In April of 2009, I anticipated a drive from New York to North Carolina. My mother was receiving chemotherapy treatments and I was going to be with her. I wanted to make sure that my car was in good shape for the long drive, and so I brought it to the Midas Auto Service Shop where I work. I was told all the belts had to be changed and I needed brake pads. That bill was $365.51 On June 1, 09 I had my oil changed and I was told my air filter had to be changed. That bill was $56.33 On June 10, 09, my check engine light went on and so I brought the car to Midas again. I was told I needed front brake pads (which were changed in April) and my rotors machined. I was told that both the flex pipe and the catayltic converter caused the engine light to go on and they had to be replaced. I was never told to check with my manufacturer's warranty nor was I made aware of the federal law which states that all catalytic converters must be warranted in cars up to 80,000 miles or 8 years. My car mileage was 37893 and it was a 2003. That bill was $1,026.94. My car's mileage was 37893 and my car was made in 2003. I drove to North Carolina to be with my mother during her last days. She passed away in July of 2009.
When I returned in September, I needed an inspection and my engine light went on again. I returned to Midas for they were worked on the same problem a few months earlier. A diagnostic scan was made on my car and I was told I needed a map sensor and a possible new pipe. I was told that after the job was performed, the check engine light would still be on and I would not be able to get my car inspected for weeks. I declined, the engine light was off, and I got my car inspected at a local gas station. On November 30, 2010, I thought I had muffler problems. I went to Midas again. This time, my fiance went for me. He was told the flex pipe went bad and the whole catalytic converter together with a flex pipe was replaced. He asked the owner of the shop, Joel, if the pipe was under warranty. Joel answered negatively. He reiterated Midas warranty. He told my fiance he knows of no others. This man not only took advantage of me and thestressful situation I was facing, but broke a federal law. Also, each time Midas gives an oil change, they are suppose to rotate your tires. Not only were my tires wearing unevenly after that trip (they were never rotated), they were inflated to over 40lbs. in each tire.If those tires blew, I would have lost my life. |