Tow truck driver Sheldon towed my vehicle from NYC to LI. I made the initial call with AAA around 12 midnight on a Friday night and of course, we all know a tow is not quick. Sheldon was kind, clear and managed to get my car safely back to Long Island early next morning (I was in no rush). He was kind and very professional. Thank you.
AVOID THIS SHOP AT ALL COSTS.
My experience with Service Manager Johnny Beniquez at this shop was one of the most blatant attempts at upselling and dishonesty I’ve ever dealt with in the auto repair world.
I brought my 2019 Honda CR-V in ONLY for an overheating issue. I never saw or spoke with the actual technician who performed the diagnostics — all information came through Johnny. From the moment he called me, it was clear he was setting up an unnecessary and wildly overpriced repair.
Here’s what happened:
• I dropped my car off Friday around 2:30 PM.
Johnny told me “one of our guys will run diagnostics tonight and I’ll let you know what’s going on.”
Then he immediately followed that with, “We don’t work weekends, we’ll fix it Monday.”
So which is it? Diagnostics Friday night or nothing until Monday? Already suspicious.
• He recommended a car rental place that tried to charge me DOUBLE the price of other quotes I received.
Convenient for him — not for the customer.
• Monday, he calls with a laundry list of “issues” that made zero sense.
He said:
• “You had a misfire.”
• “One of your coils is bad, but you should replace ALL FOUR — they come as a kit.”
This is completely false. Coils DO NOT come in a “kit.” They are individual components, and replacing all four is unnecessary unless all four fail (which they didn’t). This was textbook upselling.
• Then he quoted me an OUTRAGEOUS price of around $2,800.
For a “might be” thermostat and “one bad coil.”
Any experienced mechanic knows these are fast, inexpensive repairs — assuming they’re even needed. I called my local hometown mechanic and he confirmed my suspicions, I was being conned and the price quotes was outrageous even for a New York shop. ( my hometown mechanic told me he could tow my car from their shop back to Massachusetts and fix both of the things he suggested for less than 1/2 of what they quoted me”.
• When I showed up and I told Johnny I was picking up the car, he became visibly irritated.
He made me wait for my bill, and then charged me $205 for diagnostics, which I paid — but the attitude was unprofessional and telling.
• The technician’s notes on my paperwork were honest. Johnny’s interpretation was not.
The tech never said four coils needed replacing.
Johnny did.
The tech never diagnosed a thermostat failure.
Johnny guessed it might be the issue.
I drove the car all the way home from Manhattan to Massachusetts, and through NYC traffic, with ZERO problems.
Temperature was stable.
No misfires.
No power loss.
No overheating.
Nothing.
So what happened?
Johnny saw an out-of-state customer, assumed I’d be desperate, and tried to turn a minor issue into a multi-day, multi-thousand-dollar job.
This shop needs to take a hard look at the way their service manager operates because this kind of predatory behavior is exactly why people don’t trust car repair shops.
Update: After reading the owner’s response, I need to clarify the facts so consumers aren’t misled. Look at the notes they provided, speak volumes.
Your shop admitted you could not diagnose any overheating issue — yet still tried to sell me nearly $2,900 in parts and labor (thermostat + all four ignition coils), even though your own report only showed a single misfire on cylinder #3. Recommending a full coil “kit” and a thermostat you could not confirm as defective is not “professional diagnosis” — it is upselling unnecessary repairs, which is a deceptive business practice under NY General Business Law §349.
My independent mechanic (with 30+ years experience) later confirmed:
• Thermostat was not faulty.
• Only one coil was needed.
• The root cause was a failed gasket — something your shop never mentioned.
Your attempt to rewrite the situation in your public response is gaslighting, and the record of the written estimate speaks for itself.
Charging $205 for diagnostics while presenting an almost $3,000 repair estimate without conclusive findings is exactly why consumers lose trust in repair facilities. Your response reinforces my concern that the goal was not accuracy — it was revenue.
Hello Mr. Garber. We’re sorry to hear that you had an unpleasant experience with the service advisor assigned to you. We have spoken to all staff members involved with your vehicle and apologize for any inconvenience that occurred.
To address your initial concern regarding the diagnostic charge. In order for us to repair a disabled vehicle correctly and guarantee the work we do, we must first properly diagnose the problem. Your 2019 Honda CRV was not exhibiting any symptoms consistent with overheating while it was present at our repair facility. The cooling system was thoroughly pressure tested for leaks, none were found. The cooling fans were tested both mechanically and electronically. Both were okay. The coolant level and condition were both okay. The technician took the vehicle for several road tests and could not duplicate the problem you described. Based on your observation of when the vehicle actually overheated and the inconclusive diagnostics performed by the service technician, it's safe to assume that the vehicle certainly has an intermittent issue, but not present at this time.
