A-1 Towing & Auto Repair Inc

Absolutely terrible experience. I would strongly avoid this towing company and their associated repair shop at the same location, Midtown Center Auto Repair & Body Shop | Long Island City.

I was quoted one price over the phone for towing my car from Manhattan to New Jersey. After they arrived, they suddenly increased the price on the spot. Since my car was completely dead late at night and I had very limited options, I reluctantly agreed.

But it only got worse from there.

Instead of taking my car where originally discussed, they claimed their staff was “off work” and brought my vehicle back to their own repair shop instead. The towing company and repair shop clearly operate together as one business model.

The next day, they repeatedly pressured me to spend more and more money replacing additional parts, even though the car was still NOT fixed.

Their diagnostic process was extremely unprofessional:

* They made guarantees before properly diagnosing the vehicle
* They kept changing their explanation of the problem
* They suggested replacing parts without certainty
* The car still had ABS and engine warning lights after the repair
* They continued demanding more money after failing to repair the issue

At one point, the manager was literally asking mechanics how to fix the car while simultaneously making confident promises to me. Lots of talking, lots of pressure, and very little actual expertise.

In the end, I spent over $1200 and my car was STILL not repaired. I then had to pay AGAIN to tow my vehicle away from their shop to another mechanic.

The entire experience felt deceptive and predatory, especially toward customers stranded late at night with disabled vehicles and no immediate alternatives.

Be very careful dealing with these two companies. Their greatest skill is not fixing cars — it’s convincing vulnerable customers to trust them, only to disappoint them in the end.

UPDATE:

The shop’s public response does not accurately reflect what happened. I have already filed complaints with multiple agencies, including the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, the New York Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds Bureau, the Better Business Bureau, and additional consumer protection channels.

I stand by my original review. Customers deserve transparency, honest diagnostics, fair pricing, and safe repair practices. Honest businesses do not pressure customers, make guarantees they cannot keep, change prices midway through the process, insist on cash payments to avoid disputes, or ask customers to drive away in vehicles that are still unsafe and showing serious warning lights.

I am clearly not the first customer to report concerns about this business, and unfortunately probably will not be the last. I simply hope other consumers do their research carefully before trusting this shop with their vehicle.

via Google

Wow what a great group of service folks here. My estimated towing kept getting pushed out and when I called for an update I guess he didn’t appreciate me asking why the delays and canceled my tow without notice leaving me hanging out to dry. Of course didn’t tell me personally as o got the note in my app. Well congrats on this negative review and ensuring I never recommend or use your services again.

via Google

If you're ever stuck and need a tow truck in NYC, do yourself a favor and call A1 Towing NYC. This company truly deserves every one of the five stars I’m giving them. I had a breakdown in Midtown Manhattan during peak traffic, and what could have been a nightmare turned into a smooth, stress-free experience thanks to this incredibly professional and responsive team.

From the moment I called, I knew I was in good hands. The dispatcher answered right away, was calm and helpful, and told me exactly how long it would take (under 30 minutes!) for a truck to arrive. True to their word, A1 Towing NYC showed up fast—no waiting around or wondering what’s going on, which is rare when dealing with towing services in NYC.

The tow truck driver was amazing—friendly, professional, and skilled. He handled my vehicle like it was his own, carefully loading it onto the flatbed and securing it safely. It’s clear that this team knows what they’re doing. I had the car towed from Manhattan to a repair shop in Brooklyn, and the whole experience was seamless.

A1 Towing NYC offers so much more than just basic towing. They specialize in 24/7 emergency towing, flatbed towing, accident recovery, lockout services, battery jumpstarts, and roadside assistance across all five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Their pricing was transparent and fair, with no hidden fees or surprise charges. That alone puts them above most New York City tow truck services I’ve used in the past.

Their trucks are modern, clean, and fully equipped, and the customer service is truly unmatched. If you’re searching for a fast, reliable, and affordable tow truck company in NYC, look no further than A1 Towing NYC. These guys are the real deal.

Thank you again, A1 Towing NYC, for getting me out of a tough spot and making a stressful situation so much easier. I wouldn’t trust anyone else in the city with my car. Highly recommended!

via Google

It was a pleasant surprise when I used the services of A1 Towing NYC for a tire repair. It was the first time for me using a towing service, and I was nervous. But the team at A1 quickly put my worries to rest. From the moment of my call, the customer service was excellent. The technician was on-time and had the tools needed to perform the job. The experience went smoothly from the arrival of the truck to the completed repair. I am very pleased with the quality of their work and the professionalism of their staff. They will definitely be my go-to service for future tow and tire repair services.

via Google

I needed my car towed. I Contacted this tow truck company in Manhattan. I was very happy with their service. They are very professional.

via Google