Anonymous

Review

would not trust them at all for an oil change, rotate tires, check brakes, and whatever else they say they do, I took my car in to have the oil changed and there whatever it is inspection, tires were never rotated and they told me the brakes were great, I knew for a fact the tires were not rotated, was told they did not rotate them due to wear on the tires, but after further inspection my brakes were bad in the tires we're better off if they were rotated. It now gets worse, I took my brand new car of my wifes in, not trusting them, so I marked every single tire along with a damaged front left wheel, they told me the tires were rotated and I proved to them via video that they were not, and the so called technician could only say I'm sorry you don't believe me, worst service I have ever seen in my life, in not a single follow up call, please be careful of your car in their hands of the Sun Devil located on the 3600 block of Thomas
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Dayjah Ubs
map-marker Phoenix, Arizona

Battery

Simple, change a vehicle battery however, exchange the wrong battery. On Friday July 26, I call Sun Devil Auto shop for an 85 month interstate battery; I was looking for something close and easy and did not want to drive to North Scottsdale although, I knew that I should have taken the drive (hard lesson learn). I made it clear the store manager that I wanted to replace the battery with the same type battery that was on the vehicle he assured me that he was going to do just that, as he looked up the type and number, ordered the battery and inform me to come back about 1: 30 PM. At 1: 20 PM I arrive back about 2:20 PM the Interstate battery Dealership arrived, with the battery. The battery was place on my vehicle, I paid the exchange different of $126.00 and drive the vehicle home (yes, without looking, another hard lesson learn) however, when I got home I checked the battery hook-ups and noticed the vacuum line was missing from the battery at this point, I was up-set and needed to cool off . On Saturday July 27, 2013, about 12:20 PM I went back to Sun Devil Auto Shop and explain to another manager that the vacuum line was missing he spoke with the person that put the battery in my vehicle and he said “there was no vacuum line hook-up.” At this point that manager challenged me as it I was lying, and call the Dealership and yes the Dealership stated that the battery on my vehicle do in
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Loss:
$5000
Elliot H Usc
map-marker Mesa, Arizona

Response to JO...

Dear Jo...

You're not from Sun Devil, eh, but want to work for them? Even after reading the myriad complaints about them on this site. You can't be serious!

Now, about tire rotation, if they thought my tires were best left alone, then why did they lie about rotating them, huh? They should have been honest and straight. If you read my story, I asked the store Manager at that time, John, three times "did your mechanics rotate the tires?" and he said "YES" each time. Indeed he supposedly checked with the mechanic, came back and said "yes they rotated them." Then, when I asked to talk to the mechanic I was told "oh, he is not here at the moment." Yea right.

Next, I read the ad just fine. As evinced by the other place I took the car to, they did NOT do a flush or replacement of the fluid in question. That they did ANY of the other things they claimed is questionable because they lied about the rotation.

Further, that one should change the cabin filter ever two or three oil changes is no defense to the fact that there was no sound in the motor BEFORE they changed the filter, but there was afterward. So they caused debris to fall into the motor intake. Any GOOD mechanic, and caring place, would be SURE to clear out any debris that might have been in the motor area BEFORE installing the new filter, as well as be careful when extracting the dirty, debris-filled filter to not let any such debris fall back into the motor intake area. They did not. In fact, their efforts pushed leaves and *** into the intake area.

Finally, I was not predisposed to think negatively BEFORE I arrived to pick up the car. First, as with any first encounter, though I had heard a couple of negatives about them from a friend, I wanted to give them a try anyway...but to be safe, I marked the tires with "1,2,3,4". What is more, I did a short bike ride then came back and watched from afar MOST of the time the car was there. I could see it hoisted up but couldn't see all they did or did not do with fluids etc. In any case, upon walking up to the car parked outside afterward, I clearly saw the tires not rotated, and took it from there.

For any future readers, I strongly urge you to see at least a dozen other negative comments about this sheister joint. If the place was consistently honest and good, they likely would not have numerous complaints, and many the same types of complaints, as they clearly do. There are plenty of other places that are honest. I use the Master Brakes @ 6055 E. Southern - ask for the manager Robert Blanco. After this fraudulent incident at Sun Devil Auto, I took all my cars to Robert, and got them done right. He also fixed the Suzuki, got the debris out of the fan motor, and did all the other work that Sun Devil had NOT done.

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Loss:
$150
Elliot H Usc
map-marker Phoenix, Arizona

Sun Devil Auto - CAUGHT THEM RED HANDED!

I brought my 2008 Suzuki SX4 in to Sun Devil at Mckellips and Power on 7/13/2012 despite my best friend's urgings not to (he described a terrible experience with them.). They were supposed to do a "30,000 tune up" that included: rotating tires, multipoint inspection and road test, change Transmission and rear differential fluids, oil change/filter change, change cabin filter and engine air filters, etc. Cost was 129.95. When I arrived they tried to "upcharge" me another $48 x 2 because "we only do a basic trans and diff fluid change...Suzuki recommends a full cycle change, clearing out the entire system and replacing ALL of the fluid not just the fluid in the reservoir... so that is another $48 each fluid." I passed on this. Then they said "to change the cabin filter, it's another $48, because labor is not included in the advertisement to change the cabin filter". We agree to have that $48 upcharge reduced to $28.

