Monitech, LLC

After installation of interlock by Monitech, my alt went bad (or so I thought) had it replaced. Gremlin's in dashboard telling me charging issues flashing, staying on etc. Went bad again and took out battery this time. Had both replaced again. Battery was new. Wiring checked. Battery died, replaced again, wiring checked again. 3x because of flashing lights on dash. Mechanic said only thing it could be was interlock and they were not authorized to touch it.

Noticed that when I would grab the interlock to start car I was getting popping noise from under the dash. Car is not on. Only thing touched was the device. Called Monitech, they said not them. Asked installer to check work in november. He did not do it. Asked again in December. He went outside to car for 5 minutes. Came back in and grabbed his tools and was out there for 25 minutes this time. Came back in and said all tight. And guess what, it was. So $7000 in Tows, parts, labor and ubers, car seemed to be fine.

Waited a few weeks to make sure. No issues. So file a case with Monitech for the repairs and towing as it was obvious it was installer fault as it was fixed when he finally went over his own work… 4 months later. They did nothing. Not even a call.

Sensor went out 1.5 months later. Car was taken to transmission shop first, they said transmission was fine. They started and drove the car and it was throwing a few codes. But they did not do that kind of work.

I called an auto repair shop around the corner from them. Mechanic drove car to his shop. Informed mechanic what happened with device prior. He called me the next day and said I was looking at chasing electrical issues since my car had the short in it so long. Other components would start to go that were electrical because of what electrical short do to connected electrical. He stated the car was not worth fixing.

Filed another claim for loss of car. Received a call from mechanic saying Monitech was there adn they were going to tow the car. I was told nothing by Monitech. I said do not let them tow the car. 1.5 hours later Carl from Monitech calls me. He and his technicians were there and could not find fault in the wiring from their device. I explain the story to him as I did above and said that was fixed by the installer finally in December but the damage had been done. He said I should replace my battery. I said he may want to look at the battery as it had been replaced 2x already in last few months and was only 2 months old. He said he understood what I was saying and would call me back. Never heard from him again.

His supervisor called me. Would not allow me to talk. Just kept trying to explain electricity to me. Something about a person sticking a fork in a light socket and dying. I was like what? After listening to him for 5 minutes, I asked him if he read any of the emails I had been sending regarding the electrical issues and what had been happening. I said Carl seemed to understand. He seemed mad and said I will talk to Carl and get back with you and hung up. Never heard from him again.

The following monday I went to the shop to get my belongings out of my vehicle. Vehicle hatch would not unlock. I thought odd. Opened drivers door and the Interlock device was gone. Tried to start car and it was completely dead. Not even a light would come on. The mechanic came out with booster/diagnostic box. We started the car. He said the Alternator is shot as well. Both were only a few months old and remember the car was driven by 2 mechanics before Monitech got there. No one told me they were taking my device. No one called me. Nothing.

Knowing not having device in my car would cause me to lose my license I immediately called Monitech. They had no record the device was removed. I received a call from another supervisor the next day. I told them my story and that because they again messed with my car by uninstalling the device my alternator and battery were yet again shot. He said "prove it". I was like It drove there with no issues. I had no issues since the installer fixed his work in December. It was now late February. There were no battery or Alternator issues until they touched my car and took that thing out. He said was on me to prove it.

Needless to say not too long after I received a notice from DMV that my license is revoked because I do not have interlock installed. I called the DMV Interlock division and they said there is nothing they can do. That I surrendered the device. They said per Monitech it was voluntarily removed. I told him it was not and that I had also contacted my DMV hearing officer prior to that and she said whatever I do, do NOT let them take out the device. Why would I let them remove the device as I knew what would happen.

So now I am out $7000 in repairs, $9000 vehicle, and my license. DMV gave me less than a month to get another vehicle and get Interlock installed again and I have to pay another $120 to get my license reinstated or it will be revoked permanently. I am truely screwed for trying to be law abiding. Is there anythind I can do?

