Firestone Complete Auto Care

The people appear friendly and honest here but I have to share the truth as to save others from experiencing the same thing.
I had my car serviced at Firestone a few weeks prior to my recent service. I asked them to check my power steering while in for my alignment, tire rotation and routine oil change.
They told me that I needed to have the pump replaced. They said they could do it that day and car should be ready around 1:00. I agreed but only later to find out that they couldn’t get the correct part. Wouldn’t be done until the next day. I had to take my husband’s truck to work in San Francisco the following 2 days as my car didn’t end up being ready the following day either. They said they put in the part but it wasn’t working right.
So 2 ½ days later my husband picked up my car for me.
The check engine light was now on. He called to see if he should bring it back in.
They told him they did a lot of resets so try driving it a couple of weeks and bring it back in if the light doesn’t go off. Well, of course the light had not gone off so I brought it back in again and also asked if they would replace my right turn signal light as it had just gone out 2 days prior to that.
When I came back later that morning to get my car the guy at the counter (Kevin) showed me a burnt out tail light bulb and told me I had a lot of corrosion on the bulb and that they replaced it but likely I would have to come back in soon to have the whole internal piece replaced.
I looked at the grey bulb and thought to myself, my turn signal bulb is orange in color and not a white bulb. I told him to go ahead and charge my labor on my Firestone credit card and he told me that it was complimentary since I had to bring my car back in to be fixed from the previous service. I thought, wow, that was nice of them.
Until I drove 2 blocks and realized my turn signal light was still burnt out. They hadn’t even replaced the bulb. The plate cover in my trunk that I took off earlier in the day to check the bulb was in the exact same place.
I turned around and came back and Kevin said to me «is it already not working?»
I proceeded to get very mad at him as he blatantly lied about the service that was provided.
They did not replace the bulb and was probably just hoping I was a dumb female who wouldn’t know any different in hopes they could pretend to need to replace the entire bulb compartment piece.
I will never come back. This is the second time I have been lied to about work they did. Horribly dishonest. Who even knows if they actually did my alignment or tire rotation when I had my car there for 2 ½ days. I wouldn’t doubt if they try to damage other parts just so you can bring your car in and spend more money you don’t need to.

In and out. Had a brakelight out and couldnt get any other local shops to help me today. Went in and got it taken care of in 10 minutes at a low price. Awesome!

They did a nice job replacing the front struts and control arms on my BMW. Ride quality and steering is greatly improved. Good service at the counter and fair prices. Parts were delayed and I spent 3 days without my car, but they called me each day to keep me informed.

I take my Cadillac here regularly for oil changes and minor repairs. I find them to be honest and charge fair prices

Single moms searching for great customer service should go to the Firestone in San Mateo where Kenny will provide you with excellent customer service with a smile and a great sense of humor. He was pleasant to work with and even gave me good advice on what to do with future needs of my other tires. I’m definitely coming back here! Thank you Kenny… BTW Kevin should give you a raise!

I have a rather lukewarm bland feeling about this Firestone and a recommendation. The good news is that the personnel are really happy friendly people. The waiting area is small but clean. The location is convenient and they have great advertised brakes and oil change specials.
The bad news is there in not enough parking and they have real problems with appointments. Yesterday was my second attempt to get an oil change. The last time we were told to expect a two hour wait notwithstanding the fact that we had an appointment. This time we arrived for a 3:30 appointment and I was told we would be out by 4:30. I was surprised because I can change my own oil in twenty minutes but later I understood why; they pulled my car into a bay at 3:55. I understand that appointments are really difficult to keep at auto repair facilities which makes me wonder why they have an appointment system at all. My recommendation would be to set up appointments from opening until 10:00 am when you should be able to keep them, after this make it first come first served.
Interestingly, I was told to change my air filter, which I truly needed, and they offered one for my Honda Insight for $ 55. I politely declined. I bought one an hour later on line for $ 8.67. Just a thought. I will go back but I will make sure I have a real early appointment and I will definitely consider their brakes specials.