I left the car. What they did not know was that I had marked the rear tires with WHITEOUT, the stuff used for typing mistakes, which does not come off easily on each of the rear tires: a "1" on left rear and a "2" on right rear. I had my bike with me, and told them "I'm going for a couple of hour bike ride." when in truth I went for about 10 minutes, then headed back and took up a spot with good vantage point, literally 50 to 100 yards away, behind a tire shop beside them! I stayed there for two hours and watched.

When I saw them drive the car out to the front to park it, I waited another half hour. I walked over to the office and clearly saw that the rear tires with my marks, were still on the rear tires. Inside the office, I asked John, the Manager on duty, "John, is it all done?" He responded "Yup, all done". I asked "Did one mechanic to all the work, including the tire rotation?" John responded "Yes one guy." I said "great he can maybe answer a question about a little technical thing I was wondering. Oh, by the way, you sure the tires are rotated front to back, and back crossed to front?" John said "yes, they are ok." I said "Great, can I speak with the mechanic? I have a question about the rotation process." Now John was getting a bit nervous. I asked "Who is the mechanic?" John hesitated, then pointed to his left at a mechanic actually sitting there, a tallish blonde guy sipping coke "I think it's Bill there." John walked over to Bill...came back, and said "no, it wasn't Bill." Then I said. "Please get the mechanic who rotated my tires." John, now clearly busted and nervous, ran into the shop, came back and said "Um...he's not here right now/" I said "too bad, because I know the tires were not rotate, John!"

John did hesitate a moment (as if he has been "busted" for lying before) but said "well, come on let's get them rotated right now..." as we started making his way outside to bring my car back the service bay. I said "wait, John, don't you want to know how I know they were not rotated?" He did not say much, but watched as I pointed and commented "see the numbers "1" and "2" on the rear tires? Marked them at home before I got here...and they are still there on the rear tires!". John said, "Yea, let's get that car in and get them rotated immediately!". I said "I asked three times about the rotation, gave you three chances to comes clean and tell me the truth, but you lied each time. Why did you do that to me John?" Nervous, he did not respond but ignored me. I added "john, I'm surely not going to let you take my car back because I cannot trust you with it now. Indeed, given your fraudulent actions here, how do I know you actually did the other work I asked for?" John only said "well, what are we going to do about this?" I responded "well, I don't think I owe you a thing (in truth, I had watched them for over 2 hours, and though I could not detail precisely what they did or did not do, my only real hard proof was the tire marking trap I set for them, it is possible and highly likely that they did perhaps the oil change and maybe only one of the other fluid changes, but likely not all of them), I think you ought to let me drive away here with no payment to you whatsoever." John responded "That ain't gonna happen!" and I playfully in joking said "John, do I have to fight you for the car?" John immediately turned and said as he rushed to the office "No, I won't fight you over this...I'm calling police as you are threatening me." You see, to take the pressure off of his act of fraud, he would call the police and claim I was threatening him." He did this and as I don't have a cell phone, as he was calling, I asked to talk to the police also before he hung up and he would NOT let me!. (I know this is getting long, but bare with me...it gets better!)

After his 911 call, as I stand in the waiting area, John says "you have to leave now, do not stand here in the waiting area, you have to go outside." I did and waited for the officers.

They came and told the story to the first one, explaining to him essentially the act of fraud and how ci caught them redhanded; The officer went inside and another showed up, and I told him the same story. He waited with me. The first one came out and basically said "they are willing to give you a $28 reduction. I'd urge you to take it and later take them, if you desire, to small claims court."

I accepted the officer's urgings as he was VERY insistent and I never argue with an officer. I went in and paid about $130. In the meantime, I called up the business offices of Sun Devil Auto, spoke with Alicia, who would NOT put me through to the General Manager Chris Doster, but said "I a not allowed to do this, I'll put you thru to Customer Service. " She did this, but no one answered Customer Service.

Finally, on my drive home, I put on the A/C and immediately noticed a loud fan/motor noise that was NEVER there before! Apparently if they really did replace the Cabin filter, they did something wrong that now causes this noise.

Upshot is that now i really ought to take my Suzuki to an actual dealership to have them check what was done and what was not done, fix the Cabin Filter noise problem caused by Sun Devil Auto, and incur costs there too.

I plan to call the President and Owner of this fraudulent company. I plan to go to TV news and Newspapers if I do not get resolution quickly. I owe it to the thousands of folks who have been, and will continue to be ripped off by these sheisters to take this further the escalator till something is done about these folks. Someone really ought to go to jail and/or be fined big-time!

If anyone wants to contact me about this or their own experiences with this shop in particular (McKellips and Power) please email me. I will use such evidence in a small claims court suit or other actions against this place.

