What clients say about AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care in Hawthorne Park (NJ)
1 brought my vehicle to Aamco Station at 262 Goffle Rd,
Hawthorne, NJ, for a safety check due to occasional stuttering. I requested one of the mechanics, to inspect my vehicle without performing any repairs.
I notified the mechanic that I would be going out of town and would have limited phone availability during that time. The mechanic assured me that this would not be a problem and confirmed that there would be no fees or charges for the inspection. He stated that if any issues were found, he would inform me, and we agreed that if repairs were necessary, I would return to have them completed. The next day I reached out to a mechanic who informed me that he had disassembled my vehicle and provided two estimates: one for $2000 and change, and the other for $3000 and change.
The estimates were provided to me via a document that was later removed. I became extremely disturbed and annoyed, as this differed from our agreed-upon terms. I had previously informed him that I would be out of town. The situation caused me significant distress, affecting my ability to sleep and impacting my overall well-being. I contacted the mechanic the following day. He stated that he replaced my transmission with a new one and I owe him $7,000; please come pick up your car, it is ready. I don't want to charge you $75 a day for storage. I stated, 'We never agreed on this, I didn't authorize you to make any repairs on my car, I don't owe you anything.' It caused me so much distress and I wound up having to pay $ 2064.00 on work I didn't agree on. I'm warning you don't waste your time going to this Aamco. The mechanic is not honest and will scam you out of your money. He's all about getting paid, he’ll try to get you to apply for a loan it's so fraudulent and simply a waste of your time. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else 😡😡😡😡
Do not go here. The owner/manager installed a faulty transmission and lied to me about it. After 18 days of my car being in their shop and 2 different bills to fix my car, my car still didn't run correctly. I was told by the owner that I needed a new transmission, and then once that was installed, he reluctantly remembered or realized that new wiring was needed, which would have been easy when the transmission was going in, but it would be another large bill since everything was already assembled.
After I finally got the car back after 18 days, it was not shifting properly, it was shifting slowly and clunkily. I brought it back, left it with them for 3 days, and they called me up and said everything was fine and they couldn't detect anything was wrong. I picked it up, drove it; there were the same problems. I drove it back. I sat with the owner and drove with him in it and pointed out what I was feeling and hearing. He said during this drive, "Oh, that's completely normal." Then he said, "Oh, I think you're imagining it. You're looking for something to be wrong," and then he said, "Well, it should go away in a week because it is still calibrating." So it went from “nothing is wrong” to “that is normal” to “wait a week for it to be better” in the same day with this owner.
I waited a week; it did not fix itself, so I called Corporate to have another AAMCO check/inspect it since I knew I could not trust the Hawthorn owner/manager since he literally lied to my face as the car was running. They sent me to another AAMCO run by a different franchise who test drove it, inspected the transmission, and told me instantly he knew things were wrong. He wrote a report with pictures to Corporate. He had also told me what was listed on my bill from AAMCO Hawthorn did not match up to what seemed to be done in the car and some of the “Fixes” did not seem to make sense. I think he knew I got scammed. The report was sent to AAMCO corporate to be reviewed by an Expert Technician. Though Corporate never gave me the exact report from the Expert Technician, a week and a half later, they sent him a new transmission to be installed in my car at the NEW AAMCO, not AAMCO Hawthorn. This wound up being a 7-week ordeal. The new manager Corporate sent me to was honest and trustworthy.
Don't go to this AAMCO. There's a huge amount of unprofessionalism; nobody is in a uniform or AAMCO clothes. The place was dirty with a kitchen counter/table in the lobby with opened condiments on it and plastic utensils on the ground. The Manager is only sometimes on site. They never took my email or sent me any email confirmations. They bill they send you closes after you pay it and you can’t review it. The Manager/Owner asked me to pay cash for the 2nd bill. Communication was awful. It was always “it is about to be done” and I wouldn’t hear from them for three days. The owner called from his personal cell to discuss billing, so none of the calls were recorded.
I think he thought he could take advantage of me because I was a one-time customer. I paid way too much for work that was not properly done for a defective transmission that was installed, and then the owner lied to my face about it. Go somewhere else.
