AAA Chicago
Reviews and Complaints

AAA Car Care Plus in Riverside IL charged me almost $800 to "fix" my ABS light coming on. They never fixed the issue, so I took it back in under their warranty and they "fixed" the exact same thing again just to still have the ABS light come on. I've spent MONTHS trying to get a refund (I went to an actual mechanic who actually did fix the issue for $70, and said AAA should be ashamed they didn't notice it was just a rusted wire.) and talked to MULTIPLE phone operators who kept promising me calls back, which never happened. Finally today somebody called me back and they'll only refund the labor and not the part THAT I DIDN'T EVEN NEED IN THE FIRST PLACE! I really feel taken advantage of and given the runaround. Cancelling my membership today.

AAA Service tech damaged my vehicle. By installing a battery backwards. this caused over 3 thousand dollars damage to my vehicle. After several months of sending repair receipts. And having many e mails with AAA employees. AAA refused to pay for any of the repairs. After going on line and checking what happens to a vehicle when a battery is hooked up backwards. And discovering what is damaged by this and seeing this is what was damaged to my vehicle. I sent copies of this report to AAA. They still refused to pay for any of the repairs. Even with proof that the damages were caused by the AAA service tech. This is by far the worst treatment ever. I would not have given one star in the review section. However comments cannot by left without an entry. They deserve NOTHING!

Took my car in for an oil change and tire rotation using a coupon sent to me. Had an appointment, but service took almost two hours. Afterwards I was given paperwork that indicated that I was in need of additional work I was told I needed control arms, tie rods, wheel alignment and ball joint to the tune of 1,200 dollars. It took over a month to get an oil change appointment (due to covid-19) but I could get this MAJOR repair done in two days. I decided to get another opinion...I found I only needed a ball joint and it was not an emergency. I did have it replace since I had to pay for the inspection and that fee was applied to the repair. I was told by a mechanic I trust that all the other repairs listed was simply not needed. Too bad AAA service center of Evergreen Park IL can't be TRUSTED...

A member of the Mid-Atlantic AAA, I was in Watseka, IL and had locked my keys in my van (1/17). I called to explain the situation, letting the woman who answered know that my insulin was also inside the van, so the need wasn't as great as if the car was running, but I didn't have all day to wait. I was told that it could be as much as an hour of a wait, but I would get a phone call when someone was coming out to help. An hour later, I received a phone call to let me know that the representative had called the affiliated providers and did not have a positive response. The service station in Gilman (about 15 miles away) were too busy to send anyone. No other locations were answering their phones. But he promised to keep trying. He also gave me the number for the police department and sheriff so _I_ could call to see if they were able to get me into my vehicle. Of course, they said 'no' and suggested a locksmith - giving me the number for one (in Gilman). He didn't answer his phone either - and, as of now, still hasn't returned my call. 45 minutes after that call (1:45 into the saga), I called the toll free number again and asked for a supervisor to get an update on the situation, since it was pretty cold outside. After explaining my situation, the supervisor let me know that it wasn't his problem and that after 2 1/2 hours, I could find someone to do it myself and would most-likely be reimbursed by my club. Let me say that again - I pay for a service, and when they can't find someone to make good on the service it's not their problem. Since my blood was boiling at this point, the cold wasn't so much of a problem. Waiting another 1/2 hour, I decided to do the legwork of finding a locksmith myself. With the promise of 20 minutes, the locksmith arrived as I received my next call from AAA letting me know that they were still working on the problem and would get someone out to help me as soon as possible. At over 2 1/2 hours since my initial call, they could have sent someone FROM DOWNTOWN CHICAGO to help - or at least have made the phone call that I did to find a locksmith who would do it. So, $45 later, set-back 2 hours 45 minutes, solving the problem myself eventually, I don't understand why it is that I should continue to trust that AAA has anyone's interests in mind other than their own. I called this morning about reimbursement. I finally talked to a customer service rep who let me know that it was not his problem either, that they would investigate, but that it will take a while. I can get reimbursed, but it can take up to 90 days. So - your car break down in the midwest? Lock your keys in your car? Need a jump? I'd suggest calling anyone other than these people of you want a timely response.

