AAA Automobile Club of Southern California

AAA is my longtime insurer but 3 out of 4 experiences have been a complete letdown.
I had the displeasure to go through my first AAA tow truck experience a few months back. The driver got lost and the time he lost he made up for by throwing my car on the truck and making a ~60MPH trip, through a residential area after dark, a breakneck pace that didn’t stop until he got 7 miles away. On the way to the shop he lost us. By the time we figured out where the car was dropped he had already had time to leave it on the pavement and disappear. This in spite of calling to say we were unable to keep up due to his high-​speed driving! The next day one of his cronies called to see if we were happy with our service. I had the odd feeling I was NOT talking to someone affiliated with AAA. It was probably this joker’s way of making sure that customer complaints didn’t get back to his REAL BOSS (let alone AAA). This tow operator was so reckless I was sure he would do damage to the car if not kill another driver. He tore through busy residential and city streets between where I broke down in Placentia and where the car was towed into Anaheim.
Next came our dealings with the AAA authorized repair shop. Turned out my radiator had cracked across the top and that’s why my car overheated. I had pulled over immediately so no damage occurred to the head gaskets. However, in replacing the entire radiator it was necessary to disconnect the hoses and refill the coolant. I had the presence of mind to request that the shop replace the thermostat while they had access because it’s recommended to replace those every 3 years or so, regardless. But the shop failed to bring to my attention that the radiator hoses (original) were shot. They told us AFTER we paid $ 500 to replace the radiator and refill the coolant that the hoses need replacement. Replacing them after the fact will entail draining the radiator again and paying to have it refilled! There’s no way I would bring my business back to a shop that would tell me this AFTER they’ve reconnected 12-​year-​old radiator hoses up to a brand new radiator.
Now for my recent experience with my battery dying. I suspect having my engine overheat put too much heat through the entire engine compartment because less than 2,000 miles after the above, my battery was found to have run dry (it just hit 4 years). I call AAA. Not only can they not come out for hours, but when they do I hear this idling sound out on the street and I don’t realize that it’s next door and it’s the AAA provider. Why don’t I realize he’s already pulled up? Because he doesn’t call me for an additional five minutes. At that point he’s calling to say he’ll be leaving soon, which he did. Apparently it’s okay for our AAA battery service to be delayed by another 30 minutes after having to wait three hours in the first place. Not cool.
Now for the AAA authorized auto body shop. They didn’t reattach my husband’s bumper correctly (uneven gaps) after a minor accident. There’s wind noise from the passenger door for 6+ years but we stopped coming back to complain because he could never get the bent door hinge fixed right either. That’s my spouse’s car. When I took my car to get some paint repair, the same shop kept my car for five weeks and had to repaint the trunk, alone, three times! The trunk emblems were entirely askew, making it look like the make/​model emblems had been glued on by a six-​year-​old during school recess. While my car was shuffled between the guy’s tiny lot and the public street, something (paint thinner?) dropped onto the top of the rear bumper. I brought it to the attention of the shop owner within 24hrs (we had picked up the car at night and didn’t see the spots until full daylight a day later). He claimed it happened at my home. I took a full set of photos before I dropped my car off just because I didn’t want any new damage to be blamed on me. Still, the owner wouldn’t own up. It’s two years later and what looked to be acid-​etched splash marks have resulted in the entire clear coat flaking clean off.
Now let me share my experience dealing with the Whittier AAA office for an updated title on my car (to reflect married name and current address). Although I had an appointment, it took over an hour, only to be told I couldn’t bring my title up to date (to be consistent with my driver’s license). Long story short, the title to my car only came back with my name updated but not my address. I haven’t bothered to go back and have it fixed. The manager there told me that I could NOT register my car title to the same address that appears on my driver’s license. Apparently, though, it’s acceptable to have my car registered to an address where I have not lived for 10 years! I’m sure the cops would like that. Can we say «poorly trained»?
Automobile Club of Southern California doesn’t do a good job vetting their service providers. They’re great if you lock your keys in the car. Not so great if you need anything else.

If i could of give a negative star i would! I was helped by Patty Yocum for my car registration from out of state (i had to go back to arizona just to have signatures and dealer to fill out for the application) and they lost the application paper when sending it into the dmv and had the nerve to leave me a voicemail to say i took it back and i have to fill it out again if i couldnt find it! So now they gave back all my paper work and told me to go and deal with the dmv! So what am i paying them for??? Apparently you still need to go to the DMV anyways. Whats the point of them having the dmv service if you need to go the dmv!