Monitech knows my husband license was re suspended in December and has took his money for 7 months and not tell him that his license was suspended. No one did . And said he was getting credit for it at the DMV . Even took his license and check everytime. He is being wrongfully done and no one will answer or return his calls about it. So we got a lawyer and making report to the police. And suing them .

This is only company near me that I can use for this service that is unfortunately court mandated. I have too many complaints to go I to detail with. However, the first 3 months I had the device I stalled/calibrated there was a “serial number mismatch” whicj obviously was not my fault. When this happened in April, I had to go a week without driving my car because I couldn’t get anyone to answer or call me back. Often it was the same “call volumes are high” BS. “24/7” customer service is a complete lie. One employee told me that many work from home. Therefore they get to choose who and when they call back. I have 4 children, 2 of which are special needs. I cannot simply wait on a callback if it is an emergency, nor can I just drop what I am doing when Monitech employees decide to call 4 hours later from the time I first called. At least Twice, I have been in the showrer when someone finally called me back and they refused to call me back in 15 minutes when I could actually go out to my car. Instead they said I would have to call back and get in line again.
Also, this time I have a code 5047 which is evidently a missed arrival test. However, I have not had any missed arrival tests since my last calibration. I would know because of the horrendous beeping and loud “program violation” that would have sounded. The tech tried to charge me $45 to override the code. She couldn’t even tell me when this supposedly happened unless I brought my car in. (How can I bring the car in if it wont start? Not only that but I have to drive over an hour to get there.) I then insisted on speaking to her supervisor and I was told there wasn’t a supervisor.
As if having this device installed isn't embarrassing enough, on top of financially taxing, this company can’t even provide the service they claim to. There is one number for thousands of people to call. And the local number listed on the manual has been disconnected. Such a complete bt scam Also, the we site states they accept cash and personal checks, which they do not. Another lie.

They canceled my calibration appointment and now I’m locked out of my car. Today is my first day back to college classes I have a job and I have two appointments, but I got a call withinn24 hours that my appointment I made 2 months ago was canceled. They didn’t have any openings for me to get my device calibrated sooner after they canceled my appointment and now I’m locked out of my car 5 days later. I tried calling and they gave me two override codes but they didn’t work and customer service said there’s nothing they can do. I tried two different overuse codes they gave me but still locked out. Keep in mind they canceled my appointment. Now on the day I start classes have to be at work and have two other appointments IM LOOKED OUT OF MY CAR. And all they can answer is there’s nothing they can do for me. They are the worst! Who do I contact for help?! They know the can screw your life up get paid to do it and not care one bit. Go with any other service then this I’m changing to smart start asap.

I know I made a mistake drinking and driving and Im thankful that I am getting a chance to get my freedom to drive after 10 years, and I'm not sure if there's any other company that does this. Only issue I've had is trying to get reimbursed from a tow bill, but this pandemic messes up everything.

Monitech has been without a doubt the worst company I have ever had to deal with in my life The machine malfunctions constantly, anywhere from not accepting perfectly legitimate breath tests, to killing the car battery, to random recall codes that have nothing to do with failing a breath testI've owned this car for five years now and it has never given me any issues, electrically, mechanically, or otherwise Ever since Monitech got their hands on it, I've had nothing but issues However, every time I have called to have an issue resolved, Monitech has been unhelpful and suggested it's probably something wrong with my car They tell me to take it to a mechanic and once the mechanic looks at it, they can determine whether or not Monitech is responsible for the problem to move forward with the claim I've literally been told, it must be something wrong with your car, the device simply doesn't cause these issues I've had the battery, alternator, and starter checked on my car, all are perfectly functionalYet I have to jumpstart my car every time I was to go anywhere When I brought the device in to have it looked at, the technician conceded that there was something wrong, but I still needed to have a mechanic run diagnostic in order for Monitech to move forward with the claim As to the failed running tests and the machine not accepting breath tests, I was told there is nothing you can do about it because the cold weather just seems to cause these sorts of problems What??? I live in North CarolinaIt doesn't function in cold weather? It doesn't even get that cold around here! The device is a poor design and the employees at the call center are short, rude, unprofessional, and unhelpfulMonitech's customer complaint approach is straight denial; it must be something wrong with your car, take it to a mechanic They are uninterested in customer satisfaction and can't be bothered to help I've since called the company trying to contact the regional manager about the issues I'm having at the suggestion of one of the service technician who was unable to help me I was guaranteed a 24-hour response time It has been almost a week and still no communication from the regional managerThis has been a horrible experience I can't recommend an alternative, having no experience with the other ignition interlock vendors in North Carolina, but I CAN recommend staying well away from Monitech

