone and was getting concerned. When we arrived, as I was walking towards the shop entrance, the mechanic came walking toward me and said that he had tried to call me. I asked him what number he had tried calling me at because I had not received any calls from them. The mechanic then says, "We have an issue". I asked him if it was an issue that I did or something that they did. He tells me that he's not sure. We continue walking into the shop where my car was at with the hood opened. The mechanic tells me that he has been there for 5 years and has never had anything like this happen. He proceeds to tell me that he had performed the service and everything had checked out great. He says that he took my car for a test drive after the service (remember this – it will be important later in my story) and upon returning to the shop he left the car running for a minute and all of a sudden he heard this loud BANG so he ran over to my car to see what was going on. He says he turned my car off and looked around to see if he could figure out what happened. He then shows me what seems to be metal shavings in an oil content in the engine compartment.

I tell the mechanic that I have never had any problems with my car; I kept outstanding records of all of the services I had done on my car and followed my owner’s manual from the first day I bought my car (brand new) and that it was running just fine when I dropped it off. He then says "Yeah I know. It ran well while I drove it too." He then tells me that he cannot allow me to take my car because of them not knowing what is wrong with it. He says with the next day being a Sunday and Monday being a holiday that he wouldn't probably get a whole lot done on it until Tuesday morning. I inquire about a rental car and he says that sometimes they do offer one but that I would need to talk to the owner and manager of the shop. I would like to point out that while we are there and the mechanic is talking about the car, he is smoking and swearing inside the bay area. He did not come across professional at all. It seemed like this was the "norm" for them. When I leave the shop I am sick to my stomach. Upon arriving home I get online and do a search for Meineke Car Care Center and a ton of complaints come up, which makes me feel even worse. There was one story very similar to mine except the guy had just taken his car in for a new thermostat and water pump, and they broke his timing belt as well. $8, 000 later for the repairs (which I don't know who paid) but the guy does say do not take your car to any Meineke Car Care Centers. This is just one of the many complaints/stories on the internet.

Tuesday afternoon comes and I have not heard from anybody. When my husband gets home from work I send him down to Meineke to see if they know anything on my car yet. He speaks to the manager who tells him that he has been trying to get in touch with the mechanic all day and has not been able to do so. At that point they still don't know what is wrong with my car. My husband calls me and tells me what the manager has said to him. I tell my husband to go back in to the shop and ask for the owner's name and number. My husband calls me back with the general manager's number. I call him and leave a message and ask for him to call me. Wednesday morning comes around and I still have not received a call from the GM or the shop. I call the GM again around 9am and leave another message stating that if I don't hear from somebody by 11am I am going to seek legal counsel. At 10:30am the manager of the shop calls me and says they know what happened to my car.

He proceeds to tell me that the timing belt broke and my engine is ruined. He then tells me that I should have replaced the timing belt at 60, 000 miles. I tell him no; it is supposed to be replaced at 100, 000 miles according to my owner's manual. He says that he called Mitsubishi in Milwaukie and spoke to a Scott in service (which I later found out upon taking my car there, that there is nobody by the name of Scott that works there and they had no record of Meineke calling them). He tells me that he has gone ahead and gotten a quote for me on a new engine as well as a used engine. He says that the used one has around 60, 000 miles on it but that he can't be exactly sure how good of an engine it is because of now knowing how hard it was ran. He says that a new engine will be approximately $10, 000 and the used one would be $3, 000. By now I am in tears and all I can think of is how am I going to pay for this. I tell him that I need to make some calls and that I will let him know what I am doing as soon as I can.

I place a call to the owner at Louie Lube on Mill Plain, as he has done some work for me in the past on my car (Louie Lube actually did my 60, 000 mile service and the owner remembered the owner's manual as well stating to change the timing belt at 100, 000 miles). I explain to him what happened and asked his opinion as to what I should do. He suggested that I have it towed to another shop over off of Fourth Plain to have it looked at. I called that shop and spoke to the owner. He said that he could look at my car but could not guarantee if he could pin-point what they had done over at Meineke. This was critical for me because Meineke was refusing to admit fault. I then called Mitsubishi in Milwaukie and spoke to Jerry who I had spoke with earlier when I called to ask about the replacement of the timing belt (Jerry also confirmed that for the year and model of my car, the timing belt would need to be changed at 100, 000 miles). Jerry told me that if I can have my car towed to Mitsubishi he would be able to see what Meineke had done and he could make a precise analysis for me to give to my insurance company.

