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Business Profile

Towing Company

Universal Towing & Recovery

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Towing Company.

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Universal Towing & Recovery's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Universal Towing & Recovery has 2 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 18 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 6 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/12/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      This company towed my vehicle on 01/14/25 and caused multiple damages to my vehicle while towing. The company also showed the pictures of my vehicle prior to towing which showed no damages to my vehicle. I was promised compensation by one of their towing agent ***** ******* which I have never received and it is now 03/12.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/28/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unpursuable
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Date: Jan 25, 2025 Tow fee: $135 (paid in cash)Estimated cost to repair vehicle damage: $11,024.86 My vehicle was towed while dining at a restaurant. Car was retrieved from the tow yard. However, when driving it home we noticed the car was driving very differently. A warning sign popped up on the driver's screen telling me to take it to the dealership for repairs and as I was driving it the alignment was severely off and veering to the right. I took the car to the dealer ship the next day and was quoted approx $11k in repairs. The front underside was all messed up with cracks and breakages with the lower control arm, ADD alignment, shock absorbers etc. When trying to contact the tow company for compensation for the damages they basically told me to f*** off and hung up. I called multiple times from 2 numbers trying to get a hold of a supervisor or manager and they continue to just hang up on me. I just got this car and it has under 15k miles on it. It was in pristine condition before this and I worked very hard to save up so I can afford this car. I greatly appreciate your help and hope that you will be able to resolve this issue for me

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:10/13/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unpursuable
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I am submitting this complaint regarding a towing company that has refused to refund my money after failing to provide proper service. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue directly with the company, they have consistently avoided addressing my concerns, and I have been unable to speak with the manager as promised.Details of the Complaint:****** of Incident: 9/4/24 ********* Name: Universal Towing 3.Service Provided: Towing service ******* Amount Paid: $175 5.Problem Description:The towing service was either improperly performed or not completed as agreed. They mistakenly towed my car even though it was correctly placed. Despite my clear request for a refund, the company has refused to return my money.I have tried contacting the company on several occasions, and every time I ask to speak with the manager, I am told they are busy or unavailable.The company has not provided any timeline for resolution and continues to avoid my calls and emails.6.Attempts to Resolve:I have called the company multiple times to resolve the issue, but they consistently tell me that the manager is unavailable or busy. Despite promises to call me back, no resolution has been provided.I have also emailed the company, but I have not received a response regarding the refund.7.Desired Resolution:I am requesting a full refund of $300 for the improper service, and I would like this issue to be resolved as soon as possible.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:10/07/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unpursuable
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On October 3rd 2024 I exited my home to discover that my car was no longer in my driveway at my apartment. After speaking with the leasing office they informed me that there is a towing company that they work with to patrol the neighbnorhood to make sure there are no "inoperable vehicles" sitting around. after calling the tow company they informed us that they put a warning sticker on my driver window on October 1st saying that I had a flat tire and it need to be repaired within 48 hours or it would be towed. I believe this was a flagrant lie because on Octoer 2nd I drove my car across the street to the ******* nearby and there was no srticker on my car informing me of this. Though I had a low tire preasure light on it did not feel at all like driving on a flat tire, so I was not immediatly concerned. So from my perspective my car was towed for a flat tire, WITHOUT WARNING, for a tire that wasnt even fully flat, that I was unaware had gotten lower. I understand the purpose of haviung this service in a community but to not inform or warn the owner of the vehicle at all is wrong. Especially when they charged me $135 to get my vehicle back. So now I am trying to fight for a refund for this internally with the company for wrongful reposession and malicious practice, but I did want to still report the company to the BBB so that this doesn't happen to anyone again after this.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/30/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unpursuable
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On October 4, 2022, at approximately 9 PM, Universal Towing and Recovery towed my 2014 ****** Maxima from my residence at *************** due to a missing parking sticker. I discovered the vehicle was missing the following morning, just as I was about to leave for work and incurred a towing fee of approximately $150 to retrieve it. Before the towing incident, my car was in excellent running condition with no reported issues. However, shortly after recovering the vehicle, I began experiencing problems: the check engine light illuminated, and an unusual smell emanated from the exhaust system. I took the car to several repair shops for diagnostics, revealing multiple issues, including a damaged and leaking radiator, a compromised catalytic converter (responsible for the foul odor), damaged front struts and sway bar links, and potentially damaged exhaust pipes. So far, I have spent nearly $900 to replace the catalytic converter, $600 for the front struts, and $600 for the radiator, opting for local mechanics as national chains such as ********* and Tire Kingdom quoted significantly higher prices for these repairs.I have recently found out that I can hold towing companies liable for the damages to my vehicle, including understanding the statutes of limitations and the duration for which towing records are maintained. I wanted to ensure I was fully informed before proceeding.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/24/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Towed my car illegally. *********** seems to be running an illegal operation also hiring illegal immigrants with no paperwork to be in this country or valid drivers license

