Pep Boys Auto Service & Tires — Attraction in Los Angeles

Stay Away From This Pep Boys--You Deserve Better!

I'll never go back to Pep Boys after this experience. Let me break it down: I drive a 2015 KIA Forte, and for about two years, I thought the transmission was the issue causing misfires at idle and resistance at 30-50 mph. My previous mechanic (LA&J Auto Repair) misdiagnosed it, so I kept pushing the car, assuming I'd eventually need a new transmission.

One rainy day, my car wouldn't start--it coughed and struggled even with a jump from Triple A. The alternator passed the test, so we replaced the dead battery (shoutout to AutoZone for honoring the warranty). I brought the car to Pep Boys the next morning, explained everything, and paid $100 for a diagnosis.

Thanksgiving delayed things, but they promised the car would be ready by Saturday. They reported engine misfire codes and immediately recommended a $250 compression test--skipping basic checks like spark plugs or coils. I trusted them, thinking they'd know best. Big mistake.

The compression test came back fine, but they needed more time. When I suggested checking the spark plugs and coils (something my friend's dad mentioned), they called the next day to confirm that was the issue. Seriously?

Here's their quote:

$100 diagnosis $250 compression test $588.99 for ignition coils set $169 for labor - removing and installing new coils $112.81 - tune-up package (they didn't even mention this on phone, it's just an add-on)

At this point, I felt scammed. I declined their repairs, paid for what they'd already done, and tried to pick up the car. They told me it was ready, but when I got there, it wasn't. The online status even said "ready for pickup." Frustrating doesn't even begin to describe it.

The next day, I took my car to 10 Min Oil & General Mechanic on Beverly Blvd. I wasn't expecting much since the place looked a little sketchy, but Ferris (Owners son) was amazing. He was upfront about costs and showed me part prices online. Within minutes, his team found an additional issue: oil leaking from the valve cover gasket, along with the bad coils and spark plugs I requested to be replaced.

They fixed it in 3-4 hours for way less than Pep Boys quoted, and they even topped off my oil for free. Ferris was honest, straightforward, and proved that great service still exists.

The Lesson? Avoid this Pep Boys at all costs. They'll overcharge you, push unnecessary tests, and waste your time. Corporate doesn't always mean better. If you're in LA, go to 10 Min Oil & General Mechanic--Ferris and his team are...

I recently encountered a concerning experience at a Pep Boys location. My three-year-old car with only 30,000 miles experienced a drained battery due to an inadvertent headlight left on. After having the vehicle towed to Pep Boys, the battery was replaced, but the car stubbornly refused to start on its own. The technicians immediately suspected a faulty starter, which surprised me given the car's age and low mileage.

I expressed my skepticism, highlighting that the vehicle had cranked over before the battery swap but stalled due to the depletion. Additionally, I mentioned having never experienced any prior issues with the car. Despite my reservations, they recommended proceeding with a full inspection, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of a failed starter and replacement of two tires, totaling a hefty $2,000.

Uncomfortable with the extensive repairs and skeptical of the diagnosis, I requested my car be returned without performing the work. Interestingly, the tow truck driver managed to jumpstart the engine with the new battery, a simple solution not apparently considered by Pep Boys technicians. I had previously mentioned to them that some newer cars may require a jump after a battery change to synchronize the system, but this advice went unheeded.

This experience leads me to advise caution when considering Pep Boys for automotive repairs. While isolated incidents occur, the lack of thorough initial troubleshooting and apparent disregard for customer suggestions are concerning. Seeking second opinions or consulting trusted mechanics may be prudent before committing to significant repairs at this particular location.

My vehicle is running without...

Ordered 4 tires online with confirmation that tires were in stock same day (09/10/19). Appointment made for 8:30am Wednesday, 9/11/19.

Arrival 8:25am on 09/11/19 and front end staff (Byron and mechanic w/ out name tag) inform me that the tires are not available and that they have no control of online orders. They have no way of checking the status of the tires and that maybe they should be arriving in the next shipment for 10am or 12pm, same day.

They question the validity of my order and ask if I received confirmation about my tires being in stock when online services state they’re in stock and ready for pick up same day.

After two separate search attempts, the cashier has found the tires in the back.

For a company that offers online pay, you should inform and train your employees so that this doesn’t happen to other customers.

The work performed was mediocre at best. They returned the vehicle with tire sealant residue all over each tire. Soon after receiving the vehicle, I was driving on the freeway noticing that the one of the tires seemed unbalanced. The vehicle was shaking quite a bit and that was not happening before. After pulling off and checking the pressure of all 4 tires I found that they were inflated to well over 55PSI when the spec on the vehicle is 44F/48R.

The specifications for the tire pressure are listed on the inside of the drivers door well and I’m sure they have the same information in their database. Simple things like this make me question the competence of the service employees as well as managements minimal training. Guaranteed I will not be back to this location or any other Pep Boys...