I called my insurance company to get a tow truck to meet me at Meineke. I called Meineke to let them know that I was going to have my car towed to Mitsubishi and I would see them shortly. When I arrived at Meineke I went inside to gather my owner's manual and a discount card that I had purchased for $69.99 from a marketing company that was selling them on behalf of Meineke. The card allowed you so many oil changes for free, discount on labor and many other services at a discount. The owner's manual and an estimate on a used engine were given to me but the discount card was not given back to me (not that I was ever planning on coming back to Meineke anyway). I also wondered if they were going to charge me for the service they had done as I was not going to say anything. Ryan (the manager) didn't say a word and I thought that he must know that since they messed up my car it would be hard for them to charge me for the 90, 000 mile service. I then proceeded to the shop area and saw that my car was up in the air. The tow truck driver arrived and told me that my insurance company had authorized the first $75 but that I would be responsible for the other $75. The total charge to tow my car from Vancouver to Milwaukie was $150. Once my car is on the ground, the tow truck driver looks in my engine compartment and asks the mechanic where my engine is. The mechanic points to a work bench where there are yellow plastic bags. They had dismantled a majority of my engine without my consent verbally or written, and then put it in bags. I now believe that this was done in an effort to conceal what they had done to damage my car. The tow truck driver places the bags that contain my engine in the trunk of my car. Before I leave the mechanic comes over to me and asks if I would call him as soon as I hear from Mitsubishi on what they find with my car because he is just so baffled on what could have happened.

My car arrives at Mitsubishi at around 4:40pm later that day. Jerry (from Mitsubishi) calls me and says he cannot believe the condition of my car with the engine literally in bags in the trunk. He says that he was going to take pictures of how the car came in. He says that due to it being so late he probably wouldn't get a whole lot done until the next day. At 11:15am the next day Jerry calls and says that he is 100% convinced that Meineke is responsible for the damage. According to him he said that the timing belt would have easily gone until at least 100, 000 miles and maybe even more. It was obvious that they had done stuff to cover up their tracks, thus is why so much of the engine was torn apart. I had a report as well as a statement from Mitsubishi that confirms their findings. Jerry informs me that all of the fluids, spark plugs, etc. (basically everything that had been on my car when I took it to Meineke and the service they had done) had been removed. This would explain why they did not charge me for the service to begin with. They even drained all of the fluids, etc. from my car! Meineke did not tell me this when I was there to retrieve my car. Jerry says that I have an excellent case and if he was me he would get an attorney.

I contact my insurance company to see if my policy even covered anything like this. They said it would but that I would be responsible for the deductible and some other expenses that pertained to the service that was originally done but then undone. My insurance company covered me for a rental care for one month and then I was on my own to find other transportation. I had made 3 car payments for a car that I didn't have. I was without my car for more than 2 months. It was a very stressful situation and was a huge inconvenience. I missed some work during that time as well due to having no transportation. Mitsubishi took pictures when my car was brought in as well as the damage that they uncovered while going through the car. I have had no contact with Meineke since I had my car towed. Mitsubishi discovered that while having my car in the shop at Meineke, a mechanic dropped a washer into a cylinder causing the timing belt to break.

