Gateway Automotive Experts (Mount Vernon)
DO NOT TRUST GATEWAY TRANSMISSION - AWFUL EXPERIENCE I typically don’t post reviews like this, but after my experience with Gateway Transmission, I feel compelled to warn others. I’ve spent over $4,000, and my car is now in worse condition than when I first brought it in. Here’s what happened: I took my car to Gateway Transmission for a check engine light issue. They diagnosed the problem and quoted me $1,500 for repairs. I authorized the work, but the issue wasn’t fixed. They then diagnosed the car again, claiming a different problem that would cost me several thousand more to repair. Since I had already paid for the first round of work, I reluctantly agreed to the second round. Eventually, they called me to say my car was "fixed." I paid them, drove off the lot, and the check engine light came back on with the same codes. I took the car back, and they claimed the issue might be clogged oil screens in the engine. They suggested I take it to a dealership for an unrelated recall and have the dealership replace the parts. This seemed like a better option than paying Gateway Transmission $3,600 for yet another attempt at a repair. The dealership completed the recall and replaced the parts Gateway Transmission suggested, but the check engine light stayed on. If I’d gone through with Gateway Transmission’s repair, I would have thrown away another $3,600 for nothing. When I took my car back to Gateway Transmission, they claimed that the dealership had caused the issue by using “excessive silicone” during the recall work. This didn’t make sense, though, because the issue existed before the dealership worked on my car. They asked me to authorize even more work to “prove” it was the dealership’s fault. I agreed on the condition that I wouldn’t be charged unless they could definitively prove their claims. They assured me I wouldn’t be charged if they couldn’t prove it. They sent me the supposed proof, but when I forwarded it to the dealership, they denied the claim, showing that the silicone Gateway Transmission referenced wasn’t even the kind they use. Now, 15 months later, I’ve spent around $4,000, and my car is in worse condition than when I first brought it in. On top of that, I had to buy another car just to get to work, which has cost me thousands more. I've also been paying insurance on both cars, and that's not even included in the total. To make matters worse, Gateway Transmission still has my car and is demanding more money to get it back. It’s currently undrivable. I cannot recommend Gateway Transmission to anyone. Please avoid this shop at all costs. They misdiagnosed my car three times, and I’ve wasted money and time with them. Hopefully, my experience serves as a warning to others.
Dear Mr. Boyko, Thank you for your feedback. We regret that your experience has been frustrating, and we’d like to clarify the situation. When your Subaru was first brought in, we diagnosed and repaired a critical issue with the engine timing system, and after completing the work, the vehicle was test-driven with no recurring problems. When the check engine light returned, we diagnosed an unrelated issue covered by a Subaru Technical Service Bulletin and recommended you take the vehicle to the dealership for that repair. After the dealership completed their work, you returned with the check engine light still on. Upon further inspection, we discovered that your issue was unrelated to the original repairs and stemmed from a different area of the engine, which we had not worked on. This damage was caused by excessive silicone used during the dealership’s repair, obstructing oil passages and leading to heat damage. We provided clear documentation to support our findings and offered assistance in appealing the matter with Subaru. We understand your frustration, but we cannot be held accountable for damage caused by previous repairs performed by the dealership. Despite this, we offered several options for resolution, which you unfortunately have chosen not to accept. Nevertheless, we remain committed to resolving this matter and encourage you to continue working with the dealership for compensation, as we are willing to assist in that process. Thank you again for your feedback. We hope this response clarifies the situation, and we remain dedicated to providing quality service and transparency.
- Gateway Automotive Experts (Mount Vernon)