Austin Transmission
Queja 38501 Detalles

On July 17, 2011 my car would not move forward when put into drive. I had my car towed to my residence. On July 18, 2011 I called Green Park Automotive. They told me to try and see if it would drive and bring it in. Green Park Automotive breifly looked at the car and said they thought that possibly the transmission was slipping. Green Park Automotive recomended Austin Transmission. I got on my phone and did some checking on the prices of transmission for my car. Austin Transmission was the most reasonably priced for my car.
I took my car to Austin Transmission on the recommendation of Green Park Automotive (Austin Transmission is no longer being recommended by Green Park Automotive now). The manager(Tyler) called me back saying it was a mechanical failure and the transmission needed rebuilt. I needed my car running so I OK'ed the work, for $2813.06.
I kept checking on my car and was told that they had one guy who does this and he takes apart and test each part of the transmission until he determines what actually failed. I called and recommended on Monday, July 25 that I pay them for their time and take the car to a Hyundai dealer so that I could get my car running and back in my possesion if they were not completely qualified to work on Hyundai transmissions. During this time while my car was at Austin Transmission, I could not stay in my house. I had to stay with a friend who lived close to my job, to assure that I was able to get to work every day. Not only was I paying my utilities at my house, I had to pay additional utilities for more usage at my friend apartment.
I had to get up earlier to take my friend to work. Then I'd go back to her apartment to get ready for work. Then my friend would have to get a ride to pick her car up at my employment and come back to pick me up from work. This was a needless inconvenience.
On July 28, 2011 I was called that my car was ready to be picked up. My friend took me to pick up my car. It was later in the day and I would just stay at my friends that night again. At that time I was given a receipt with no part numbers of the parts that was used. I questioned this and was told by Tyler(manager) that information is never given out and is kept under lock and key at the warehouse. I went to work the next day, July 29 and stayed at my friends since I was off that next day, Saturday,July 30.
I packed my things and was in no hurry and backed out of my parking space at my friends appartment. I put my car in drive and my car would not move forward. I called Austin Transmission and Tyler(manager) answered the phone. He told me to drive it in and someone would look at it Monday because they are closed on Saturdays. I couldn't drive my car anywhere, it again would not move forward when put into drive. I couldn't understand why he would suggest that I drive it in, when I had just told him it would not move forward when put into drive. He then finally said that it would have to wait until Monday and they would have it towed back to their shop.
After looking at my car again, Tyler(manager), called me back saying that a wire shorted out. When I went back to Austin Transmission with a different friend. He, my friend, questioned why rebuild the transmission for a shorted wire? Previously it was mechanical failure. My friend asked how a wire could burn a transmission, which is electrical not mechanical.
On August 4, 2011, I registered and opened a complaint with the BBB against Austin Transmission. I have sent in copies of all receipts and correspondence. Also I have forwarded copies to the Attorney Generals Office.
On August 5, 2011, I was called the 2nd time by Austin Transmission that my car was ready to be picked up. I asked for the bill on the shorted wire to see what was done. I was told no, because all that was done was sodder the wire and put electrical tape on it. It was under the warrenty.
I left Austin Transmission and drove my car straight to Suntrup Hyundai dealership to ask questions about mechanical and electrical failures. When I backed my car up out of the parking space, again my car would not move forward. At this point Hyundai service had to back my car all the way around into their service department, since my car would not move forward.
My car was put on a lift, to look forward into the problem. Pictures were taken before anything was done. Hyundai service said that it looked obvious to them that the trasmission HAD NOT BEEN WORKED ON. To make the matter worse, my car could not be test driven, even if it had moved forward when put into drive. As the pictures show, antifreeze had spattered underneath on engine parts. Upon further inspection, a screwdriver with a transmission logo, was found between the radiator and the body support bracket causing the replacement of the radiator to be necessary. The cost was $499.33.
On September 22, 2011, I was notified by the BBB that Austin Transmission was requesting, "we are willing to meet with her at AAA's inspection facility to get an independent opinion. It will be obvious that we had done the work on her vehicle". Upon contacting the BBB, I was informed it would be quicker for me to do this with Austin Transmission, than wait for the BBB to do it.
I contacted Austin Transmission on September 28, 2011. Tyler(manager) told me to make the appointment and let him know when and where it would be. I made the appointment that day with J & W Automotive AAA repair shop. I then called Austin Transmission, Tyler(manager), back and informed him that the appointment was made for October 11, 2011, at 10:30 a.m.. I would be on vacation then and it would be easier for me. I asked if Tyler would be meeting me and was told no. A representative will meet you there and it would be obvious to me who their representative was. Upon arriving at J & W Automotive at 10:25 a.m., I introduced myself and asked if anyone from Austin Transmission had arrived. The answer was no. The manager waited until 10:40 a.m. and put my car on a lift. He preceded to take pictures and inspect my car. After his inspection he documented what he saw. "It is our professional opinion that the transmission has not been removed from the vehicle. To properly overhaul the transmission, and replace the torque converter, removal has to be done. The bolts that hold the transmission and engine together still have much build up on them and have not had a socket on them. There is still years of grime on transmission, and I personally don't know any one that would not clean that during an overhaul. The front suspension has not been split, which would have to be done to remove the axles. The transmission side pan also does not show any signs of removal. The sealant on the side pan and for the two case halves looks old and original. The only thing that appears to have been done are the external filter looks new, and the fluid appears to have been changed. The main wiring harness also has been opened and retaped back up".
The cost for this inspection at AAA was $45. 00.
On November 18, Austin Transmission was called by the mediator on my case at the BBB. Robert, the mediator asked to speak to Glen Nice. This is the name that the BBB found as owner of Austin Transmission. When Robert called he was told that no one was there by that name.
Also on October 15, 2011, I opened a report on Angie's List. This will post my complaint and any resolution that I might get. This also keeps the company from advertising on Angies's List until a resolution has been made.
I feel I have done everything possible except take this to legal, giving Austin Transmission the chance to own up to fraudgently taking and causing me to put out more money.
PLEASE HELP.

Sincerely,
Kathryn A. Hernton
(Personal Information Removed)