I decide to sue Meineke for all of the costs associated with my car as well as rental reimbursement, missed work, etc. On July 14, 2009 Meineke fails to appear in court so the judge awards me the entire amount of the claim on default ($3, 873.33). The judge lets me know that Meineke has 30 days to either pay me, or to challenge the decision by the judge. On day 30 I get a notice that Meineke is challenging the decision, so it's back to court once again. On September 9, 2009 I'm back in court. This time the owner of Meineke as well as the mechanic that worked on my car, appear to dispute the charges. Because the judge has a few cases in front of us he asks us to step outside of the court room to try and settle this and see if we can come to some resolution and we both agree. I had brought my mechanic from Mitsubishi along with me, so the four of us step out of the court room to discuss things. My mechanic from Mitsubishi proceeds to tell the owner of Meineke exactly what happened to my car. Neither the owner nor the mechanic from Meineke disagrees with what the mechanic from Mitsubishi is saying. The owner then proceeds to tell me that he doesn’t know how this is going to get resolved because he has no money. We then go back into the court room. When it was our turn, my mechanic and I spoke first as to the details of the case. Then the judge listened to what the owner and mechanic from Meineke had to say. The owner from Meineke says that he had just learned of the issue with my car a few days ago. His mechanic then says he did do a test drive, yet it was discovered that my odometer never changed from the time it was originally dropped off to Meineke to when I had it towed to Mitsubishi. There is no way my car was driven after the washer was dropped into the cylinder, as the timing belt broke immediately, causing my bar to be un-driveable. The owner announces that he filed bankruptcy so he doesn't know how I will get my money. The judge reviews the amount that I am asking for, and starts deleting some of the amounts such as time lost from work, etc. In the end, I won again and was awarded $2, 719.

The judgment was to be paid in 30 days. I never saw my money so I decided to do a Writ of Garnishment. Again, that was ignored. I contacted several collection agencies in an attempt to get my money – again, nothing. Not knowing what to do next I called the corporate office which I had originally done when I first got the news of my car. Wouldn't you know that they would have nothing on file of me originally calling. The person I spoke to said that they would not be able to help me and that I should have called them first when the problem originally surfaced. I said that I had but was told that because these stores are franchised that I had to deal with the store directly. I then found the rep who is the Franchise Development Specialist for the NW. At first he seemed concerned and very apologetic for the runaround that I had been through. But he came back with an email stating simply - "Joni - it is out of my hands. Sorry."

BOTTOM LINE - Don't take your car to Meineke Car Care Center if you don't want your car to be returned to you in pieces with an "I don't give a damn about you" attitude.

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE FACEBOOK PAGE & YOU TUBE VIDEO I HAVE CREATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO MEINEK'S POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES:

http://www.facebook.com/MeinekeCarCareCentersWhereYourCarComesBackInPieces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lllucDzbTk&feature=youtu.be

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SAMPSON04
, US
Jan 25, 2016 1:26 pm EST
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dont go to the one on meineke at 207 hwy 321 nw hickory nc 28601 thay rip people off thay rip us off an d transmission put used for new one and it lasted a year it come form junk yard no warrenty at all the owner want call us back eather he told us the owner was dead and brad some one took over he dont know what he doing it cost $800.00 for used one plus $1400 .00 for the new one thay need to close this place down soon .

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Charles Anthony Mckinzie
, US
Nov 18, 2015 6:21 pm EST

Why is Meineke allowed to price gouge their customer and no matter what state they are working in and we all have to suffer because there's nothing we can do about it so let me tell you guys here in Indiana I feel your pain but I would not give up on getting my $1, 300 out of meineke. The corporate office is a joke unreal professional employees

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krystlej
, US
Mar 13, 2013 2:38 pm EDT

I just read your story. I was going to google about looking for an attorney because i do not know how to go about handling my situation and it is very similiar to yours. My situation occured right before christmas and then when i brought it back into Meineke on south saunders st. raleigh 2 weeks later they screwed my car up even worse. I do not know what to do. I have contacted the owner and corporate and have gotten know where as I was reading what corporate had said to you well the lady i spoke with at corporate pretty much said the same thing except she did speak to the manager who screwed my car up and she said that people misconstrude what corporate means and that i need to speak to the owner about my situation because there is nothing she can do for me. I have gotten no help and they took the exhaust of my car among other things and I can not even get my car inspected because of what they have done to it.

