Complaints

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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/01/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Took my **** *** ****** to Meineke for a catalytic replacement and a tune up on 8/30/22. Prior to taking the vehicle in, it was unable to get passed 20 MPH (only issue) and it had shown repair codes specific to a catalytic converter issue. When I dropped the vehicle off, the shop agreed that the issue was the catalytic converter and I placed a $500 deposit for that work. While the vehicle was being serviced there, employees of the shop test drove the car and there was no other issue besides the converter. When I was picking up the vehicle, there was an obvious smoke coming from the exhaust. There was never a mention of the smoke until after the converter work was completed. ***** (mechanic) proceeded to give me multiple reasons including a blown piston which should've been discovered during the tune up but never once mentioned it to me. He then proceeded to tell me that the vehicle was idling rough, the smoke would stop when the vehicle was driving on the highway, and also suggested I sell the vehicle quickly after the work was completed (even though I wasn't doing the work to sell it). After getting the vehicle home, I opened the hood and discovered multiple bolts and brackets that were laying loose on the engine as well as spit out sunflower seeds from a mechanic who was working on the vehicle. I noticed the issues, called the shop, and ***** told me to bring it back up right away. Upon questioning the employees afterwards, they only said "sorry" for the sunflower seeds, commented that the loose brackets on the engine "didn't matter" and laughed at my concern for any damage that could come from that. They never offered to fix the issue of the smoke or loose brackets on the engine.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/09/2022

  This company took off the 3rd catalytic converter and installed a straight pipe, this making my vehicle useless and unrepeatable. They provided no warranty.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/21/2022

  We found 2 diagnostic codes in system 1. p0431 convertor bank 2 and p0301 misfire cylinder 1. On the test drive the vehicle would not exceed  20 mph and there was minimum exhaust coming from the tail pipe. We suspected a clog in the exhaust system starting with the bank 2 catalytic convertor. We recommended replacing the convertor only and testing after the repair. The customer also requested we do the tune up. She had said that she had removed and tried to do the repair herself with no success. We replace  the bank 2 convertor, it was clogged with oil and melted from overheating due foreign debris (oil) . We replaced the spark plugs and spark plug wires. The bank 2 spark plugs were covered in oil. With the oil we found in the exhaust system we also removed the downstream convertor it also was clogged with oil and debris, we installed a test pipe at no cost to the customer. The customer was made aware of this at the time of pickup. On the test drive after the repairs the vehicle did run much better and would drive at 60 mph. The code p0301 misfire did return and would need further diagnostic. The smoke from the tail pipe was not caused by the repair but expose when the damage were replaced. Causes of smoke from tail pipe could be from valve stem seals and or piston rings, which could not be detected from initial diagnostic or repairs. We did find certain brackets that were not attached properly or missing bolts, we did fix the ones we could find parts for. The customer did bring the vehicle back with a bolt in hand. We brought the vehicle in and installed the bolt at that time.  We strive always provide a positive experience for our customer, we are sorry we fell short of expectation. We would be willing to do further diagnostic work to find the cause of the smoke from tail pipe.