AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care, Tampa FL

**Negative Review for AAco**

I initially chose AAco for my vehicle's transmission repair, trusting their reputed expertise. Unfortunately, my experience was deeply disappointing and costly. After the initial repair, I noticed the transmission was not shifting timely. Despite a subsequent rebuild by AAco, this issue persisted, as demonstrated in the video I've attached.

Post-repair, my vehicle developed a leak. Despite the warranty, there was considerable reluctance from the staff to readdress the issue. When they finally agreed, the transmission was improperly reinstalled, misaligning the shifter and rendering the 4x4 unusable.

Over 1.5 years, it took four separate visits to rectify these issues. During one visit, I noticed the battery was depleted. I replaced it, only for the car alarm to be damaged during their subsequent repairs. Although the owner provided a replacement alarm, it was never installed.

The most concerning incident occurred during the fourth visit. The vehicle was left unused for weeks, leading to battery depletion. In an attempt to jump-start it, incorrect polarity was used, causing extensive damage to the car's alarm, airbag system, alternator, and battery. This negligence forced me to undertake expensive repairs independently.

The owner, Ross, has been unresponsive to my calls and messages, showing a lack of accountability for the mishandling of my vehicle. It's disheartening to note that other customers have reported similar experiences of negligence and unprofessionalism. Despite my efforts to maintain a positive relationship, including providing pizza and drinks for the staff, the service remained subpar.

I strongly advise against using AAco's services. The lack of responsibility and care for customer property is alarming. Although I'm considering legal action, I prefer to resolve matters amicably. However, for those valuing their vehicle's well-being, I recommend seeking services elsewhere.

It’s been one year since my family & I moved to Florida from California. I’ve been fortunate to have met a great mechanic here in Florida. I needed some transmission work done so I asked my mechanic could he refer me to a honest transmission shop. He replied no he couldn’t but he said try a known transmission shop so I went to Aamco WORST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE. I called and I spoke with Howard of Aamco I went & left my car the next day he tells me that my transmission is shot. He says it’s going to cost $5k to repair the transmission on a 2005 Chrysler 300c. I’m like ok go ahead & fix it since it’s already taken out Howard says to me you can finance the transmission I told him thanks but no thanks it’s fine just fix my car. So a few days later I go in to pick up the car Howard says it’s ready. When I arrive Howard is again asking me do I want to finance the car repairs now I’m feeling insulated as a black man that Howard has now asked me about financing the transmission work for a fifth time. Again I declined Howard didn’t ask me my name not one time nor did he ask me my for address or phone number but he took the $5k payment quick. I didn’t drive my car more than 10 days before my check engine light pops on & my car is struggling to change gears & my car is leaking transmission fluid it’s all over my garage. I call Aamco & the “ owner Ross” answers the phone so I explain the situation & he sends a tow truck to pick up my car. So later that day Aamco calls says my car is ready. When I get there the owner Ross approaches me in an aggressive manner asking my why I called corporate on him. I’m like first off don’t approach me like that ever & secondly I didn’t call anyone on you Ross. Ross is definitely not a man of his word he’s rude unprofessional condescending & a lair. He told me that he stands by his work & he said that the reason my car was leaking transmission fluid is because a hose had popped off, but he fixed it for me for free so he says. I said there’s vibration in my car he said that my car needed motor mounts. So I took my car to my mechanic. He inspected my car and told me all my motor mounts are perfectly fine, except for the transmission mount, which was completely destroyed. Now correct me if I’m right or if I’m wrong if you pay a transmission shop $5k don’t you think if they see a broken transmission mount that they would inform the person who’s paying for the car to be fixed to let them know that it’s broken instead of putting a broken part on new parts? Doesn’t sound like a wise nor knowledgeable mechanic to me. So my mechanic fixed the transmission mount but my car is still vibrating. My mechanic tells me that me car was low “2 quarts” of transmission fluid & he said the the vibration has something to do with the torque converter and the flywheel take it back to the transmission shop. Now this is my third time having to go to this shop to get my transmission fixed that should have been done correctly the first time. When my wife & I get there we’re met by Ross, Dakota & Howard the are liars & scam artist. This shop is a complete JOKE ZERO PROFESSIONALISM I tell the owner Ross that I had to replace the transmission mount & he said that he apologizes that his mechanic should have fixed that too needless to say I left my car to hopefully get fixed. I get a call the next day from Dakota telling that the vibration isn’t the transmission but something else & it would cost $1k to fix it of course I declined & I took my car back to my mechanic & he ASURED me that what Dakota said was false. He told me it’s the torque converter & the flywheel which I paid $5k to have fixed & it still isn’t working. This shop is a COMPLETE SCAM DO NOT EVER BRING YOUR CAR HERE EVER TERRIBLE MECHANICS & the owner Ross is a FRAUD. You didn’t do anything for me for free I PAID $5k IN FULL YOU said it was my motor mounts then you said it was my drive shaft now you say it’s my carrier bearings which one is it? I wouldn’t approach someone aggressively if they spoke about a pistol like YOU DID Ross YOU’RE a FRAUD