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Meineke Car Care Center Brakes Repair

I own a 2004 Ford F-250 4x4 pickup, and usually do most minor to moderate repairs myself, but because I was pressed for time, I took my truck to Meineke for repairs.
The first visit involved replacing both front rotors, brake pads, and 4x4 hub service, for a total of $602.21
Everything worked fine for about 2 months, after which the truck would pull hard to the left when the brakes were applied.
I returned to Meineke, and they told me I needed new front brake calipers and hoses.
It was a Sunday, so the manager went out to get all needed parts, some of which came from Pep Boys.
When he returned, he had all parts except for the front left side brake hose.
In the mean time, the mechanic had removed the brake hoses from both sides.
All parts were installed, with everything new except for the left side brake hose, for an additional $492.00.
I left Meineke, and my brakes were fully functional again, with no more pulling.
The next day, I inspected the mechanics work, and discovered that the clips that secure the metal brake tubing, and the hose end to the support bracket, were all missing. The hose and tubing were just floating back and forth in the bracket mounting hole.
I went back to Meineke the next day, and they said that the clips were thrown away, and that the brake line isn't going anywhere.
They also added that they do all Ford trucks that way, which is scary in itself.
Unfortunately, the aftermarket brake hoses don't come with support clips, but if you buy the OEM Ford ones, they come as 1 complete assembly with mounting bracket, and hose secured to it.
2 days later, the left side hose started to leak brake fluid at the flare fitting connection.
I no longer wanted Meineke to work on my truck, so I had to buy new brake hose assemblies from Ford, for both right and left sides, at a cost of $137.33
I installed the new lines myself, and finally have piece of mind.
Meineke's lack of concern for my safety, is not acceptable.
Now I feel confident that the brake hoses are all secure, as they were before Meineke butchered them up.
I went back to Meineke, and talked to the manager, asking for him to reimburse me for the hoses that I had to replace.
He said he would talk to his regional manager about possibly refunding the cost of 1 hose.
For another week I have had no call backs from anyone at Meineke.
Please see attached photos of the OEM properly secured brake line, and what Meineke did.

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Meineke Car Care Center These guys are really incompetent mechanics

They charged me 700 bucks to change a timing belt and seal the valve cover and it took them three days to do it because the valve cover leaked oil twice after they said it was done. Unfortunately, there was no need to even touch the valve cover on my car when changing the timing belt, but they did and they could NOT get it to seal oil properly.

I was on the road and had to pay a hundred bucks a night for three nights while they fiddle-farted with the valve cover trying to get it to seal oil, an elementary mechanical problem if ever there was one. Twice they told me it was fixed and I tested it for ten minutes and it leaked terribly again! Ridiculous.

So, a few days and five hundred miles later it was leaking from a different place and I had to do it myself, took me six hours to remove all their sealant from the gasket and sealing faces and re-seal it carefully like they should've taken the time to do. Don't gamble with The Black Hole of Car Care unless you like gambling with your CASH because these guys are really incompetent mechanics.

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Meineke Car Care Center Automotive Repairs

I have spent about a year in dealing with Meineke’s incompetence. I finally had my case arbitrated by the BBB of Kansas City and won. This vehicle was brought in originally for an oil change and possible leak. After two visits, the second one being a “comeback”, Meineke still failed to change the engine oil and filter. Meineke “allegedly” found numerous leaks in the power steering system, including the power steering pump, hoses and the rack and pinion. The “alleged” replaced rack and pinion leaked and had a torn boot among many other concerns. Meineke utilizes a “shade-tree” mechanic approach to diagnose concerns in order to maximize customer repairs, resulting in fraudulent price-gouging of parts and labor. Meineke fabricates phantom parts and labor cost in order to justify their invoices. Meineke did offer to make repairs under warranty, but the facts are that this vehicle has been back to Meineke twice at a cost of over $3, 260 and continues to leak even more each time returned. I had absolutely no confidence that Meineke’s “mechanic” could perform repairs a third time. This complaint was based on Meineke’s (1) failure to perform basic diagnostic procedures and basic repairs (2) price-gouging of parts and labor (3) incompetence over safety and (4) their lack of principle and integrity towards the customer. Instead of going into details here, check out my videos on YouTube, just search for “meineke rip-off” and leave a comment. Let’s stand up against incompetence and being ripped-off. Thank you.

