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Business Profile

Auto Repairs

Rad Air Complete Car Care and Tire Center - Wickliffe
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BBB Accredited BusinessA+Rated by BBB

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 1 complaint in the last 3 years.
  • 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.

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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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  • Initial Complaint

    Date:04/03/2025

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    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.
    Charged $900 and said vehicle will run but overheat. I had to pay $900 to get this vehicle towed from this establishment. This place said I can drive vehicle but will overheat. I paid $900 to get my vehicle towed from this establishment. They lied, I took vehicle to another place and they charged me ,$87 to tell me the engine is gone. Rad air told lies. If they could not diagnose vehicle then they should have said that

    Business Response

    Date: 04/23/2025

    This complaint appears to be related to a vehicle owned by Mr. Erik Pratt, not the complainant. The vehicle was towed to Rad Air of Wickliffe on April 18, 2024—over one year ago.


    At the time of arrival, we were informed that the vehicle had undergone prior repairs, either by the client or another service center, and was experiencing multiple electrical and drivability concerns.

    The issues described included:
    Intermittent starting problems
    Overheating
    Malfunctions with the U-Connect system (including unprompted volume changes, radio station cycling, Bluetooth phone calls, and switching inputs without driver input)
    Instrument cluster issues (inoperative speedometer and tachometer)
    A previously replaced TPIM module that did not resolve any of the issues


    On the same day the vehicle arrived, we received authorization to begin diagnostic work, with an initial approved amount of $182.27. This amount covered an investigation into the no-start condition. Based on the client’s description, multiple systems had been affected, and it was clear that parts had been replaced in attempts to resolve the issues prior to our inspection.


    Our technician discovered that the starter solenoid relay was missing and the starter itself was non-functional. With approval received on April 19, 2024, we replaced both the missing relay and the faulty starter (estimate: $752.97, in addition to the initial diagnostic charge). During removal, internal components of the starter fell apart—an indication of significant internal failure. Further diagnostics could not proceed until this failure was addressed.


    After replacing the starter and relay, the vehicle was able to start but began to overheat almost immediately. The cooling system was found to be critically low on coolant—we added over two gallons to continue the diagnosis. During further testing, we discovered evidence of engine coolant in the cylinders, indicating a likely internal engine failure. This may have resulted in hydrolocking the engine, making it unable to crank or start. These symptoms suggest either a blown head gasket or a cracked cylinder head, both of which are serious issues that stem from continued operation while the vehicle was overheating.


    After discussing these findings with Mr. Pratt, he elected to suspend any further diagnostic work. It took approximately ten days for him to formally decline continued investigation.


    While the vehicle remained at our facility longer than usual, Rad Air of Wickliffe did not assess our standard storage fees for vehicles left beyond normal repair timelines.


    Lastly, the complaint references a $900 towing cost. This is incorrect. The $913.17 in question was for professional diagnostics, the replacement of the starter and solenoid relay, the associated labor, and further inspection once the vehicle could be started. In truth, our team invested significantly more time and resources into this vehicle than was billed.


    Rad Air of Wickliffe made every reasonable effort to diagnose and assist with a vehicle that had complex and pre-existing issues. We stand behind the work performed and the professionalism with which our team handled this situation.

    Below is the time-line of events while the vehicle was on our property.  Repair invoice is attached.