We did not perform any repairs on your vehicle, just merely checked everything that we possibly could to determine what could have caused your vehicle to overheat. You are very lucky that you were able to drive the vehicle back to Massachusetts safely. We strongly encourage you to have the mechanic who services your car regularly continue checking it to resolve the intermittent issue. You don't want this issue to catch you by surprise again.
Regarding the misfire recommendation. The technician’s diagnostic report revealed 3 fault codes present in 3 different modules, none of which indicated any past or present issues with the cooling system or overheating conditions. There was a fault code present for a misfire in cylinder #3. Although a misfire wasn’t felt by the technician at the time of service, it's possible that a misfire may have occurred in the past or when the vehicle overheated.
54th Street Auto Care is a well established local neighborhood auto repair facility with over 50 years of experience. We are the only repair facility in New York City to hold both AAR (Approved Auto Repair) and AAB (Approved Auto Body) certifications with the AAA. We are also the only auto repair facility in Manhattan who gives their customers an unheard of 2 year/24,000 mile warranty on all repairs. We have an excellent reputation and do all we can to protect it.
We take pride in the work we do and services we provide. Our goal is to make sure that every AAA member is totally satisfied with the service they receive. We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and hope that you're willing to give the AAA and 54th Street Auto another chance in the future.
rachel gilbert2025.12.02
I had a super experience with the entire team at 54th Street Auto Care. They were honest, tried to help me find refurbished parts when possible to lower replacement costs, communicated clearly about needed repairs and timing. Cannot say enough how great and helpful they were. Highly recommend using them for all auto care needs.
Breaking down is never easy- the tow truck arrived quickly and I was put at ease. Fred at the front desk was clear in communication, very easy to reach and helpful in every way. Work was done well and timely. They are not the cheapest people, but they are located in Manhattan. They cleaned my car as a nice gesture to give it back to me even better.
Tim jumped my battery on a AAA call a few days ago - and we ended up replacing my battery! It was the right thing to with the original, 7 year old battery on my Subaru Crosstrek...I would have gotten into more trouble had I just gone with the jump. GREAT guy, great call, super fast response time (15 minutes). Give that guy a raise!
I had such a great experience at this auto shop thanks to Johnny, the manager. From the moment I walked in, he was welcoming, professional, and very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all my questions, and made sure I understood what my car needed without ever feeling pressured.
Johnny truly goes above and beyond for his customers—he kept me updated throughout the process, made sure the work was done on time, and even double-checked everything before handing my keys back. It’s rare to find someone who genuinely cares about both the quality of service and the customer’s peace of mind, but Johnny does exactly that.
If you’re looking for an honest, dependable, and customer-focused manager, Johnny is the one to see. He turned what could have been a stressful experience into a smooth and positive one. Highly recommend!
STEER CLEAR! Inexperienced (or just stupid)! AAA contacted 54th Street Auto Care to pick up my car which had broken down in Manhattan. Car is clearly marked AWD which should have been flatbedded or dollied, but rather the 54th Street Auto Care driver dragged the car 15 miles and destroyed the drive train to the tune of ~$6K for resulting repairs. If 54th Street Auto Care cannot handle a simple tow properly then I wouldn't trust them to change my oil let alone any mechanical work.
@54th Street Auto: Glad to share photos of the car NOT on dollies. Would like to see your rear cam footage please indicating otherwise.
After hearing about this incident we opened an investigation immediately. The road service technician was promptly questioned and the dash cam footage was quickly reviewed. Additionally, the AAA did a thorough investigation of their own, collected all the evidence, and spoke to everyone involved in the incident. Video from the tow truck’s rearward facing camera confirmed that dollies were utilized to transport the disabled vehicle from the breakdown location to the Buick dealership in North Bergen NJ. AAA’s report also states that you had the vehicle repaired prior to reporting the damage and prior to giving the AAA the opportunity to inspect it.
Based on the evidence gathered the AAA resolution team concluded that the vehicle was transported properly using the correct equipment, therefore the alleged damage that you claim occurred as a result of improper towing is not possible. Because you approved the dealership to repair the alleged damage prior to inspection, there is no way to confirm the allegation. Additionally, when AAA inspected the parts that were already removed from the vehicle, it was noted that there was a direct impact visible on the driveshaft which would not be consistent with towing service. It's possible and probable that the alleged damage the dealership found was from a previous impact that existed prior to 54th Street Auto transporting the vehicle.