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Meineke Car Care Center unrepaired problem

I had to go to a different repair center to shell out more money for a job that Meineke should have done. The truth of the matter is that I would actually like to sue this service center in court for the nonsense the service manager put me through. I took my car to that location to deal with my engine check light. I knew what the problem was all along and said it to him from the start. He remembers nothing that you tell him since he lives in his own mind and only what he says has any meaning. The fact is that I knew that the problem was related to some type of EVAP units in the front and back of the car. I was told that a year ago by a different service person, but it did not affect the operation of the car, so I waited until I was closer to an inspection date to get it fixed since I knew it might be costly. I have always had great experiences at Meineke Center's in several states, and even long ago at this Jersey City site when different personnel worked there, so I thought nothing of bringing it a Meineke Center. After a diagnosis was done, I heard the employee quoting 2 numbers to the service manager over and over again; it almost looked like a comedy routine as the manager kept misquoting him and he kept correcting the manager (I thought they were playing with each other), but it etched the numbers in my head (441 and 446). The manager additionally mentioned that I might need a tune-up which made sense since I hadn't had one in quite sometime. So when the work was done, he showed me the work order and told me what the problems were and I had no reason to doubt anything; he then reset the engine check light and I was on my way. I have 2 cars and I usually drive the other in good weather, so I put this car (the one worked on) in my garage thinking it was totally fixed. A month later I took it out since when I checked on it, a tire had lost some air, and within minutes of driving down the street that damn light came on again. Of course I was furious and immediately drove to that Meineke center and spoke to the guy about it. He seemed genuinely concerned, put a portable diagnostic unit on it and decided from that, that it must be that I haven't put gas in the car in awhile, which was true. I didn't see how that made a difference, but he said the diagnostic machine highlighted the gas cap. I decided to take care of that at some point, so he reset the light again and I was off again, thinking that this was a minor problem. I put the car in the garage again for the weekend and decided to drive it the following Monday to work. It seemed fine but later on my way back home, within minutes of driving, that nightmare light came on again. I stopped at a station to get gas just in case there was anything to that theory. Here is the part that makes me the angriest. When I took it back to the guy after adding gas to the car, he put that unit on again to diagnose it and then he says to me "oh no, this must have happened since we did the work" . When I asked what the heck he was talking about, he said the numbers that came up were 441 and 446, and that was the moment which was toughest for me to keep my cool. He then mentioned and even showed me the words they related to, and that term EVAP was clearly written on the machine. When I said that this was what his employee said in the first place and why I came there in the first place, he of course said this was not true, as if he didn’t remember it. I then made the point that I was a college math teacher to get his attention as to the fact that I recall numbers very well. He scoffed at the thought of my being a math teacher until I told him to call the school and check, at which point he obviously believed me; that is a totally side point, but I bring it up to illustrate the type of thinking I was dealing with (only what is in his mind counts, not anything anyone else says). However, he totally ignored the fact that I heard his serviceman say those numbers and we were back to square one with him quoting a price for the repair, mind you after I have already paid over $500 already to get my engine check light removed. So even if there are discrepancies in our accounts, which I am certain he will foolishly present and probably get his underling to back up, THAT ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM was never fixed and there is no disputing that this was the reason I went there in the first place. Now it is quite clear that the only reason the light was removed in the first place for a single start or at most a second one was because he reset it each time. The problem was never fixed. I just didn't want to see his face again, so I have taken my business elsewhere, but I am considering either taking him to small claims or simply just never setting foot in that stupid station again. This has put a black mark on Meineke for me and now I would be wary about bringing my car to any Meineke repair center.

