Reviewed : 09/12/2026

Comment : This shop does not run proper diagnostics.

I've brought my car to this AAA for years, initially for routine maintenance. The service used to be good and reasonably priced, but unfortunately, the quality has gone downhill drastically.

Two years after AAA replaced a snapped drive belt, my belt snapped again. My car was towed in, and I specifically asked them to also check my power steering system because I had been refilling the fluid weekly.

Brian and Juan handled this visit and the second belt replacement. I was told there was no power steering leak and that I was losing fluid because the reservoir cap had been left off. Since I personally refilled the fluid weekly, this seemed unlikely, but I trusted them.

The problem continued. I was still losing fluid, my engine bay began smoking, and my ABS warning started activating. I returned and dealt with Andre, who again told me there was no leak and that the cap was off. I knew this wasn't true because I had checked the cap immediately before dropping off the car.

After I asked for a manager, it was clarified that the cap WAS on, but the O-ring was missing and allowing fluid to leak. I was also told that my power steering system had never actually been checked during my previous visit, despite my specifically asking for it to be inspected.

Andre had the O-ring replaced, but the smoking, fluid loss, and visible moisture in the engine bay continued. I also never received the usual inspection pictures or reports from either visit.

I finally went to another repair shop. They immediately found an obvious leak—the entire right side of my engine was covered in fluid. How AAA missed this after multiple visits is beyond me.

Even worse, the new shop found a significant amount of debris from the snapped belt still inside the engine bay. AAA had not properly cleaned out the old belt before installing the new one, and the remaining pieces damaged the replacement belt. Now that belt has to be replaced AGAIN. Considering the amount of debris present, I also question whether remnants from the first snapped belt were ever completely removed.

I spoke with manager Joshua and showed him evidence of the belt scraps. After seeing the evidence, I was told AAA would refund me for the second belt replacement. I appreciate Joshua addressing that portion of the situation, but it doesn't undo everything that led to this point.

AAA missed an obvious leak after multiple visits, admitted that a system I specifically requested be inspected wasn't actually checked, gave me contradictory explanations, failed to provide the usual inspection reports, and left enough debris from a snapped belt behind to damage the replacement.

After years of bringing my car here, I've completely lost confidence in this shop. If they missed problems this obvious, I can't trust them to diagnose less obvious ones.

Don't bring your car here if you're expecting them to actually diagnose and fix the problem.

Reviewed : 09/09/2026

Comment :

Reviewed : 09/02/2026

Comment : Complaint Regarding Poor Service and Attention to Detail – AAA Auto Care, North Plainfield, NJ

Poor Attention to Detail and Customer Service

I have been a AAA member for over 20 years. I had an appointment on August 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. to drop off my 2011 Honda Civic for an oil change and safety inspection.

When I arrived to drop off my vehicle, I specifically told the front desk representative that I wanted the following services completed:

- Oil change
- Safety inspection/auto check
- Tires inflated to 32 PSI

Unfortunately, the only service that was actually completed was the oil change, and even that was not completed thoroughly the first time.

The oil was changed and filled to the proper level. However, there was no oil change sticker placed on the windshield indicating when the next oil change was due, and the vehicle's oil life indicator was still showing 50% and had not been reset.

Keep in mind that I dropped the vehicle off and there was no rush to have it returned. The vehicle was there for as long as necessary to have the requested services completed correctly the first time.

When I returned to the front desk, I spoke with the AAA Auto Care employee who originally assisted me and explained that the oil change sticker had not been placed on the windshield and that the oil life indicator had not been reset.

The employee went out to my vehicle, reset the oil life indicator, and placed the oil change interval sticker on the windshield.

I understand what is involved in performing this type of work because I previously worked as an automotive repair technician. I also understand that anyone can have an off day, and I initially gave AAA Auto Care the benefit of the doubt.

However, this is where the experience became even more disappointing.

Today, Wednesday, September 2, I decided to check the tire pressure myself to make sure everything was completed correctly. When I checked all four tires, they were all at 28 PSI, even though I had specifically requested that they be inflated to 32 PSI when I dropped off the vehicle. This request was not completed.

I also specifically requested that a safety inspection/auto check be performed. To date, I have never received the email confirmation or inspection results indicating the current condition of the vehicle or whether any items required attention.

Before I even left the AAA Auto Care Center on August 29, I specifically asked the front desk representative whether there was anything that needed attention on the vehicle based on the safety inspection. I was told that I would receive an email with the safety inspection results. That email was never received.

At this point, I am extremely disappointed with the lack of attention to detail and customer service. I specifically communicated the services I wanted performed, and multiple items were either overlooked or not completed.

This is completely unacceptable and reflects poorly on AAA Auto Care. I have two vehicles that I routinely bring to this location for maintenance, but after this experience, I may need to reconsider continuing to use AAA Auto Care for my vehicles.

Additionally, I was surprised to see that the cost of the oil change has increased to $102, which, in my opinion, is excessive for a routine oil change. Considering that automotive service centers purchase oil in bulk, I do not believe the cost of the oil itself justifies a $102 charge for this service.

I would like someone from AAA Auto Care management to contact me directly to explain how this happened and, more importantly, what AAA Auto Care intends to do to address and remediate the poor service I received. Based upon my appointment date and time you have my contact information.

I have been a loyal AAA member for more than 20 years, and I expect a much higher level of service and attention to detail from a company I have trusted with my vehicles for many years.

Very dissatisfied customer.

Reviewed : 09/01/2026

Comment : I called and asked when I can come in for a notarization. I immediately head over after they told me till six. I travel there and arrive shortly after five and am told the person who notarizes just left even though I just called and confirmed. Incompetent and unaware employees.

Reviewed : 08/25/2026

Comment : Awesome

Reviewed : 08/19/2026

Comment : Good place. Checked the issue and said it's nothing and so didn't charge for anything.

Reviewed : 08/13/2026

Comment : Slow service

Reviewed : 07/27/2026

Comment : Great attentive service.

Reviewed : 07/21/2026

Comment : I used to come here a lot for my oil changes, but recently the prices got much higher..
I will start shopping around.

Reviewed : 07/03/2026

Comment :