DNA Auto Services, AKA DNA Auto Care is an "authorized repair facility" for DT Repair, a division of DriveTime Car Sales. We sent our 2003 Kia Rio Cinco to their facility on October 8. On October 20, a payment was made which initiated the start of repairs. At that time, we had been informed by two other outside mechanics that our car had about a 99% chance of needing an engine replacement. We informed DNA of this when they took possession of the car. Their initial diagnosis was that it needed only a new head, costing a total of $1640 including the necessary labor.
A few days later, they decided their first diagnosis was wrong, and that we were right and the car needed the entire engine replaced. This raised our costs from $1640 to $2935. We again paid them more money to start new repairs. The vehicle was finally determined to be ready for pick-up on November 15.
On the morning of November 17, the vehicle was taken back to our personal family mechanic due to some issues it was having that were of concern. Our mechanic did a computer diagnostic due to the "Check Engine" light being on, and based on the computer diagnosis of our problems, he determined that probably when the mechanics received the new engine, they installed it with the fuel injectors that came with it, which DNA Auto confirmed.
He said, based on prior experience with my car, that our old fuel injectors were working fine and the new ones were defective. He then installed our original fuel injectors, which helped some of the problems. You would think that DNA Auto would have been able to figure out that the fuel injectors on the new engine were faulty and simply did what my personal mechanic did to avert any future problems. But this was not the only problem he encountered.
He had to zip-tie the ignition coil connector; he said that some of the wiring had been cut either during engine removal or installation, and the other mechanic should have been able to figure this out based on the ease with which the wires would plug and unplug. I will still have to purchase a new ignition coil connector thanks to their clumsiness. He also had to use two bolts he had in his shop, where DNA Auto had just completely not put them back on. Of large concern was that my mechanic also used tools to tighten down the transmission bolt, which I stood and watched in horror as he tightened and loosened with his bare hands, it was so loose. He said that would almost have to have been intentional; no educated mechanic leaves the transmission bolt loose unless they want you to lose your transmission.
And as if all these necessary repairs wasn't enough, he informed me that aside from myself, he has at least another half dozen customers that became his loyal customers for life after DNA Auto caused thousands of dollars in damage and repairs to their vehicle (s). And even worse, a friend of ours who works for DriveTime, is familiar with the reputation of this repair shop as someone who appears to sabotage your vehicle while it's in for repairs, so you have no choice but to come back to them under the DT Repair deal, unless you can afford $$3000 out of your pocket all in one shot.
This auto repair facility needs to be investigated and put out of business before they can intentionally or negligently screw up any more cars!
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