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Meineke Car Care Center Work done without authorization/nor necessary

Beware of Doing work that is not necessary. My state inspection was becoming due. Week before I was at the service place where I purchased tires for a rotation/oil change. At that time, I asked about my brakes because last inspection at Meineke they stated I would most likely need new front brakes at next inspection. Tire service Center told me I had about another 3, 000 miles before front pads needed replaced, front rotors were still good. They mentioned my back rotors were starting to rust but that was normal for the year of my car/back brake pads were good (only 14, 000 since replaced). Told me eventually would want to replace back rotors but no immediate need to do so. They would keep an eye on them. Being I have a new driver in the home and it was inspection time, I made an appointment to get my front brakes replaced at Meineke. The mechanic offered to come in early on a Saturday and I had my car at the shop per his instructions. I only told them to replace the front pads. When I was walking out my door to pick up my car I get a call that he also replaced the front rotors, back pads & back rotors. My bill which should have been around $110-$120 went up to over $300 dollars. When I got up to the shop the manager and I obviously had words. He told me his mechanic was doing me a FAVOR by coming in early-some favor. I responded I did his business a favor when I didn't bad mouth them and forgave them 2 years ago for wrecking my car while it was in for inspection (after my car was inspected the mechanic parked it by the front door, he forget where he parked it and while pulling out of a stall like a mad man, I saw him hit my back end very hard with another customer's car). Brough's Meineke paid for the auto body repairs so I went back to them as accidents happen and I believe in giving second chances. Not sure if this most recent incident is a result of the mechanic trying to make a quick buck or if this is a common practice they pull on customers. Beware and make it clear they are not to do any additional work until you authorize it. I 'd like to think the problem lies with the mechanics and their behavior not the Brough Family. Tim Brough was always nice and showed respect towards me until this incident. Bottom line-they should not being doing work unless its authorized and they need to show customer's vehicles Tender loving Care while driving them safely.

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Meineke Car Care Center tomos moped

I was sold a moped from meineke mufflers in salem .ma. with in one months time it would keep stoping on me. on my way to and from work. they said it was my fault for not riding it enough.and I replyd.How can I ride it when it keeps breaking down.they replyd that they did not want to discuss it. with in the last eight months it has broken down numerus times. I want to resolve this with out making it acivil matter.can some one help me please.

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Meineke Car Care Center Nightmare place

This place is a nightmare! Last year in March 2010 we took our truck to do brake job there. They did the job poorly and we had to take it back so shaking it was! Months later I was coming Rt 38 E Hainesport, NJ and my brakes just didn't work anymore...Thank God I didn't get in any accident. Since we had brakes done there we took it to Meineke in Lumberton, NJ. They kept my truck forever and ever time we asked about it has a different story! They "fixed" the brakes and I got it back. It was terrible…the truck shakes like a blender and the ABS light was always on. We took back to them and the manager said the router was bad so they changed it and, of course charged for…We, after other long 5 days, got the truck back and the ABS light was still on and the truck was still shaking! We took someplace else and asked for our money back at Meineke. In the other place they found out that Meineke put the WRONG router in the truck…Are they incompetent or what? Long story short, we lost a lot money in that place because they just give us back the router money not service and anything else. I DON’T RECOMMEND THAT NIGHTMARE FOR NO ONE!

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JKDE
, US
Jun 21, 2011 7:42 am EDT
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"Are they incompetent or what?"

YES!

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1:16 pm EDT

Meineke Car Care Center False estimates-rip off

I knew my car needed new brakes, I just didn't know if front ones or rear or both. So I took my car to Meineke on Thunderbird Rd in Phoenix, customer service from the beginning wasn't friendly, and it took almost 2 hrs for them to give my estimate. I am a girl and those places think that just because you are a girl or woman, you don't know anything about cars. They gave me an estimate of over $ 550, 00 saying I needed all 4 brakes pads and rotors replaced. So I decided to get a second opinion and I took my car to couple other places and later I found out I only needed rear pads, which only costed me $160, 00. Don't let those guys rip you off, get your car checked somewhere else before you do business with them! They lie big time! Never again Meineke!

