TF
Tamerat Fenta
May 25, 2026
I had a very disappointing experience with Joe Auto and wanted to share my experience so others can make informed decisions.
On [date of service], I brought my vehicle to Joe Auto because it was making a noticeable noise while driving. After inspecting the vehicle, the mechanic told me that the rear brakes needed to be replaced. I explained that another mechanic had already replaced the brakes only three weeks earlier, but I was still advised that the rear brakes were the problem.
Trusting their professional diagnosis, I approved the repair. I was charged $389.84 for parts and labor and paid the full amount when I picked up my vehicle.
However, the following morning while driving on the highway, the noise became significantly worse. I immediately took the vehicle to the dealership for another inspection. According to their diagnosis, the noise was not related to the brakes at all and was caused by an entirely different issue.
From my perspective, this means I paid for brake work that did not solve the original concern and may not have been necessary based on the actual cause of the problem.
Unfortunately, that was not the end of my experience.
Three days later, I returned to Joe Auto to have the replaced brake checked. During that visit, I accidentally dropped my cellphone near the garage area before leaving. After arriving home, I checked the Find My iPhone application, which showed my phone’s location at Joe Auto at approximately 6:00 PM.
I returned and asked whether anyone had turned in a phone, but I was told no phone had been found. The following morning at approximately 9:30 AM, I spoke with one of the mechanics, who told me the phone had been run over by a vehicle, someone had brought it in, and because it was no longer functioning, it had been thrown away.
I explained that I still wanted the damaged phone returned to me. After checking, I was later told they could not locate it.
I contacted Apple for assistance and was informed that a signal was still being detected at the same address. The next day, my employer sent someone to ask about the phone, but staff denied receiving it. We also contacted the police, but were told they could not take further action if possession could not be confirmed.
Being without my phone for more than three days forced me to purchase a replacement.
What disappointed me most was not only the repair experience, but also the way my concerns were handled afterward. I expected better communication, accountability, and customer service throughout this process.