American Automobile Association [AAA]
Reviews and Complaints

An AAA agent called me today and threatened to make me pay for the damage someone else did to my parked rental car if she couldn't get ahold of them within a couple days. She made ONE call to them and they didn't pick up. Their insurance company is AAA too. Later, I was thinking about whether she had the right phone number of that person so I called back but she didn't pick up. Then I called back multiple times and she didn't pick up either. The former claim handler never picked up my calls nor replied to any of my emails, either.

1. First, she never answers phone calls herself so how could she just expect others would be reached on one attempt?
2. Second, if she were so occupied with other clients as said in her voicemail message, how could she possibly answer when the person who caused damage called her?
3. She didn't give email. So the only way to contact her is to leave her a voicemail and wait for her to contact you?
4. It is intentional delay of process on the part of AAA. However, AAA is holding me responsible for their inability to do their job.

Ever since Friday, I have been harassed by the rental company on a daily basis by phone calls and emails. Today AAA joined forces in that.

Can somebody recommend a good auto insurance from elsewhere?

On Aug 17 after my daughter reported the car getting "very hot" and there was "a lot of smoke" while driving home from school, I decided to have the car towed to the dealer from our home. The AAA tow truck driver suggested the AAA repair facility close to our home to spare the expense of the dealer.
On that day I spoke to Rick at AAA Chandler West. I requested that since they had the car that a safety check occur to make sure everything needed would be fixed. Every time a car goes for repair anywhere I always request this. He assured me it would occur.
Later that day Rick informed me it was the AC and it would cost $1400. I gave a verbal to get the repair completed. I asked if anything else needed to be fixed and was told nothing else needed repair. Rick stated the car would be ready on the 18th.
On Aug 18 Rick called to inform me the car would not be ready . Car would be ready on 20th. I again asked if anything else needed to be done. Now note, I knew the oil was low and I new there was no windshield washer fluid. Rick said nothing about these items. I paid for the car on the 20th and later that day picked it up from the shop.
Upon driving the car home my husband noted the check engine light was on. He would take it back the next day.
Aug 21, my husband had the check engine light analyzed at an auto store and was informed there that it was the emission valve, ( I personally have no idea how the AC and emission valve are related.) He took the car to AAA. AAA said the light was "cleared". Upon driving home, the check engine light came on again. We decided to the the car to the dealer. Ford did a safety check, and repaired a number of items including check engine light . That bill was about $900 and it took 3 days .
Ford also found the AC was missing a bracket and AC hose was resting on catalytic converter Uhm excuse me, $1400 and this was left undone?
AAA claimed that there was not a bracket when they initially got the car. ( I am finding that hard to believe.)
Aug 28, the car was retuned to AAA as AC was blowing hot air. Aug 29 was informed O rings on compressor were leaking. Car picked up on the 29th.

Sept 10, AC blowing hot again, returned car to AAA. Was informed Freon leaked out and leak was not immediately obvious so further investigation needed. On 11th my husband called and he was informed that they still have not found the leak.
So I understand that these events seem sporadic however my husband works out of town and hardly uses the car. This scenario is not ok. We have spent a lot of money. And we have been without a car too many days. 7 days total thus far since initial repair scrambling to get rides set up. Very frustrating.
Please advise, I believe AAA should fix the car and provide us with a full refund.
Thank You, Lynn Vanderhave

Nick Todd of I-40 BP tore my 1999 corvette apart, demand $120.00 CASH to purchase the part to repair my car, never purchased the part, left town. My car is still torn apart and unable to drive on road legally. Nick Tood has avoided all calls and text messages. His Father In-Law, who owns this I-40 BP told us that Nick "stole" are money, no longer works there BUT we can purchase the part and he "will fix my car". This place is a scam on several levels. On St. Patrick's day 2018, our vehicle got stuck in the mud, we call AAA to get a tow truck to pull our vehicle out of the mud, I-40 BP came to pulled us out, Donnie, and we were told we had to pay them $50.00 CASH, we questioned that because we called AAA and they were paying but we're told no AAA was not paying we had to pay CASH. This I-40 needs to be investigated. This morning we have file a formal complaint with the Crossville Police Department regarding money and designer Coach sunglasses Nick Tood stole from my vehicle while it was a I-40 BP for the repair they never made; Nick Todd stole money, Coach Sunglasses ($140.00 value) from my vehicle then stole $120.00 (CASH) he demanded to purchase the part for my car. This last incident took place on Sunday August 26, 2018.

