Can I Get PepBoys to Fix My Car?
Posted by Any-Masterpiece7816@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 14 comments
I have a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan with 134000 miles. I took it to PepBoys April 3 for a tuneup because my husband had been bugging me to. Took it in and it was fine. For 2 days. Then it starts running a little rough. Oil light came on. So I took it back up there. They said it needed a new battery. Ok got a new battery. 2 days later it starts doing the same thing. This time they said it was an o2 sensor, intake manifold and camshaft. Thankfully the warranty I have covered most of that. 2 weeks later I notice white smoke coming from the muffler. I take it back to them because at this point I'm feeling like they broke it they need to fix it. But they tell me I'm going to have to take it to a VW dealership that there's nothing they can do. I had it towed to VW dealership and they give me a report with $33,000 worth of damage including the fuel pump, water pump, camshaft, intake manifold, all kinds of stuff. So i just want to know if these things, some of which they already replaced were going bad and they just didn't see it before or if they did something wrong or what is going on. Before I took it to PepBoys for a tuneup I had never had any problems out of it in the year I had it. Please help me!
Any-Masterpiece7816@reddit (OP)
So obviously I didn't know this about PepBoys or I wouldn't have taken it there. I don't know anything about cars other than you have to change the oil every 3000 miles, which I always do, or I wouldn't be asking on here. And no, when my husband was alive he didn't know crap about cars either. Just trying to take care of things by asking questions on here which I thought is what this was for, not for getting a bunch of shit talk thrown at me. So thank you to everyone who replied. You reminded me how shitty people can be to others in need. Like I needed a reminder.
Daniele323@reddit
The only thing that going to help you is in independent mechanic, maybe one that specializes in German cars. Pepboys isn’t a mechanic shop, I wouldn’t even let them change my oil. The dealership is going to try to rip you off, that’s their job once your car’s out of warranty.
I understand you know nothing about cars but a quick google search or question on here would have told you to stay away from pep boys. Common sense would say that once you took it back the second time and they gave you that laundry list of things to fix, that maybe you should question what’s going on.
Nobody here was rude, you just asked questions here wayyyy too late for anyone to be able to provide any meaningful assistance.
FormerLaugh3780@reddit
The question isn't if you CAN, the question is it it's INTELLIGENT to make that choice, and I think you already know the answer.
Your choice of vehicle combined with your choice of repair shop clearly represent your lack of automotive accumen. Your husband apparently doesn't know any more than you do if he allowed you to take it to PepBoys for service (I wouldn't be taking automotive advice from him going forward).
Any-Masterpiece7816@reddit (OP)
He died that same week this all started so no, I won't be taking advice from him anymore thank you.
idontevenlikespam@reddit
I don't understand how you could have so many problems after a tune up. My guess is they used some bullshit spark plugs. I would have a proper independent shop fix it and make PepBoys pay for it.
Flenke@reddit
We have no idea what counts as a "tune up" from pep boys means, so we don't know what they did and how it could have affected your vehicle. Need more details
Disastrous-Group3390@reddit
Was it running poorly before this shitshow started? Modern cars don’t need ‘tune ups.’ They need regular oil and oil filter changes every 5-10k (depends on the car, the driving, and whether you trust the manufacterer’s intervals) and they need air and cabin filters based upon inspection. Spark plugs are an interval thing-most cars are every 100k and they should still be ‘ok,’ meaning running fine with no misfires, at that interval. Trans fluid and filter by interval, should shift fine at the interval. If a car develops an issue, you don’t ask for a ‘tune up,’ you take it to a qualified repair shop (NOT PEP BOYS) to have that issue fixed.
Without knowing why you went the first time, but now you need a qualified shop to unwind the fuckery, see if more fuckery occured as a result of the initial fuckery, and see if the original issue (and the ensuing fuckery) can be repaired. Sounds like the dealer wants you to go away with that $33k estimate, so you need to find an independent shop who’s willing to tackle it-if any are. I fear you may have just paid some very expensive tuition to the school of life. Fix it if you can and sell it. Get a Toyota or Honda and a better shop. Read the manual, do the maintanance on time and repairs as needed. No more ‘tune ups’-this isn’t Mayberry and you’re not driving a ‘64 Galaxie.
Mike__O@reddit
Lots to unpack here.
PepBoys is not a reputable mechanic shop. At best they're a tires and lube place at the same level as the auto care department of Walmart.
Not sure what they did for the first "tune up" as that term means nothing. The other things that you specifically listed would not cause the issues the dealer allegedly identified, or you're just flat incorrect on what you listed (for example-- PepBoys would never touch a camshaft. They don't do that level of work.
You need to get more than just a list of parts that supposedly need to be replaced. You need an actual diagnosis. Until you know what's actually wrong with the car, you have no idea whether the proposed fix is sufficient, or just an attempt to throw parts at it and charge you for said parts.
Hopefully this is a wake-up call that you need to know more about how cars work. I'm not saying you need to become your own mechanic and turn your own wrenches, but having a basic knowledge of how car systems work will help you identify if proposed maintenance and repairs are reasonable, or just an attempt to rip you off.
Equana@reddit
Agree with all but with an additional comment on #4...
Learn what services your car needs from your owners manual but establish a relationship with a local independent (not a chain) full service auto repair shop. Have everything done there including oil changes. That shop will get to know you and your car so they can suggest maintenance as needed to prevent what happened. They may be a bit more expensive but cheaper in the long run.
Disastrous-Group3390@reddit
And, if you’re exclusively their customer, they HAVE to own it if they strip a drain plug or break something. They can’t blame ‘the previous shop’. Flipside is they know you’re a loyal regular and will be more willing to help out with things that might need the benefit of doubt. (tires wore out ‘too quickly’ for example.)
gmehodler42069741LFG@reddit
This folks, is what you call a npc in the wild
Busy-Organization942@reddit
Going to Pep Boys for engine repair is like going to a dermatologist for brain surgery. I think you have learned your lesson, so there is that.
waldcha@reddit
Sounds like both Pepboys and the dealership are just blindly throwing parts at it. If I had a oil light I would first be looking for leaks. Then with white smoke I would assume it is burning oil. I don't know much about german cars but if it were my Honda I would be looking at gaskets, seals, and maybe piston rings? An oil issue could result in sensors telling them many things are wrong if they just plug in a reader though, which would be fair for a modern german car.
You need a good independent mechanic to look at it. We can make wild gueses all we want but they will have hands on. Ask friends and fam who they recomend. Labor and parts will not be cheap.
Daniele323@reddit
I can’t offer you any help other than never ever take your car to pepboys, or any oil change place for that matter. And especially don’t let them work on your car. Find a good independent mechanic in your area.