The Pit Pros

If I had read the negative online reviews about this place, I would never have taken my car there. Unfortunately, that was not the case and I have paid the price, I suffered a total financial loss of $7,000.



In April of 2013, I took my car, a 2004 Nissan Maxima, to have it looked at because it didn't sound like it was running as smoothly as normal, Pit Pros was near where I lived and I had a Groupon coupon for auto work and Pit Pros was one of the places listed. I I was told that I needed major engine work that included new timing chain along with a water pump, which would cost approximately $2,000. They seemed competent and I would save several hundred dollars getting it done there than at a Nissan dealership. Big Mistake.



A month later, my engine still didn't sound right, I took it in and they told me that it had nothing to do with the engine. Then in late August, it really didn't sound right and the next day, it refused to start. Based on recommendation from a friend who owns a Nissan and is very mechanically inclined, I had it towed to his Nissan dealership and based on their analysis, I had lost compression in Bank 2 of my engine. The mechanic noted that the timing chain had been replaced and he indicated that the timing chain may not have been installed properly and that caused damaged to the valves in Bank 2 leading to failure of the engine.. I talked with several certified mechanic friends individually who all listened to my car issues, they all agreed that they were very certain the timing chain wasn't installed properly and over time it will lead to engine failure. I talked to the Nissan Service Manager with one of my mechanic friends (just to make sure I understood everything correctly), he confirmed that they've seen this numerous times, and it was always improper installation of the timing chain lead to failure of the engine like I had.



After talking with them and doing my own research, I approached Pit Pros with the issue. First, the owner got angry at me. He totally denied any wrongdoing and accused the Nissan dealership of "trying to rip me off". The best that they could offer was they would install a new engine for me for free without charging me anything, but I had to buy the engine. Well, a new engine is about $10,000, a used engine is about half that. My car is worth about $5,000. We argued and he refused to honor his warranty. He basically laughed in my face and dared me to try to take him to small claims court. After consulting with two personal claim lawyers, they told me I could take him to court, I would probably win, but that would involve a lot more money and more time than I care to spend. If the car was worth more, it would be a different story.



So, here I am, $2,000 for engine work, $5,000 my car for a total loss of $7,000. Don't just listen to me, read all the OTHER negative online reviews about this place. Is it really worth the risk to take your car here? Consider other reputable auto repair shops out there, don't make the mistake like I and all the other folks did. Don't use Pit Pros, you have been warned.

Firstly, I have to agree with Brittany about the sexism: whenever my friend's husband or my boyfriend goes, they always get quick, polite service. Not so for me and my female friends. Ironic, considering Patricia & Monica (mother & daughter) provide most of the customer service.



Pit Pros has been fine for the past years for state inspection, but my most recent experience calls for this review.



In short: competence = 3 stars; attitude = 2 stars; cost = 1 star.



The long story about my Toyota Corolla (purchased new 2007, mileage only 20K):



Sunday - I noticed clicking sounds in the left front wheel area, one click per half turn of the wheel. Goes away when I press on the gas pedal.



Monday - PitPros presented me with this:

Lower control arms to be replaced (both sides): $284.62

Labor on control arms: $350 ("because it'll take 3.5 hours")

Wheel alignment: $89 ("because that's extra labor necessary after control arm installment")

Total: $740 incl. taxes



"Wow that's pretty expensive - I'm a poor student. Are you sure the control arms are the problem?" "90% sure" was the curt response.



Call me lazy - I didn't question the labor cost or seek a second opinion. As long as they get the job done I thought.



Less than 3 hours later, the car was ready. I paid the full price, thanking them for being open on Memorial Day. "Well, hopefully we can go home soon," Patricia said grumpily. There was no information about my car, whether the problem was indeed confirmed to be fixed, and what the warranty period was for the service. I felt like I was prolonging her workday by asking.