As a long time AAA member, I am requesting you investigate these incidents because if they are doing this to us they are doing this to other elderly folks as well. Both my husband and I are Seniors Citizens.
You can contact us at the following:
William and Nora Massaro
261 Stonecrest Avenue
Crossville, TN 38571
813.205.7656 cell
931.277.5061 home
Nora.[protected]@gmail.com

I called To have my tire repaired at 10:30am a man from pro towing Fort Wayne came out he stated he couldn't remove my spare and was having a tow truck come tow us. Around 1pm the tow truck driver got here and asked what's wrong why we needed the tow and we told him we have a flat tire he got the spare off and changed the tire for us. 3 hours total it took us to get the tire changed when the first person just could of did his job.

I had my 2000 BMW 528i towed on Thursday, August 23 from my home in Hillsborough to Auto Logic in Carrboro. It was having transmission problems. When I picked it up from Auto Logic, I noticed the passenger side mirror was missing its covering. Auto Logic did some checking around, and it was like that when they received it, and the piece was nowhere to be found on their property. It was not like that when it left my home. We can only conclude the towing company bumped the mirror.
I'd like this fixed .Should I go through AAA or the towing company?

My car broke down in Pittsburgh, Pa and I needed towed home to Transfer, Pa. I had already been stuck in the car in my car on the 90 degree day for a couple hours and couldn't wait too much longer. The tow truck said he only had 2 trucks and was too busy to take the time to drive me home to transfer. He said that he could come back later that night to take me home. It was a scorcher of a day and I just needed to get home. I get 100mi free towing and it's an 80mi or so trip to transfer. I then had to call my brother in-law to bring his truck and flatbed trailer to come get me. That being said, we would like compensated for the gas ($70) and for the uncomfortable inconvenience of having to ask someone to take their much needed time out of their day to drive to the city of Pittsburgh, with a huge truck and 70' trailer, so we can spend even more money to get me and my car home ($85). I have been a loyal customer for 12 years and a AAA advocate. AAA has helped me many times in the past but I don't pay $85 for a service that I was denied. You don't buy a pair of shoes for $85 that they won't let you leave the store with! If I don't receive the compensation of $155 then I will be forced to cancel my membership.
Thank you, if there are any questions feel free to contact me.

Refuse to honor the membership terms
The AAA brochure and website clearly state premier members may receive one free battery per household membership per year if technician verified battery needs to be replaced.
Waited 4 hours, talked to 4 different people - 2 of them agreed the battery should be replaced for free, as per the premier membership benefits, and then 2 of them stated AAA never replaces batteries for free, and wanted me to direct them to their online material stating that they did.
Completely inept and worse than trying to have a political conversation with a 2-year-old!
AAA tries every underhanded trick to avoid providing services. The only reason people purchase a AAA membership is to be covered when needed, but in my experience, AAA has never come through as expected, not one time!

On 8/30/18 at 3:25p.m. I put a call in to AAA for service. My SUV had run hot as I was driving on Interstate 5 from Sacramento to Stockton. I pulled off the freeway at the next exit which I found a Shell gas station and went into the parking lot, parking on the side to examine under the hood. I found a hose had a hole in it which caused water to leak onto the ground and this caused the car to run hot. I was unable to drive the rest of the way home so AAA was called.
It took 3 hours of wait time for them to finally arrive! I also informed on the first call that there I had a passenger and would need to be towed to Stockton. This is a huge amount of time to wait for service and I am dissatisfied with the wait time and they sent a truck that was not capable of having 3 people. We had no other way to get home so we did what was necessary to get my car and us home, to Stockton! 3 hours is a long time to wait! This was excessive. I have been a member over 20 years and this is unacceptable! Each time I called for a status check, I was told, the truck is in route. Austin when he finally arrived to give service, he stated he didn't come on shift until 5pm and drove from Galt to Elk Grove where we were! AAA you have to do better than this wait time. A very long term member dissatisfied with your service.