my Monitech experience is a brutal oneThe customer service reps are always nasty towards me every time I callI try to keep it professional but it seems like their level of professionalism is very low without any type of standardsI have a brand new car with the machine in itAll of a sudden my car doesn't work due to a machine malfunctionI have contacted Monitech and all they can tell me that "there is nothing they can do." It suppose to take hours for a service call however now it has been three days going on a fourthIs Monitech going to pay me for missing work so that I can pay my bills - "NO" that's what the CSR told me and oh yeah there is nothing that they can do until someone comes out and service calls start after 6pmLooks like I'm going to miss another day of work....smh

Worst Customer Service EVER! My husband had a Monitech device installed in a car that I owned but he drove I had the device removed when he passed away Monitech issued a refund check in his name knowing he had passed away I misplaced the check and completely forgot about it I moved this past month and found the check When I called to see if they would re-issue the refund, they refused saying it was company policy not to reissue checks and then further refused to tell me what government agency oversees their operations They were extremely rude during the entire call In NC you do have a CHOICE of vendors for your ignition devices - I don't know about the others, but I would definitely steer clear of this place!!!! Do not use this company!

my Monitech experience is a brutal one. The customer service reps are always nasty towards me every time I call. I try to keep it professional but it seems like their level of professionalism is very low without any type of standards. I have a brand new car with the machine in it. All of a sudden my car doesn't work due to a machine malfunction. I have contacted Monitech and all they can tell me that "there is nothing they can do." It suppose to take 48 hours for a service call however now it has been three days going on a fourth. Is Monitech going to pay me for missing work so that I can pay my bills - "NO" that's what the CSR told me and oh yeah there is nothing that they can do until someone comes out and service calls start after 6pm. Looks like I'm going to miss another day of work....smh

I had my interlocking system worked on and the guy busted a hole in my AC line on my truck.

Where do I begin? I guess I should start by saying this company espouses that they have been getting drivers back on the road "safely and legally" for over 25 years. Within a month of having the interlock installed, part of the machine (hooked into the fuse under the steering column) fell out of the fuse compartment onto my feet while I was driving, blocking the brake and clutch petal. I almost wrecked my car. I called Monitech about this issue, infuriated with the negligence/improper installation. Monitech advised that they would send a service technician out to fix it, however, if they found that I had tampered with the device in any way, I would be fined. Further, if they found nothing wrong with the device, an $85 service fee would apply. How can a company even suggest that this was my fault after their negligence nearly caused an accident? After securing the device with a few zip ties in a parking lot, I was assured that it would not come loose again and I was safe to drive. I thought I was guaranteed it would be safe to drive after the initial installation, so having it "fixed" in a parking lot had me swelling with confidence. When I asked about compensation, the service technician essentially laughed and said, "it's fixed, what more do you want?" I asked my attorney how we should proceed and he told me I should have wrecked the car because I didn't have a chance of winning a lawsuit against a company like Monitech.