To my disappointment, the click persisted. I called the next morning, explaining that I'd like to get a second opinion before returning to their shop. "Can you hear yourself speak? Why do you make this more complicated than it is? Why don't you just bring it in to us again?" I obliged, because I hate confrontations. 10 minutes later, the mechanic returned with my car, click-free. He said one of the bolts was loose so he tightened that. He claimed the control arm bushings were indeed broken and needed the replacement. However, he had thrown away the broken parts yesterday so could not show me.



Whether the loose bolt was the initial cause of the click, or simply evidence of the shoddy job done, I will never know. As for the steep cost, I shall consider it an expensive lesson. Oh, and for being a pushover and female.

I had a coupon for Auto Care Super Saver and selected the closet location to my house for oil changes, Pit Pros Dallas. They had the worst customer service I have ever experience in any industry!



The owner's daughter was nice, but the owner was sexist and my husband had to get involved with the service they provided because he thought I knew nothing as a female.



I took my car in for a regular oil change and tire rotation. After we left the alignment was severely off. However, nothing was wrong before we took the car in. When I questioned if something could have happened while it was there they repeatedly said no, they had been in the business for over 30 years and there was no way they could have caused damage.



They agreed to let us bring it back and have them look at it. At that point they insisted that I had hit something very hard or ran over a curb. It was concluded that my car had a bent rear arm, and it would cost about $600.



We talked to a mechanic friend of ours, who unfortunately lives in another city, and he said they could have bent the rear arm while it was on the lift. It's rare, but it can happen. When I mentioned this to Pit Pros they said that it was impossible. I wanted to get a second opinion.



I bought my car, and have had most of my services done through Sewell Lexus. Sewell is a very reputable dealership, and one of the largest in the region. They consistently rank in the top customer service dealerships.



The owner of Pit Pros said that they were all thieves and wouldn't give me a correct answer to what was wrong with my car. It seems like he was trying to cover it up to me! We did take my car to Sewell, and they said the same thing...it's rare, but a rear arm can be bent while on a lift. Also, their quote was $100 less than Pit Pros! Yet, Pit Pros insisted they were the best and lowest priced in the industry.



When I presented this to the owner he proceeded to yell at me, call me a trouble maker, say that I was just trying to get out of paying for damage I created, and said that I was a thief. I was certainly not in an accident and we know that the alignment wasn't off until we took the car there. I have never been talked to in such a demeaning manor! I told him that we should try to settle this like civilized adults, but that if needed I would go to the BBB or small claims court. He laughed at me and told me where the Dallas courthouse is. A hint that he knew where the courthouse was too quickly?!



We decided that it would cost more to take him to small claims court than it would to have it fixed correctly by Sewell. So, we had my dealership do the repairs for $100 less and they included a rental car. Service much higher than anything I saw from Pit Pros!



I am submitting a complaint with the BBB and hope that something is done of his poor service. Nobody deserves to be treated the way I was from him! My husband made a little more progress than I did, because the owner said I didn't know anything about cars. He very much implied that because I was a girl I couldn't comprehend what had happened. I think that is why he tried to cover up the damages, and blame them on me - I think he expected me to fold and not realize that they might have done something wrong.



I will never go back to Pit Pros, and I have spread the word that this is possibly the worst business in Dallas. It's one thing to cause damage to someone's car, but it's completely unacceptable to talk to someone the way the owner talked to me, to deny anything be wrong, and to insult other reputable companies in the area. The worst experience I have ever had for any company in any industry!

I went to Pit Pros for my vehicle engine light check ON and he told me it was gas map leak ($20 gas cap) which he charged me over $100 (Overcharge also feel ashamed).



I will never go this place again as I don't wana my pocket cut again!

I'm from out of town and just happen to break down a block away from these guys. My handy dandy little iPhone app found them for me. They reassured me that it wasn't a problem to fix, but they had to get the part. They were able to order and pickup the part needed (which was their main concern) and get it fixed by the end of their business day. Great price! Great service! Just AWESOME people.