Cottman Transmissions / AAMCO $3,600.00 for a 2,000 mile transmission! York Pennsylvania

I had a transmission installed at Cottmans ( now an AAMCO ) and after 2,000 miles it started to slip and wouldnt even hit third gear. I called them and they told me it was past the six month warranty, so I was screwed. I had lost my liscence and hadnt driven the vehicle, so I looked for a used one to install myself. I found one and thought before I spend more money on another transmission that I would try agian to resolve this. I sent an email to Cottmans headquarters explaining the situation and recieved a reply from Carol Iacullo, saying regardless of the time past to contact them again and get it resolved.

I took her advice and found the franchise had new ownership, and management. I spoke with both on the phone and they led me to believe that it was poor management and that they were going to resolve this issue. I had the truck towed in there, and two days later, they called me into the shop to look at the transmission.

They found a crack in the transmission case, which they had replaced. They insisted that this was my fault because of a faulty universal joint (which they swear did not leave the shop in that condition). In my opinion, I feel this is b.s. as I have spoken with three certified mechanics, and their general consensus is that a faulty universal joint would not cause a transmission case to crack. After a heated discussion, they tried to insinuate that I knew nothing about cars whatsoever.

The technician swore up and down that after four years and countless cars, that he specifically remembered my truck and he conveniently remembered that there were "serious" engine problems with it when he was installing the transmission. Now, wouldn't it make sense for him to alert me of these problems before I paid an arm and a leg? Of course not. I made it clear that I didn't want the same guy working on my truck because now he had it out for me and he'd do anything to mess up my truck. The owner said that he wouldn't do such a thing, but let's be realistic. I told him to put it back together and get it out of their shop, not before a $50 towing bill. I then told the owner that I'd rather spend $10,000 on advertising against Aamco than spend another dime there. Also, the tech said that he wouldn't touch my truck again. What's that say about the "best mechanic in York County?" I'm still waiting on a return call from Carol Iocullo.

Tom
Dover, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.