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8 comments
Guest

You mentioned that you had no cell phone, but yet you made a phone call to the business offices. I would have to assume either they let you use their own phone to call, even after that fiasco of threatening the manager, or...you used a payphone (which rarely exist these days) and conveniently found their phone number.

Whatever the case...I think you should've let him finish the rotation and also double inspect all services that were supposedly rendered to make sure your car is in working order, and then later negotiate a deal on the price, instead of acting like a complete *** You probably could've had him clean the cabin filter for free after lying to you, but instead you spent $130 because the police "urged" you to do so, and then drove off only to find that your fan motor is making loud noises. In my opinion, you screwed yourself big time.

Guest

Actually take the time to read the advertisement. Those 30-60-90mile "tune-ups" as you call them are not complete flushes of any fluids.

It is an oil change, tire rotation, UP TO ONE GALLON OF COOLANT, and up to ONE GALLON OF TRANS FLUID. These do not include differential services, fluids are too expensive to do them all at that price. That is actually very reasonable. If cabin filters and air filters get changed every second or third oil change like they are recomended by professionals, so many leaves and debris will not get caught in them to end up in your blower motor and cause noise or allow your mass airflow sensor to get so dirty which can possibly cause drivability problems.

No I do not work for sun devil but I am a professional technician who has worked in the industry for a long time and am possibly looking for a job with this company. Oh and if your tires didnt get rotated, maybe the tech felt the best tires were already where they should have been. You went in with your mind already made up, looking for problems, and found them.

Try to have an open mind. Just saying.

Guest

The SAME thing happened to me! These guys are not just bad at what they do, but lie about things they don't do. Small claims court, period.

Guest

UPDATE to initial complaint, now August 11, is that nothing has been done. I did have to take the car to another place, recommended by a friend, and they had to do an entire coolant flush as they said it never was done by this place.

Also, the noise in the cabin filter fan was indeed caused by the idiots who "replaced" it at Sun Devil. They apparently, as they took out the old one, let a bunch of leaves and paper stuff fall into the fan motor, and never checked to clean it out. This caused the new noise when I ran the fan for anything in the car. It's a good thing I had it checked and cleaned by the other place (BrakeMasters on Southern near Walmart and about Higley - ask for the owner Robert Blanco - great and honest guy!).

Anyway had I not had it fixed, the motor may have gone bad eventually and I'd have had to pay big bucks for a new one.

As it turned out, the re-dos to the car totalled about $125, almost what the idiots at Sun Devil charged to do...well, anything?

I have yet to call the owner...I'll write back if and when I do. I assume he is as much an AH as his staff...because people do reflect those in charge.

Guest

hjelliot back again responding to the personal and defamatory comments from "JJ". This is your professional response to my catching you in a lie?

And hey, JJ, are you by any chance John, the service manager who lied to me about rotating the tires (and whatever else you did not do to the car?) All you can do is make personal (false, of course) statements about my teaching experiences? LOL, gee that really supports your position as being a great auto shop!

Guest

NOTe THIS COLLEGE TEACHER WAS FIRED DUE THE STUDENTS IN HIS CLASS WITHDRAWING FROM HIS CLASS (ILL BET HE MUST BE A FIRST CLASS TEACHER IF HE WAS FIRED AFTER ONE MONTH?) :cry

Elliot H Usc

This is elliot again, the writer of the complaint about Sun Valley Auto on Power and McKellips. I forgot to mention that as I sat for two hours about 75 yards away to observe them working on the car, I NEVER saw them go to the rear differential.

I only saw them in the front of the car. This makes sense to me.

If they are going to not do something it is going to be something I really cannot check (like the fluid in the rear differential.) However I can easily check the engine and trans oils...albeit that I know what to look for. My best guess is that they did the oil change, maybe the trans fluid change, not the rear differential change, not the change to the gizmo in the center of the car that goes round and round, and they NEVER took it out for a test ride...and by the way, the fluids were not topped off (such as the window washer etc.)By skipping many of these things, they have put me and my car in potential danger, likely early high costs of failure to car functions, etc.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Elliot H Usc

Simply learn to change your own fluids rear diffs aren't hard to check take the plug out and stick your finger inside... I learned a long time ago if there are certain things you want done and want done to your right doing (doesn't mean its right) then *** the white shirt and tie and do it yourself it's OK to get your hands dirty...

I do not work for Sun Devil or any shop for that matter but any and every shop is going to charge more and always try to up sale there in the business to make money car salesman do it all the time dealership is the biggest scam you lose 5 k the second you drive off the lot ...