If I could give this Firestone a 0 star, I would. I don’t normally give bad reviews like this, but I have to let people know. I got an alignment and tire placement done here in 2013. It seemed like it was ok and I didn’t think to double check their work.
Well, recently I had to go on a long road trip and I wanted to make sure my car was in shape to go on the road. While checking tires, I found out my rear tires had worn to the metal on the INSIDE of the tires. I thought that was odd but replaced them anyway. I waited to do my alignment until I got down to my destination (because 1– the tire place I went to replace my tires did not offer alignments and 2– My boyfriend recommended a guy that was an industry expert in alignment).
Unfortunately I found out there that my bolts from the first alignment at Firestone were MISSING in the front and COMPLETELY LOOSE in the back. Good thing this person pointed it out to me and asked where I did my last alignment on the car and I remembered it was Firestone! I was UPSET when I found out my bolts were missing. I’ve been driving this car around for 2 years not knowing that bolts were missing from my alignment and at any point if I had driven any faster, my alignment in the back would have given out! This industry expert told me that my alignment at Firestone was not done correctly and I find it negligent of them for not only returning my car without bolts but also putting my life in danger every time I got into my car! My tires should have had more life to them if my alignment was done correctly in the first place, I would not have had to buy new tires OR a new alignment! I have certainly learned a lesson NOT to come back here ever again for an alignment. I also wrote a complaint to the Better Business Bureau in hopes that other people will not have to go through what I did. DO NOT go here to get maintenance done on your car!

Kenny temoved a tire lock from our spare that we had no key for. Not the easiest thing is to do. Took our car immediarely and solved the problem in minutes. Did not charge us and would not take a tip. Will be back for normal service in the future.

I would get tire services here. They have done a good job of providing tires and flat repairs for 3 – 4 years for me which includes 3 – 4 repairs and 2 sets of tires. However for other routine service I would not recommend. They did a really bad job of performing my 30k and 40k routine maintenance. They skipped required items that ended up leaving me in a real bind before a trip. When I called they said sorry we don’t perform that service. The service is routine for the car and is required at the 30k and 40k service. They have lost my service business. Probably ok for tires but wouldn’t trust them with anything else.

Outstanding service on my girlfriend’s Mini Cooper! Went for simple oil change, and unfortunately got home and saw small leak of coolant in driveway. Took it right back, and they diagnosed additional issue. Got it fixed. Very fair, very nice.

I have been coming here for a while now, and I just have to say that the new management is turning things around!!! Despite some bad reviews this place is great! The new manager has a can do attitude and is honest! Yes people I said honest! It’s hard to find that this day in age.