I blew a tire on the interstate and put in a AAA service request online immediately after pulling over and got an estimate of a 90min wait time. Then, because the online request had marked me at the wrong address several miles away, I called in to give a better location and make sure they understood that I was on the interstate which bumped me up to a priority ticket for safety reasons. 30min later I received an automated call that I was in the queue and would be called shortly once they found a driver. 30min after that I received the same thing. At this point, I called in again to ask how much longer as I was passed the original 90 min estimate (and still sitting in the ditch on the side of the interstate, which is never a safe place). I was told they'd call the dispatch and have someone get in touch with me soon. Then... nothing. I called back in 45min later and they put me on hold to talk directly to the dispatch center my claim was connected to and said I would get a call in 5-10minutes from the driver en route to me. 25 minutes later I still had heard nothing so I called back in... This is when I finally started getting to the truth, 3 HOURS after my first call. This time I was informed that there was nothing more they could do and they didn't know why no one had picked up my call or if a service provider ever would so they suggested I find my own tow truck and file for a reimbursement. I called my own tow company, but still had my AAA request open just in case, and was told 50min. While I was waiting for the tow company I called personally to come (which they made it in less than an hour) I got a call back from a AAA supervisor letting me know that not only could they not help me but they couldn't even get in contact with the dispatch center that was supposed to be helping me. It took AAA almost 4 hours and continuously calling to finally tell me they couldn't and wouldn't be helping me. I have been a AAA member for 15 years and my family even longer and this experience has left me wanting to tell everyone to drop their memberships because they will not be helped.

I expect reimbursement for all of the family memberships on my plan for this year because service was not provided and it took 3.5 hours sitting on the side of the interstate in a ditch even to get AAA to tell me they wouldn't be helping.

The AAA Drive is frequently dinging my ratings for "mobile distraction" on journeys during which I DO NOT TOUCH my phone at all. Just today, 4/12/23, I got a 3 out of 5 for mobile distraction, with a message about not using my phone, on a journey where I didn't touch my phone (and neither did anyone else)!

On at least 75% of journeys in the past two weeks, this has happened.

In November I renewed my yearly membership to AAA Plus RV for $148.00. I tried to use them for the first time this year on 3/26 for a flat tire. After logging the request through the app, I was informed it wouyld be an hour. When no one showed to change the tire, I called an was told that they were sending my case to :Dispatch" and I would receive a call. I never did get a call and had to resort to other means to get the tire changed. I would like my memrship fee refunded as they have failed to provide the service I paid for. My membership number is: ***. I sent a message to their *** page and have received no reply. Apparently, they are unable to provide reliable roadside assistance and refuse to respond to customers.

I have been a AAA member for 40 years now, but this year, on 3 occasions I have not received roadside assistance that meets the AAA standard and certainly not mine. I have reported each incident but nothing has been done to correct the problem. On two occasions, the request I made for service, (1 in the morning, the other, early afternoon) the driver came at 10:30pm and after 11pm. The other incident, a driver came to fix a flat but said he couldn't but the service call debited my account all the same ( this service call was in Feb.2021 but I was just made aware of it yesterday, July 6). I have reported each incident and requested these vendors be removed from the list if they were not going to show up or maintain standards of reliability. I am not being heard by AAA.

As an AAA member with membership number 429 020, I utilized Luckys Towing for battery service in January . They recommended a battery replacement and installed an AAA battery. In September , I reached out to AAA again, and Luckys replaced the battery. By July , another service provider jumped the battery, which failed within a week. Currently, on August 4th, I've been waiting for a jump since 6 am. I have issues with my Luckys invoices and seek to end my AAA services. AAA's customer resolution informed me that my membership, expiring in 2023, cannot be canceled, and no refunds are issued. I believe I should only be billed up to August, expecting a refund for the remaining seven months.

