NTB National Tire & Battery

My fiance took our truck in due to loud noises coming from the front end. They advised that they ball bearings were bad. They told us to replace them both passenger and driver side front end would be $492.00. We called back to tell them to do the work, and then the price doubled to $990. Because the tow bill would have been nuts we advised to only do the driver side then. They said that the truck was not safe to drive, that the shocks were bad etc. After paying for the driver side ball bearings to be replaced, my fiance drove the truck home and we took it to our mechanic. Our mechanic and two other mechanics confirmed that the passenger side was fine, and our shocks were fine too. DON"T USE THESE PEOPLE, THEY WILL TRY TO RIP YOU OFF. Also turned out the noise from the front end was the fan hitting the fan shroud.

Went there for an oil change and the next thing I needed tie rods and struts. I didn't have time to take it for a second opinion so had them do the work. Had to pay and pick up the car after they closed. Went to pick up the car and it was like driving a car without power steering. They didn't notice this when they pulled it out of the shop. The car now has other problems it didn't have before, but won't even go back there for an oil change as I think I got taken to the cleaners. I learned my lesson and next time take it to a trusted mechanic.

I went here for brakes after being told by the dealer that the rear brakes on my 2001 Lexus LS were due for a replacement. So I went to NTB in VH to save some money, and I had had good experience with them in the past. I noticed that a shimmy problem I was having while braking didn't go away after the brakes had been repaired. I already had newish brakes in the front, so I took the car back to NTB. They told me their was a 3-month "break in" period, but after two months and the problem getting worse, I went back. They told me the shaking was just normal road vibration and typical for any car. I couldn't believe it, as the problem had gotten VERY obvious at that point. I even offered to have the guy ride with me to demonstrate the problem, but he refused and told me I could have another mechanic look at it the next day. So I went to the NTB in Mundelein, and they were able to diagnose and correct the problem (worn rotors). They were really surprised at what I went though at the VH location. Shame that I can't go back to the VH shop (about a block from my residence), but I no longer trust these guys.

I was in the area to visit my mom. Got a flat tire due to a construction nail. Took it to NTB to get it plugged, and they told me that it was not fixable (?) Then told me that I at least needed 1 tire, but they needed to show me something....proceeded to tell me that all my tires had "tire rot" and will need to be replaced soon, also my back shocks and struts were bad and wearing on my back tires...interesting that they just so happened to have a "special" on those items. I asked for an estimate for 2 tires, then went to were I originally got the tires which were more $$ ($50), so I went back to NTB

and had two tires put on. When I got the bill, I noticed that it was considerably higher than just two tires. When I got home and really looked over the bill, I discovered that they charged me $114. for what they called a year's alignment maintenance and double charged me for getting rid of the old tires. I went back the next 'AM and talked to the manager. He proceeded to give me a line of bull about the alignment being done and the year thing was that could take it in any time this next year to get it aligned....rip off!!! He did acknowledge that I did get double charged for the tire disposal...blamed it on the computer automatically inserting it..BS!!!! DO NOT go to this place. They prey on unsuspecting people.

I purchased a set of new tires and wheels for my car in June 2008. I was told that if I purchase the road hazard warranty, it would be good for 12 months. In May 2009, I had to exercise the road hazard warranty due to hitting a chunk of concrete in the road in a poorly managed construction zone. When the car was done, I was told that I owed them almost as much as the cost of a new tire! I questioned them and they said that it was a pro-rated road hazard warranty. I can understand prorated, but I was not advised of that when I purchased the road hazard warranty. Not only that, but they tacked on a $40 installation charge (who charges $40 to mount a tire?) and shop fees. They had the gall then to tell me that I should replace my struts because my other tires were going to need to be replaced soon. When I had the tires/wheels first installed, I had to go back 3-4 times just to get the wheels balanced and had to pay for an alignment. The car didn't have all of these issues before I took it to NTB. If you want your car to be running in top order, don't take it to NTB. When I sent an email via NTB's website about my concerns, I was called by someone on their cell phone telling me to call them back at that cell phone number. This is not a professional response. Once I got in touch with this person, I was told that I'd have to come to the store to talk to them about it between 7am and 4pm. I called the next day to make sure that person would be there to talk to before driving over there and once the person who answered the phone knew it was me, the person I had called to make sure was there was suddenly not available. Nice.

I went there for brake work twice. The first time they did extra work without letting me know in advance. Of course I had to pay the extra hundred of dollars. The second time they won't honor their warranty. And if you have a coupon, chances are they'll find excuse to refuse it.



Won't go to this particular NTB again.