When my car was undergoing the diagnostic test, the man helping me came out with a small cup of my transmission fluid which he showed only to my boyfriend standing next to me, not me, the actual owner of the car and the one who was paying for the test. I had to stand on my tiptoes and ask to see the fluid myself. When he came back out the second time, he explained that the teeth on the gears that shift the transmission were worn down, when the car I own has a CVT. He even went as far as to explain what the gears do in an automatic transmission and why they would be worn down, as if the my car had an automatic. I told him multiple times that my car has a CVT, he had all the information for the car that I gave him earlier, and yet he STILL gave that as a diagnosis. Then he tried to convince me it would "only" take 12 hours, and how simple it was to rebuild my transmission, when he literally had no idea that a CVT has no gears for shifting in a traditional sense. He told me false information to get me to leave my car there and pay thousands when he didn't even know what a CVT was. On top of everything, I was originally told that the fee for a diagnostic test on my trans would be $170 something plus tax, but when I arrived for my appointment, they then told me it would be $198 because of the "supplies" fee. The final fee ended up being $203 which, when I asked why it was so much more, the woman at the front desk THEN explained it was because of the 3% charge for using my card, (I understand that the 3% charge exists on some machines or for card, but I was NOT told about any of these extra fees OR surcharges in advance). To backtrack a bit, when they asked me why I was there for a diagnostic test, I told them the sound it was making and the person helping me immediately told me it was my torque converter and that I would need to just replace the entire CVT. I just wanted a diagnosis so we could discuss my best course of action, not someone trying to sell me on spending thousands of dollars to rebuild my transmission as soon as I walk in, on a car from 2011. They also tried to tell me as soon as I signed off on the "dismantle agreement" the fee for the diagnostic test would be "waived" or "absorbed" into the cost of repairs, when I was not there for a rebuild or a fix, JUST the diagnostic. I had to tell them repeatedly that I was just there for the test, NOT for a solution or to leave my car there to get a new transmission. He ended up giving me a copy of my diagnosis codes, not giving me an explanation of any of the codes, (not that any of them pointed out something wrong with my transmission), and that was the end of that appointment. As far as I know, the only physical examination of my transmission that was done was the transmission fluid that they retrieved in a little cup. Maybe others have had a better experience, but if you own a car with a CVT, I do not recommend coming here.
I visited the establishment to have my car serviced, and I was impressed with the level of care and attention provided by the proprietor. The repairs were completed to a high standard, and I received a new transmission. Moreover, the owner assisted me in securing a favorable financial arrangement for the transmission. I highly recommend this establishment to anyone in need of automotive assistance and seeking a favorable financial solution.
STAY AWAY FROM HERE! My dad had needed a new transmission which ran him about $6000. After the car being in the shop over a week I called an asked for updates on his car and they had told me they were waiting on parts to arrive. After a little over 2 weeks they said the Car was ready. Picked it up not even two week the car wasn’t running properly. Took it back the owner told me and my dad the warranty was up and asking for $3000 while on vacation how unprofessional knowing that the warranty was not up to so call build another transmission. I called the corporate office and they told him it had to be fixed. Because the warranty was not expired. When calling after a week the lady said they was supposedly was waiting on the parts for 2 weeks then when I called which they never call with any updates the lady told me that they waiting for a guy to come test it that took another week. Then a week later I went in person the lady at the desk told me that they waiting for another transmission. She also said that the owner stopped communicating with me because I called the corporate office. Once again no communication unless I call or go in person. They had this car for a month after I called corporate. From my perspective it seems they kept the car there for the warranty to run out which it did. This was very frustration. On top of the situation both the lady at the front desk and the shop owner were not easy to deal with and at times rude to me and my father. NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE AND DECEITFUL BUSINESS PRACTICES. I have voice recordings both the owner and the lady at the desk and screenshots of the owner on vacation while trying to get more money out of us. I knew something wasn’t right so I made sure I have back up. I don’t know how they’re still in business. Please don’t ever go here.
Don't waste your time. otherwise, you gonna waste another $1,998.00 just on labor. I called them about my Ford Escape and this spanish guy was so nice on the phone only to go there and commit myself. when you agree on the labor, he will then call you the next day that the transmission cost alone $3,500 for less taxes
STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS! I had originally brought my car in for a code u100 (Lost Communication with ECM/PCM). I was told I needed a new transmission which ran me about $6000. After the car being in the shop over a week I called an asked for updates on my car and they had told me they were waiting on parts to arrive. After a little over 2 weeks they had updated me that there was water in the trunk and that this damaged the communication from the ECM to transmission. Finally 3 weeks in and learned the ECM needed to be replaced an extra $1200. From my perspective it seems they did not diagnose the car issue properly and we’re not the least bit understanding of my frustration. On top of the situation both the lady at the front desk and the shop owner were not easy to deal with and at times rude to me. After over a month of having my car I finally picked up the car and everything in my glove compartment and center console was left on the passenger seat. On top of that I was given back a broken key fob. AVOID THIS SHOP AT ALL COSTS. NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE AND DECEITFUL BUSINESS PRACTICES.
Honestly I'm extremely disappointed, it's been 14 days since my car is in there, they "Literally said 3 to 5 bussines days" since its not a long work to get done but now this long? Went in person and they said they waiting for a nonsense. No car and they don't even working on it, its ridiculous. Honestly this place does not provide a good customer service and professional work
Great service, great price, excellent service and the owner was incredible to deal with. I brought 2 cars in and am very happy, I will be coming back anytime I need work done on my car!!!
