Pep Boys Auto Parts & Service

2570 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701, USA

Address:	2570 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701, USA
Phone:	+1 757-488-1979
Site:	storelocator.pepboys.com
Rating:	2.7
Working:	8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 9AM–6PM

Location

Photos 52

Reviews 5

Jason Lahey

I went in for a tire rotation and brake inspection. Before all this my brakes were working just squeaky. Mechanic rotated tires but used pneumatic impact to put lugnuts back on. He did not check the lugnuts with a torque wrench. I watched the whole thing because places like pep boys are infamous for not using proper torque. For the brake inspection I asked mechanic to bend the backing plate away from rotor because I replaced the abs sensor and did not do it enough. I also did my front brake pads and rotors on driver and passenger. Mechanic inspected them by taking one caliper bolt out and rotating caliper to check pistons. Again just used an impact to put bolts back on, no torque wrench. Mechanic told me everything looks good and to just grease the front left and right sides with brake and caliper grease on caliper guides, back of brake pads, and brake slides. I can do that so I got the grease for $6 instead of getting charged for a full brake job because that is what the mechanic said to me. I asked him if i could drive the truck still without greasing, he said it was fine they will just keep speaking.. The point is mechanic said all four brakes are good. Also the rear left and right brake pads and rotors are 2 months old and both calipers were rebuilt by a very reputable diesel mechanic in Chesapeake. I drive home about 5 miles. The next day I drive to work where I can apply the grease. 24 miles in my truck is crawling from the resistance coming from the 2 front brakes. I have a F350 with a 7.3 liter diesel engine. To make a truck like this crawl when I am pressing heavy on the gas pedal is a lot of resistance. I pull over and they are rolling smoke. What happened to my brakes are good? Went to a different mechanic and he had to replace both calipers, brake pads, and rotors for $700. Upon removal of rims mechanic found they were over torqued which does cause rotors to warp. I double checked this on the rear tires afterwards and it took 167 pounds to break free and the torque spec is 150 pounds. Then the caliper bolt took 104 pounds to break free and it is supposed to be 44 pounds. This would cause issues. I called pep boys and they denied everything and said they did use a torque wrench. On my drive home from work both back calipers started smoking, therefore destroying my other 2 rotors and brake pads leaving me with another $650 bill. All 4 brake lines replaced and old lines have no internal corrosion. Called pep boys back and they told me the over torquing is not the problem and they will not repair my brakes. I called the Ford dealership and told them what happened and they basically confirmed that the over torquing is quite possibly the problem. I also went to pep boys and just watched the mechanics work on tires. I witnessed them use a torque wrench once out of the four times. Do not go to the pep boys on Airline Blvd in Portsmouth.

Alexander DuCharme

Last time I went here was 2005, and they pissed me off so bad Ive never been back to this one or any other Pep Boys since. Long story short, they charged me for labor, for labor that wasnt even done on the car. I took it in for a starting issue. I told them if they jiggle the keys around the car will start right up, indicating something wrong with the wiring or the rotary switch. Said they fixed the problem and gave the keys back to my 8 months pregnant wife in the middle of winter. It started up for her and she took it. An hour later shes in town stranded. Car wont start. All they did was spray wd40 into the key switch, "overhauled" it they said. I dont even think they took apart the steering column to look at it. I was so angry I nearly lost my temper with them when I went back to give them a piece of my mind. That smug idiot had no idea how close I was to snatching him by the neck and shaking him like a rag doll. It took me contacting their corporate office to get any kind of assistance. I know it was a long time ago. I have no idea how they are now. But Im not going back to find out. As far as Im concerned, if theyre owned by the same people, Im not going back. Avoid this place.

David Macaulay

My recent experience at Pep Boys on Airline Boulevard in Portsmouth reminded me why I should take more account of terrible reviews. I took my car in for an inspection. The inspector told me it failed and most of the brake parts were defective. They told me it would cost about $500 to fix. I took the parts list to Advance AutoParts where they were cheaper. I still spent about $220, but it would have been more at PepBoys. I took them to my mechanic who told me most of the parts PepBoys told me were defective were not and they were trying to rip me off. I took back many of the parts to Advance and received a refund of about $130. After my mechanic did the work I tried to take my car back to Pep Boys for a re-inspection in the evening. On three occasions they told me they were too busy and could not re-inspect. I finally took it somewhere else and it passed the inspection. The whole experience was a pain. Next time I will read the reviews and never use this awful place again.

Bill C.

I do not trust this place. My car needed a brake fluid change, something that should be done regularly. Their website even suggests doing this regularly. So I called asking how much it costs. The first thing the guy said was "Why do you think it needs changing?" I explained it looks old and dark in color (something that happens to brake fluid over time). Then he tried to tell me theres probably something major wrong with my brakes to make the fluid dark, but told me I could come in for a free brake inspection. Sounds like a load of garbage. Like they would ever waste their time on a free brake inspection to tell someone their brakes are perfectly fine. Seems like every "free" brake inspection would equal them convincing you that you need hundreds of dollars in repairs. With something like brakes, most people would be too scared not to have the repairs done. He still never told me how much a fluid exchange costs.

Sarrah Isenhour

I was towed to this facility when my engine wouldnt turn over. They told me it was the Cam Shaft Position Sensor (a $150 part). I authorized them to make the fix, and when I arrived to pick up my car (and after paying over $400), it was not fixed. Prior to the issue, it started right up smooth as can be and now, it squealed, took a few seconds for the engine to turn over, and they had the nerve to tell me this was an acceptable fix. Concerned that it wouldnt start in the morning, I left it there to give them the opportunity to try again, but faith was not instilled in me as the (very polite) customer service rep said the mechanic who worked on the car, Joey Campos, was the best in the job they have. I have put a complaint into USAA who referred me and just pray it will all work out. Thing is, one shouldnt have to pray to not be screwed and financially taken advantage of by what is supposed to be a reputable shop.