A Florida woman says she borrowed thousands of dollars to repair her 2008 Ford Edge, only to learn months later that the transmission work listed on her bill may never have been performed.
Jade Hill’s Edge stopped moving last November and was towed to AAction Better Built Transmissions in Pembroke Pines, according to Local 10 News. Hill says a service advisor told her the SUV needed transmission work, resulting in a $3,850 bill she couldn’t afford without taking out a loan.
When Hill collected the Ford, it was running again, and she believed its transmission had been rebuilt or replaced. Her invoice listed extensive transmission work alongside axle repairs, and she says the shop provided a one-year warranty.
Months later, however, the mechanic who says he actually worked on the Edge contacted Hill. He had recorded portions of the repair and claimed the transmission was fine, with the SUV’s front axles being the actual problem.
The Mechanic Recorded The Repair
The recordings obtained by Local 10 News show the mechanic working on Hill’s Edge and identifying two replacement axles. During a subsequent test drive, he says the transmission shifts properly and doesn’t need to be touched.
Things get considerably more uncomfortable when the mechanic returns to the shop and speaks with a service advisor identified by Hill as AJ. After learning that both axles were bad, the advisor can be heard acknowledging that he had already sold the customer a transmission job.
Another recorded exchange allegedly captures the advisor discussing Hill’s $3,850 bill and laughing. Hill told the station she was “livid” after seeing the footage.
The invoice makes the discrepancy particularly significant. It lists a general transmission overhaul and reconditioning, along with an overhaul kit, torque converter, valve assembly, piston kit, transmission fluid, and labor. Replacement axle assemblies are also included.
The Shop Strongly Disputes Her Claims
There is another side to the story. AAction Better Built Transmissions and owner Luis Merchan dispute Hill’s allegations, with attorney Alejandro Velez telling Local 10 News that company records show the Edge arrived inoperable and received the transmission repair for which Hill was charged.
The shop also questioned the credibility and motivation of the former mechanic who made the recordings. According to its attorney, he was terminated for cause following alleged misconduct that included chronic tardiness and abusive language, and allegedly threatened to damage the company’s reputation.
Velez further argued that the recordings were made without consent using Meta smart glasses in an employees-only portion of the business. The shop maintains that their release was part of a retaliatory effort by the former employee.
Those allegations don’t establish whether the transmission work did or didn’t happen. They do mean the mechanic’s account is disputed, making the recordings, repair documentation, and parts records particularly important to determining what actually occurred.
The Shop Says It Has Records Of The Transmission Work
AAction told Local 10 News that it launched an internal investigation involving diagnostic information, technician logs, and parts records. The company said it would work directly with Hill if that investigation uncovered improper conduct.
However, when the station asked to see the records the shop says document the transmission repair, they had not been provided as of the report’s publication.
Hill hired Fort Lauderdale attorney Michael Salazar, who sent the business a demand letter alleging that she had been billed thousands of dollars for transmission work that wasn’t performed. Salazar described the recordings as compelling evidence supporting her position.
The Dispute Has Since Been Resolved
There may never be a public determination of precisely what happened to Hill’s Ford. As Local 10 News prepared its report, Salazar said the two sides had reached a resolution, although he declined to disclose its terms.
Hill nevertheless wanted her experience made public. Considering that she says she had to borrow money to cover a $3,850 repair, it’s easy to understand why the distinction between replacing two bad axles and performing an extensive transmission overhaul matters.
For customers, the dispute is also a useful reminder to keep detailed invoices and ask shops to document major repairs and replaced components. When a repair bill stretches into the thousands, knowing exactly what was diagnosed, authorized, and ultimately installed can become very important if questions emerge later.