Complaint Review: Connell Nissan - Oakland California

I have a 1995 Altima Nissan, GXE, Mileage is appproximately 58,900. I purchased the car new in August 1995. I am writing this letter to complain about the service received from Connell Auto Center, Oakland, CA. I took my car in because the car was running rough and it would not start-stall on start. I was told that I had to have the distributor replaced and I had a leak in the intake manifold and gaskets. Connell stated that it was time for my 60,000-mile checkup.

I gave my permission to perform the 60,000-mile service. Other items were listed on my customer invoice. The total cost was $2,747.22. I was told that I had a 12-month warranty or 12,000 miles whichever came first. I paid the bill and drove my car off the premises on August 30, 2004.

On the same day, I noticed that on the passenger side, front door had paint or something that had rubbed against my car. I know that it happened at Connell because I went to work after leaving them. I came around on the passenger side to retrieve my briefcase and purse and I noticed the paint. Also, the door made noise upon opening. I called back to Connell and was told to come back in and I did the next day. Gary Loudermilk, Assistant Manager, wiped my car off and sprayed inside the cracks of my door.

I went on vacation September 10, 2004 and returned on September 25, 2004. The car was parked in my driveway in the back of my house. There was an oil leak. This leaked looked like the same leak problem that I had before I took the car to Connell. Also, the car was very sluggish pulling hillswould not excel. I had to the gas pedal to the floor. The car went up the hill but very slowly (Mandana Street in Oakland, CA).

I took the car back in to Connell on September 27, 2004. I was told that I had engine oil leaking from the timing cover. The recommendation was to reseal. They could not find out why the car was sluggish. The cost to fix oil leak would be an additional $1,038.36 plus tax. Gary Loudermilk stated that the reason for the expense because they would have to remove everything again and this was a different leak.

Now that everything was all cleaned, the technician could see the oil leak. This was not acceptable to me because they had everything out and this should have been detected at that time. They replaced my oil sender switch. This same switched was replaced August 7, 2002 at Wong's Auto Service. I had my breaks installed there as well and requested that the oil leak be repaired. The replacement of the oil switch did not fix the oil leak. I complained but of course I did not get any satisfaction and I did not go back to them.

Now I am having more problems: Car is making noise on the driver's side-left front wheel. Never had this problem before.

Windshield wiper bottle either has a hole or something is disconnected. This item was working before I took the car in for service.

The car completely stopped on me and I had to call AAA. My auto mechanic stated that whoever cleaned my battery deaden 4 cells.

I became angrier once my mechanic reviewed my copy of the invoice and started pointing out different things to me. I will give you some examples: My mechanic had installed 30 days ago a cotton air rad filter-red in color. It was replaced with an inferior brand. There was no need for this to be removed.Spark plug wires that were installed were not factory presto lite.

Battery cells malfunctioned because of slopping cleaning of battery when being serviced.

I purchased a new battery on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. Car no longer runs sluggish and can zip up hills. Noticeable cracked seals. I expected to pay higher prices when I took the car to Connell Nissan. But I also expected the car to be repaired. This is not the neighborhood mechanic. This is a qualified Nissan technician and he did not do his part. In the 60,000 mile maintenance, those crack seals should have been brought to my attention and allow me to decide if I want to have them replaced.

This is not good car maintenance service. I have not gone back to Connell because I think all they want is more money. I do not trust them to make things right without them messing with something else. Nothing yet has come under the warranty. I feel that I have been taken advantage of.

Brenda

Oakland, California
U.S.A.

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