On 8-8-18, we had to pick up our car from, Mid Valley Auto, in Bullheadcity, AZ. We had an leaking fuel pump replaced. At the point we paid the bill to the shop manager, Trevor Harmon, it was 730.00. We asked for our AAA discount at that time because they have the AAA sign in their office saying they give that. There was a flurry of confusion after that and we were handed the bill, and left. It wasn't until 7 days later, when our fuel pump was massive leaking again and we had to go back to their shop to get it fixed again, that at the end of that mess, we weren't even offered any kind of receipt or paperwork, explaining what we were told, that this new, fuel pump went defective and that was why we were forced back there. So, we demanded something in writing about what they had just done to our car, they gave us a copy of the original recipe, and added notes as to the defective fuel pump, it was then we noticed, no AAA discount, was ever given. When we asked about it this is what occurred. TREVOR, told us we were given an discount the first time, it just doesn't show on the receipt.? I said that's not how AAA rolls, you need to see our card? again? NOPE, he said, I said well you need to re do the receipt and give us our discount. So, he looks at our AAA card anyway, prints out a new bill after he typed something on it. What he did was shocking to us.. he gave us a new bill, jacked up the LABOR charges, then, deducted our discount that amounted to 30.06, leaving the bill still showing the original amount we paid of, 730.00. We got NOTHING! We want someone to look at ALL, the receipts we have from this and help us out here. We called the AZ. AAA office 2 weeks ago and told them all this, they said that a field agent would get back to us, no one did.

Hello. This is in regards to a battery replacement performed on 7/28/18 in Tujunga CA.
An AAA tech came to check out my vehicle and declared after allegedly "testing" my electrical system that I was in need of a new battery which I purchased for $129.10. While installing, no memory pad was used by the tech, so everything that was programmed was erased and he continued with pouring an entire large pitcher of water onto my engine! When he left, my vehicle started hard and has never run again! My vehicle has been in the local mechanic shop for 14 days with no resolve, and all tests pointing to the battery! The mechanic's name is Beto and the phone # is [protected] for any further information.
I have lost wages, and am basically stranded and broke now!
What I am asking for is a refund on the battery and for my car to be towed in to a mechanic of your choice to diagnose and repair my vehicle at your expense!
My name is Debra Laposky, email is [protected]@gmail.com, and telephone # is [protected],
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
Debra

My first phone call was placed at 8:38am my vehicle had stayed without gas and I had pulled over off the exit on 175 for easy access. I was told the driver would reach me by 9:40am at 9:45 I was still waiting with no phone call or text to updated me I called the service center where I was told the driver was 10 mins away at 10:15am still no driver no phone no text I called the service center once more where I was put on hold for over 20 mins I hung up and called once more this time I was told it would be another 10 mins ...at this time i asked to speak to a supervisor which told me there was traffic delay I told here that was a lie because I was on the express and could clearly see both north and south had no delays I informed her me and my husband had been plus members for 20 years and that now over 2 hours after my initial request I was still on the side of the road in over 80 degree weather .this is completely unacceptable for a paying and loyal customers..she seemed as if it did not bother her and told me she would have the driver contact me...in total I called the service center 4 times I not once recived a call from them to inform me of any updates as to when my driver would be here ..its now 11am and I am STILL on the side of the road ...AAA has seriously lost my business and or referral from here on out.

I called for tow service on 8/25/18. My vehicle is a 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500. It was located in an apartment complex parking garage which is also used for extra parking from Bart, which is located across the street. It is a newer structure but I'm not sure what the vertical clearance is. When I called at approx 8:30pm I gave the address to the AAA associatend and was then given an ETA. About a half hour later I recieved a call from the tow driver who stated he had was driving a flatbed truck and could not tow me from the location I was at. He told me he would handle it and get me the truck I needed. Shortly after that I got a call from another AAA associate stating she would have to call around to different locations to get me a wheel lift truck.
Another 30 minutes went by and I got a call from an associate named Dustin, a very nice guy but he informed me AAA had no wheel lift trucks available that night to tow me. He also said he wouldnt have one til maybe Monday, it was Saturday night when this took place. Luckily I had someone to drive me home. I dont understand how I pay for a premier membership with extra towing miles but when I call for a vehicle tow I'm out of luck. My location was not uncommon nor was it unaccessible. No actual person ever came on scene to assess the situation and see if it could be towed by flatbed. All communication was over the phone. What clearance do they need? Very unsatisfied member.