Here is my experience:
Before this incident, i had a very good time leaving my car for service/​checks with Firestone San Mateo. They were spot on and the previous manager Julio (forgot the last name) was so
friendly, courteous and knowledgeable as well. He was very honest and used to get the job done in a timely manner. Obviously its been a year since i went last time.
Here is my experience couple of weeks back:
So i take an appointment 2 days before to get my oil changed and other checks. I went on time at 11am and explained them that i need oil change, break inspection, wheel alignment and balancing. I also informed that there is a transmission noise that need to be checked (he made a note in the job card).
They took the car in and informed me that the car will be ready by 2pm. I was OK with that and went back to work. The manager calls me and informs the break pads on the rear has just 3 mm so its time to change (btw i’d tell him to call me if they need to replace something so they did and its totally cool). They did not push me to get it changed. They informed me its still has about 2 months life but when it reaches 2 mm, i need to change it. I gave them a go ahead to change and was informed that i can pick up get the car around 3.
So i wait in my office till 5pm and i don’t get the call from them so i called the manager. he picked and told me this ‘oh, we are pretty backed up and haven’t worked on your car yet, you can pick it up and get it again tomorrow and we’ll get it done or give me time till 6:30 pm and we will get it done.‘
I was so surprised to hear that they haven’t touched my car yet. I take appointment 2 days earlier and they gave a estimated time of 3 hrs to get it work done
and 3pm car will ready, At 5pm, they are too busy to touch the car. More surprising is i had to call them to hear this.
I needed the car that night so informed them to do it and deliver by 630pm. The manager informed that he will call around 6pm and inform me if the work can be completed or not on the same day and i nodded.
No calls till 630pm. finally around 635pm i get a call and my car is ready. Yuhuu, i get their and collected the car. Now i paid like 450 $ on this and i was fine as my car is all good now.
I pay and i asked if they’d check on the transmission noise. The guy said no noise its all fine. I tell them to check again and they were willing to send a mechanic to the car to check it out.
This guy comes to the car (the guy who had worked on my car) and asks me to start the engine and rev it up. I did and he did not get it but i can hear the noise.
I tell him, it happens at 2000rpm while on the move and not stationed or at idle. This guy now tells me he was not told to check on the transmission noise and
doesn’t know what the issue is. The guy in the office had falsely informed me that there is no noise.
All done, i said bye and took the car and actually it was pretty good after the service.
Here the fun part. They did wheel alignment and had done tire rotation. My car is a bmw coupe and you cant/shouldn’t rotate wheels from front to back.
The tires are of different size. Front is 225 and back is 245.
Not front is 245 and back is 225. How ridiculous is this. It basics and being known for tires, Firestone just blindly rotated the wheels. After all the trouble i went through picking up my car i had to deal with this.
Now i call the manager again and informed him about the issue. He was ‘oh sorry about that, can you stop by and get it fixed. It will take 30mins.
I mean who on the hell will do such a hideous mistake and act so casual. He was not at all apologetic about the whole issue and just rubbed it away.
I scheduled the next the day.
The 2^nd day
I leave the car and asked them if they need to realign it as they are going to put the correct wheels back. This guy at the front said not needed.
I leave the car and was back in an hour. All set to go, tires are reverted back. I drive for less than ¼ mile and the car is pulling towards the right. I was like WTF. I drive back again and tell them the issue. They take the car in again and then somehow after 45mins they fixed it.
I was so so not confident with what they did with my car besides changing the proper engine oil, they did everything wrong; absolutely everything.
WHY would i want to back again here??? 450 $= no communication + no time sense + shaby work +negligence +not addressing the issue + no courtesy (i can add more.)
Good bye Firestone. oh may be i have to go back because i took lifetime alignment and balancing. Fineeee, i will go but may be in a different location.
I can go on and on on how furious i was but i guess i will stop it at this point.
I normally don’t go out of my way to leave a negative review but this, i had to share my experience.

I have been coming to this place for over 7 years and today was a turning point! I called and talked to Kenny at 1030am. Explained I had got stuck in a sand dune and needed my tire balanced. He said bring it down at 2pm and they would take care of it. I had my girlfriend bring it down. She waited 2 hours for them to say we can’t do anything because the tire is passed the limit for safe driving. I called n talked to Kevin who was completely rude! He said that he couldn’t do anything about it. I asked him if they checked out the tire when she got there to ensure it was able to be worked on n he said no. Every time I have gone there they have done an inspection to ensure I wouldn’t be waiting for no reason! They FAILED TGIS TIME! I will never take my car there again after this complete waste of time!

I really can’t say enough good things about this place. Just picked up my truck from a service and a repair. They are always efficient, they listen to your concerns and get the job done without trying to sell you things you don’t need. I really appreciate that. This location has a new general manager named Kevin, and he’s doing a great job.

This review is for Rich — I hope you see this, Congrats on your promotion! As happy as I am that you’ve moved up the ladder I really hope I continue to get the same treatment from your staff. You’ve been the best place around and I have always trusted you. It’s not that easy finding a car mechanic that is not going to take full advantage of a female. Sad but true. Rich, wishing you the best! Firestone is so lucky to have a gentleman like you.