I went into the store to purchase a Travel Money card. The card amount was $2000. At that time, the clerk helping me at the front desk confirmed to me that the card did not have any hidden fees. So I went ahead and purchased the card by paying the required amount. However, the next day I was informed that there were fees when I went to use the card. So I went back to the store and asked them to cancel it. They told me they could not and wanted me to wait till they found a solution for me. After a few weeks of persistent followup the manager called me and told me that I would have to call the bank. I told him the only result I wanted was my money back. He said the bank would help me and should call them. I did that promptly and the bank told me that they could not return the money. I kept escalating, they delayed and finally was told after a few months that I could have the check sent back to me. Its two years since and I have not received my money back

On 6/3 I called AAA for to assist with a dead battery. The battery was purchased from AAA 5/19. The service tech from AAA came and asked when I last drove the car and I told him I thought 2-3 months ago. He said, my warranty was avoid, I did not maintain the battery.. Drive the car for an hour, it would be fine. I drove the car for 2 hours called AAA back asked for a new battery, they brought me a battery, charged me $138.50 for a new battery. I asked for a test of the old battery, the test showed it was only 48% effective. This was at 74 degrees F. the new battery tested 100%.. The new battery was manufactured in March, sat on a shelf not charged until installed in June. I checked the AAA website, and the paper warranty back of sales slip. No where does it reference 90 days required charge interval.. It says abuse, neglect. On 6/4 I sent the pictures of the test reports, and my complaint to the manager at the Chicago office. As of this writing on 6/10, no response.

I received an invitation to do repairs at AAA at a discounted price. I did an alignment. While at shop employee told me I needed tires the alignment wasnt right. I went back the next day and they made it Ok. But then I installed 4 new tires. So I went back a third time to do the necessary alignment again. 12/17, My complaint started on December 17. I called and talked to Al and Luis about my vehicle. This was the third time I went to AAA From their paper bills the mileage is 145311 recorded on December 2, When I went there on December 17 the mileage is now 145649, I drove 338 more miles with no issues. There 24 point inspection claimed I had only two issues. Not mentioning what the mechanic broke most likely because I went there three times or to create business. And not to mention the third date I went there. When I left I notice jerking in Transmission and started smelling a burning smell from their mechanic shorting out Transmission. And drainage on my ba

I purchased liability insurance with an agent from AAA on 9/10. The agent was ***. Shortly after purchase the agent called to tell me that due to a mistake, my rate was going to be higher than originally quoted. I decided that for the age of my vehicle, I did not want to pay that much for insurance so I went to Freeway, where I had a previous relationship. I purchased a policy with Freeway on 10/3 and called ***, leaving a message for her to cancel the insurance effective 10/3. She would call back, when I was working and I would call her back to confirm that I wanted to cancel the policy. She did not cancel. I received a *** instead. I reached out to a AAA *** explaining the situation and she assured me she would forward to the manager. I got a ***. I reached out to AAA customer ***, I got a ***. I reached out to collections, another ***, and I reached out again. No response. Please adjust the *** and remove from credit report & col

Yesterday - November 28th, I was towed from Lansing to an undisclosed location. AAA delegated the tow to Big Tows. AAA is responsible for the lack of safety as the tow truck driver, who seemed to be having a bad day, was quite vexed at having to work. I felt uneasy in the tow truck as he drove with apparent disdain for me. I attempted to contact AAA about the experience but was unsuccessful. I urge AAA of Chicago to reach out to me. AAA has disabled the review option for that tow. The driver took my credit card, read the details aloud to someone, and charged me an extra $40. I am hesitant to reactivate my card due to this incident. AAA is accountable for this unsettling interaction. They need to explain why they permitted it to happen. While not criminal, as I was not physically harmed, I believe AAA lacks proper quality assurance in their driver selection. I also demand a refund of the $40 overcharge.

