I have a 1999 Volkswagon Jetta and I was having a problem with my transmission (when my car was driven for ~3 hours it would not shift into 2nd) I first noticed this problem on my way to upstate NY from long island, after aprox 3 hrs on the thru-way, when I got off at my exit and stopped at the light it wouldn't upshift. I do not have a dipstick (ridiculus isn't it) to check my tranny fluid and VW shop was closing. After leaving the car parked for a few hours the transmission was fine.
It worked fine except for when the car was driven for more than a few hours at a given time. I decided to bring it to AAMCO for repair ONLY because they only "fix" transmissions and they are the "transmission specialists", and also for the fact that they are a well known chain leading me to believe that if there ever was a problem I would be covered.
On that note I was right, they DO honor their warranty, but it has been back FIVE TIMES since I had a transmission rebuilt!
When they first had my car the final outcome was I needed to rebuild the tranny and I needed a reliable car to get to and from work so I let them do the work $2,560!! Granted my problem wasn't effecting me unless I drove for a long period of time but I was told that this problem was common and that It can die on me at any time. AFter I got the car back, and went for the "10 day" see if everything is good checkup, not even two weeks after my tranny slipped occassionally, then finally would not shift past 3rd gear. I brought the car back in and after a few days I got my car back and was told it was the speed sensor, which must have been defected from the manufacturer because it was a very rare problem.
A month or so later I had the same problem again (even the slipping leading up to it). I brought it back in and once again it was the speed sensor. Again they "fixed" it. Now on top of this, I work around 60 hours in a 5 day work week and it is VERY difficult to get to and from work everyday while the car is in the shop. Once again, following the same steps leading up to this rare problem of "defective speed sensor" the problem happened again and once again they said it was fixed.
The last time I've had a problem, when the tranny slipped hard I seen my "malfuncion indicator light" go on. I brought my car back to AAMCO again and this time they had my car for a week. They said that on the test drive the tranny seemed fine and they cannot detect ANY problems whatsoever. I had to keep calling them every couple days to find out of the status. They said the diagnostics test came up with an "unknown" code. The last time I called them I was told that the malfunction light was off and I can pick up my car. When I did, as soon as I turned on my car the light was off. WHen I put it into reverse to back out, as I shifted to drive the light went on again!!!
*I was told that the problem could be something else affecting the tranny. My point was that if this is the case, then I NEVER NEEDED to REBUILD my transmission in the firstplace!!! Not only is my transmission still no good, at least before it was good EXCEPT for long drives, now it is an all he time thing.
*My 1 year warrant will be upin one month (June, 14th), and I was told I would have to purchase the 3 year warranty for another $400!! I already paid $2,600 and it is not fixed!!! Now they want MORE!
*I would like AAMCO to Refund me my $2,600 If the transmission was fixed I would be keeping the car, but It got to the point that I see they arn't fixing it and I needed to purchase a new car for fear of being stuck without notice when my tranny goes!!! So now I got rid of the car, lost money on the sale for selling it with a transmission problem, even though I paid $2600 to have it fixed. The problems with the tranny was the reason I got rid of the car because if it wasn't for that, I definatly wouldhave kept it. I liked the car.
I will be updating this consumer complaints with the outcome when I speak with the company again
James
Holtsville, New York
U.S.A.
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