But you bought a new car and where OK with taken that one in huh... Lol people crack me up

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jsmitt
map-marker Phoenix, Arizona

Sun Devil Auto Scottsdale Incompetence

After a simple oil change I discovered a pool of oil under my car. I took it in to a different mechanic who informed me Sun Devil Auto had left my oil plug lose. Their mistake and incompetence could have cost me thousands of dollars in engine repairs had I not discovered the problem when I did. When I had a vibration in my wheel they also told me I had leaking power steering fluid and would need a very expensive repair. I took it to the dealer for a second opinion and it turned out to be a suspension part and there was no power steering leak anywhere. I wouldn't take my car back to these people if it was free!
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Loss:
$1500
Anonymous
map-marker Mesa, Arizona

RUDE TALK OVERHEARD

I WAS AT THE STORE OF I10/RAY GETTING WORK DONE ON A VEHICLE. I CAUGHT THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHOM WAS TALKING GARBAGE TO ONE OF THE CUSTOMER SERVICE GENTLEMEN (UNKNOWN OF HIS NAME ) BUT THE RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL YOUNG MAN NAME I HEARD SOMEONE CALL HIM (MONTGOMERY) WHILE HE WAS TALKING TO THE OLDER GENTLEMEN AND AGAIN ALL I HEARD WAS PROFANITY AND THE OLDER GENTLEMAN WALKED AWAY I HEARD HIS NAME GARY. I BELIEVE MONTGOMERY WAS THE STORE MANAGER THE WAY HE WAS TALKING TO THIS GENTELMAN BUT THIS CONVERSATON COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED IN A DIFFRENT WAY AS MYSELF AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER OVERHEARD. I WILL NOW CHOOSE A DIFFRENT LOCATION TO GET VEHICLE WORKED ON DUE TO THE EMBARRASEMENT OF THIS MR MONTGOMERY .
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SmartpissedoffMommy B
map-marker Saint Louis, Missouri

Sun Devil Auto is THE WORST Service Center!!! They are LIARS, CHEATS, and SCAM ARTISTS!!

July 2008, replaced original radiator on my 2003 Chevy Blazer due to internal tanks cracked. In 2009, the repalcement radiator FAILED!! Went back to Sun Devil because of "warranty". They replaced that radiator. In 2010, radiator failed AGAIN!! Went back to Sun Devil again, again because of "warranty". They replaced the radiator again. Then, in 2011 radiator fail AGAIN!!! I went BACK to Sun Devil and the manager of the Main & Val Vista location, Chris, said that the truck wasnt overheating due to the radiator (without even looking at the truck). He said it was a cracked block and they could "do the work for me" and that we'll "work out the cost". I disagreed with him and told him I had taken the truck to the Chevy dealership and they discovered the radiator was full of sediment. He replied that he would replace the radiator for me but if he discovered the radiator was fine, he would charge me FULL price for the replacement (even though it was under WARRANTY)!! At this point, I called Corporate Office spoke with Deb in Customer Service. I got into contact with Dan Frasch (spelling?) and he put me into contact with Steve. Steve looked into the situation and told me that no, there was no cracked block. He said that they would replace the radiator due to the Chevy report findings. It was "replaced" on July 9, 2011. Well, here it is, 2012 and guess what...the radiator FAILED AGAIN!!. I contacted the Main & Val Vista store and spoke with "Kurt" (who informed me that he was the store manager). Said I would have to bring the truck in so they could "diagnose what was wrong with the truck". I dropped it off on July 9, 2012 to have them work on it. I then get a call this AM (july 10, 2012) from Montgomery Miller, the General Manager of Sun Devil Auto Corporation. He basically informed me (without looking at the truck what so ever) that since the radiator was "out of warranty" I would have to pay full price for them to replace it. I asked him why due to the fact that the last replacement was one year ago with a "3-year warranty". He said that the warranty was from the ORIGINAL replacement date (July 2008). I asked him why I was now on replacement radiator number THREE (that failed) in THREE YEARS!!! He said, there was nothing he could do. He then said that since I took the truck to the dealership to have a "second opinion" back in 2011, that the warranty was, at that point "voided". I then pointed out to him that "Kurt" informed me last night, when I dropped the truck off, that the labor cost was still under warranty due to the replacement on July 9, 2011. He told me that that conversation DID NOT take place and that Kurt WAS NOT the store manager and did not have the authority to determine that. He said that I brought the truck to them because the truck was overheating. I told him that no, I did not bring it to them because of that. I brought it to them because the transmission cooling line that is coupled into the radiator was leaking because the coupling was bad and that the ONLY way o "fix" that was to replace the radiator, which, should have a PARTS warranty from the SUPPLIER of AT LEAST ONE YEAR (and NOT from the 2008 date....from the DATE OF PART PURCHASE which was July 9, 2011). He then said that, since I was angrily speaking with him and refusing to "listen" to him (why, so he could try to lie MORE?), that he would see what was wrong with my truck, let me know, and that he WILL NOT work on it and that I MUST come get it and take it to some other place!! OK, he was being a TOTAL ***, why in the heck would I listen to ANYTHING he said OR take his word as to what was "wrong" with it? I told them what was wrong with it.....UM, DUH!!!!! I'm sure he was betting on the fact that he has SOME DUMB WOMAN and that he could talk a bunch of automotve stuff to confuse me and I would just willing lie down and take his word for gospel....UM....NOT!!! I am SOOO not a *** person in regards to automotive. Funny, he STILL CANNOT explain why I have had THREE FAILED REPLACEMENTS in THREE YEARS!!! So, he then just hung up on me. I then called Corporate back to get the name of his boss. I was IMMEDIATELY transfered to Deb. I asked her who was Montgomery Miller's boss, and was RUDELY informed that he doesn't have a boss. OK, now, I may have been born at night....BUT NOT LAST NIGHT!!! I then told her, I KNOW he answers to someone. She then said, "I will not sit here and have you yelling at me!" OK, I wasn't yelling (really). She then said, "either you aren't listening to me or you dont get it....HE DOESN'T ANSWER TO ANYONE!!" I then asked for the President's name and number, she said" the President doesn't handle this kind of thing....his name is priviledged information that you DON'T need!!" UM.....a quick Google Search shows that the President's name is Tom Higgenbotham and he lives in Phoenix Arizona....so, is ANYONE (but me apparently) "priviledged" enough to know that information????? Long story short, DO NOT deal with Sun Devil Auto AT ALL unless you want them to SCAM you blind and not even REMOTELY stand behind their work!!!!! In their world, the customer is NEVER right and the only goal they have is to take EVERY CENT from you, and they, in no way, want CUSTOMER SATISFACTION!!!
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3 comments
Guest