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/22/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Moved into an apartment community 2 1/2 mo. ago, On 2/15/24. I bought a motorcycle, parked it in visitors parking spot, and covered it up. Didn't have a tag because I'm a student that drives another motorcycle so it is not being driven. As of 4/20/24 after business hours, Universal towing & Recovery improperly seized my bike, impounded it, and charged me to get it back. Claimed it was for having no tag. But ********** was covered up and parked in visitor parking. Improper tow just to make the dollar.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/11/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unpursuable
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      My business truck was wrongfully towed from Lowes in *******, ******* this weekend. We gained permission from the manager at Lowes to park in the lot, placing a note in the window. We also received a written statement from ***************** As we returned to our company truck, it was not where we parked it. The truck was entered/ broken into with a slim *** and towed regardless to the note left on the window. Please note that the employees were extremely rude providing poor services. We obtained a written notice..notarized to retrieve our truck but had to wait 3hrs for the truck to be released to **. ****** ******* Laws ****** that we shouldn't have to wait over an hour.I will be emailing the owner ********************* and filing against someone to get back the necessary charges of 500 that had to be paid to get my truck back. The manager at Lowes tried reaching someone as well but no one answers the phone I'm looking forward to hearing from management regarding this matter.. A police report has been filed.Sincerely

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/28/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      This place tows cars illegally. They towed my vehicle for an expired tag when it was not in fact expired. While talking to the receptionist that didnt want to provide their name, she was extremely rude, hung up on me and didnt answer my calls for 20+min, and proceeded to insult and challenge me after explaining to her that it was towed incorrectly. Once I got to the location, she proceeded to be rude and stated if you keep it up (me explaining that my registration was not expired and had physical evidence on me) Ill make you wait an hour for your car. Since I had children with me, I decided to pay the fee. The receipt was able to see that in fact my registration was valid. But did nothing about it. After another 20+min of waiting, a man came. Said nothing. After awhile, I went up to him and asked where to wait for the vehicle. He told me if I had paid and he let me through after showing the receipt. The receptionist took my money and said nothing on how to actually get my car. I asked the man for her name and he stated I cant give you that information and told me to leave his parking lot once I had the car. These people basically stole my car. If I had called the cops, it wouldve been resolved. But these people should not be doing business. They are rude, racist and do not deserve a job. My registration was valid and I am currently waiting on the registration by mail. But I have the documents ready and dated. Ive attached the temp registration with the date it was processed with the receipt dated showing the invalid or expired registration showing after it was already renewed.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/15/2023

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      My parents car got towed over night Saturday with no 24 hour notice. These people snatched their truck which is a front wheel drive and must have yanked it out with no regard because now the transmission is shot. They just got their engine work repairs and out the shop 2 days prior to this tow and their car was working awesome. They went to pick the truck up from these weirdos and its now inoperable and broken down. These folks deice around our GATED parking lot all hours of the day Checking in car windows like they are the police. I low key think they are criminals. My parents car worked just fine they towed it.

    Universal Towing & Recovery is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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