Kearny Mesa Towing

I had a very bad experience with this company.
I recently moved from out-​of-​state, where I had a very good relationship with my Subaru dealer. My car, a 2015 WRX, is all-​new for the year (engine, transmission, clutch system, body, frame, electronics, etc) and as is expected there are some reliability dips on all-​new redesigns of cars. Even the champions of reliability like Honda and Toyota experience some dip for all-​new years. As such, my car, while otherwise dependable, has some strange quirks. The dealers back where I bought the car knew and diagnosed successfully some of the issues, but not completely.
So, when a part broke due to a recurring issue down here I had it towed to the dealership like I would have back home. That is another story — but the point is, the dealership down here would not service me. This left me on their lot with an undriveable car. I had to call AAA to tow it back home. They sent Kearny Mesa Towing to bring it back for me.
My car would start and run, but it was stuck in 2^nd gear, so the car stalled when trying to make it up the ramp. Instead of hoisting the car up the ramp using the vehicle’s tow hooks, the technician redlined it with the clutch in. This created a great deal of smoke — the likes of which I have never seen, and would NEVER do to my own car. I was shocked, and rightfully pissed off, that this guy would treat my car with such incompetence and neglect. He immediately began making excuses like «these cars are lowered so I thought I would be doing you a favor» even though mine is running a completely stock suspension, wheels, and tire size which leaves 4.9 inches of ground clearance, enough to never scrape on driveways or inclines similar to the grade of the tow truck bed.
After we got the car back to my house I told him that I would have to report what he did to AAA. He begged me not to, and he agreed to help me replace the clutch. He said he had a family, and I really didn’t want to put him out of a job or disrupt his life, so we exchanged numbers and shook on it. I looked up the part online, and the price from Subaru was $ 170 just for the clutch which seems like a pretty modest price to pay for such a bad mistake. No more than 15 minutes after we shook on this, however, he called me saying that he would cover half of it – that he spoke with his mechanic friend and that if he burned half the clutch, he should cover half the expense. With the billowing cloud of clutch material still fresh in my mind (and nostrils) I could not fathom how someone could go back on their word after such a blatant and egregious disregard for other people’s property. I knew I couldn’t trust him after this, so I called AAA. They gave me the number for this company and to speak with them about it.
When I called them to resolve this, the person there said that they had retrieved my service records from the dealership (I am not even sure if this is legal for them to release) and insulted me by saying that I had attempted to extort their operator and that I had broken the car myself because I was racing it. Not only is this unfounded, but it is untrue and totally irresponsible of them.
One week after this event when my parts arrived (which I replaced myself), I could still smell burnt clutch when working underneath the car.
So here’s my experience of Kearny Mesa Towing: incompetent, unprofessional, dishonest, and irresponsible. Avoid.

I scheduled a towing the night before because I needed my truck at the shop by the time it opend, so it could be repaired. The next morning I woke up early to get my truck over to the repair shop and the time the tow truck was so post to be there came and went, I called the number I had before, there was ovously a different person there who had no Idea about the schedule for the tow job. And couldn’t get another truck out to me for over 3 hours. Witch would not work because I needed to be at the repair shop at 8 am. Thanks to that I had to frantically call around to find another towing company who had a free truck and everyone knows after rush hour good luck. now I am stuck paying an over priced towing company or not getting my truck fixed for another month.

Their prices are reasonable, hence the 2 starts. Their showing up — on time, or at all — has a lot to improve.
I used them about 6 times. The worst was when they told me they would meet me at my car at 10AM. I was there at 9:55, waited until 10:10, no sign of the tow truck. I called them about what happened. The answer was: the tow truck was there at 9AM. It freed up early. And I wasn’t there so he left. wtf moment. OK, let’s not dwell on why I would read their mind, what now? Well they can send someone in half an hour. I had somewhere to be at 11AM, cancelled it and waited. They arrived at 11:10. another wft moment, they were half an hour late. And then the driver lectured me about screwing up his day. Well, if I were a service provider, at this point I would have felt for the customer and given him, like a discount — mainly because I screwed up his day with dumb illogical choices, information and communication.

i really appreciate when a companies personnel takes the time to explain things to me and listen. unfortunately the receptionist doesn’t have that down. she needs to work on her attitude.
on another note. nacio (spell check) was very helpful. calm even. and he even gave me advice that would help me as a person (not as a client). not to mention he went out of his way to call me about how i can make the process better.
all in all. i am satisfied with my service.

Steve arrived today promptly and efficiently resolved the auto trouble I was having. Smooth operator!

My wife and I had a dead battery in the grocery store parking lot today with our cranky 1 ½ year old (we were worried she would have a melt down waiting for assistance).
Mike from KMT came promptly, and was both courteous and helpful.
It is clear that Kearny Mesa Towing hires professionals, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
Keep up the good work guys, and thanks, Mike!

Running late for my second day at my new job and of course my car won’t start. I called AAA and they sent Cory with kearny mesa towing out. He was here faster than they said. He was so helpful, got my battery changed and was on his way in a total of 20 minutes! Cory was very friendly, knew what he was doing, and saved me tons of time by replacing the battery instead of me driving over to Walmart and waiting 5 hours.

Got my car towed by Nate «The Cowboy» to JJ Chevy he is awesome. He towed my truck to another place about 6 months ago he was awesome then also. Very nice guy with great customer service!!!

Just bad customer service. The people were pleasant, but were not the least bit helpful. I’ve had a couple bad experiences, specifically through AAA roadside service and them.

the only thing I have to say about this company is they have really poor customer service. I waited 20 minutes until someone came to the window and made me late for work

Duanne is a true professional who loves to help people and saved the day! He went above and beyond the call of duty by not only replacing my battery, but cleaning my headlights just because it bugged him! I have never received such good service in my life ANYWHERE! I hope his boss reads this and gives him a raise!