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Meineke Car Care Center Poor workmanship

Do not use this muffler shop. They repaired the exhaust on my Honda CR-V with parts fabricated by them that are not up to Honda Specifications. My check engine light came on 4 times after they did the repairs and the dealer told me that the work was completely unprofessional and was leaking at the welds. Every time I took the car back they cleared the error code from the computer and told me it shouldn't happen again. I took it to the dealer when the light came back on for the fourth time. The cost to undo their damage was estimated at $1800.00. Their defense was that the dealer was lying to me and they hadn't done any welding - despite the fact that I watched them do the repairs. Stay away from them.

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Meineke Car Care Center Shotty Repair Work

I visited the Meineke location listed above on April 8 2011 in need of a new muffler. I was quoted a price and the work was completed. This work totaled $135.00. At the time of the repair there was no mention of anything that needed attention in addition to the muffler. 11 days later, April; 19 2011 I noticed a loud noise coming from my exhaust, 2 days, after that April 21 2011 my "Check Engine" light illuminated. On April 23rd 2011 I took my car to my regular mechanic, Dekalb Tire 801 S. Atlanta St
Roswell, GA 30075, to see what the problem was. When he put my car on a lift, he pointed out an 8+ inch long crack in the pipe connecting the muffler to the resonator pipe. This was a surprise to me. There was also fresh patching material surrounding the crack. It was stated to me that the Meineke "technician" who replaced my muffler patched the exhaust pipe as well. This was able to be determined because the material was fresh. I was told that the back pressure caused by this situation is what caused my oxygen sensor to fail, and my "check engine" light to illuminate. I tried to return to the Meineke location, but they had closed early "for Easter".

I then took my car to a competitor, Midas in Sandy Springs, I was told that the muffler that was on the car had to be replaced in order to replace the cracked pipe. I therefore had to purchase a new muffler in order to be in compliance with state emmissions standards. In addition to the new muffler, I needed to pay $114 for a new oxygen sensor, which I have been told failed due to the previous faulty repair, in order to be in compliance with state emmission standards. On Monday, April 25th 2011 I returned to the Meineke location in question and spoke with the owner/franchisee. He informed me that he would not be refunding my money. I attempted to contact Meineke's customer service department and the issue has not been resolved. These clowns are the biggest joke. If you beleive this is a customer service dept. I have a bridge that I can sell you as well.

The total harm done to the consumer in this matter is:

$135.00
+$114.00 $249

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Meineke Car Care Center Tried to scam me!

In March 2011, I went to Meineke to have them do a brake inspection because I had a Ford Taurus that had been sitting idle for 18 mos. and wanted them to replace the brake fluid and check for rust. About 4 hours after getting started, I was called and told I needed new front brake pads(which was true), but also needed new front rotors, and "oh...by the way, you need a new master cylinder, sir..." Total bill will be $575.00. I had put BRAND NEW rotors on just before I put the car up in storage, so that was a lie, and I took the car home, disassembled the master cylinder myself, changed the fluid, and never needed to replace ANYTHING. I had brought my car to them as a convenience to myself because I am really busy, but I ended up doing it all myself for about $35.00. The car runs great, brakes are perfect, NO THANKS to Meineke. DO NOT GO THERE! Calhoun Highway, Easley, SC.

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Meineke Car Care Center Oil Change Incompetence

I took my car for a oil change 02/24/11 at 7652 West Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89128.
Next morning lots of oil on my garage floor under my car. I took back my car to them and said that they need to diagnose my steering wheel at a cost. Luckily, I decided not to and
I took my car to other mechanic and find out that the caused of oil dripping was that the tray under my engine was full of oil which was due to the change oil they done. It cost me $70.00 just for that oil dripping check.
I think this might be intentional otherwise it is incompetence on the part of Meineke mechanic.
But one thing for sure is that I will never bring my car back to Meineke for service.
Beware dealing with Meineke.