I was quoted a different amount than what I have been paying for my renter's insurance. Two different AAA agents quoted me a lower amount. Ever since, I have been paying more and wrote to the CEO, Paula Downey, who is now resigning, twice. Forget that AAA has been steadily raising my auto insurance premiums unannounced. The CEO never emailed or called me after two separate emails, with proof that the agents misquoted me. Stephanie Libman, a very biased "Member Experience Analyst, " based in Glendale, AZ put on the guise of helping me. Ms. Libman completely disregarded all of my evidence and facts. She also made absolutely no effort to satisfy a longtime AAA member who has paid thousands of dollars, with an impeccable driving record. The hidden fees are very much like the fees I have experienced with my cable companies in the past (e.g. Comcast). Due to Ms. Libman being completely biased against a faithful member who contributed to her having her job at AAA, I have decided to part ways with AAA permanently. I hope karma will teach Ms. Libman and any others at AAA a lesson for betraying a loyal member. For their unreasonable and unannounced premium price hikes, and their failure to waive their hidden "installment fee, " which would have cost them only $36/yr to reimburse me, they will lose approximately $750/yr in not making any effort to retain me as a customer. What ever happened to customers always being right? Bye bye AAA.

On Saturday (August 18, 2018). I called AAA regarding my son's Honda Civic which had broken down in Melrose, Massachusetts. We were parked on the street next to a hospital. My wife, my son and myself have AAA +. I called AAA at 5:45 pm. I was told that the truck would be there by 8:25 pm. I told them that I thought that was an inordinate amount of time. They said that this was a range, and they expected the truck sooner. The truck didn't arrive until almost 8:30 pm.
When the drivers arrived, I told them that the transmission appeared shot on the car. I based this on the fact that the car would start and rev, but it would not move. I mentioned that the car would initially move but after a few minutes it would stop. The drivers moved the card back and forth on the street, and then opened the hood. They told us that the problem was that "too much air" was getting to the engine. They tightened a hose and told us that the car was fine to drive home. I objected and said that my concern was that it would work for a few minutes and then break down. They insisted that it was fine.
They left, and I followed my son in my car. About a mile away, when we were entering an on ramp to route 93 (in Stoneham), his car stopped. I was forced to back up. Because of the traffic, it was necessary for me to back on to a sidewalk next to the ramp. THIS DAMAGED MY MUFFLER. Some good Samaritans came by and helped us to push the car across the street into a restaurant parking lot. At 8:24 pm I called AAA and told them what I just indicated to you. They apologized and said that they would get someone there immediately. At 9:08 pm I received a call from [protected], the person identified themselves as being from AAA. They said that the truck would be delayed, and that we should leave the keys under the matt in the front seat. She said we could leave and that the car would be delivered where we originally requested it. We did as she asked and left.

The end result of this is that my car in now damaged. I have been a member of AAA since 1984. This is by far the worst service I have received from AAA. My car is damaged, and I will need to get a new muffler. Under the circumstances I believe that it would be appropriate for AAA to compensate me for the cost of the repair. You may email me at [protected]@yahoo.com

Thank you,

Michael Giarrusso
membership number: 620 240 [protected] 2

I requested a battery jump last night, Aug 18, 2018, request #40184 in Burlingame, CA. I was texted by AAA that my tow would arrive at 11:17 PM. Another message stated I could follow progress on a map, which never worked when I clicked on the link. At 11:46 PM I received another text stating there was a delay and the tow would be there by 12:16 AM.
I request assistance at the Hilton front desk and the bellman came out and had me jumped in 10 minutes. I followed the texted instructions and texted back "Stop" at 11:52 PM. At 12: 26 AM, 2 hours after initial request I got a call from [protected]. We could not answer at the time.
So if the tow driver requested payment, we think it is a bogus claim. We should have been alerted much earlier in any case of delays and a different tow company should have been assigned in such a large metropolitan area around San Francisco.

On August 14th, my husband's truck broke down and we had to call to, not only reinstate membership, but to get a tow to a nearby garage. The reps were all very friendly and kind and, when I mentioned that I'm 7 months pregnant, they said they'd upgrade our call to get a truck to us sooner. The tow truck arrived in less than 30 minutes, which we were both grateful for. The driver that arrived did not address us, hastily rigged up the truck onto his and then got into his truck without a word. We had no way out of there, so we had to get into the truck with this individual. He proceeded to drive 75-80 mph down back country roads zoned for a max of 45 mph. At one point we drove over train tracks at this speed and my head almost hit the ceiling of his truck, due to how fast we were going. I felt very unsafe traveling with this person and do encourage AAA to follow up here. I've always had positive experiences with AAA and the drivers they dispatch, but I truly worried for our safety while riding along with this person.