Hello,
From someone who has very high patience they really know how to push buttons.
I brought my car in for a tire alignment and a balance.
They DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
When I got my car back, they car made a rattling noise and the car shook obviously the balancing was not done right. When I took it back I was given TWO different stories. 1. The left front axle was bent 2. The left front axle was worn out and had to much play to it.
So since my car was fine before the agreed to just have me pay for the part and the labor to put it in was on them. As a customer I was very frustrated that my car had gone in fine and came out broken. But they fixed it .
I was full of joy to have my car back…
Ready for the catch.
They pulled a plug in the transmission… That stopped my car from going in reverse because he thought you needed to take it out to change an axle… SHOWS HE DIDNT KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING…
But did not find this out till three days of my car just sitting there…
They thought it was because they overfilled the transmission fluid … Um did you know that burns out the transmission. Atta boy firestone atta boy…
Then for threes days no contact I had to call to find out what was wrong all I got was «I don’t know «HOW IS THAT AN ANSWER. ?!
Don’t take your car there, they don’t know what they are doing. Take your car else where. I still haven’t gotten my car back and dealing with the claims which is when they damage the car while trying to repair it.
Moral of the story Don’t go to the firestone… They don’t know what they are doing.

Bunch of Crooks! Stay away!!!
I dont usually write reviews but these guys drove me to write one. I noticed a squeaky noise from my brakes and took my car to them. They insisted on replacing my front brake pads and charged me $ 200 even though I had gotten the break pads replaced just a year ago. The reason I was given, was that the earlier work done was of poor quality. Anyways, even after replacing the front pads, the noise didn’t go away. it was a challenge getting the car back to them as they didn’t seem interested in looking at it since they already had the money. After a lot of persistence and after multiple phone calls, they reluctantly agreed to look at it. After making me wait for more than hour, they tell me that the noise is from the rear brakes and not the front and they will need to replace the rear brake pads now. By this time I had run out of patience and just decided to take my car and never bring it back to these crooks!!! My advice… stay away!!!

This place is busy every day of the week. I took advantage of Black Friday deals (yes I know but my car needs new shoes!) and booked an appointment. Thank goodness I did because suddenly the shop was flooded with cars that also needed attention. My appointment was 7:30AM. I was told it would be ready by 11AM, but it wasn’t ready until 12:30PM. The staff and crew are friendly enough but they can’t seem to keep up with all of the cars coming in. The recommended repair list was long and frightened me. But my car is happy with its new tires and drives smoothly.
Be willing to wait for this place. If you’re in a rush or have some car emergency during the day look elsewhere.

Location isn’t the most ideal. Parking lot is packed with cars in the morning and afternoon pick up is a bit nutty. Perhaps it was a off day when I went.
I brought my Outback in for Lifetime alignment and tire rotation. I took advantage of the summer special for the maintenance check since it was tire rotation was included for $ 20. Of course I get the dreaded call of all the recommended services. Replace rear brake pads, rear struts, fuel system cleanup, brake fluid exchange, and front control arm bushing. In all about $ 2.5k for additional services. The only critical service was the torn control arm bushing. So opted for that along with my alignment service.
If not knowledgeable of the services that are needed you can rack up an insane bill. I know its the vendors job to notify you what’s wrong with you car but use your best judgment. If you’re not skilled or knowledgeable in automotive its good to have a personal mechanic.
In all it was an all day affair waiting for the car. Thank goodness I don’t work to far from this location. Though I didn’t anticipate it taking all day. I wouldn’t have mind the courteously call with expectation of picking up the car 3 hrs. past the original completion time.
For now if needed I will only have the lifetime alignment completed. I’ll stick to my usual Firestone in the East Bay.

I’ve been coming here for years and love it. The guys are always friendly and get me right in. They always find me the best deals on any tire and the service is exceptional. I’ve never used them for auto repair, but if you need tires, this is the place to come.