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Meineke Car Care Center Car care scam

On 20 December 2010 I took my car in to have the Oxygen Sensors, a Serpatine Belt and an oil change. While they were examining the car leakage surrounding a hose was pointed out and I had the hoses replaced. I was given a price of approxamately $500 to make these repairs. I was called later and told the Coolant housing also needed to be replaced which would boost up my price to approximately $700 dollars. This actually came to over $1, 000. I gave the go ahead. When I picked up the car I questioned whether or not they had done the oil change. They had not. A mechanic in the shop quickly changed the oil while I waited. My car was at the shop all day. I picked up the car just before closing and did not make it home before the car overheated and shut down. I waited on the side of the road for a few minutes and drove the car the rest of the way home. I live less than 2 miles from the shop. I called the shop when I arrived home informing Pete Montoya the car was not right, it overheated before I got home. I was told to bring it back which I did the following business day. I could not drive the car during this time due to the danger of it overheating. My car has been back to their shop five times as of Saturday 20 December 2010. They do something to the car to get me away from their premises only to have it overheat again. This week the car was towed to them twice, yes in the same week. The also towed it to the shop after I called the corporate office. The next to the last visit I was told the radiator and heater hose were bad I had them both replaced. Another $662.00. Mind you this was after the manager told me he had replaced my hoses. He also told me he replaced the thermostat. I don't believe the original thermostat was bad as it had been replaced the previous summer. Omar Mei, the assistant manager told me this heater hose was on the opposite side of the car so it was not replaced. I picked up the car at closing and made it less than a mile from the shop before it ran hot again. I called their corporate office the next day and explained my situation. By this time I'm out $1800 for repairs and $200 for towing. My car is now sitting in my driveway--I can't drive it. I believe Meineke damaged my engine and will not make good on it. All I want is my car running like it should. It actually ran better before I took it to them a mistake I won't repeat. When I spoke to the corporate office I was told the owner would call me he hasn't. I get no further than the Manager Pete Montoya. At this point I want Meineke to tow my car to Coulter Cadillac and repaired correctly. I want a rental car while my car is being evaluated and repaired. I want my money returned and for Meineke to pay for the necessary repairs to my car. I left threer messages at Meineke's Customer Relations. To date they have not caled me back. Update: My car is now at the dealer. I again paid to have it towed. The diagnosis being a blown head gasket, the cost estimate $4500. This could have been avoided had they told me they didn't know what caused the overheating initially and I would have gone else where. How can you do what amounts to maintence to a car and hand it back overheating. I am more than pissed!

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Drivin
None, CA
Feb 01, 2011 6:55 pm EST
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That's not cool.. so if it had a blown head gasket it should've been consuming coolant.. the head gasket seals the head assembly to the engine block and keeps coolant from entering the combustion chamber and exhaust from entering the cooling system. so the coolant has two places it can go once the head gasket expires.. one into the engine oil supply making the oil level higher and a nice milky colour when drained.. or out the exhaust pipe which you probably would have noticed when you were driving because your car would emitt a real nice cloud of smoke.. I would bet once they did the oil change they saw the coolant in the oil and realized there error.

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Meineke Car Care Center Change in repair cost after agreement

The both rear coil springs on my 2002 Ford Escort SE were broken. I ordered the parts myself.
I made appointment and took it for replacing the parts to Meineke Car Care Center @ Boston Post road, Milford, Connecticut and they told me 180.00 + $22.00 for tax and shop parts. Once they took the car inside the repair shop for replacement after signing for the repair cost, the manager came in and told me that it will cost additional 90.00 + tax as it will take 3 hours instead of 2 hours.
Having done my homework about the repair cost and the amout of time it takes to repair on the internet, I had serious doubt about the integrity of the Meineke shop manager at Milford, Connecticut repair shop.
I knew this scam very well and told them to bring the car down and out of the repair shop. ( It reminded me of the medical scams by heart surgeons performing bypass surgery in California. Once the patient’s ribcage is open, they tell the relatives that the patient requires triple bypass instead of double bypass, bumping the cost by another $50, 000.00)

I took it to another shop and they did it in less then 2 hours and it cost me less then $180 with tax.
Please avoid Meineke if you can or atleast do your homework about the repairs on internet and watch the YouTube videos about your repair if available.
I cannot imagine how many people must be getting robbed in this manner by Mieneke each day.

Atleast, my car will never be at Meineke car care again for as long as I own it.

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