Came here 15 mins before they opened and there was a line waiting for them to open. I didn’t know if I was at Disneyland or if I was at AAA to do a title change. The guy helping me was nice and I pulled a fast one on him since I was not a member. Luckily my sister was and we didn’t have any issues. I was in and out in 5 minutes.

AAA locations are often packed… but the customer service is outstanding here! The service deserves 5 stars… just sometimes the wait time is long.

Received the worst service here today. Rude customer service: confrontational and condescending. The rep didn’t even respond when I said thank you at the end. He obviously brought emotional baggage to work and ruined my afternoon mood. Called in to let a manager know, since I’m sure he passed this level of service to other customers, but nobody would answer the phones. Sat on hold for 30+ minutes while shopping and just hung up.
I wanted to cancel my membership. AAA gets a nice F grade today.

Called AAA road side assistance for assistance with a lock out issue. AAA dispatched Kevin from Brea Towing and it only took him about 10 mins to arrive and 3 mins to get the car unlocked! Very happy with the fast service plus Kevin was super friendly and professional!

Came into this Branch office due to membership/​insurance issue that I haven’t been able to resolve over the phone, and J.P. Paulson was the Agent that was able to resolve the issue, great customer service J. P.

I called in to this office regarding a question about my odometer, because it’s where my representatives were at when I first signed up for my AAA policy.
But the person I talked to was so rude and inconsiderate. They made a mistake on my records in May said that my odometer read at 60,000 when I clearly emailed them in May that it was 75,000.
It was completely their fault yet they said the only solution I had was to send them an official copy of a smog check that confirmed my odometer in May. Even if I had copies of emails that showed proof of my mileage, they wouldn’t even consider to try to help me argue my case. When I confirmed with the person I called, he didn’t even say goodbye or didn’t have the basic customer service etiquette on this phone call. I’m deeply disappointed in AAA and hope they can change their attitude over the phone.

Wow I was really impressed with how fast the customer service at this location is I showed up 30 minutes before closing on a Saturday there still was plenty of people in there but they were fast calling them up to different stations when I finally went up the lady was very helpful an informational she help me with all the questions I had I was very happy with my visit here

Employee at front is so rude and disrespectfull. I had to run in on my break and the lady parked next to ran after me asking me to move my truck because she couldn’t get into her car. I told her she needed to wait until after I checked in. Mind you she acknowledged she parked wrong. The rude ass employee tells me to move my car because that’s their courier. I guess their courier service is more important than their customers. After I got back inside I walked up to her and quietly told her that it really want any of her business… well rude ass still manged to stare at me and smirk. So professional!

I really like the services that AAA offers. And for the most part, the customer service is about as good as it gets. Then I got this…
Due to recent budget cuts, I had to allow my membership to expire. I have done this before. And when I get flush, I go and buy another year. Today I get a letter from them, and it says, and I quote:
«If your membership is not renewed by November 03, 2015, you will be required to pay the Auto Club as a new member and pay a $ 20 admission fee, in addition to your annual dues.»
I think as a result of this I will no longer have a AAA membership, I have strong arm issues with strong arm tactics, and blackmail falls into that category. I mean, that’s exactly how I feel, what a slap in the face. I don’t agree with extortion, please join me in boycotting AAA!

I love AAA, they are probably one of the most efficient business out there. It doesn’t matter which Branch you go to, everyone is consistently super courteous. The Company must treat their employees exceptionally well. If DMV employees could only be half as courteous, it would be awesome. I am actually a gold member here, means free towing up to 100 miles if necessary. Which is super nice considering what I just have to pay for annually. Even though I never had to use it, but it’s sure a nice peace of mind if I ever have to. The place always look immaculate and organized as well. Today, I was assisted by Les, of course he was super courteous, friendly, professional, efficient, etc etc. If I ever need anything that AAA offers in the future, he informed me that I can come straight to him and he will walk me over to the appropriate Rep. Great referral skills and personable guy.
Convenient: ⁵⁄₅
Price: ⁵⁄₅
Atmosphere: ⁵⁄₅
Customer Service: ⁵⁄₅
Quality of work: ⁵⁄₅
Organization: ⁵⁄₅

Wicked friendly and helpful, changed the flat tire and was beyond helpful and friendly!