This is good website. Thanks you for this post.

car repair st Louis Is a very good for st Louis area. vehicle glass repair

Guest

You didnt want to pay the high price of a dealership and wanted to use a cheaper aftermarket part. That cheaper radiator that was made in china was exactly that.

Cheap. It only lasted a year.

Had you asked for a dealer radiator from the beginning, it would have been used and it would have lasted longer, but would have been priced accordingly. Yes, the situation could be handled better but technicians cannot be blamed for the cheap *** they are asked to install on a vehicle.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-574930

For your information I ONLY get DEALER PARTS....I am on a first name basis with the service deparment of Thorobred Chevrolet. I have NEVER put aftermarket on my vehicle EVER.

This shop gets their parts from the dealership so.....you OBVIOUSLY are not as much of a "pro" as your log on suggests. I can give you EVERY receipt for EVERY part on my vehicle.....ALL parts came from Chevy. I ONLY buy from the deaer because of the cheap *** that is produced aftermarket. Before you sit and ASSUME you know what the situation is....ask questions.

Like I said, a pair of *** does not mean I'm ***......no offense the Mr. Gump.

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Kaileen Wbi
map-marker Phoenix, Arizona

Sun Devil Auto Rip Off Scheme on coolant flush

Went in to get a coolant flush and oil change then got a call stating "the vehicle is leaking coolant and the source is the thermostat housing and the clutch fan needs to be replaced because it is about to fall off, if I pull on it, it will fall off. The repair cost for the thermostat will be about 500-550, the clutch fan will be about 250-300 and the flush at 79.99 plus tax." I took my vehicle out of there knowing I replaced the thermostat housing recently and then checked the fan after leaving, I notice the fan did have a slight wobble now but that's probably because he was pulling on it as he mentioned. I also checked my coolant level inside the radiator, it's full to the top of the cap. So where's the missing fluid? Places like this will not give anything free but will feed you any doubt to start charging on the job. I hope they did okay on the oil change, might have to re-service that just in case. As far as labor cost, it does not add up, the thermostat has only three bolts, one gasket, two sensor bushings, two fluid bushing=500-550, the clutch fan has four bolts to the fan, one major bolt to the engine block=300-350. Just not right. Don't let this particular company take you on a wild goose chase when your hunting for a mechanical issue. They like the shot gun approach, just shoot at everything and they will hit the problem.
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Loss:
$79
Anonymous
map-marker Tempe, Arizona

*** fuel pump

I-10 and Ray Rd., this place replaced a fuel pump in my truck and they did a *** job. They didn't stand behind their work.

They also at the time did not replace the fuel filter and the fuel sensor so when I picked up my truck they failed to tell me that the fuel filter should be replaced every 3 months and as for the fuel sensor it cause the fuel gauge not to work properly. I took my truck back over there and those are the answers I was given; in another words they *** over. It sucked.

Now I got stuck with another fuel pump bill. Sun Devil Auto suck don't go there, avoid them at all costs...

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1 comment
rave

I would like to tell you that a fuel filter doesn't need changing every three months as for the fuel-float sensor an inspection would deter men to make sure its working properly a long with a new fuel filter sock that comes with the new fuel pump, now if your fuel gauge isn't working the reason might be the sensors or the gauge its self for any good automotive tech would do this to make sure there are know other problems before putting everything back together.

Anonymous
map-marker Torrance, California

Tried to rip me off

sun devil auto on thunderbird tried to rip me off . just went to have a thermostat , oil change and a flush done and they messed up my water pump and said it was like that and would cost me 700$ to replace it and all the hoses.

im a mechanic myself and i was under my truck the day before i brought it in and had no leaks ! the manager chris is a *** artist and will rip you off.

then i talked to this guy scott and what a joke he is , i called sun devil corp and they did nothing about this .

