National Tire & Battery (NTB) Drove my car into NTB for a scheduled maintenance, NTB mechanic had to drive me home Annnapolis Maryland
I drive a 2001 Honda Civic and I have approximately 90,000 miles. Part of the 90k scheduled maintenance is an automatic transmission flush. In order to save money ( I usually go to the dealer), I went to NTB I also found a $20 off coupon on their website.
To make a long story short. I arrived at 9:00 AM to get a transmission flush and oil change, by 12:30 I was still waiting. The store manager explained that there was "dirt" surrounding my bearings holding the gears together and once the fluid cleaned it all out, it was discovered that I needed a new transmission. He claimed, that this was a common problem for Civics. The only reparation offered me was a ride home and their was no charge for the services.
I asked what else was going to be done "I offered you a ride home, what else do you want me to." Then I spoke to someone who turned out to be the Area Manager who was just as rude. He didn't want to speak to me because he wasn't going to tell me anything different than what I've been told. Then I asked him (the area manager) for NTB customer service line he replied, "well I don't know the number by heart, you can go back there and get it!" The Area manager told me my car would be taken to a transmissioin shop to see if NTB is liable. An hour later I asked the store manager what shop my car was being sent to, he replied "Does it matter?, we're not taking it there until tomorrow." He continued "Things don't happen when you want them to."
In conclusion, I accepted my ride home at 4 PM. My claim has been turned over to NTB's insurance carrier, but in the meantime I have no transportation. I have spoken to the Regional Director he was able to press the store to give me my claim information, but that's it. I drove my car 30 mins to this NTB location with no problem. The NTB mechanic test drove my vehicle and he found no problems with transmission prior to the service. Now my transmission is slipping! They claim it's normal wear and tear and due to me not keeping up the maintenance on my vehicle which is false. They also said that when they were draining the transmission fluid it looked new.
Consumer1
Hanover, Maryland
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Consumer1
Hanover,Maryland,
U.S.A.
Claim
#5Author of original report
Tue, August 12, 2008
In the end NTB denied my claim. According to the person handling my claim at Gallagher Basset Services, the mechanic whom worked on my car stated that I had a transmission problem AND that he told me that a transmission flush would not solve my "internal problem." Both of these allegations are false. First I neither had knowledge of a transmission problem nor did NTB's mechanics tell me they could not solve it. Secondly, if this were true, I would not have spent 8 hours in the store and NTB would not have tried to "fix" their mistake, by running to a local Honda dealership to purchase Honda brand transmission fluid. Lastly, the mechanic whom worked on my car was terminated shortly after my incident. When I asked the claims person why NTB was not taking responsibility for messing up my vehicle she changed her story and said the mechanic was not terminated he was suspended. She further claimed that his "suspension" was unrelated my case.
NTB If you're going to deny claims because you don't want to shell out any money, fabricating scenarios that did not happen makes you look even worse. NTB is employs unskilled "techs" and their management has very poor customer service from my experiences with the store manager at this location as well as the Area Group Manager who is housed inside this store
Consumer1
Hanover,Maryland,
U.S.A.
3 weeks & Counting...
#5Author of original report
Fri, August 08, 2008
A week after the incident my claim was forwarded to a claims adjuster. It has now been three weeks since the incident and every time I asked the representative at Gallagher Bassett Services (NTB's insurer) when the problem will be resolved she always replies "tomorrow." She revealed that the "independent" adjuster who was sent out to "look at" my car stated that my car DID NOT MOVE. On the day of the incident I asked the store manager was my car driveable he replied "It is but you cannot give it gas like you would want to." (Whatever that means) She also admitted that ultimately NTB makes the final decision not her agency, which is a third party administrator.
Consumer1
Hanover,Maryland,
U.S.A.
Transmission Pump
#5Author of original report
Wed, July 23, 2008
The mechanic did say that he thinks it's the pump not the transmission. I found out that the "mechanics" that work in NTB do not have all their credentials. Still waiting...
Robert
Bowie,Maryland,
U.S.A.
They probably screwed it up
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, July 22, 2008
Most shops use Dexron3 and add the friction modifier to the finished fluid echange. This works fine, as long as the modifier is added. If not, the wrong fluid is in the tranny. This will not cause the tranny to quit working though...at least not immediately.
Another issue is the type of fluid exchanger they use. Some use a machine that uses the transmission pump itself to exchange the fluid, using hoses connected to the cooler lines. This system works great, as there is no added pressure being placed on the tranny. Others use a machine that provides it's own pump. These have a bad habit of causing the transmission pumps to fail...which is probably the case you now have.