George Stevens - Cottman Transmission - #2770 Stevens Transmissions, Ripoff, Dishonest warranty service. Chattanooga Tennessee

On Monday, 01/15/07, I took my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder into Cottman Transimission for transmission service. Previously, on Jan 6, 2007, I took the vehicle to Hunt Nissan in Chattanooga TN for a diagnostic check. The resulting code was P0744 TCC Solenoid. I declined the offer for repair from Nissan to get a second opinion, which I typically do. I thorougly explained to George Stevens the results of the diagnostic check from Nissan as well as showed him the print out from Nissan's Service Department. Cottman Transmissions peformed a diagnostic check as well and found a code of P0740. After George told me of the code that he received, I admantly told him that that wasn't the code received from Nissan. He then replied that he was more than 100% sure that if he replaced the Solenoid Group the problem would be eliminated.

For approximatlely four days, the vehicle drove without any noticable problems. On Friday, January 19th; the vehichle began to show symptoms of the issues noticed prior to Cottman Transmission allegedly fixing the problem. I then called Cottman Transmission's Center Manager, David Hardiman to explain to him the issues that the vehicle was experiencing, however, David wasn't very helpful. The customer service wasn't satisfactorty. I told him that I would bring the vehicle in for further troubleshooting in which the limited warranty guaranteed.

When I brought the vehichle in to discuss the issues with the Center's Manager, David Hardiman, he was very reluctant to assist me with my issues. I asked David for a full refund, however, he refused. So, then I asked him to continue troubleshooting and fulfill the warrantyh. The only thing that David suggested was that I have Cottman Transmission to pull the transmission to see what the issues are futher inside. He then said that this procedure (RCI) would cost me an additional $497.00 plus tax.

I therefore asked him to contact the Owner, George Stevens. He replied that he would not be available until later that evening. I then asked David how could I reach George, he replied with he didn't know. I asked him for George's cell phone number and he said that he was unauthorized to give me George's cell phone number. I then quickly remembered the George's cell phone number was printed in the business card that I picked up from the center on my first visit. I proceeded to call George's cell phone number from my personal cell phone. After explaining to George the issues that the vehicle was having as well as explaining to him that David was reluctant to assist me, he then called David to require a Technican to run another diagnostic test.

The Technician found that the Solenoid Group was working properly. However, he also received error codes of P0744 and P0740. George finally showed up and we discussed the issues. No resolution was made except that I could have the RCI done by Cottman Transmission for the cost of $497.00. George never made any offer to trouble shoot further the issue without any charge. I therefore was left with the same issues with the vehicle without any plans for it to be fixed.

I then, a few days later called to Cottman Transmission again, to discuss them fulfilling the warranty and trying to figure out the issues with the vehicle again David was reluctant to assist me successfully. The question that was asked was related to checking the Solenoid that was replaced. I wanted to ensure that the solenoid was not faulty. After believing that Cottman Transmission was not going to assist me successfully with the issues that I was having with the vehicle, I proceeded to make plans to have Hunt Nissan to trouble shoot the issues. On today, January 29th, fourteen days after Cottman Transmission allegedly fixed the transmission problems and after trying on several attempts to have Cottman Transmissions to fulfill the warranty, Hunt Nissan's Service Manager, a Master Technician and I ran a diagnostic check on the vechicle and researched to trouble shooting procedures to follow in order to fix the problem.

Within less than 20 minutes we were able to find out that Cottman Transmissions replaced the wrong parts. The Control Valve Assembly Componet diagram clearly illustrates that the Torque converter clutch solenoid should have been replaced instead of the Solenoid Group. Nissan's Service Mgr. mentioned that the company that replaced the solenoid group should have thoroughy researced the troubleshooting procedures prior to just making changes. I then signed a contract for Nissan to begin correclty fixing the issue. Nissan assured me that they would fix the problem and guarantee the parts and service. I then asked for Nissan's personnel to give me a copy of the Control Valve Assembly Components diagram and

I proceeded to visit Cottman Transmission and ask the Owner and Manager to point out which solenoid they replaced. The pointed to the incorrect solenoid that the trouble shooting guide referred to which is the Solenoid Group. I then asked for a full refund due to the mistakes that were made and the reluctance to assist me with the issues while under warranty. They proceeded to do some research in which I told them that I had already researched with Nissan earlier that day.

After approximatly two hours later, the Owner, George Stevens came back mentioning that there is good news and bad news. He admiited that they replaced the wrong part; however, said that they can not give me a full refund due there neglegence. He did offer to replace the correct part and I would have to pay the difference owed on the cost of the part.

I now have 0% confidence in Cottman Transmission's competence in trouble shooting transmissions and performing maintenance on transmissions components. I assertively tried on several occasions to have Cottman Transmission to fulfill the warranty within two weeks time and was unsuccessfull and received much resistance. It is very clear to me that Cottman Transmission is providing very low qualty and inadequate service. Moreover, only after I, myself taking the initiative to research further with Experts at Nissan to find a resolution and bringing the result to George Stevens was he willing to provide some assistance and adequate customer service.

I want a full refund for the unsuccesfull services. I believe this is due to me since I have followed the procedures documented on the back of the Cottman Transmission' contract under the details of limited warranty. And it has been evident up to today, that George Stevens, owner of #2770 Stevens Transmission, LLC an affliate of Cottman Transmission was not going to fulfill the warranty. I could not continue to drive the vehicle with the circumstances at hand. With continuing to drive the vehicle the problems could have gotten worse. I have lost time and money from my job, am currently losing money for a rental car and will lose money for having Nissan correctly fix my vehicle. I believe that it is only fitting that Cottman Transmission give me a full refund. Moreover, since Wednesday, January 24th, I have left three messages with Customer Relations at 215-628-2120 and have not received any returned phone calls.

Charles
Chattanooga, Tennessee
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Cottman Transmission