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Loss:
$100
2 comments
Guest

CUSTOMER CAME IN WITH AN APPOINTMENT ON AN OIL CHANGE AND WANTED A COOLANT FLUSH, CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THAT WE WOULD MATCH AUTOZONE PRICE IF NEEDED REPLACING, CUSTOMER ALSO ADVISED US THAT ENGINE OVERHEATS SOMETIMES AND THAT IS WHY HE WANTED THE COOLANT FLUSH, AFTER TECHNICIAN INSPECTION, TECH FOUND THAT WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AS WELL AS THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. CUSTOMER WAS ADVISED OF ISSUES AND DECLINED SERVICES BUT STILL WANTED COOLANT FLUSH, CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THAT COOLANT FLUSH COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO THE FACT COOLING SYSTEM WOULD UNDER GO A PRESSURIZED FLUSH WHICH COULD IN FACT CREATE PROBLEM WORSE, CUSTOMER WAS ADVISED AND BEGAN TO GET UPSET AND SAY THAT HE ALREADY WAS AWARE OF ISSUES AND THAT HE COULD PERFORM THE WORK HIMSELF, CUSTOMER WAS ADVISED THAT ISSUES MUST BE REPAIRED BEFORE FLUSHING OUT THE COOLING SYSTEM AND CUSTOMER BEGAN TO GET LOUD. CUSTOMER WAS ADVISED OF ISSUE AND DECLINED ALL SERVICES TO VEHICLE

rave

I say your full of it were is your proof that they broke the water pump as in my 30 plus yrs of being a level#2 A S E tech and count less coolant flushes i have never seen a water pump fail cause of it,

furthermore the service that you needed to be done why did you need it cause to me it's sounds like you had a cooling problem and was told this might fix the problem that you were having so when they were done they flush out something you or someone else used to stop a problem.

and since you have not once said if this vehicle was kept up like it should be and cause you call your self a mechanic then you would know that just by looking at a water pump or any part knowing if it's good or bad there are tests to be performed to see if they are in good working condition so untill you show other wise it looks like you want a free ride.

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rcantrel
map-marker Norcross, Georgia

Sun Devil Auto - Serious Lacking Integrity

I took my car in to have the hoses replaced. The mechanic only replaced two radiator hoses. I left and immediately had a Check Coolant Low light. Made a U Turn and went back to the shop. Was told it must be an air bubble. Two days later the light was back on. This time I was told by Craig Globokar (store Manager) that it must be the sensor. The next day the light was back so I went back in and was told by Craig Globokar it was the sensor again. Today, I returned to Sun Devil auto and was told by Mike that there was a leak in the heater hose. Evidently, the store manager, Craig Globokar, cannot find leaks or identify any major issues with cars. I was charged $358 to replace the hoses. I now have a major leak. The General Manager, Chris Doster, is very dishonorable man and completely lacking in integrity. When I brought this to his attention, he indicated that they would not refund my money for labor despite the mechanic's indirect admission of ineptitude. These shops charge $82 per hour, they are not worth $.05.
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2 comments
Guest

You are correct. There is a lot of shady business practices that are through out the entire company. Everything from techs breaking things and then somehow getting the customer to pay for it, to replacing parts on cars that dont need to be replaced.....all because of "i dont want to give away that $80"

Guest

Sun Devil Auto is a very dishonest auto repair facility. I just recently dropped my truck off there due to an sudden overheating issue.

Before i dropped my vehicle off there I found a slight amount of water on the end of my oil dipstick so my first thought was a head gasket issue. They told me when they changed my oil out as part of an authorized service that i didn't have any water in my oil but had "hydrocarbons" in cooling system and that they needed to take the head and was going to charge me almost $300 just to do that alone without offering me any other alternatives to address the problem.

They're only interested in a quick buck and doing the best they can to rip clients off. Will not recommended to anyone

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TLTC
map-marker Phoenix, Arizona

SUN DEVIL AUTO I-10 & RAY PHX, AZ

This was by far the worst repair experience I have ever dealt with. The location off of Ray and i-10 is a joke. Dylan one of the employees there(who by the way is still employed), began to get an attitude, being confrontational even asked us to "bring it on", for asking questions about the diagnosis. He is still employed there even after admitting to his manager that he had given us an attitude and tried to start a fight. After calling corporate and talking to Debbie and Chris about this situation, we have found out it is ok for their employees to threaten and intimidate their customers with out any disciplinary action. My vehicle was there for a fuel pump repair, $400, and I don't think they even changed my fuel pump, but instead found my key had lost signal, and replaced it for 1/3 of the price. Yet I was still charged for the fuel pump repair. I did not get my old fuel pump back as I had asked for before the work was done. I have never dealt with such rude and inconsiderate people as I did this weekend. I will not be coming back!!
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7 comments
Guest

THE WORST SERVICE EVER, I was adv 30 to 45 mins for repair. After 1 hour the part arrived then they started.

