Baker's Automotive Specialist

T Brady

★☆☆☆☆

5 months ago

Baker’s Automotive Specialist – Honest for years, but this last visit was a huge disappointment. I’ve been bringing my cars to Baker’s for around ten years. They’ve always been honest, fair, and reliable — until this last visit. I took my car in for a thermostat housing replacement and a new alternator. When I picked it up, things went downhill fast. Right after leaving the shop, I noticed white dust (looked like drywall shavings) all over my hood and tires. So I went to the car wash after picking it up. When I got to a car wash, I heard a squealing sound — almost like coolant spraying onto the engine. I put the car in park to pay for wash, and it suddenly wouldn’t go back into drive. When I opened the hood, I found that the battery mount plate was broken and the airbox bracket snapped — both of which sit right next to where they’d just worked. Coolant was leaking everywhere from the new thermostat housing. (I got it online not from them so thought maybe it was a bad part). Because it was Friday afternoon and the shop was closed until Monday, I had to tow the car home. A mechanic friend came by the next day and pressure-tested the system — the housing they installed was leaking, and a nearby hose was cracked. He (my mechanic friend) reinstalled the thermostat housing correctly (the spot the thermostat sits was not in right, and the metal hose that goes to the engine and the thermostat housing was also not installed back correct. I recorded videos and pictures Just in case) after he replaced the hose, and housing again (the same one that was leaking), the leak stopped immediately. Any reputable mechanic should pressure test a cooling system after doing work like this. That clearly didn’t happen here. On top of that, my A/C stopped working after the repair, and there’s now a strange clunking sound near the alternator they replaced. I don’t know if there new mechanic working there did it and thats why? but this experience completely ruined my trust. After ten years of loyalty, I can’t justify bringing my car back. They broke more than they fixed, and I’m genuinely disappointed — especially after all the years I’ve recommended them to friends and family. Usually I would go back up there and talk to them. But the fact that they didn't even hook it up to the pressure tester and didnt say anyhting about the loud clanking that wasnt there before, shows all I need to know. I will be looking for a new shop in town unfortunately. After I take my car to a new shop and find out more information on what the clanking. Noise is and why my AC isn't working. I will come back here and update this post. Whether it be their fault or something else i will update this post. Overall, it was a pretty awful experience.

Debbie S

★★★★★

Edited 9 months ago

I had an issue with the hood of my car not opening while traveling through the area. Every other place I contacted told me I had to wait until next week to see them, but Baker's said I could pop by fior a quick look. They readily fixed the problem, and I was quickly on my way.

Christina

★☆☆☆☆

Edited 7 months ago

I took my car here for a window motor that took a week to replace which I was in no rush the guy that worked on my car did a good job and was very nice but I was told by 2 different shops that what I paid was over priced for what I had done. I gave 3 stars because of the price. Needed to update after paying all this money the window still don't work! Just don't go here!