This is total scam!!! I drive in with no issues just for transmission maintenance and driving out with leaking transmission, they not even replacing oil filters, and when I was trying to ask them they laugh at me, really!?
Stay away from this business!!!
Amazing shop for your transmission repair, other mechanical repairs. They work with you on the issues you have and work with warranty companies. The boss is awesome east going and nice. Makes sure to take care of any needs without any pressure.
I def recommend this place.
They fixed my car but they also took some belongings I had in my glove compartment. After paying them so much they decided it wasn’t enough. SMH I still can’t believe it.
I contacted this business because of Aamco's reputation as transmission experts and convenience because this location is close to my home. When I entered the customer greeting area my first impression was how clean this business is kept followed by how extremely courteous the employees are including Irene who rocks! By the way, the entire shop is very clean and neat. When is the last time you went to a auto mechanic business you could say that about. The first person I spoke to was Smailen Liberato who introduced himself as the owner and just happened to be behind the desk. As I began to describe my problem with my car, I found that Smailen listened in a very compassionate and attentive way. I use the word compassionate because transmission repairs can be very expensive. For me speeding alot of money on a repair I didn't see coming stressful and emotional. My car's transmission was already replaced once by Nissan several years ago at 70K miles as part of a recall. As a senior citizen on a Social Security, a second transmission repair at 96K miles could have been a $cary and painful unknown to the point that my wife and I considered getting a new car just an hour before I brought the car over. To say Smailen listened compassionately is very accurate because I was very stressed and upset. Smailen listened until I was finished "unloading" and then in a friendly, professional way explained how he could help. His communication style is to speak slowly and in a confident, controlled tone. His knowledge of transmissions, awareness of the history of Nissan transmission problems and confidence in his ability, and that of his team, to fix my problem almost made me forget was I was there :) Aamco's policy is to diagnose the problem before prescribing a solution. I wish my doctors listened more before they wrote prescriptions! Aamco charges diagnostic fee that gets applied to the total cost of the work that is performed. This fee is very reasonable under the circumstances and applying the fee to the repair is very fair. Because I brought my car in early in the day it was ready the same day and I picked it up first thing in the morning. It didn't take days to fix like the Nissan dealership took when the transmission was replaced the first time. To me this is remarkable since the trans had to be "dropped" out of the car to diagnose it properly. When the repair was finished I got in drive it and I was amazed. The car felt like it was brand new and the transmission engaged so firmly that, when I stepped on the gas I needed to back off the pedal. The car didn't buck or delay and it's a pleasure to drive. Happily my wife and I now know we have years we can drive this car after Smailen fixed it. I would recommend this business highly for anyone with a transmission problem who wants it fixed professionally at a fair price without getting a service run-around. Smailen-You Rock!
I had a dashboard light on for a blown bulb, but I could not locate the blown bulb. The mechanic was able to spot the blown light as I was backing up. The lady at front desk had no bulbs, but stated she would have charged me $200 if they had hoked up the laptop to diagnose the problem. Really for a blown reverse light💡. Smh. I had same issue last yr and the wonderful people at Aamco Hackensack used laptop to diagnose and only charged me for the bulb and installation . I only went there as Hackensack location doesn't open on weekends. The Mechanic was a god guy though!. I brought a bulb for $5, installed it myself. Went back and gave the mechanic $20, as he loosened the inside cover & took out blown bulb. ( I watched & learned something today) Next time I will diagnose and replace myself..
AAMCO of Hawthorne N.J. Is the best place around for your transmission repair, other mechanical repairs & even body work.
The staff work comprehensively with you on the issues you have and work with warranty companies like “Car Shield” that for the majority of repair facilities find impossible to work with.
The company keeps you constantly updated on the repair process when dealing with the required approvals for what can be a difficult process. They have a great staff of mechanics!
Highly recommended.. Very fair pricing on repairs along with their guarantees. My VW
Beatle had repairs and some body work and runs like new even with 295k miles on it!
A+
Smailen liberato is a Great guy with great customer service, He help replace my transmission , Brakes , Body work. with consistent updates and quick services. Even his assistant is very helpful would recommend to anyone in need for car service.
Guy at the front desk was extremely nice and helpful. They tested my car for free and the owner even went out of his way to show me that my motor mounts and brakes were shot. They provided me with multiple options for fixing my car. This place is trustworthy and I don't say that about many places.
Today was my first experience with this shop and I was pleased with their expertise and customer service!! Definitely use this shop for your car maintenance needs!
Mike the owner is now my go to guy for anything dealing with my work truck. He was up front and honest about what was needed. He didn’t try to sell me something I didn’t need unlike other places I've been to. He got me a good deal on a transmission and now my truck is running better than ever. I would highly recommend him to anyone!!
Spoke with Michael the owner and he was awesome and showed real concern to get my problem resolved. It turned out i had several issues and he resolved all of them. I have to admit he came in under my estimated price. I WILL be going back again with my other vehicles.
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