I contracted with AT Automotive in Devine, Texas, in May 2024 to repair a misfire on bank 2 of my…read moretruck. I paid approximately $3,500 for repairs, which they diagnosed as a faulty timing chain and sprockets. They claimed that replacing those parts would fully resolve the issue and gave me a 2-year/12,000-mile warranty.
Within 2 months, the misfire returned. They claimed it was a loose wire. Two weeks later, on a trip, the same issue came back, and I had to replace a spark plug and boot myself.
After the fourth return visit in January 2025, I discovered that my original warranty document had been removed from the visor and replaced with a falsified 1-year warranty -- without my knowledge or consent.
Despite repeated attempts to fix the issue, the truck never ran correctly. The misfire continued from the initial repair in May 2024 onward. Over time, the shop changed its story from a wiring issue to faulty fuel injectors, then to warped valve heads -- yet no diagnosis was ever confirmed, and they provided no evidence.
Upon my own inspection, I discovered:
Oil leaking from the driver-side valve cover.
The passenger-side valve cover patched with cement -- a clear sign of improper repair.
Both valve covers were removed during the timing chain repair. Any damage during removal and their improper reinstallation caused additional oil leaks and misfires.
Only one valve cover was replaced in late January -- well after the truck had failed again.
The truck has never overheated, so the claim of "warped heads" is false. Despite this, the shop continued to withhold the vehicle and added new costs unrelated to the original issue.
In July, I called for an update and was told the engine was open and being worked on. I visited the shop in person and found:
The truck abandoned in the back lot.
Vines growing into the engine bay -- proof it had not been touched in months.
The battery was dead, cables missing, the truck unsecured, and no sign of any work being done.
I've called monthly for nearly a year. They never once called me back. Every update came only after I initiated contact. After a full year, they still have my truck. Most recently, they claimed banks 4 and 6 were now misfiring, contradicting my own scan showing bank 2 -- the same original issue -- remains unresolved. They even claimed my computer scanner was wrong.
This shop changed diagnoses repeatedly, withheld the vehicle, falsified documents, and never provided the promised repairs. I would not recommend this business to anyone. they responed through google the first time in months but never called my attorney, their response -
A T Automotive 2 (Owner)
6 hours ago
We take concerns like this very seriously and regret that this customer feels dissatisfied with their experience. Our goal has always been to provide quality repairs and clear communication, and we're sorry if we fell short in that regard.
Due to the complexity of engine diagnostics and repairs, some issues can require multiple steps to fully identify and resolve. That said, we would welcome the opportunity to review this matter directly and work toward a resolution.
We encourage the customer to contact us at the shop and ask for management so we can discuss the situation in detail and determine the best path forward. We value every customer and appreciate feedback that helps us improve.
This statement does not reflect the reality of what happened.
I paid $3,500 for repairs that were never completed, and my truck sits on your lot for 12 months without resolution. Despite multiple calls and visits, I received no clear communication or results. The issue I originally brought it in for -- a misfire -- was never fixed. After claiming the timing chain was the problem (and charging for it), the issue persisted, and later diagnostics revealed additional problems caused by improper reassembly, including stripped valve cover bolts.
A formal demand letter was delivered to you by certified mail and email. You acknowledged receipt but failed to respond by the deadline, nor did you arrange for the return of my vehicle.
I have retained documentation, communications, mechanical reports, and legal correspondence showing the full history of this matter. At this point, your claim of "welcoming the opportunity to resolve" appears disingenuous. I welcome actual accountability, not another delay tactic.