    **** ******* posted RO #***** with date April 30, 2024
    6/28/2024 11:07 AM
    **** ******* marked RO #***** complete with date April 30, 2024
    6/28/2024 10:07 AM
    **** ******* updated the customer information.
    6/28/2024 10:06 AM
    **** ******* updated the customer information.
    6/28/2024 10:06 AM
    **** ******* posted a Credit Card payment of $913.17
    6/28/2024 09:59 AM
    **** ******* reopened RO #*****
    6/28/2024 09:56 AM
    **** ******* unposted RO #*****
    6/28/2024 09:55 AM
    **** ******* sent RO #***** to A/R with date April 30, 2024
    5/3/2024 01:19 PM
    **** ******* marked RO #***** complete with date April 30, 2024
    5/3/2024 01:19 PM
    **** ******* reopened RO #*****
    5/3/2024 01:17 PM
    **** ******* unposted RO #*****
    5/3/2024 01:17 PM
    **** ******* sent RO #***** to A/R with date April 30, 2024
    5/3/2024 11:44 AM
    **** ******* marked RO #***** complete with date April 30, 2024
    5/3/2024 11:44 AM
    **** ******* reopened RO #*****
    5/3/2024 10:10 AM
    **** ******* updated the customer information.
    5/3/2024 10:08 AM
    **** ******* marked RO #***** complete with date April 30, 2024
    5/3/2024 10:06 AM
    **** ******* updated the customer information.
    5/3/2024 10:05 AM
    **** ******* reopened RO #*****
    5/3/2024 10:05 AM
    **** ******* unposted RO #*****
    5/3/2024 10:05 AM
    **** ******* sent RO #***** to A/R with date April 30, 2024
    4/30/2024 04:01 PM
    **** ******* marked RO #***** complete with date April 30, 2024
    4/30/2024 11:04 AM
    **** ******* updated the vehicle mileage to INOP
    4/30/2024 11:02 AM
    **** ******* deleted pending job Check Engine Light / MIL Diagnostic & Investigation - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, LIGHTS FLICKER AND DASH GOES IN AND OUT from the estimate.
    4/29/2024 02:23 PM
    **** ******* deleted pending job REPLACE BATTERY from the estimate.
    4/24/2024 11:03 AM
    **** ******* added the following Canned Job(s) to the estimate: REPLACE BATTERY
    4/24/2024 11:01 AM
    **** ******* deleted pending job REPLACE BATTERY from the estimate.
    4/24/2024 11:00 AM
    **** ******* added the following Canned Job(s) to the estimate: REPLACE BATTERY
    4/24/2024 11:00 AM
    **** ******* added the following Canned Job(s) to the estimate: Check Engine Light / MIL Diagnostic & Investigation
    4/19/2024 03:29 PM
    Chris  Miller marked job REPLACE STARTER AND RELAY complete on April 19, 2024 03:15:23 EDT.
    4/19/2024 03:15 PM
    Brian Blatt received authorization from ERIK PRATT on the following job(s): REPLACE STARTER AND RELAY - $752.97
    4/19/2024 09:36 AM
    **** ******* added the following Canned Job(s) to the estimate: REPLACE STARTER
    4/19/2024 08:09 AM
    **** ******* deleted pending job REPLACE STARTER RELAY from the estimate.
    4/19/2024 08:09 AM
    **** ******* assigned MISC - MISC ITEMS as the job category for REPLACE U-CONNECT SYSTEM.
    4/18/2024 03:37 PM
    **** ******* added a job to the estimate.
    4/18/2024 03:33 PM
    **** ******* deleted pending job New Job from the estimate.
    4/18/2024 03:33 PM
    **** ******* added a job to the estimate.
    4/18/2024 03:33 PM
    *****  ****** marked job COURTESY FILL complete on April 18, 2024 03:31:32 EDT.
    4/18/2024 03:31 PM
    *****  ****** marked job Check Engine Light / MIL Diagnostic & Investigation - SEE LABOR LINE FOR VEHICLE INFO complete on April 18, 2024 03:31:30 EDT.
    4/18/2024 03:31 PM
    **** ******* assigned MISC - MISC ITEMS as the job category for REPLACE STARTER RELAY.
    4/18/2024 03:29 PM
    **** ******* added a job to the estimate.
    4/18/2024 03:26 PM
    **** ******* received authorization from ERIK PRATT on the following job(s): Check Engine Light / MIL Diagnostic & Investigation - SEE LABOR LINE FOR VEHICLE INFO - $182.27 and  COURTESY FILL - $.00
    4/18/2024 03:05 PM
    **** ******* added the following Canned Job(s) to the estimate: COURTESY FILL
    4/18/2024 03:05 PM
    **** ******* added the following Canned Job(s) to the estimate: Check Engine Light / MIL Diagnostic & Investigation
    4/18/2024 03:02 PM
    **** ******* updated vehicle YMME to 2018 Ram 1500 SLT 3.6L 6Cyl FLEX ERB Naturally Aspirated, VIN to 1C6RR7GG9JS225393, license plate/state to JBJ4813 OH.
    4/18/2024 03:02 PM
    **** ******* created Repair Order *****: ERIK PRATT's 2018 Ram 1500 Laramie
    4/18/2024 03:02 PM

    Customer Answer

    Date: 04/24/2025

    Better Business Bureau:



    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.


    How can these people charge $685 plus for labor fees for a car to be towed. They said the car will be able to drive BUT overheat and that was a lie. Another place charged us  $87 to say the engine is blown (which is correct because the truck is running good after new engine). And as far as they saying the truck was on their property as storage. That is because when they said over $900 and the car wasn't running we were upset. And THEY said the truck has to stay there until we pay  over $900  to them and then get it towed. And as far as whoever the owner is that put my spouse FULL name on here when I made the complaint is ridiculous. I'm the one that picked up the truck and spoke with the workers to get the truck, I know who the order name was in, what was the purpose of putting his full name on here? My spouse didn't say anything to them,when I Went there to get the vehicle towed. And I know it's over a year ago, BUT it's been on my mind how y'all played us and I decided to take measures. You all should have just did the diagnosis for $187 but you said we need a starter? If you would have just charged the $187 diagnosis, that would be fine.  But y'all decided to put a starter on for no reason! And then said the truck will run but overheat, the truck wasn't even running so how can it be running but overheat? You all think that was ok, to pay over $900 to get a vehicle towed. Instead of saying y'all don't know what's going on. And that is not correct about work done before on this vehicle. So we got faulty work done huh? But instead of y'all saying that or saying you can't work on vehicle y'all charge over $900!



    Regards,



    ********* *********









     

Rad Air Complete Car Care and Tire Center - Wickliffe is BBB Accredited.

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