Transmission shop sued by car owner for allegedly holding vehicle for 20 months without repairing it

GRETNA – A transmission repair shop is being sued by a car owner who claims that his vehicle was in its possession for 20 months and was never repaired, necessitating the purchase of a replacement vehicle.

Harvey Williams filed suit against Alline Covenant of Metairie LLC and AAMCO of Metairie in the 24th Judicial District Court on Nov. 6.

Williams asserts that on Jan. 4, 2011 he was the owner of a 2004 Lexus 430 automobile whose gears became difficult to shift at which time he took the vehicle to be serviced at AAMCO located at 2527 Hickory Ave. in Metairie. The plaintiff alleges that AAMCO continually delayed the repairs to his car and that it was not until March 3, 2012 that he was told it would cost $3,400 to repair, $1,400 of which he paid upfront.

Williams contends that the defendant continued to hold onto his car and that after calling  on numerous occasion he told them it would need to be finished by Aug. 1, 2012 so he and his family could use it to attend a wedding. The plaintiff claims that in late July 2012 he checked on the status of his vehicle and was told it would not be ready by his deadline. In fact, Williams alleges that when the car was still not repaired nearly a year later in December 2012 that he filed a complaint with AAMCO’s corporate headquarters. The plaintiff asserts that the corporate office response was that the vehicle would be repaired within two weeks. However, Williams claims that in August 2013, AAMCO still had not completed the repairs compelling him to purchase a replacement vehicle.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract and detrimental reliance.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought by the plaintiff.

Williams is represented by attorney G. Karl Bernard of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division K Judge Ellen Shirer Kovach.

Case no. 744-062.