Cowan Tire & Auto Service

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  MusicOfHand
3 months ago
So I needed new tires and they didn t have them that day but ordered them for me for the next. They got my new tires and an inspection. They noticed the check engine light and found 15 codes. They didn t have time that day or the next but got me in Friday. They took the entire day but was able to find it was my timing belt and because the timing belt was not that old they reset it and that s all that was needed to fix my issues. They knew I was traveling take did a check of the car to make sure I would be traveling safe.They really are down to earth kind of people and very genuine. I will definitely be back if I have any trouble. I also know they were super busy and to fit me into their schedule was super nice of them. Defiantly worth every penny.

  Golfergirl
5 months ago
I had a nail in one tire, and another one patched. I needed new tires before an eight hour drive south. Cowan got me in in less than 24 hours, with new tires. I arrived a little early for my appointment, however, that wasn t a problem. They got me in & out in 1 1/2 hours. Having the new tires gives me such a sense of safety & security being on the highway tomorrow. They were awesome!Service: Tires

  bmac4peace
2 months ago
Only went here for an inspection, but the service I received was top notch. Very nice people who were ready for my vehicle at my appointment time. I will definitely give them a try at maintenance and repairs.

  RYAN McCullough
3 weeks ago
This was my first visit they did an excellent job at looking out for me and taking care of my issue with my vehicle. Special thanks to Chris and Piper the front end gentlemen that started this process. Thanks for the team in the back also appreciate your efforts

  pacedillo1611
a year ago
I am absolutely livid. my son, my wife who is 33 weeks and I went to go pick up our vehicle from Cowan tire . I had to replace a water pump. I was told that they drove the vehicle to ensure that everything was fine only for me to get back on Highway 74 back to Shelby and break down several minutes later truck running hot and then having to get a little bit of water back into the system to get it somewhere safe. I m drenched from the rain and to be absolutely honest, I will never come back to Cowan Tire for any work. I hope if someone is reading this you re considering this experience. This was absolutely awful. I just want my truck done, right let s go our separate ways. Thank you Cowan tire.

  Josie Hannah Thompson
4 months ago
In June I got new tires. I was told I needed 4 brand new tires. They were all very worn. 2 were. They were bad with metal showing. However the other 2 were fine. Worn but still safe for a while. Because of the attempt to upsell me I decided I should go to another store. Now I am having my car towed because 3 of the lug nuts that were on the tires that were replace were cross threaded and broke and are now just spinning. And one was cross threaded and tighten so badly it has bored a hole in my wheel. So 2 tires from them is going to cost hundreds in repair cost. I was told I do not do enough business with them and I didn t buy the insurance. Well they were the problem. Not the tires!!! Be awareI will post pics when I can get it properly fixed

  Scott Conklin
6 months ago
Had my truck front end alignment,tire rotation and front brakes done, all done well. Made an appointment and it was honored on time. Guy who took my appointment was top notch very professional and personable. Wouldn't have any problems bringing my truck back for service or recommending them. Overall a good experience.

  Ralph Broeils
4 months ago
Excellent service. Fixed my front brakes to pass inspection. Going in later this month to fix rear brakes and four corners alignment. Marc and Mark did a superior job/service!

  James Machynski
3 weeks ago
They have taken care of all my cars since 2008. I never have to worry because they are always honest and fair with their prices. You will never find a better Auto Service

  Terri Wells
3 years ago
BIG shoutout to Cowan Tire and Auto Service. I recently bought a 1995 Jeep Wrangler that had not been driven in a while. It definitely needed to have the engine throughly checked over. They took the best care of my 1995 Jeep Wrangler. They did a 30 point checkover. They found several areas needing repair and service. They gave me an estimate and answered all my questions. Top notch service for sure and so personal and informative to help me navigate the best options for getting the Jeep ready for spring and summer. They helped me decide on tires and a lift kit that look great and make driving my Jeep so much fun. They performed repairs and service in a very timely manner. I LOVE what they did. She runs better and drives better. Very affordable and a great value for price. They are very knowledgeable with expert skills. I highly recommend them. Staff was very friendly, helpful and well organized. I definitely left with a big smile on my face. Thanks to all the staff and management. Job Well done!