Son was in an auto accident in December 2017.
50/50 responsibility was determined. He received his deductible back in May 2018. But now coverage is $60.00 higher a month because AAA says he is 100% at fault and increased our monthly payment. He has never been in an accident and this was explained to me that 3 points were added because he was in an accident and will stay that way for three years--there is no 50/50 score points, only fully at fault points!
This is really unfair !

While driving my covered 1999 Ford F-250 from Petaluma to my father in laws house in Sacramento, the transmission went out. Due to the time, about 9:00PM, AAA could not tow to the mechanic shop I had chosen for repair. Instead the truck was towed to Lines Ln in Carmichael, my father in laws house. I had to get on a plane to San Diego at 4am the following morning and could not be with it to order an additional tow at 8am when the mechanic shop opened up. Instead I got on my flight and left my AAA card with my father in law and called for a tow from San Diego to meet him with my card. I called AAA and spoke with an agent, then his manager Zachariah who refused to order the tow because I was not physically with the vehicle. Zachariah seemed to completely disregard my request for assistance in a difficult situation and could not have been less empathetic or helpful. Without the short tow to a shop on on This day before the weekend, the truck could not be fixed and I would have to take the truck in on the following Monday or Tuesday for repair causing me to miss work before returning home with my family. I was forced to pay 80$ for another tow company to get my truck to the shop. As a member of 25 years I was extremely disappointed with the service I received and am planning on cancelling my membership. I understand tha AAA has policies but in life there are circumstances outside our control at times. As a Police Officer For the City of Petaluma I regularly see the best and worst of people. This felt like the worst of people. Helping people is what I do for a living and getting this kind of return treatment is truly disappointing.

Thanks for your time-

Ryan DeBaeke
Petaluma Ca, 94954
[protected]

My car overheated and stopped on Highway 152 westbound from highway 5 heading to Gilroy. I called AAA and tried to give the best description I could of my location. I was in a very large turnout about 15 minutes from the reservoir. This was at 2:08 pm. I was told a truck would be out but might be up to two hours. Because I was on a freeway, it was given priority. It was also 100 degrees, no shade and I had very little water left — and I'm 70. I have on my phone 19 attempts to call AAA over the next 4 hours, 5 of which went through. I made it clear that I was in a no service zone with an occasional single bar. I could not receive calls or texts. I also was able to receive a 1 min. call from Los Banos, asking for my location, which I described. I made 4 more attempts to call Los Banos, but could not get through. When I realized after 2 1/2 hours that AAA had not sent a truck, I called 911. I was told a sheriff would come. I called again at 5:00 (1/2 hour later) — no sheriff came. The supervisor at AAA told me I had to call 911 — and told me that they could not send a truck until they knew where I was! I was beginning to panic.

When a truck came, it was not for me — he had been returning from a crash, saw me and wanted to confirm that I was a member. He said he could not take me. It would take another 4 hours. I became rather hysterical at this point, so he doubled up the cars and put me in the cooler truck. I was very close to collapsing from heat and no water — he can confirm this.

I spoke with Emily from AAA today. She claimed that they were "trying to find me". I do not believe that. What I do believe and was assured by the driver is that AAA screwed up initially, called the correct station in Gilroy, then decided I might be closer to Los Banos and cancelled the Gilroy truck — but never followed up to be sure the Los Banos truck was coming — which they didn't.

I honestly could have died out there. If not from heat and dehydration, then by one of the endless trucks roaring by. All they had to do was have a truck drive 15 minutes from highway 5 down 152 and find me. That apparently is against their policy according to Emily.

I have been paying $119 for extended towing service to have peace of mind that nothing like this ever happen since I drive alone through desolate areas. This is a serious complaint.

My dad is retired and on a fixed income. He is 83, and can be swayed to purchase products he does not need by sales persons. The AAA representative that sold my dad car insurance even though he does not own a car (his car was totaled by AAA) and he is covered on my car insurance should be trained to not sell products to seniors that don't need them. This is take advantage of seniors just to make money for AAA. AAA should also call my dad and refund any money spend on the policy and cancel the policy for this exploitative business practice.