I received a letter from AAA dated December 23 stating that they will not be renewing my member ship for auto club roadside services. I contacted AAA and they did not give an explanation just stated they don't have an explanation and there is no reason at this time and that is the final decision. They explained tha there is no appea process and this os a final decision. I have been a loyal member since ***. I feel this practice is unjust and unfair. My member number is ***. I have requested service, from AAA and sometimes have not received the services I requested but I have not complained, I've found other resources to provide me services. AAA has not always proved me and my family with the best services. I acquired this service at the age of forty I'm now a senior and I am in need of this service. I would like AAA to renew my service because it has been a service that has help me in the pass to get pass dangerous situation when I've been stranded on the the road. I appreciate your support and thank you in advance.

I contacted AAA Crystal Lake, IL on August 18th regarding a membership. I spoke with Joe ***, and he accepted my information and signed me up for a 1 year membership for $107.00 After further consideration, I decided I did not need the membership, as I did not foresee myself or family taking any trips or needing any AAA services within the next year. On or about August 27, I called Joe and said I wished to cancel my membership. Joe *** informed me that I had paid for a full year in advance, and that he could cancel the membership, though I would not receive any type of refund. I was confused, since I only had the active membership for a week, and had not used any AAA services. I asked Joe *** why this information was not disclosed to me during our conversation. He stated that it was in the Handbook that I would be receiving in the mail in a few weeks. The fact that any normal business will issue a refund for services not used, and the fact that this policy of no refunds was not disclosed verbally or in writing, is just plain wrong and deceitful. I did not sign any agreement with AAA, and they did not disclose their sales policies in a forthright manner. I respectfully request a full refund of my $107.00

On 11/2, I contacted Roadside Assistance for a tow as I had a breakdown in the city of Chicago. I waited 8hrs on the side of the road before receiving a tow. I contacted them several times in which the dispatch gave me a wait time of 1 - 3hrs initially, 26min, 1hr, 1hr, and no arrival until a total of 8hrs later. There was no explanation for this. Once the car was towed, my drop off location was closed. I waited until the next day to have the car moved from the initial shop to a dealership. Dispatch had the correct address and name of dealer, yet my car was towed to the wrong location. It took 3hrs to track down my vehicle as the company that received my car finally called. I called dispatch again and was told that they tried calling the tow company (Big Tows) but got disconnected, then no answer on the return call. I was then told I would have to try calling the tow company myself. I was not able to contact anyone even to date. They took my car to a totally different dealership and never reported that to dispatch nor me. I have never experienced anything like this in the 10+ years I've had AAA. I have tried reaching someone at AAA and continue to get automated service and waiting on hold to speak to someone without a resolution. This is unacceptable to not only wait 8hrs on a clear day for service, but to have my car displaced for hours with no resolution is an issue.

On November 17, I called my AAA Chicago roadside assistance for help with a flat tire. Despite being promised service within an hour, the technician arrived two hours later. The AAA driver, LaAntonio, seemed impaired upon arrival. Ignoring my advice, he incorrectly positioned the jack and damaged my car's bumper. I documented the incident with photos and a video. After numerous unproductive calls to AAA Illinois and writing to their Chicago office, I found no resolution. Even a corporate contact provided no assistance. It's unacceptable that a customer must struggle to address damages caused by a service provider.