  Stephen Saucier
7 months ago
Saving the Day and Our Trip - Recently, I experienced a problem with our handicap van on my way to work in Charlotte and half way there I had to turn around. I headed straight to Cowans, as I've done many times before when there its an issue. The engine was suddenly sounding different and the dash engine light went on. Fortunately I was able to make it back to to Rutherfordton. I arrived before opening but as usual the staff were there and they immediately began investigating the problem even though I did not have an appointment and they clearly had a packed schedule. They not only took me right away, Hunt and his team repaired the problem, got me back on track to get to work that day, and they also made sure we were good for our planned weekend trip. They fixed the problem, tested it, and put a treatment in the gasoline to help prevent further problems. They have always prioritized keeping our handicap van running to ensure that my daughter's mobility system is working and providing her the deserved independence. They are great mechanics, community supporters and awesome friends you can count on. They will KEEP you running!!!Service: Electrical repair

  Jeremy Vilhauer
5 months ago
Had my pregnant girlfriend take her for a front end vibration that was worrying her. I am in Virginia several weeks at a time for work so it s not something I could just come home to take a look at. Dropped the car off and received a call back shortly saying the rear wheel bearing was culprit, skeptical because it s clearly a front right vibration issue but this place swore up and down that this rear wheel bearing was issue for front right vibration. The shop kept the car for nearly 5 days for a 2 hour job. Fast forward to picking up the car immediately she notices the issue is not fixed what so ever. Which tells me the vehicle was not test driven before or AFTER for diagnosis. Which means they literally did bare minimum. I can promise you none of these techs are ASE or icar certified. I made a special trip home 7 hours away just to prove a point to diag the car myself. The issue is lower control arm bushings are completely shot. So tell me why I diagnosed this issue in 10 mins but a professional shop could not? A complete joke. Do not take your vehicle here it s not but billy bob and the yeehaw gang working on your car. No professionalism what so ever. Open since 1944 and ripping people off ever since is their motto.

  steve deckert
7 months ago
Friendly folks and good service however don't ask them to claim a tire warranty for you, they were supposed to send my Goodyear tires in for warranty and I even called them several times to make sure they sent them in however 3 weeks later I get a call and Chris said that my tires where tossed and there's no chance of getting the warranty claim. These where top of the line 85k tires with under 30k on Them so I'm out a lot of money, I guess I'm going back to my old tire store. Goof luck with Cowan tire & service

  Erica Stafford
4 months ago
These guys do an awesome job. Very knowledgeable and friendly. I'll not be taking my car anywhere else.

  Jim Yorke
7 months ago
Dropped off my mom's car because front brakes were pulsing. John had vehicle checked and informed us there were no safety issues and recommended to not replace anything due to very minor rotor warp and 80% of brake pads left. It is very hard to find honest people anymore and Cowan's just earned a customer for life!

