ComplaintsforChristian Brothers Automotive

• Initial Complaint

  09/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On June 23, 2023, my vehicle began to malfunction. As I was driving about 70 mph on the highway, my dashboards message center read reduced engine **************** A/C went from blowing cool to warm and started to smell burned rubber. Immediately afterwards the car started to slow down. Then, I turned on my flashers & began driving in the slowest lane. I was about 20 miles from my address. It took me close to an hour to return back to my community. Just as I began to turn into my development, the steering wheel became very hard to steer. I parked my vehicle in front of the house, shut the engine off, then looked under the hood. My *********** examined the vehicle and noticed the serpentine belt had unraveled from the pulleys. We did an at home diagnostic test which provided us with codes p2122/p2121. After researching the codes, it stated the throttle pedal needed to be replaced. I checked the ratings on Christian Brothers Automotive then reached out for tow & mechanical services. I explained the issues and findings to the technician which were; A/C blowing warm/belt unraveling/throttle pedal codes. He insisted they would have to do their own diagnostic which would be charged in the invoice. A visual inspection was done at that time. I was informed of belt being off. Which was already clarified from my own findings. They completed a repair replacing the power steering ************** Then called me back to inform me that the issue was not fully resolved as in, the dashboard still reading the same message and the A/C blowing warm & they would have to replace the throttle pedal. Seeing that I had already self diagnosed the vehicle I wanted the throttle pedal, A/C ***************** replaced initially. Which should have covered the cost & the most important repairs. The price for everything had doubled. I paid the cost of the invoice, drove my vehicle home on a Friday evening & the belt flew off again. Now they are requiring additional payments for more services.

  Business response

  10/06/2023

  Dear *******************,

  When you brought your vehicle to us on June 23, 2023, our diagnostic determined that there were two problems, one was the power steering pulley and belt which needed to be performed before any further testing could be done which ultimately determined why the issue had occurred.  When we performed those repairs and tested your vehicle, we discovered there was a second issue with your vehicle.  That issue was that the fuse for the throttle pedal had blown.  This fuse shares the same circuit as your A/C Compressor.  When we disconnected your A/C Compressor and replaced the fuse, the vehicle operated as designed.  We tested the A/C Compressor and discovered that it had seized which caused the fuse to blow, and was the likely reason the belt broke. We recommended that you replace the A/C Compressor to avoid this issue happening again, but you declined that repair.

  When you called us to explain that the belt had broken again, we towed the vehicle to us, at no charge to you.  We performed the same diagnostic, once again at no charge to you.  The diagnostic confirmed that the issue was precisely what we recommended at your previous visit.  This time you approved the replacement of your A/C Compressor.  Knowing your situation and wanting to help you out, we replaced the belt tensioner and belt at no cost to you and discounted the A/C Compressor repair by about $100.

  We would be happy to work out a payment option if you will give us a call at the shop.  We are more than willing to work with you, so please contact us at **************.

  Sincerely,

  *********************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