11:46 AM (27 minute I received an invitation to do work at your shop at a discounted price. I went and did an alignment at there shop on December 02, The first time the alignment was off. the employee told me I needed tires so I went back next day and they made it OK. But then I had new tires put on the car. I came back and did necessary alignment again. When I left their shop I noticed my transmission had jerks and next day my battery was discharging. I called and spoke to l AL he was the manager on call I called and spoke to Luis he didn't know. I went in person and explained that my vehicle was not like that before. Al said I am saying that I am accusing them of this scenario. They claimed that they put 4 sensors on the 4 wheels and adjust. That was it. They also said my vehicle was 2003 year with 144000 miles on it so I should assume this was coincidence. I have a short that way a battery drain on a new battery. That is related to transmission problems or a ground most likely. Bottom line I was behind glass windows not seeing what was taking place. I didn't have this problem in the last six years I owned the vehicle. I was very stressed when in person talking to the management last time because they claim I am accusing them of this. I don't want to argue with them any more. My goal is to fix my vehicle how it was before I went in there to do an alignment What is AAA going to do about the issue. Nathan

On February 23 or 24, my car would not go into gear and was making horrible noises. I called Triple AAA who sent a tow truck to bring my car to the Triple AAA North Riverside Car Care Plus at 2512 S Harlem. I was told that the fuel pump was faulty. Upon picking up my car I noticed it was not running normally. The next morning when I went to get my car out of my garage, it did the exact same thing; not starting and not going into gear. I called Triple AAA once again who towed my car to the same care center and was later told I had a faulty gasket. After picking up my car, I noticed it was not running normally and was running rough. The next morning, it started but as I pulled out of the garage, it started doing the same thing. I noticed that the car would not accelerate and was dying out again. This time I had it towed to my dealer Pugi who discovered that there was E85 in the gas tank that was the problem. Subsequently the dealer sent me a letter stating that the other repairs were not necessary. The manager at the North Riverside Car Care, Mike *** said that if I could send him the letter from Pugi, he'd refund my money. I sent him the letter and he said my money would be refunded in 2 days. That was March 17. Subsequent communications with Mr. have been ignored. I was driving a car that they told me was repaired but actually very dangerous if I'd had to go on the expressway as it was dying out. Very bad work, very bad customer service.

To whom it may concern: I received a invitation to do repairs at AAA at a discounted price. I did a alignment. 12/02, while at shop employee told me I needed tires the alignment wasn't right. I went back next day and they made it OK. But I then installed 4 new tires. So I went back a third time to do necessary alignment again on 12/17 2020, When I left shop I notice my transmission had jerks that I never had before. The next day my new battery was discharging a battery drain. I left on 12/17 I called and spoke to al the manager. He told me he know nothing of these issue after I left there repair facility. I called and talked to Luis the manager he didn't know either. I went in person and explained to Al and Luis that my vehicle was not like this before I left there facility. Al claimed I am accusing them of this scenario. They claimed all they did was put on 4 sensors on the 4 wheels and adjust, that was it. They also claimed my 2003 year and 144000 miles was a coincidence I should assume why my vehicle suddenly has these issues. There is a short circuit, Break in the wire,Transmission control module that why my new battery is draining. This is related to a ground to power the transmission is not grounded. causing jerks and going into limp mode 2 gear causing a code P1684, all of a sudden since this happened after leaving there facility. I didn't have these issues in the last 6 years I owned the vehicle. Bottom line I was behind glass windows not able to see what was taking place. I was very stressed out talking to management in person when I went to the facility because they claim I'm accusing them of this. My goal is to repair what wasn't broke before I did a alignment. Two months now I haven't drove this vehicle. 30 years me being a loyal customer with AAA. When I spoke with Luis he knows what has to be repaired but, he has not diagnosed the vehicle This was done to create business. AAA ruined my vehicle. They knows in advance what they broke. He sent me to a Transmission shop without seeing vehicle. Why he know this unless they were explicit of what they broke. Shop told me $1800. To repair they too know what was wrong without seeing. I looked on Yelp site and complaintsboard.com, on reviews and there are pattern of complaints! Thank you. I,m a Senior Citizen and a Veteran. This is unethical to take advantage to create business to prosper. Please look into these Shyster practices! I came in there three times I had no problems before this! Nathan