  Only 1 Stegall
2 months ago
Summery:Cowans blatantly took advantage of my parent s lack of understanding of a problem with their vehicle. You should be able to trust your mechanic, or any tradesperson for that matter. A tradesperson who takes advantage of their customers is nothing more than a scoundrel and a cheat, and that s a perfect description for Cowans. Furthermore, an incompetent mechanic is not only a waste of your resources, but a true danger to your family s safety.Details of our experience with Cowans :My parents took their older model ford ranger to Cowans for a clutch problem. The issue was the pedal would randomly lose pressure which indicates a problem with the hydraulic system, either the master or the slave cylinder, or both. Bleeding the clutch would temporarily resolve the issue, but it would soon return. A key detail here is the complete clutch kit was previously replaced personally by myself in my home shop. Unfortunately, after about a year, the master or slave cylinder in the clutch kit went faulty and the result was the issue with the lack of clutch pedal pressure. Due to a bust schedule my parents opted to simply pay Cowans for the replacement, since it is quite involved. (The transmission is required to be removed to replace the slave cylinder due to design)This problem was communicated to Cowans in detail on the service request. Lack of clutch pressure . To resolve the issue with the clutch, Cowans performed the following repairs : Replace real main seal, replace clutch pressure plate, replace clutch friction disk (both of which had less then 1000 miles on them) replace a rear wheel brake cylinder, flush the brake fluid, flush the coolant system, some random suspension components were changed. Neither the master nor slave cylinders on the clutch were changed. In total my parents spent close to $2500 on these repairs on a vehicle that sits in the yard except for taking the trash to the dump.Upon receiving the vehicle back, as expected, the clutch pedal lost pressure again, resulting in my mother being stranded in the vehicle. As I inspected the vehicle, I was deeply concerned with what I found.The brake reservoir was entirely empty of brake fluid. Completely. I m not even sure how the brakes were still functioning. The radiator cap was missing, and the coolant system was low of coolant. Upon reviewing the service report, I learned the clutch hydraulic system had not been replaced. This is when I also learned all the other unnecessary repairs had been performed. I immediately called Cowans to try and understand why there were so many red flags surrounding this service. Upon calling I was told no one was available to speak to me and the manger would call me back. Several hours later the service manager returned my call, (Hunt Cowan). I spent several minutes explaining to the owner what the above describes. I questioned why my parents were charged for a clutch replacement, but somenof the key components were not replaced. I questioned why the brake fluid reservoir was empty and why the radiator cap was left off and lost. The service manager become very irate on the phone and defensive, blaming me for the issue with the clutch since I was a shade tree mechanic and questioned why I installed faulty parts, etc. It was akin to arguing with a toddler over his pacifier.The ultimate solution here has been to remove the transmission myself and replace the faulty slave cylinder, a $45 dollar part and a Saturday s afternoon worth of my time.In closing, it s extremely unfortunate that business owners like Cowans don t stand behind their work or hire competent mechanics to begin with. To replace and repair everything but not even attempt to address the original complaint not only shows the incompetence of both the mechanic and the service manager, but also a level of dishonesty by the establishment itself and ultimately the owners.I hope our negative experience with this business helps you make an educated decision for your own automotive repairs.Services: Transmission, Carburetor cleaning, Auto body & trim repair, Auto windshield repair, Electrical repair, Air & cabin filter replacement, Exhaust, Tires, Auto battery replacement, Auto power window repair, Steering & suspension repair, Auto exhaust system repair, Painting, Auto glass repair, Auto water leak repair, Auto side window replacement, General repairs & maintenance, Steering & suspension replacement, Auto A/C recharge, Electrical, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning, Body & Trim, Auto brake repair, Tire rotations, Auto rear window replacement, Engine repair, Vehicle Inspection, Transmission replacement, Side view mirror repair, Auto detailing, Auto A/C replacement, Auto exhaust system replacement, Wheel alignment, Auto sunroof glass replacement, Transmission repair, Brakes, Auto battery maintenance, Auto tire replacement, A/C installation & repair, Auto emissions testing, Auto windshield replacement, Air conditioning, Vehicle safety inspection, Wiper blade installation, Auto interior vacuuming, Auto body & trim replacement, Auto glass replacement, Car waxing, Auto maintenance, Auto brake replacement, Battery, Oil change

  Samantha Baynard
10 months ago
Service was fast and wonderful! Mark was awesome! The only complaint I have is additional work being done before asking. My car went in for one service that was a certain price and while it was in there, they did additional work, that was in fact needed but that was never talked about or implied that it was going to be done until AFTER it was already done. I really appreciate them going the extra mile but for someone that is on a budget like myself, having to fork out a few hundred dollars as it was to fix my car, finding out I was having to pay double for the extra services was really a shocker and hurt my pockets even more. I still recommend Cowans and will use their services again. I just suggest making sure additional services that are going to be done be discussed with your customers BEFORE they are actually done. Keep up the good work Cowans!

  Rb Bail Bonds
9 months ago
Came in with a tire going flat fast! They had us fixed and ready to go in 40mins. Extremely nice people, relaxing waiting area too.I would give them 10 stars if I could.

  Rogue Storm
a week ago
Parts installed come with warranty, but prices are slightly more expensive than elsewhere, and the only thing they torque to specifications are the wheel lug nuts, nothing else.

  Mathew Joseph
a year ago
Absolutely disappointed. Waited 45 minutes for tire change, then they come and tell that they got the wrong tires. Gave appointments for two days later. 90 min later I am still waiting for it to be finished. "It is being taken care off. We have some people call out today" As of if that is supposed to be an explanation!. More than 90 min to change four tires is unheated of. No real apologies.Service: Tires

  Randee
a year ago
Fair rates, and friendly staff. I scheduled an appointment for new tires and they also provided a complimentary 30 point inspection for my vehicle. They also offered free coffee while I waited for the service. This is my 3rd visit for tires and I enjoyed all experiences.

