I brought my vehicle in for a transmission fluid and - onemore_ko17
I brought my vehicle in for a transmission fluid and filter change, and to diagnose a noise from the front end when turning and accelerating. I specifically mentioned that it might be the front U‑joints.
The next morning, I received a call with a long list of recommended repairs: all new ball joints, broken exhaust flange bolts, an engine oil cooler leak, rusted shocks, spark plugs with carbon buildup, and a fuel system “tune‑up.” None of these items addressed the issue I actually brought the vehicle in for.
What’s more concerning is that when I paid the bill, the inspection notes stated that the front U‑joints were seized — the exact problem I asked them to look at. This was never mentioned on the phone and wasn’t included in the estimate, so I never had the opportunity to approve the repair.
I also want to note that my vehicle had no exhaust leak when I dropped it off, but it did have an exhaust leak when I picked it up. They mentioned broken exhaust flange bolts, but I had no exhaust noise beforehand, and no photos were provided when I asked for them.
Regarding the “oil cooler leak,” I have never seen oil under my vehicle, and again, no evidence or photos were provided to support this claim.
The bill also stated that the transmission service required 2.5 hours of labour due to “seized bolts.” This transmission pan does not have a drain plug, so the pan bolts must be removed for every fluid and filter change. This exact service was performed 3 years ago at another dealership, so the bolts should not be seized again in that timeframe. In my opinion, either the previous service wasn’t actually performed, or the claim of seized bolts today is inaccurate.
Finally, the cost of the transmission service was more than double what I paid for the same service three years ago. When I asked why, the only explanation given was that “bulk oil has spiked,” even though the majority of the increase came from labour time and parts markup, not fluid.
Overall, the lack of communication, the upsell‑heavy approach, the inconsistencies in the inspection, and the failure to address the issue I actually came in for left me very disappointed.
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