Visited shop on October 27th for a check charging system issue on a 07 ford fusion sel. Was given a 2 to 3 hour time frame originally for them to check the electrical wires. Instead, it turns into a weekend ordeal because they can't find the issue. Mind you, they dont work on Saturday and sunday. So monday rolls around. I go down there and talk again with Dakota. (Who which is very helpful) They look at my car again, which took them forever, and they say they "think" its the engine control module. Not a definite answer whatsoever, so I was told to take it to a different shop since they weren't 100 percent sure that was causing it. I also have three codes on my vehicle and 1 of the codes throws 4 different things that it could be, and they didn't bother looking into any of them other than checking the engine control module. I do have an oil leak, which they said could be leaking into the module, but my car works find besides its randomly shutting off and saying check charging system. Battery, alternator, and starter checked many times by different places, so I know that's not my issue. I'm unhappy with my service I been coming to this located for a while now and I will not return unfortunately. I'm still out of a car and paid $300 in labor fees without any work done to my vehicle. Can't even make it to a different shop because it's a safety hazard to drive.

Dakota and howard.are one of the best customer service managers I have ever meet I highly recommend them.

Great and friendly shop. The Price is reasonable, and mechanic repair well done.
Only reason not a 5 star is my car matt was dirty agter completion, and my battery needed replacement the next day.

I had taken my F-150 for a transmission issue that was simple enough I had thought but then had to return it the same day because another issue was created due to the work they did the first time. I was assured there’d be a warranty when in fact I was given the runaround for 3 weeks until Ross eventually denied me the warranty. He’s a prick and he talks over you when trying to explain the situation. He definitely has poor standards when it comes to professionalism therefore consider what he says and document everything!

This place is a joke, they had my sons Nissan Sentra for three weeks and charged him $4500 on a 2009 Nissan Sentra to fix the transmission in which only a week and a half later it leaked all over the driveway and had to go back to get fixed and they kept it for another whole week They didn’t even do the job right after charging almost $5000 for a car that’s not even worth $2000 it’s a Nissan Sentra 2009. This place is a joke, a rip off, and a scam. 09/20/2023 don’t come here if you want honest mechanics, who do the work right the first time and don’t overcharge you.

Less than 300 miles and 3800 dollars and the rebuilt transmission losses all of its fluid.called had towed in, found out transmission cooling hose broke fixed and back on the road again

I know this place real well and it's a very good place to take any car or truck you have there and very nice people and very honest I will always do business with them and so what if some one messed up we all mess up we are not perfect but the thing is we fix our problems and move on keep up the good work amco Trans team

Terrible experience after $4,800 still have a car that does not run after 7 visits and over a year of trying. Not counting court cost trying to get my money back. No morals not a trust worthy place. DO NOT SPEND YOUR YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY OR TIME HERE COMPLETE TRASH!

Thanks to Howard and his team for the quality work done on my transmission. Also they got me taking care of in a timely fashion. I highly recommend this place.

Did a fantastic job! Very helpful and efficient. Can’t thank Howard and his team enough. Needed a new alternator installed and they were able to replace the defective one before closing time the day of. Would highly recommend this AAMCO! Thank you again guys!

Be careful with these guys. They will tell you one price to start and then when they break your transmission down, your out of almost $2500
In labor without a fix transmission. So your almost obligated to get it fix with them cause if not you will still have to pay that 2500 to even get your vehicle back unfix. So watch out for these crooks. $2500 in labor just to take a transmission out and open it up is insane. Now you see why they have so many vehicles sitting there around that place. Will not recommend anyone to go there.

Transmission was repaired well and they were responsive to our business needs and had it repaired in a timely way. Employees are all friendly and helpful. Excellent Service!

I took my vehicle in for a coolant leak. Not even 10 mins after picking it up, my check engine light came on, and it's been on since as well as not driving the same. Didn't have any issues before leaving my vehicle there aside from the leak. Wouldn't suggest taking your vehicle there.

Murray went above, and beyond to make sure that I understood exactly what he was doing with my transmission how much it would cost, and how long it would take. I the experience was a total pleasure.