I had been a loyal customer of Kim's for over a decade. Kim's used to be a standard, reliable repair shop. The last three years that I have used them I've seen a dramatic decline in their competency in repairing any simple to complex car issues--I have no idea what has changed. If you don't need to know the details, my point is: do not bother with Kim's. They are useless. They aided in halfway destroying my car out of either incompetency and/or negligence-- while blithely cashing my hard earned money. They successfully made me feel like a fool for sticking with them and trusting them for as long as I did.
Details: I used to exclusively use Kim's, but I tried out another mechanic closer to me when I needed basic maintenance done. That other mechanic did something silly to my car after replacing an EVAP valve. I took my car back to Kim's to repair the damage the other shop caused-- since up until that point Kim's had been nothing but reliable in my experience. Unfortunately, this string of issues became the beginning of the end with my dealings also with Kim's.
They told me they could fix this issue, no problem. But, that didn't end up being the case. I have been in and out of Kim's ever since. My check engine light has been on for three years running after this EVAP incident, that they kept claiming it was fixed. Then they changed their tune. When I pressed them to explain why the check engine light still stayed on (even though they fixed the issue?), they would claim the sensors for the light were just plain "broken" and there is nothing actually wrong with the car. I stupidly believed them, because I didn't know any better.
Then all sorts of other parts connected with my engine and exhaust system were beginning to fail over a short span of time. I have poured thousands of dollars into my car at kim's to try get this issue resolved, to get major parts replaced and replaced again when they weren't attached right, (still with check engine light constantly shouting at me!) I've done all this, only to have my car fail my most recent required emissions test--which absolutely should not have happened if Kim's had been doing any of their "fixes" correctly. I was stunned.
When the emissions guy asked why I've never addressed the check engine light, I told the emissions test guys that my mechanic told me my sensor for the engine light was broken, which is why the light is always on. Verbatim, they replied "that's bullshit. Here are the THREE codes we found when we ran a diagnostic scan. Stop going to this shop, they are scamming you. Find someone else immediately".
Took it to another repair shop (this time by recommendation of someone who knows more than me about cars) and the new mechanic confirmed the emissions guy's statements-- which was very troubling. He also confirmed that it all my current issues trace back to the issue from three years ago with the EVAP valve that Kim's supposedly had "fixed", which actually they apparently never did. They also found issues with the exhaust system that Kim's also claimed to have "fixed", but in reality was all one giant botched job.
I am beyond furious that Kim's team of mechanics for mishandling my car's issues so badly. Or rather, lack of handling at all. I don't want to find out why their service stinks, so I'm never going back. All I can do is explain my experience publicly for others to be more cautious than I was. If you are considering going to Kim's, it's potentially as good as burning your money. Save yourself the headache and your car's longevity by going elsewhere. read more