Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care

Unfortunately this website doesn’t give the option of no stars or that’s what I would have picked.
I brought my daughters car in because it would intermittently go into safe mode. When not in safe mode, it drove and shifted great. Well on the initial visit, the car had NO lights on (abs, airbag, sel ect.). They hooked up the computer and found NO codes. They recommended leaving the vehicle so they could test drive it and attempt to get a code. This «test drive» lasted a couple of weeks (guess thats why I got the car back on EMPTY).
After several weeks, I was advised that the transmission was good, that it was a relay that needed to be changed. They also recommended doing a service on the transmission. I was alsi advised that they got and abs code and that it was a wheel speed sensor but they would replace that as well. All work was approved to be done at a cost of approx. $ 700 — $ 800.
Well after waiting several more weeks for this work to be completed, i was informed that after performing the work, while test driving the car, it went into safe mode and the transmission needed to be rebuilt. Still doubting it did. Well that was approved at a cost of approximately $ 3000.00. I was given a time frame of a week at the longest. Well 2 weeks later and the car was still not ready. I was told they were waiting on a relay that was ordered. I was told it would be in by that Friday. Well needless to say it wasn’t. The following Monday the part was in and I was told it would be ready the next day. After picking the car up, I had an ABS light, SEL, Airbag light and 18psi in both front tires. I called and advised them of this and was informed that the relay was not changed, REALLY? The same relay that the car sat for a week and a half waiting on.
Well before bringing the car back, i checked all 4 wheel speed sensors, and as I am sure you guessed, none were changed. So not only does the dashboard look like a Christmas tree, but 2 parts that I know of that I was told was changed, were not. I also noticed the cv boots were ripped, which I can not say either way if it was a result of Cottman, but why would you not advise the customer while you have the shaft off? I mean why would i spend $ 3000 and not replace the boots. Better yet why would a shop want to install shaft with ripped boots on a rebuilt transmissuon? Oh thats right, they can charge alot more once its back together and the joints go out. Makes me wonder about the stuff I cant see.
So on the way back to the shop, the transmission goes into safe mode, yes the same problem 2 months and $ 3000.00 ago. A week later the car is still sitting in the parking lot, not only was nothing done, but the keys were «locked in a mechanics tool box» so it couldn’t be taken or worked on. After numerous messages and no returned calls, i was able to catch the owner at the shop a few days later. He was advised of the whole situation and stated he would take care of the lights and look into this matter and call me in a few hours. Well a week and a day later, no call and the car is still not repaired. During this time I also left 2 messages for Mr. Joe Josco, Cottman Corporate Manager, and no suprise, no returned call.
I found out today that the car «should» be ready tomorrow but they are charging me for the repair of the egr solenoid. Originally I was told it had no power to it and that it has a connection under the console where the relay for the transmission is at. The car had NO lights and now it does and after being told it would be taken care of, they want to charge me. No phone call to advise what was found or give a prive or gwt authorization. Just me calling and going to the shop and never told anything until now that there is a charge.
This shop has had the car for nearly 3 Months now, over 2 weeks for the «egr solenoid» and they have the audacity to tell me I owe them. I think they owe me my money back, along with insurance paid and rental car while they have it sit and sit and sit. I really doubt the transmission needed to be rebuilt at this point and have serious doubt of anything they have done or told me.
I will be following up with Cottman Corporate as high as I can get. I will also be taking the car elsewhere to have the work checked and verfied so that if need be I can dispute the charge with my bank. this has been the worst car repair experience I have ever had. I highly recommend NOT using this shop. The same owners also have the one on Earhart.
Hope this saves someone alot of headache. I will updat this review when and IF I ever het my car back.