Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC

(10 reviews)

Auto Repair Stations Ohio Allen County Elida West Kiracofe Avenue

Allen County . Ohio

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Intro
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Location
Reviews

+1 419-204-1876
115 W Kiracofe Ave, Elida, OH 45807, USA

Operating Hours

Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Thursday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed

Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC Introduce

Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC, located at 115 W Kiracofe Ave, Elida, OH 45807, presents itself as a versatile establishment within the Auto Repair Stations category, indicating an offering of both general automotive repair and specialized performance or body work. However, the provided customer reviews reveal significant and concerning details about their operational practices and customer experiences, which are crucial for local users to understand.

The environment at Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC, based on the highly critical customer feedback, appears to be characterized by disorganization and a lack of proper vehicle care during service. One detailed review describes a truck sitting for weeks, "in the weather, uncovered," allowing "rain soak the interior and engine compartment." This suggests an environment where vehicles awaiting or undergoing repair are not consistently protected from the elements, potentially leading to further damage. The narrative also implies a chaotic internal workflow, with a key employee allegedly "steal $10000 in tools and took off," contributing to severe project delays and abandonment. This paints a picture of a facility that, at times, lacks the structure and meticulousness typically expected in a professional automotive repair setting, particularly when dealing with long-term projects like bodywork and restoration.

According to available information, Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC provides a range of services that span both general automotive repair and body work. These services, based on a BBB profile and customer complaints, include:

**General Automotive Repair:** This encompasses standard mechanical services such as brakes, exhaust systems, shocks, suspension repair, oil changes, and diagnostics (e.g., "Service Engine Light" issues, computer diagnostics). They also indicate offering services for starters/alternators and electrical systems.
**Body Work and Paint:** This is a significant area mentioned in the customer complaints, involving services like body panel replacement, rust repair, and frame repair. The ambition to handle such comprehensive body work is apparent, although the execution, as per reviews, is highly problematic.
**Performance Work:** The "Performance" in their name suggests an intention to offer services related to enhancing vehicle performance, though specific details on this are not elaborated in the provided reviews.

While they claim to handle a broad array of repairs, the negative reviews raise serious questions about their capacity and competence in certain specialized areas, particularly complex body and frame repairs.

The features of Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC, as highlighted by the extensive customer feedback, are predominantly negative and reveal critical operational deficiencies.

**Severe Communication Breakdown:** This is a pervasive issue. Customers report that Facebook messages became "the only way he would communicate," and even then, responses were often absent ("left on read and delivered"). The phone number was allegedly "doesn't work," and the owner reportedly "lied about that too later on." This lack of reliable and proactive communication is a major source of customer frustration.
**Extended and Unreasonable Delays:** Projects, particularly complex ones like body work, suffer from extreme and unexplained delays. A truck was said to be completed in a week but sat for two weeks before work began, then for additional weeks, leading to a total of "two months" of unfulfilled promises and ongoing waiting. This demonstrates a severe lack of project management and commitment to timelines.
**Alleged Deception and Misrepresentation of Capabilities:** Customers explicitly state that the owner initially claimed he "could handle" extensive body and frame work, but later admitted he was "a mechanic not a body work guy" and that his body work person "had no intention of fixing my truck." This suggests a willingness to take on jobs they are not equipped or competent to complete, leading to significant customer dissatisfaction.
**Poor Vehicle Care and Damage During Service:** The complaint about the truck's interior and engine compartment getting "soaked" from rain while uncovered is a critical concern, indicating neglect and potentially causing further damage to the customer's property.
**Unprofessional Behavior and Hostility:** One review details instances where the owner and his wife became "hostile" when confronted about issues, particularly regarding missing parts or deposits. The repeated provision of "excuses" for delays further underscores unprofessional conduct.
**Inconsistent Estimates and Part Sourcing Issues:** The core support issue, where the owner reportedly shifted blame to the customer for not knowing the extent of damage and was "incapable of getting parts," points to poor initial assessment and inability to efficiently manage the supply chain for repairs. The claim of being "screwing me out of parts and a deposit he said he needed to order paint" is an extremely serious accusation.

These features collectively paint a picture of a business with significant operational and ethical problems that directly impact customer trust and satisfaction.

Regarding promotional information, the provided reviews function as a stark warning rather than a positive advertisement. While the business may theoretically promote its range of services for general automotive repair and body work, the overwhelming negative experiences documented by customers severely undermine any such claims. The advice from a customer to "AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COST!!!!" or "If you've got your vehicle there and it's sat for an unreasonable time already, pick it up and get it to a different shop" serves as the most prominent "promotional" message from the public perspective. The absence of positive counter-reviews in the provided information means an objective introduction must heavily weigh these critical points. The business's phone numbers, (419) 204-1876 and +1 419-204-1876, are available for direct contact, but potential customers should be aware of the reported communication difficulties. Given the severity and detail of the complaints, potential customers are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution, thoroughly research all available reviews (including those on platforms like BBB if accessible), and obtain multiple estimates from other reputable shops before considering Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC for any service, especially complex body or restoration work.

Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC Location

Steve's Automotive & Performance LLC Customer Reviews

I took my 1978 GMC K2500 in to have body panels replaced, rust repaired, frame repaired, new shocks, new brakes and brake lines. All of which he said he could handle. The price quoted for the body work was to be labor only as I was providing the parts. The price for the rest of the work was to include parts. He looked at my truck and told me everything could be taken care of. If he would have told me the truth... that he had no idea what he was talking about and couldn't correctly determine the extent of the work needed... or, if I had read past reviews on Google and the BBB instead of trusting him... all this could have been avoided. Live and learn. I have no idea how to fully describe the nightmare that I had to deal with after I left my truck with these people. It sat for 2 weeks before anything was done with it... after I was told it would only be a week for it to be completed. Two days before I was going to have time to drive the truck home, his guy tears it apart, down to nothing. Hood, fenders, doors... all off. I thought "Great!! Finally getting to it, it will be done soon..." I couldn't have been more wrong. After it sat for another week, I went in to see why they were letting rain soak the interior and engine compartment. He told me it would be done that coming weekend and the interior would dry without ruining anything. Facebook messages turned out to be the only way he would communicate with me unless I went in there in person. The phone number for the place doesn't work... he lied about that too later on. After it sat for another week I went in to see what the problem was again. He tells me the core support was junk and his guy couldn't put anything back together because there's nothing to bolt to. He's acting now, like it's my fault I didn't know this and not that he's the one that should inform people this stuff when the information presents itself. I order the core support... because he's incapable of getting parts. It sits for another 10 days before the core support shows up. I drop it off... and it sits again for another 2 weeks... in the weather, uncovered. By this time my patience is gone. I ask him and his employee both if I need to have my truck picked up and taken somewhere else. They both tell me it will be done. I was told it will be done this weekend for the next 2 months. Finally, after my truck has sat outside week after week, he tells me his body work guy stole $10000 in tools and took off. He tells me his guy had no intention of fixing my truck... he got into it and found it needed a lot more work then he had told me and wasn't going to mess with it. He can't do the work because he's a mechanic not a body work guy. He says he's got a new guy showing up but my truck will have to wait, blah blah blah. This turned out to be another excuse. He had to fire the new guy and is looking for another one. I asked again about the interior of my truck and he then tells me it's trash anyway, it doesn't matter if it gets soaked or not. He tells me he can put things back together without having it line up right... he just needs to know what I want. Then, like magic, refused to acknowledge saying that and tells me he won't touch it without me getting a whole new cab to put on it. It all went to hell really fast after this. I was finally able to get AAA to come to pick up my truck, the parts I dropped off and get them out of there. He ends up screwing me out of parts and a deposit he said he needed to order paint. Him and his wife are hostile when I'm trying to tell them I have video of dropping all the parts off. I'm glad I got every conversation I had with these people on tape. I'm glad I kept all the Facebook messages. I wish I would have read the reviews first and gone somewhere else. If you've got your vehicle there and it's sat for an unreasonable time already, pick it up and get it to a different shop.

May 17, 2024 · Adam T Murray

Asked about getting a new headgasket in my Mercury and have been left on read and delivered on Facebook multiple times. I was willing to save the money and send it in to them but I think I’ll sell it instead. This fix isn’t something we can do and being new to town they were the first I thought to ask because previously they asked about the car when I was selling it the first time before this head-gasket issue. My first reach out was May 23, she said she would get back to me the following day about a used or new motor price instead of just the head gasket being done (May 24th is when I should have heard back from them first). Didn’t hear anything so I messaged them that day, no response left on read. Reached out again on May 29th asking for just the price on a headgasket no new or used motor price. No response left on read. Messaged again this wenesday June 14th left on delivered and I know she’s online and can see the unread message. I’m writing this review on June 16th (2023). Not happy with how this went at all. I’m not sure if it’s because I have to take the time to save the money before sending it in or what but not everyone can have the money right then and there. We just moved here, one income (just started my job and won’t see my check for another 2 weeks). I would never send it in and let it sit there that would be wrong on my end. Rant over

Jun 16, 2023 · McKenzie Burkhalter

Do not ever get your car worked on from Steve's automotive in Elida! We're having a terrible time with them!! Horrible service and horrible communication!!! The secretary fails to get back with you and has a major attitude!!! They still have my car and said they had all of the parts on Friday well now they're saying it's not drivable bc it needs a tensioner! Yesterday they said that it would be done today now they're saying different when we had to get a hold of them. The secretary doesn't get a hold of us at all. Worst mistake bringing my car to them. They keep giving us the run-around for parts.

Jun 01, 2022 · Michelle Strayer

I have decided I will not go anywhere else for our vehicles. Great turn around time, quality work and doesn’t put a hole in our wallet. If you need any work done on any vehicle this is the place to call!

Mar 08, 2023 · Madeline Hackathorn

Went to Steve's a while ago. His service was awesome and is work too. Today is different. Nobody answers phone. Voicemail says callback 24 hours, 2 days later im still waiting. If this is the way their customer service is, i wouldn't trust the work.

Feb 17, 2022 · Cheryl Rust