As a premier AAA service provider, we place ALL of our road service technicians into a rigorous and lengthy training program before they're deployed into the field to service AAA members like yourself. We make every attempt to mitigate problems from occurring by investing in the most up-to-date equipment available. Our entire fleet of tow trucks are new (1-2 years old) and fully equipped with the most state-of-the-art equipment available.
We take pride in the work we do and services we provide. Our goal is to make sure that every AAA member is totally satisfied with the service they receive. We’re very sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident and hope that you're willing to give the AAA and 54th Street Auto another chance in the future.
Paul Melnyk2025.08.24
I normally wouldn’t even pay attention to such insignificant people, but what really bothered me was the lies. I absolutely cannot stand lies, and that’s the only reason I’m leaving this review – because of Nicholas and his company, who are complete liars, scamming people. Instead of helping when something bad happens, and leaving a good impression, they choose to deceive and take advantage of someone in a desperate situation.
Here’s what happened in my case. My alternator broke down and I needed to tow my car 14 miles. AAA covered 3 miles, and then it was supposed to be $5 for each additional mile. As you can see on the receipt, they already lied and cheated me. They charged me for 15 miles instead of 11, which means they overcharged me by 20 dollars right away.
On top of that, we drove over the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, which is completely free, one way ride - from city to Brooklyn.
I don’t think my review will affect them, because these are the kind of people who only care about their own profit. By the sound of Nicholas’s voice, he’s an older guy, very “old school,” greedy, whose only interest is to grab the money without caring about the person’s situation, problems, or anything else. That’s his right, but it’s my right to leave this review and tell the truth about how you scam people.
When the tow truck arrived, the driver named Oscar told me he wouldn’t even move the car unless I paid him an extra $185 upfront. Keep in mind – I had already agreed on the price with AAA and was only supposed to pay for the extra miles. Nobody ever mentioned any “extra toll.”
And let’s be clear – there is no such thing as a $90 toll from Manhattan. You can lie to tourists, but don’t lie to me. No toll like that exists. I don’t mind paying if it’s a real fee, but you drove me from point A to point B and then invented a made-up toll.
So please, keep your lying comments to yourselves. I’m sorry that in New York there are still these greedy, old-school types of companies who, instead of helping people in trouble, take advantage of them. That evening, I had no choice. It was late, it was raining, and I didn’t want to waste another 4–5 hours waiting for another tow truck. So I agreed. When we arrived, I went to the ATM, withdrew $200, and gave it to the driver. Of course, he had no change. He took the $185 plus an extra $15, calling it a “tip.” For service like this, I wouldn’t even give one cent as a tip.
IOn the receipt, you can clearly see the lies – they cheated me on the mileage, cheated me on the tow, and listed a completely different amount. The driver lied at first, saying he wouldn’t go unless he got $185. But on the receipt, it shows $167. So again – lies and scams.
Let me emphasize this: be kinder. Maybe this review will make you rethink your policies and how you treat people. Though honestly, I doubt it, because greed defines you. All you care about is taking as much money as possible when someone is in trouble. But remember this – in life, the most important thing is to remain human, not to act the way you do.
Also, Nicholas, was extremely rude, unprofessional, and clearly had no idea how to treat customers. It felt like he would sell anyone and anything for just one dollar. I’ve rarely met people this greedy and dishonest.
And when I asked for a clear breakdown, I got more lies. I paid $200, and he said the “extra” was a tip. So imagine paying $38 in “tips” for this kind of disgusting service. Completely absurd.
So yes, I just want to leave this comment to say how sad it is that companies like yours still operate in New York, treating people this way. To you as a company, I only wish one thing: make the world a better place, work on yourselves. Though again, I doubt you’ll change, because I’ve read the other real reviews on Yelp and google, and it’s always the same story.
Maybe someday you’ll rethink your ways. But believe me – karma exists.
The congestion tolls have been very burdensome, confusing, and misunderstood since they took effect earlier this year. Most people are unaware that the congestion toll rates vary greatly for different vehicles. A quick google search will vaguely tell you its $5 for trucks however a tow truck with three axles and six tires (like the one that towed your vehicle), calls for a significantly higher toll charge. Also, the two wheels rolling on your disabled car behind the tow truck count as another axle therefore commanding an ever higher toll charge. We apologize if the driver did not make this clear to you at the time of service. Unfortunately we have no control over New York City’s policies and make no money whatsoever collecting fees for tolls. After reviewing your claim we did a thorough investigation, interviewed the tow truck driver, ran the numbers, and confirmed that you were charged correctly for the AAA service that you requested. The tow destination that you requested was confirmed to be 15 miles from your breakdown location and incurred total tolls charges of $87.20. If you would like to discuss the matter further please call us 212-265-3120.