This was a very simple repair and it still took an addityinal hour to complete....my car was done for a half hour and was actually in parking lot. When I asked if car was done, I was told they were waiting on inspection results...well that was a lie.

The two guys helping people DO NOT COMMUNICATE, SO ONE GUY KNEW IT WAS DONE, BUT THE ONE I ASKED DID NOT!!! Did I mentin that I was in the waiting area and in eyeshot of these 2 not helpful people.

Guest

I have been taking my vehicles to Sun Devil Auto for many years and never had any problems. Until these past 18 months.

It's been a nightmare. I usually go to the Sun Devil on Baseline and Country club and so one day I went in for an oil change and left with new struts on my car. (it's 4 years old and I don't do any hard driving on my car) I trusted the manager because he never lied to me or so I thought. The next time I went in for an oil change, I was told that I needed new brakes on my back.

Again, I believed them. Nevertheless, the last time I went in for an oil change (and now it had been 8 months since I got my brakes changed) I was told that I needed new rotors and new calibers. That was it. I didn't get them done and went to another auto mechanic and I was told that I didn't need any of those thing but the brakes that were put on in January were already worn down.

They put on some cheap brakes and charged me 3 times as much.

Sun Devil has lost my business forever. They are a big rip off.

Guest

After having them perform $1400 of repair/maintenance, my car now has a new leak. They told me it was the rack and pinion seal.

Which was dislodged or damaged while changing the fluid (per their own guy). Jay the manager, offered to fix it for free but charge me for the part. In other words, they did the damage and expect me to pay them for a part that I didn't need to begin with? Is that how Sun Devil Auto operates?

They may have my money now, but I'll be damned if they'll ever get another dollar from me. And I'll make sure everyone I know hears about my experience with Sun Devil Auto.

Guest

Wish I'd seen this before taking my car in. They did some work on my car and I had bad leak when I got it back.

Rack and pinion seal was dislodged or worn away by them doing a fluid change (per their own guy). So the manager, Jay, offered to fix it for free but charge for the part. In other words, they f-d up my car and expect me to pay them for a part that I didn't need to begin with. If what a poster above stated above is true, re: the corporate office, I guess I can't expect any resolution.

I'll just continue to share with EVERYONE I meet how bad Sun Devil Auto is. But I'll wait until I speak with the office first.

Guest

i went in there last week and the salesman called me a turd :cry :cry :cry

Guest

I took my car here about 7 yrs ago for a basic oil change. They said I needed new belts and a radiator flush and I told them to perform the service.

I got my car back two days later. As soon as I pulled out of the parking lot, my vehicles alarm started going off while I was driving. That never happened before. I immediately returned, opened the hood, and noticed they had cut the main battery power cable and re attached it with tape.

They said there was nothing they could do since I already pulled out of the lot and said that I probably did it. They did offer to fix it for $$$.

This place sucks, stay away.

Guest

FLASH! You'll be lucky to find any kind of "good" service in AZ. It's almost non-existant.

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tcroffo C
map-marker Phoenix, Arizona

Sun Devil Auto /Parts Mark-up

Buyer beware...Sun Devil Auto repair in Phoenix. I was quoted $448.00 for an EGR valve. Just the part...not the labor. I purchased the same part for $132.00. How they can justify a 340% mark-up is beyond me. I replaced and installed the new part in less than 5 minutes !! I have no idea what they would have charged me for the labor. When I balked at the initial price for the valve, I was told that "they could work with me on the price"...I can see why when they had over 300 bucks to work with. This isn't the first time I've caught them running this racket. I will never darken their door again. I WAS a loyal customer. Apparently, they aren't concerned with keeping customers....only preying on people that put their trust in them.
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3 comments
Guest

One of their locations in Vegas quoted me a price that was marked up to over 500 dollars when the part from the dealership only cost 90.

Guest

Hmm........Only one problem....I bought the part from an authorized Isuzu dealer !? I understand the need to "make a profit"...Just don't understand whay you fee the need to just gouge people. I guess the fact that you work there speaks volumes......

Guest

Yes, you can buy cheap parts elsewhere with no warranty and less reliability. And as far as the markup is concerned.

The first rule to business: making profit.

Our markup is nowhere near 340%, but if we didn't make any money on our parts and labor. We couldn't stay in business.

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Anonymous
map-marker Chandler, Arizona

Does not honor their warranty.

My son purchased a vehicle on July 19, 2010 form a private owner. That owner had the A/C serviced by Sun Devil on July 10, 2010 The A/C stopped working on July 30, 2010 so my son brought it back to Sun Devil for repair. He had a copy of the receipt from the previous owner which stated a 90 Warranty on the work. They would not honor the warrenty since the vehicle had changed owners. Obviously they do not stand by their work or warrantly. Very poor business practice. I would recommend they not be used for an Auto Services.
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3 comments
Guest

I LOVE SUN DEVIL AUTO! THEY DO STAND BY THERE WORK, BUT PPL !!