Moved out from LA and one of my car… didn’t drive it for two months and battery was almost dead. AAA sent me Duane from KMT within 15 mins. Super nice guy. Educated me on keeping the car charged then I mentioned about my tires. He checked and put air in and the «flat tire» alert was gone! He further educated me about cold air in tires and the right amount of air and so forth.
I was kind of worried I had to get new battery but he before coming by researched when I got my last battery and knew the history of the dead battery. Also he called let me know he is on his way!
Thanks Duane for helping me!!! KMT is awesome.

Hard to go anywhere when you set your keys in the trunk and then forget them as you slam the trunk shut… (I admit it… I am SO A.D.D… … lol)
Luckily, I didn’t set my phone down in the trunk too or I wouldn’t have been able to Unilocal for a tow company…
I put in a «lock out» call to Kearny Mesa Towing. The gal on the other end was courteous and told me that they’d have someone to me in 10 minutes… and sure enough, Duane was there in 10 minutes!
Duane was able to get me rolling in no time while cracking me up with his quick wit and pleasant conversation.
Thanks KM Towing! (Going to wear my keys around my wrist so I don’t lock them in my trunk again… riiiiiiight… lol)

AMAZING.
I was headed towards downtown when my car skid across the 5. i got as close to the side of the road as i could when Hooper from KMT came to save the day! this guy was really amazing. Not only did he explain what had happened to my car and why it lost control, he tried to make us feel as ‘at home’ as he could-​radio, heat (it was raining cats&elephants). Not only did he help by getting us off the freeway but he dropped us off in a public area near a shopping center where we could browse a bit meanwhile. I mean he even turned on the heater in our car so we’d be warm. I was scared out of my mind because 1) my dad has horrible insurance 2) skidding on a very busy freeway isnt the best feeling in the world. Before Hooper left he gave the company’s card with his cell phone # to call him just incase my insurance failed me.
If anything EVER happens to me on the road in san diego im definately calling up these guys!!!
Thanks Hooper!!!

Finished up my shift at work and went out to my truck and I could start it but once I gave it gas it stalled. Needed a tow so I looked on the internet and found Kearny Mesa Towing was probably the closest one around. I hung up with the dispatcher at 12:20 and the tow truck arrived at 12:28. The driver, Wayne, is a great guy and we were talking so much on the ride we almost passed the shop where my truck had to go. After Wayne unhooked my truck at its destination, filled out his paperwork, and paid with my card, it was 1:25. One hour and 5 minutes. AWESOME! Anyone that has to use a tow is having a bad day. But the promptness, the courtesy, the professionalism of Kearny Mesa Towing, and Wayne made the day a lot better. If you need a tow Call these guys!

I had a tire emergency and AAA sent Earl over to help me, but my car was unfortunately too low to be towed so he sent Carlos with a flatbed. Well, my car was still too low to be towed on that truck and since a lot of new cars don’t come with spares or jacks, he put my car on a jack he had and drove me and my flat tire to a nearby tire shop. Carlos was super nice and did everything he could to help me, even if it was an inconvenience to him. Although he had another call to go to, he arranged for Jim from KM towing to pick me up when my new tire was ready and put it back on my car. These guys went above and beyond to help me out a ton and were incredibly nice! Thanks!

I get the call from my most awesome wife to be, she is frustrated and broken down on the side of the road. Thankfully I have AAA roadside. As I am in route to save the day I call and give them the location of the vehicle. They assure me a tow truck would be there within 30 minutes.
I get there in 10 minutes and immediately get a call from Wayne from Kearny Mesa Towing that he is in route. When he arrives he works with me to try and find the quick fix and avoid the tow.
After a couple minutes we hook it up and Wayne says to meet him at the shop and he will be right behind us. No sooner than I get checked in at the shop Wayne is dropping the car and Im able to get the awesome wife to work and myself back to work.
Total time under an hour. Wayne and Kearny Mesa Tow are awesome.
Thank you!

We had KMT tow our car to Joe Jr. for a broken tie rod.
AAA set it up, and our driver called us 5 minutes away.
What a super nice guy. Wayne is a great human, and a real professional.
He had that car backed into a spot that I could not back it into
under it’s own power. What skill.
Thanks KMT and Wayne!

A driver from this company crashed into my car today, and then fled on the freeway. After the collision he refused to pull over, and I had to call the Police and report a hit and run. Once he was finally tracked down, the coward driver said that he, «didn’t know he hit me,» and somehow the Police bought it.
Hopefully this saves someone from trusting these criminals with their money/​vehicle.

I never thought I’d review a tow company, but alas I was in need a few weeks ago and AAA sent my tow truck chariot from KM Towing.
Dan was my tow truck knight in shining chrome and made the whole process painless and easy. I had a 7 am tow scheduled and he arrived about 10 minutes after the scheduled time, (which was fine, AAA had told me they give a 15 minute window). We loaded up my car, I hopped in (tip to the ladies, don’t wear heels when riding in a tow truck) and we were off to the mechanic.
Dan entertained me with some stories and we chatted to my destination point. He had mentioned that they were supposed to pick up another «new» guy that was training. I had to be at work at 8 and my co-​worker was waiting for me at the mechanic to give me a ride. I was a little nervous about the added time delay and mentioned that I had to be at work at 8. (Honestly why else would anyone in their right mind purposely schedule a 7 am tow? I would have much rather had the extra sleep). Dan put a call into the station and told them that he wouldn’t be able to pick up the trainee until after he dropped me off because I had to be at work. He was very thoughtful and considerate and I appreciated it. We got myself and my car in on time and if I ever needed a tow service again, I would ask for Dan and KM Towing.