Jerri Seidl2025.08.18
Outstanding to work with. Had a flat tire in Manhatten. Tow truck was there in less than 10 minutes. Since we had run flats and had to order them, we needed a tow to Long Island. Super friendly driver. Wish I remembered his name. Several weeks later, I called for a receipt to turn into insurance and the dispatcher, Dylan, was very helpful and friendly.
Thank you for your 5 star review and sharing your excellent service experience! We appreciate your business.
Nicholas Cochran2025.08.05
My 2016 Jeep Wrangler now drives better than the day I bought it.
Was it cheap to get it to this point? Absolutely not. But is anything in Manhattan cheap these days? Absolutely NOT.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re deep in the Google review rabbit hole for 54th Street Auto — just like I was. And I’ll be honest: I was nervous. Nervous about what this was going to cost after my brake caliper broke in the tunnel, and nervous about trusting a new shop with that kind of repair.
But let me tell you — my expectations were exceeded.
Fred is an absolute gem. He tells it like it is. No fluff, no games — just a clear breakdown of what’s wrong, what it’s going to cost, and what actually needs to be fixed now vs. what can wait. That kind of honesty is rare in this business, and I appreciated it more than I can say.
Richie, the owner, was just as great — checking in during and after the repairs, making sure I was fully satisfied and letting me know I could always come back if anything wasn’t perfect. (Spoiler: It was.)
Honestly, I think they fixed more than I paid for, because my Jeep feels brand new. I haven’t driven this smoothly in years. I’m beyond grateful — and now I know exactly where I’m going if anything ever happens again.
So if you’re in a bind, unsure who to trust, and already bracing yourself for the bill — do yourself a favor and go to 54th Street Auto. You’re going to have to pay someone to fix it anyway… might as well get it done right the first time.
Thank you for your 5 star review and sharing your excellent service experience! We appreciate your business.
Kristen Cooper2025.08.04
This shop towed my car [sent from Onstar and then an affiliate with AAA] and they dragged my AWD car DESTROYING my drive shaft. If you get a tow and see that it is from this shop CANCEL IT!!! Unacceptable. When we contacted them we got a "someone to help you is not in and they will call you in the morning." Never got a call back. This cost me over $5,000 to fix due to the shop's carelessness.
After hearing about this incident we opened an investigation immediately. The road service technician was promptly questioned and the dash cam footage was quickly reviewed. Additionally, the AAA did a thorough investigation of their own, collected all the evidence, and spoke to everyone involved in the incident. Video from the tow truck’s rearward facing camera confirmed that dollies were utilized to transport the disabled vehicle from the breakdown location to the Buick dealership in North Bergen NJ. AAA’s report also states that you had the vehicle repaired prior to reporting the damage and prior to giving the AAA the opportunity to inspect it.
Based on the evidence gathered the AAA resolution team concluded that the vehicle was transported properly using the correct equipment, therefore the alleged damage that you claim occurred as a result of improper towing is not possible. Because you approved the dealership to repair the alleged damage prior to inspection, there is no way to confirm the allegation. Additionally, when AAA inspected the parts that were already removed from the vehicle, it was noted that there was a direct impact visible on the driveshaft which would not be consistent with towing service. It's possible and probable that the alleged damage the dealership found was from a previous impact that existed prior to 54th Street Auto transporting the vehicle.
As a premier AAA service provider, we place ALL of our road service technicians into a rigorous and lengthy training program before they're deployed into the field to service AAA members like yourself. We make every attempt to mitigate problems from occurring by investing in the most up-to-date equipment available. Our entire fleet of tow trucks are new (1-2 years old) and fully equipped with the most state-of-the-art equipment available.
We take pride in the work we do and services we provide. Our goal is to make sure that every AAA member is totally satisfied with the service they receive. We’re very sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident and hope that you're willing to give the AAA and 54th Street Auto another chance in the future.
TY2025.07.25
My gf and I were trying to move a heavy treadmill earlier today from the 54th street. Didn’t realized how heavy the treadmill was. Elliot and the business owner saw us struggling so they decided to help us load and carry the treadmill all the way back. Even after Elliot injured his hand because of helping us. We felt so grateful yet sorry about causing them so much trouble. I know this is a little irrelevant to being a customer. But if I do own a car in Manhattan I’ll absolutely only choose 54th as they are so caring and kind. Thank you all for helping us! 🙏
Thank you for your 5 star review and sharing your excellent service experience! We appreciate your business.