  Adam Whitener
10 months ago
To mount/balance 4 tires that I brought and mount 1 side of the exhaust back onto the hanger my bill came out to $175... I asked about the exhaust being mounted and how much that would cost as I wasn't going to do it if it was going to cost much as I explained my financial situation, that I'm out of work medically and am struggling to make do with bills each month. After talking with them the woman returned and said he'd get it for me implying there wouldn't be a charge for it, that was a complete lie, and had I been told what they were gonna charge prior I wouldn't have had the work done. I get it's a business and you need to make money but making a customer believe you're not charging for something just to smack a charge in their face when they can't afford it is scummy. Instead of waiting until the work is done to surprise the customer with the bill you should be upfront about the total cost before any work is performed. They did lower it to $142 but even then, I was charged labor for something I helped with when it's the mechanic's fault for doing it the hard way and taking more time than necessary after I was told he'd "get it" and there was never a price disclosed or a hint towards a cost for it. Instead of loosening the exhaust up front so it could slide rearward and into the hanger he unbolted the hanger on the right side, put it onto the mount, and then spent 30 minutes trying to get the bolts tightened in a confined space where he ultimately needed a stuby wrench. Overall the tires are mounted and the exhaust is on the hanger but I spent 2x what I expected and could have paid elsewhere.

  Scott Dorrer
6 years ago
EDIT... so the car had a vibration since the "alignment". Today I pulled the right front wheel to find the livk nut for the tie rod end backed all the off. The threads in the tie rod end are destroyed and it will require replacement. Luckily I caught this before it failed completely on the highway.See picture below.Well I have given these guys 3 chances and won't go back. First experience was okay,,, new set of tires. When I picked up the car the rims were covered in grease like the person that changed the tires was also in the middle of doing a wheel bearing job. Second experience was a little worse. New set of tires and a wheel alignment. When I picked up the car first thing I noticed was they didn't center the wheel during the alignment, a basic part of the alignment. I also asked for the alignment printout but when I picked up the car the printout was "lost". Third time was the worst. I hit a chunk of concrete and blew a tire so I dropped the car off for new FRONT tires, alignment, check for damage and check the wheel to see if its bent. Picked up the car and the new tires were on the rear. They tell me it's an insurance liability to put the new tires on the front and if they did I would have to sign a release. No problem,,, but should have told me. Also the alignment printout was "lost" again. On the way home every time I made a sharp turn the traction control would engage. Called and talked to the owner Hunt and he said to bring the vehicle in and they would try to diagnose,,, and told me there was no way the new tires would cause the problem. I said I was leaning toward taking it to the dealer for diagnosis and Hunt told me if I did, to call him and let him know what they found. I did take it to the dealer and the first thing they did was put the new tires up front and the problem was gone!! They also checked the wheel and found it to be bent which I already figured because there was a wheel vibration. In fact I checked it myself by jacking up the front of the car and spinning the wheel,, it's obvious the wheel is bent. So I call and ask for Hunt at least four times leaving a callback number each time. The last time I was told Hunt had the day off. Turns out that Hunt was sitting right there listening to the conversation as he later told my wife.When I first went there, I asked if they give a military discount and was told yes. But every time I went to pay the bill was told "there is no margin on tires so we can't give a discount".

  Laura Hilliard
6 months ago
Saved the day! Came into town for the weekend with a flat horse trailer tire. They were able to replace the tire in just an hour or so on a Saturday!! A+Service: Auto tire replacementService: Auto tire replacement

  Cindy Hales
a year ago
I had just bought aftermarket lights for my SUV and was looking for someone who could adjust them. Hunt (owner) was so helpful and even gave me a great solution so we could do it ourselves. He's such a great guy. Have dealt w him many yrs ago also.

  Brenda Pratt
a year ago
I never been so disappointed with getting work done until I went to Cowan Tire & Auto Service. I took my grandson car to get a set of tires and alignment well he only put 6000 miles on them and they were balded. They didn't guarantee the tires or nothingThey came up with he must have been driving the car hard and then they said it needs struts and tire rods well I don't understand why they didn't see it before they did the alignment.

  Angela McAdams
8 months ago
So incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I can't say enough positive things about this place. All the staff is extremely knowledgeable and professional. I am so grateful for the level of execution , communication and service!

  Pat Farrell
9 months ago
While traveling we got a nail in our tire, stopped in and they were swamped with work. They said no problem and would get us taken care of and they did quickly and had us back on the road. Everyone was great and friendly. Thanks guys!!

  Christy
10 months ago
I was experiencing an overheating issue and they got my Jeep in quickly and fixed it quickly!! Very nice to deal with!! Have definitely found my new mechanic since moving.

  Sweezy Performance
6 years ago
Got my tires put on my wheels today. They did a great job Cowan auto center was recommended to me from a friend and I'm very satisfied with the service I received today I will most definitely go back for other car care needs.