In december 1999 I brought my 1994 Toyota 4Runner (4WD) to Cottman Transmission center 868 S Country Club Dr MESA AZ (Owned and operated by Karway, INC. Of the same address). I was having a problem of my transmission/transfer case acting as if it were stuck in "low-4" on cold mornings and making the engine run at almost 5400RPM to reach 10MPH. I explained all of the symptoms, when and where they are most noticable, things I had tried and the results (shifting, fluid check...) and left my car with them for the day. 3 Days later I was told that there was nothing wrong with my transmission, it never showed any sign of problems and their comperhensive testing process showed no problems.
The very next morning I had the same problems. I returned to the shop immediatly and was told that they would be able to look at it later that day. Several days and many excuses later I was told that there was a large amount of metal in the fluid, several major parts were badly worn or dammaged and I needed a total rebuild. I agreed to pay for the additional "upgrade" that replaces more parts rather than rebuild them and this carries a longer warranty bring my total cost for service to over $2500. It took two weeks for them to complete the job but at the time I did not know any better.
Two weeks later I started having THE SAME PROBLEM. This time I was also having very harsh "slamming" of shifts when cold. It took them another week to "repair" this issue but gave no explanition as to what whent wrong. Since then I have yet to drive more than 2000 miles between major transmission failures!
On top of loosing practical use of my vechile (for two years now) I have been made to provide proof that my transmission was at fault. The long list of problems has been blamed on everything from lack of engine compression to a "clogged exaust" and that there was nothing they could do as the transmission was fine.
Fortunatly I am quite experienced with most automotive repairs and I even took my vehicle to an exaust shop for an inspection that turned up no problems and I even had them install a performance CAT and muffler anyway (They had a great price and great service). I then had another shop perform an inspection and tune-up. They were not able to find any issues outside of an ordinary scheduled tune-up.
In the last 6 months I have had my 4Runner at the Cottmans Service Center in Mesa over 7 TIMES! Every time I have to play a little game where they pretend not to notice the loud whirring or grinding noises, the red fluid dripping from the bell housing AND the rear transmission seal, the transmission slipping while crusing at highway speed (RMP rise quickly while speed actually starts to drop then it grabs with a THUMP), the random lighting of the AT Trans TEMP warning light, sudden dragging feeling followed by a cloud of smoke and a red stain where I stop, or the host of other issues that have forced me to have my vehicle towed to their location.
Most important to note is the progression of "mistakes" that are made each time ranging from a loose bolt or broken wire (they removed and refuse to replace the original wire management devices and actually claim that the vechile is made with all of the wires loose and shoved into a wad on the top of the trans.) to destroying my O2 sensor by ignoring the wire clips from the trans and letting the wire drape across the exaust system. After complaining about this all they did was to wrap muffler tape aroung the wire and call it fixed.
The last time I was there I was told that they were going to just replace the whole transmission with a "fresh one" they had in stock and I would be ready to go in a day or two. Three weeks and ANOTHER $400 on a cheap rental car I finally get my 4Runner back with a new LOOKING transmission and transfer case. Needless to say that it is now 3 months and 1235 miles later and this "Fresh" transmission has failed. A quick visual observation shows that fluid is leaking from just about everywhere, most of the bolts on the covers have been overtightned to to point of rupturing the cork gaskets and more than one mounting bolt has been completly omitted. The silver spray-paint they used to make my old transmission look "fresh" and cover the cunks of cork sticking from the pan seal, only helps to proove that Cottman / Karway knowingly preforms sub-standard work, engages in deceptive and even fraudualnt practices, and POSSIBLY acted in a malicious manner by deliberatly dammaging or improperly replacing many componants not limited to the transmission itself. PLEASE NOTE the last statement is my personal belief and has not yet been proven in a court of law. The allegations of such have been filed and await a hearing date. Additions and/or corrections will be posted when a judge make an official decision based on material evidence.
In all fairness I have made every attempt to resolve this issue in normally accepted manners. I have requested that my vehicle be serviced at a different Cottman center under different management or at least a refund of the money paid for the original requested service. I have made this request to both the management of the franchise as well as "customer service" at the Cottman Transmission parent company in PA. Not only were both requeset denied but actually initiated a VERY hostile retort from Greg (manager) involving yelling, insults, and an open challenge to "do something about it". All with an impressive bravado.
If anybody else has an issue with the Cottman Transmission Center of Mesa, 868 S Country Club Dr MESA AZ. Aka. Karway inc. Also at 868 S Country Club Dr MESA AZ. Here is the PUBLIC Corp legal information I was able to find from the AZ Corp Commission online http://www.cc. State. Az.Us/
KARWAY, INC. 868 s country club dr mesa, az 85211
statutory agent howard b gehman, 8061 e lavender, gold canyon, az 85219. APPOINTED 01/17/1996
PRESIDENT/CEO WAYNE MARTELLA Date Assigned: 12/17/1984 Last Updated: 11/05
SECRETARY CAROL MARTELLA Date Assigned: 12/17/1984 Last Updated: 11/05
I have not yet had a reply from any of the above listed agents.
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