Rapid Auto Care

Rapid Auto Care in Cuyahoga Falls is by my measure an unsatisfactory shop that should lose any certifications that it possesses.
I took my vehicle there after a catalytic converter heat shield failed and I began experiencing some electrical system problems that caused my speedometer to stop working, and the electrical system to stop charging, as well as the check engine light to come on. I was unable to make it to my normal shop, so I gave Rapid Auto Care a chance.
After dropping my car off late on a Thursday night, it did not receive attention until the following Wednesday evening when I received a call from Danny with a repair quote that included replacing my vehicles oxygen sensor and the alternator at a whopping $1,143.76. This included charging me almost $500 for an oxygen sensor ($200-$222 from local parts store), and $278 for a remanufactured alternator (which had been working fine up until my heat shield fell off).
I asked Danny for an explanation into why these items may have failed, which he provided me no plausible explanation, and even offered no support that fixing these items would solve my problems. This was UNACCEPTABLE to me, so I took the issue into my own hands and did some research and reading of the service manual for my vehicle (I was on vacation at the time). The symptoms I was experiencing pointed to a BLOWN FUSE (the fuse was for the alternator, o2 sensor, vehicle speed sensor). I called Danny and asked him nicely to check the fuses (I actually told him exactly which fuse to check). I talked to him later, and he told me the fuses looked fine. I told him that I didnt believe him, and that all of my symptoms pointed to the fuse being blown. He responded with saying that he has 25 years of experience and he doesnt overcharge people, etc. etc I held my ground as I am an electrical engineer and have designed electrical systems for racecars. He charged me 69.95+tax for a computer analysis that did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to fix my problems. And when I asked for the results of the analysis, he would not give me anything. He would not even offer to fix what I told him was wrong. I reluctantly paid him, just so I could get my keys back and take my vehicle away from this horrible establishment.
I then went to my vehicle, and checked the fuse myself, which was in fact blown. I replaced the fuse, jumpstarted my car, and everything was fine. I showed Danny the fuse so he could see what a BLOWN FUSE LOOKS LIKE. I took my car to another shop to have them patch up the oxygen sensor wires, so it would not short the fuse again (cost me $5). The total cost for me to fix my car on my own was less than $10 for a fuse and some electrical tape, compared to Dannys >$1100 estimate that was just BS and would have fixed nothing, leaving me with the same problems I took it in for. The car has worked excellently since my fix. Danny was just plain wrong, not to mention stupid.
The mechanics at this shop are untrained and HORRIBLE (tech # 440 537 7234). They should learn how to read a SERVICE MANUAL in order to solve problems instead of GUESSING what might be wrong. I figured out what was wrong while I was 1400 miles away on vacation, because I took MY time to READ the service manual. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS SHOP FOR ANY WORK!

Posted 02/09/09 | Report Abuse

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SENDING FUEL UNIT leaking. They replaced it. After fixing, the car's CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (C-E-L) was now on (never was before) & tank LEAKED after every FILL UP (underneath car, not where gas pump inserts into filler tube). No leak when driving. Danny said I was overfilling which wasn't true. Autozone checked my car & got code for C-E-L code 440 - Emissions, (i.e. Fuel System).

Took car back to find reason it leaks & why C-E-L was always on now. He guaranteed me it wasn't related to his work & would charge me to find C-E-L problem if it was something else. They said it was EVAP Charcoal Canister (quoted $280 to fix) & charged me $64 for diagnostics. I called part stores & GM to find part price ($80). Everyone said those things very rarely ever go bad. Did nothing, lived with C-E-L on.

5 weeks later after having enough of the gas leaks during fill ups, took it back to show Danny movies I took of it leaking. Danny didn't want to see them & wouldn't send anyone with me to the gas pump either. He checked it on rack, said no leak, I told him it only happens DURING A FILL UP - WHEN FULL, so finally he said he'd send someone with me to gas station. I got there 15 minutes later & had to wait 15-20 minutes while they put the system back together again. Guess what - they tightened up what ever was loose this time.

Took mechanic to gas station, it didn't leak after filled up now. The CHECK ENGINE light, WHICH WAS ALWAYS ON ever since they initially worked on the car, WAS NOW OFF (mechanic who pulled my car out of bay before we went to gas station verified it was on).

Called next day, wanted my $64 back for incorrect C-E-L diagnostic since it WAS related to their work & WAS NOT the EVAP Canister since it was never replaced & light was now off after they tightened everything. Danny refused. DANNY KEPT HANGING UP ON ME & SWORE at me and wouldn't let me explain why I thought the C-E-L problem was related to his work.

WISE PEOPLE WILL GO ELSEWHERE

PROS:
CONS: Unfriendly, rude, CHARGES YOU for something THEY MESSED UP, doesn't listen

Posted 05/10/05 | Report Abuse

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The mechanics at Rapid Auto Care are all very friendly, and they are all quite capable of fixing any problem your car is having. Or, if you just need a speedy oil change, this is a great place to go. Rapid Auto Care can also perform diagnostics to figure out what may be causing a problem for your car and they will give you a fair estimate of what it will cost to be fixed. The mechanics here are what everyone looks for in a mechanic--honest and trustworthy. They won't try to talk you into having extra, unnecessary work done or make you pay more than you should for any service.

PROS: Friendly, honest mechanics with skill to fix your car
CONS: None

Posted 04/21/05 | Report Abuse

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