Unilocal challenge 2015 ¹⁴²⁄₃₆₅
Trip trip Hooray
Trip trip Hooray
Hooray for vacations and discount coupons. The AAA card offers a ton of cool deals. Located in Anaheim off Euclid and the 5 freeway near Party City. Offering it’s own lot with plenty of parking, even on their busiest days. Open till 5:00 pm weekdays, and Saturdays at 1:00pm. Several services available here from DMV, car, life, home owners insurance, vacation planning, ect.
After checking in, with a freiendly service clerk take a seat and people watch as you have one ear open listening for your name to be called. But, first, while checking in, ask for free tour books and maps of So Cal and Nor Cal. That way you can effectively plan your next road trip and know exactly where to stay and who to see. They have books on all states for free.
This place is inconsistent. Sometimes it can be like waiting at the DMV to pay registration fees. Buuuuut some random days you can be in and out in minutes. Which is awesome. I think over the past year they have designated a special line just to cater to registration. The last time I went I was in and out in 5 minutes. The time before at least 30 minutes.
I had a bad experience with their insurance, where after I had a claim, I was deemed to be a risk and was dropped just like that. The claim was not even my fault.
Review #637

Our car was in a rear end collision on the 105 Freeway. A single rider in the car pool lane slammed into our rear bumper. His car was totaled and our rear bumper, muffler and trunk was smashed. AAA took care of the tow truck taking our car back home. I called the Claims Department from home and an angel name of Stephanie took care of us. I want to give her a big shoutout for the fabulous guest servicing she gave us after our traumatic day on the freeway. She took charge, made all the arrangements for towing and car rental, assigned us to an adjuster, Sara; gave us all the right phone numbers, assigned us to a repair place. No attitude, no «we can’t do that», no attempts to put you off by making you call lots of other numbers. She did the job with complete professionalism and helped us tremendously get through all the paper work and things we needed to know.
Also kudos to our adjuster, Sara Rodriguez, who kept us in the loop constantly and answered all our questions. Made sure we didn’t have to pay extra on the car rentals. told us exactly what we needed to do to get the job done.
Both Stephanie and Sara went out of their way to make things as smooth as possible. Our car is fixed ahead of schedule, looks beautiful and we’re back in business.
Again thank you, thank you to Stephanie and Sara!!! You are the best! I worked in guest servicing training for Disneyland Resorts for 8 years and know great customer service when I get it. These two ladies went above and beyond on superb guest servicing!

Just a quick note to say thank you to Les, the agent who just kept helping & helping with my never ending questions, scenarios, and unexpected issues. He went above and beyond to make sure everything got taken care of completely! You made this process so much more pleasant than I expected! Thank you!

In out and done with renewing my tags in less than 10 minutes, and i got there at 20 til 5. awesome

I have been here a few times. Everyone has always been helpful, very nice, and fast customer service! The short 4 hours on Saturday seams almost pointless. But, I am still glad they’re open on Saturday unlike DMV. Also, the short lines here are way better than the DMV.

The driving school I went to when I was 16 (3 years ago) was very good. I forget my instructors name — its a french name like Desperaux. I liked him a lot! Super laid back and you feel so relaxed during the session– you even make some friends.

I had an amazing experience at this location. Insurance agent, Vash Sar, was very professional about getting me an insurance policy. He went out of his way to make sure I was a satisfied customer. I definitely recommend him to others.

I love to write updates like this one!
If you read my 1 review, I was quite disappointed on AAA because I had a horrible experience, but regardless that experience I was still using their services (insurance, road assistance etc)
Well, I went back to run some DMV errands and to pay my insurance.
This time the service was great. I paid my insurance with Caroline within 5 min of my arrival, then I told her about my other errands and she noticed my temporary handicapped placard, asked about my injury and seems like she mention something because I was called very soon. This time they pronounce my name right, no more Lou Ann!!!
I Paid everything else and was out the door in less than ½ hour!
Kudos to Caroline and Kenny, they helped in a very efficient manner.
I just had to say it!

My mom recently participated in the AAA Senior Program/​Adult Skills Audit, just one of the many services offered nationwide to AAA members.
In renewing her driver’s license Mom was required to take a behind-​the-​wheel driving test, something she hasn’t done since her early 20’s. She recently had cataract surgery and tho’ she had a clean bill of health from her surgeon and passed the DMV eye exam they wanted her to take a manual driving test.
The examiner suggested she take a brush up course because over time we all form bad driving habits.
As a member of the Automobile Club of Southern California she knew the Senior Audit program was available and immediately scheduled an audit.
Her auditor, Russell, explained that he’d assess her driving based on DMV requirements and he’d point out any areas needing improvement.
They hopped into a AAA Training vehicle, adjusted controls, and drove off for a 45 minute tour.
She returned with a few notes. .. techniques to work on before taking the driving test.
The Auto Club also offers extending Driver’s Training for Seniors, and several Internet training tools.
Good to know that robust seniors who want to continue driving have local resources to help retain their independence.