Dorline Bosboom2025.07.22
My husband's car would not start. Needed a tow to a repair place. This company was great even with AAA messing up time of arrival. Will use them for regular car service when necessary
Thank you for your 5 star review and sharing your excellent service experience! We appreciate your business.
Jane Michael2025.07.16
I can't speak highly enough about Kevin and the team at 54th Street Auto care. They are responsive, informative and helpful at every turn. They explain everything whether about the repairs needed or the insurance process. They are the very best!!
Thank you for your 5 star review and sharing your excellent service experience! We appreciate your business.
Eileen P Costigan2025.07.12
My car died in Manhattan, so I called AAA and the guy determined it was the alternator not the battery. I needed a tow and West 54th Street Auto Care’s tow truck driver showed up within the hour. It’s a AAA certified business. The shop owner was transparent about what exactly was wrong, the pricing and timing for me to pick it up. Everyone I dealt with at this Auto Body Shop was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. They even threw in a free car wash - nice surprise! Both AAA and West 54th Street Auto Care earned a customer for life after providing such wonderful service. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! (and I rarely write reviews, but these guys absolutely deserve it and your business!) I’ll be back for my inspection, oil changes and any other car problems. Thanks a million!
Thank you for your 5 star review and sharing your excellent service experience! We appreciate your business.
Ellie Reinhardt2025.06.17
Kevin and the rest of the 54 st. auto care staff were amazing to work with. They explained everything in detail, answered all of our questions, and made sure that we were well taken care of. They helped us deal with our insurance company and offered fair, knowledgeable advice. Our car came back fixed and clean! They are my new go-to spot for all my car needs, I cannot recommend them enough. Thank you 54 St. Auto Care!!
Thank you for your 5 star review and sharing your excellent service experience! We appreciate your business.
Brianna Cooper2025.06.06
I hate to say, but I will NEVER be using 54th Street Auto ever again and would never recommend that anyone use 54th Street Auto to have a car towed. We broke down in Manhattan on Saturday and called On Star to have the car towed. By chance, they sent 54th Street Auto to tow the car. As a 27 year old girl who knows nothing about cars, I didn’t know any better to step in at the time. The all-wheel-drive car was dragged on its back wheels from Manhattan to the closest Buick dealer in New Jersey (North Bergen). Because the car was not towed properly with either a flat bed or dolly on the back wheels, the car has suffered SIGNIFICANT damage. Minimally: the drive shaft, differential, transfer case, and rear tires are absolutely destroyed. The damage will be at least $5,000 to fix ALL because our tow truck driver did not properly tow the car. To clarify, NONE of this was a problem before the car was towed. The car was initially towed for a thermostat issue. This is beyond upsetting and honestly shameful that a tow truck driver wouldn’t know how to tow a 4WD car. All of this could have been avoided.
After hearing about this incident we opened an investigation immediately. The road service technician was promptly questioned and the dash cam footage was quickly reviewed. Additionally, the AAA did a thorough investigation of their own, collected all the evidence, and spoke to everyone involved in the incident. Video from the tow truck’s rearward facing camera confirmed that dollies were utilized to transport the disabled vehicle from the breakdown location to the Buick dealership in North Bergen NJ. AAA’s report also states that you had the vehicle repaired prior to reporting the damage and prior to giving the AAA the opportunity to inspect it.
Based on the evidence gathered the AAA resolution team concluded that the vehicle was transported properly using the correct equipment, therefore the alleged damage that you claim occurred as a result of improper towing is not possible. Because you approved the dealership to repair the alleged damage prior to inspection, there is no way to confirm the allegation. Additionally, when AAA inspected the parts that were already removed from the vehicle, it was noted that there was a direct impact visible on the driveshaft which would not be consistent with towing service. It's possible and probable that the alleged damage the dealership found was from a previous impact that existed prior to 54th Street Auto transporting the vehicle.
As a premier AAA service provider, we place ALL of our road service technicians into a rigorous and lengthy training program before they're deployed into the field to service AAA members like yourself. We make every attempt to mitigate problems from occurring by investing in the most up-to-date equipment available. Our entire fleet of tow trucks are new (1-2 years old) and fully equipped with the most state-of-the-art equipment available.
We take pride in the work we do and services we provide. Our goal is to make sure that every AAA member is totally satisfied with the service they receive. We’re very sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident and hope that you're willing to give the AAA and 54th Street Auto another chance in the future.
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