Further, the interlock malfunctions all the time, especially in cold weather. It requires a "warm up" period of up to 4 1/2min before you can blow. All the while, it draws power from the battery. After the interlock killed my battery twice during this warm up, I replaced the battery, thinking this would resolve the issue. A week later, my car wouldn't start. I had the battery, alternator, and starter tested at [redacted] (where I purchased the battery) and was told all are functioning properly. I called Monitech again to resolve the issue and was told they get a lot of calls regarding these kind of problems during the winter and that I should try disconnecting the unit at night or when the car sits for long periods of time. I accidentally disconnected the unit without going through the proper disconnection protocol, which produced a recall code. The company then informed me that any time I disconnect the device improperly, it's a "program violation" and I was to be fined. Even though it was an accident and they suggested I disconnect it. Furthermore, this has not resolved the issue with my car. It still kills the battery on a daily basis. I called again telling them I'd had the battery, alternator, and starter checked, all are functioning properly. They asked if I'd tried jump starting the car yet. I told them I had to jump it every time I try to start the car. Again, they offered to send a service technician out to take a look at it, but if they found that there was nothing wrong with the device, I'd be charged with an $85 service fee. I declined this service, not wanting to risk incurring an additional fee only to have the problem not resolved yet again. The technician also suggested I take it to my mechanic and that they would probably find there is something wrong with my car.. Now, I drive a very reliable Honda Civic and have owned the car for over five years. I've never had a mechanical or electrical problem with the vehicle in five years. However, Monitech is confident there is something else wrong with my car, not their device.

Additionally, the device has been making me give multiple breath tests both when I'm trying to start the car and while I'm driving the car for running test. I'm told this is due to cold weather and there's nothing I can do about it. It doesn't function in cold weather? And how is taking multiple breath tests in a row while driving a car safe? Not to mention that every time I have to jump start my car, every time it doesn't accept a breath test, every time I have to call or bring it in is time out of my day. I've been late to work several times due to the interlock malfunctioning or killing my car. I'm lucky I have an understanding employer, otherwise I'd have lost my job due to this. I have tried contacting the regional manager with a guaranteed response time of 24-48hrs . It's been almost a week and still no response..

I could go on for days, but these have been the most egregious issues Monitech has caused for me. Customer service and satisfaction should be of paramount importance to any company, but not this one. Monitech will continue to have business and make money no matter how unhelpful, rude, and incompetent their employees are because their entire customer base are DUI offenders who are required by law to have an interlock. Never have I seen a company so blasé about feedback/complaints, so negligent to safety and proper operation of their equipment, and so apathetic to good business practices. Monitech is truly terrible at what they do.

Monitech has been without a doubt the worst company I have ever had to deal with in my life. The machine malfunctions constantly, anywhere from not accepting perfectly legitimate breath tests, to killing the car battery, to random recall codes that have nothing to do with failing a breath test. I've owned this car for five years now and it has never given me any issues, electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Ever since Monitech got their hands on it, I've had nothing but issues. However, every time I have called to have an issue resolved, Monitech has been unhelpful and suggested it's probably something wrong with my car. They tell me to take it to a mechanic and once the mechanic looks at it, they can determine whether or not Monitech is responsible for the problem to move forward with the claim. I've literally been told, it must be something wrong with your car, the device simply doesn't cause these issues. I've had the battery, alternator, and starter checked on my car, all are perfectly functional. Yet I have to jumpstart my car every time I was to go anywhere. When I brought the device in to have it looked at, the technician conceded that there was something wrong, but I still needed to have a mechanic run diagnostic in order for Monitech to move forward with the claim. As to the failed running tests and the machine not accepting breath tests, I was told there is nothing you can do about it because the cold weather just seems to cause these sorts of problems. What??? I live in North Carolina. It doesn't function in cold weather? It doesn't even get that cold around here! The device is a poor design and the employees at the call center are short, rude, unprofessional, and unhelpful. Monitech's customer complaint approach is straight denial; it must be something wrong with your car, take it to a mechanic. They are uninterested in customer satisfaction and can't be bothered to help. I've since called the company trying to contact the regional manager about the issues I'm having at the suggestion of one of the service technician who was unable to help me. I was guaranteed a 24-48 hour response time. It has been almost a week and still no communication from the regional manager.. This has been a horrible experience. I can't recommend an alternative, having no experience with the other ignition interlock vendors in North Carolina, but I CAN recommend staying well away from Monitech.