YOU SHOULD KNOW NOTHING IN THIS WORLD IS FOR FREE, ALSO WHEN YOU PURCHASE A VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER AND ITS UNDER WARRANTY READ THE FINE PRINT!!! THE WARRANTY DOES NOT TRANSFER !

NO SHOP COVERS TRANSFERRED WARRANTYS SO BEFORE YOU POST ANYTHING MAKE SURE YOU KNW YOUR FACTS BEFORE YOU POST IT AND LOOK LIKE A *** . :grin

Guest

your right..transfer of warranty from the seller to the purchaser doesnt apply..sounds like the person making the complaint should have done her homework

Guest

The whole story has not been told here.. What kind of service was done?

Were parts replaced? If so what parts were replaced and were there any recomendations? Tell you what if I were selling a car I'm not too sure I would put alot of money into the repair..

I would be willing to bet that the car had more issues then you knew about when you baught it and like everyone else you were looking for something for free. Also we do not offer warranty coverage with transfer of ownership, I dont think too many shops do.

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coopa
map-marker Las Vegas, Nevada

Twice misdiagnoised problem with my truck

sun devil auto twice misdiagnoised my truck both times costing me. 1st time said codes indicated needed transmission rebuilt ended up needed battery replaced. 2nd said codes indicated bad coil replaced that drove to California truck broke down needed spark plugs not coil. The manager rude and arrogant and i know he is ripping off other people with his diagnoistic codes. Dodge couldn't find codes that they were using on the transmission and also stated bad coil would not caused the lack of acceration, that it was apparent the plugs needed to be replaced. Not right to do that and should be stopped
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8 comments
Guest

:)

First, *** happens. Repairs cost money and time to perform.

I understand that I have had high doller repairs and they are some times needed because I drive an older vehical. It hurts based on my income and other factors. However, all repairs performed by Sun Devil have been spot on and the problem fixed. I only wish the cost was zero.

However i am sure my customers feel the same way when they hire me. Great job Sun Devil and keep up the good work and service.

Also I have been treated with the greatest respect and courtesy. And they have gone up and beyond to help me.

Guest

To the *** who would even use rape as an adjective here.. think about this..

EVERY Sun Devil Service Advisor is salarie, NOT comissioned. EVERY dealership Service Advisor is.. what motive does that give us to "rape" you?

Because it gives me absolutely zero. I offer a service, I personally pride myself on such.

Guest

To the first post, I can't comment on the transmission codes because you did not post them and I know dodge's get really weird when the battery starts to fail.. I can say that the ignition coil could have been the problem (what do you think brings the spark to the spark plug) also I bet you were way overdue for spark plug replacement and that they recomended replcing them with the coil and you declined to do them..

Have you kept up with any service for your truck? For post 2..If you are going to complain please be more specific on what you are complaining about.. Post 3. Have you ever seen what happens or had to pay for a repair when a timing belt breaks?

Didnt think so, Its got nothing to do with hot rodding, the belt is made of rubber and rubber gets brittle and breaks..

I have seen belts last 140k and seen some break at 76k, no ryme or reason to it.. Rubber does stretch but they adjusting tensioners and Having said that you should let the car engineers dictate when belt replacement is due..

Guest

NO DO NOT USE SUN DEVIL AUTO!!! THEY ARE LIARS AND WILL RAPE YOU FOR ANY AND EVERY PENNY YOU HAVE!!!!!! RUDE TOO!

Guest

:) THEY FIXED MY PROBLEM ON MY HONDA THAT THE DEALER COULDNT EVEN FIGURE OUT. STORE IN PHOENIX ON TATUM AND BELL

Guest

Well it must be a company wide policy bc the same thing happened to me in Georgetown TX. First time it cost me $3300.00.

I wasn't gonna fall for it a 2nd time told them only to do warranty work from the first time, how convient all of a sudden it wasn't there fault something else wrong with car. Rude manager and shop manager one of them told me to go to he*l, when I asked for the corporate #.

They screwed up tho bc I am a soccer mom and the worst person to tick off bc I know other soccer moms. I WILL NEVER HAVE A POSITIVE THING TO SAY ABOUT THIS COMPANY FROM THE LOCAL CHAIN TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE!!!!

Guest

i had a toyota truck--if your not "hot rodding' or running an average of 90 mph, say in the desert, then dont worry about the timing belt. if you feel the car lurching, even so slightly, it may be the time to replace it (they are rubber and stretch) but if your cars running fine I woulldnt do anything until about 160,000 on a toyota.

Guest

My car is 2002 Toyota Avalon, milageis 90,000 miles now. Based on Toyota Co.

is is time to replace the timming belt. Big Two has also told me the rear breaks need replacement. I find Big Two's pricing is expensive. However I have never used SUN DEVIL AUTO before.

Are they trust worthy.

reliable and perfor quality repair job? NEED HELP TO DECIDE or any alternative suggestion?

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