AARP Roadside Assistance Reviews

by Flatulent Prince

My car decided to stop working after getting off of work one night. So I decided to download AARPRoadsideAssistance thinking it would be much easier to the serviced and easily track my aid that way . I requested for the towing service (or so i thought). After waiting an hour or so for the tow truck, I decided to give customer service a call to see what was going on. I got through to one guy who kept me on hold for 30+ minutes only for the line to cut off. I called back again, this time l got through with different person, and was told my initial request didn’t go through. So I had to repay an additional towing fee on top of the one i had already paid for. At this point I had been waiting for two and a half hours to be serviced. Thankfully, I was stranded at work and not some sketchy road. Finally, after waiting forever, my aid finally came through and miraculously got my car to work via an unorthodox jumpstarting method. On top of the the money I had already lost, I had paid a tow fee for a simple jumpstart and was told it couldn’t be reversed. Anyways, I was told I would be refunded that initial tow fee amount that was lost in the system, but to this day I still haven’t gotten my money back. It’s been two weeks.

by Puzzlemenr

I previously had AARPRoadsideAssistance prior to November 2020. AARPRoadsideAssistance then showed my membership had expired in spite of my dues being paid. A call in January to the program’s headquarters was dropped. On the second call, I talked to an accented woman who verified my dues were paid and said to delete AARPRoadsideAssistance and reload it in order for AARPRoadsideAssistance to be usable. I did so, and AARPRoadsideAssistance now says that AARPRoadsideAssistance is no longer available as of October 15 but it does apparently provide a link to their website to secure service. I can’t figure out why there is an app in AARPRoadsideAssistance Store which is not, in fact, a usable app.

by JJ The Doggie

I had d/led AARPRoadsideAssistance and hadn’t used it for a while and once I logged back in, I realized why I did not use it. First off, it said my subscription to the service had expired so went to the car and got my membership book out. Had to call AARP to find out what was the problem. I was told to log out and back in which resolved that issue. App then wants you to add you vehicle and my model is not even listed under the Chevys and to call. I think I will leave that for another day. How annoying!!!!

by 75under

The AARP roadside assistance is great, when you get through to a human agent. AARPRoadsideAssistance however needs work. AARPRoadsideAssistance said my service had expired even though I had renewed earlier this year. I had to call an agent who saw immediately that lack of payment was not an issue. The AGENT put me on course to order roadside assistance. I could not initiate this course of action myself. What good is AARPRoadsideAssistance if you can’t get to the first stage without human assistance?
I understand AARPRoadsideAssistance was just updated...so, what happened?

by Palpatroll

I blew a tire on an interstate about 3 hours from home. The entire process was such a negative experience. The worst AAA experience I’ve ever had. The business they contacted to help me ended up canceling without contacting me. One time the phone rep rattled off the identity of my car but it wasn't my car’s make or color . At that point, I started to lose it. I don’t lose it. That’s not in my nature. I am sitting alone, now in pitch black nowhere, with semis and cars shaking my car when passing. Only one person stopped to help but I cheerily told him AAA was on the way. On the phone I had to go through the same spiel every time to get to a human . AAA was no help at all whether it was AARPRoadsideAssistance , a robo voice or an actual human. What one rep told me another rep said it wasn’t true. I know how to change a tire but the one needing it was too close to the speeding traffic; I wanted a pro who had experience in this situation and could act quickly. Who rescued me? A sheriff deputy and my son’s friend who lives 20 mins away. 5 (!) hours after the tire blew I was back on the road and since AAA’s debacle I had to get a hotel room. This has cost me time and money and I probably won’t make my staff meeting tomorrow. I am thankful the ordeal is over. I would give it 1/2 star.

by Mars Emus

My son had a flat tire in a McDonald’s parking lot. I called roadside assistance at 11:43 am. Call was answered from another country. Bottom line I kept being told a company would be coming out. I called that company and he said he denied the call because he was three hours away. At 12:50am The AARP Roadside lady said that they have no one to come to help us. Did we know another towing company that could come? Thank God he was in a McDonald’s and not on a highway or in a dangerous area. Extremely disappointed I guess I never should have never left AAA for Allstate. In order for this review to go through I had to pick a star. It doesn’t even deserve the one star

by Queen Bee1

Used AARPRoadsideAssistance to submit tow request because they said you get faster service through AARPRoadsideAssistance . It is not user friendly. Had to add our cars and the interface to add is awful. Finally got that done and entered info for the tow and submitted. Kept checking tracking and call was never assigned. I called customer service and even though I submitted a ticket successfully, it really did not submit the request so we wasted almost an hour for nothing. Had to request over the phone. Will not use AARPRoadsideAssistance again and seriously considering going back to AAA. Absolutely awful app!

by Stuck In The App

Tried to enter my car and can’t, when date is entered only option is “done” and kicks it back to start.
Thank God I haven’t had to get a tow, I can’t even get registered. The number that pops up for assistance to call is not help registering it is for tow help.
Having trouble contacting customer service after corona, and the review popped up before I got finished. AARPRoadsideAssistance seems all messed up. I will give it some time to get lined out, and hope I don’t have a flat!!!

by Kennedynina

Too long to have to go into the long description of what went wrong today. Suffice to say that requesting assistance through AARPRoadsideAssistance is a mess, and apparently you have to request through AARPRoadsideAssistance . When I tried to call the phone number listed on my membership card all I got was a recorded message - could not talk to anyone for assistance. I also had to pay for the assistance, which is not what the terms of this plan stated ( supposed to get at least 1 free jump start or tow a year). I used to be very pleased with this roadside assistance plan, which I have had for several years. Not any more. I will be cancelling my membership.

by Stukhere

I wrote a bad review of AARP the last (and final) time I used the AARP Roadside asst. I apologize that I did not reread before posting. For some reason, every time I typed in AARP, it entered AAA.
AAA, I apologize to you for even posting such a horrid review and put your name in it! I am not apologizing for the horrid review, everything I said is true about AARP!
From the call centers in countries with extremely limited English, to the laziest, low priced tow companies that think it’s funny to leave people stranded, that will contract with AARP!
After all is said and done, AARP sent me an email about how can they make my last experience better? Make it better? Your lazy, horrid tow company left me stranded! How are you going to fix that? You want me to send you a ‘private’ email. BS! I want any correspondence to be public so others know what a CRAP company you are!

by Standed By Allstate

Used AARPRoadsideAssistance last week to get my 4WD car out of my garage driveway to dealer to fix Anti-theft lockup problem. App has no provision to guide correct towing vehicle assigned. First towing service came with flatbed and said he couldn’t do it because of my driveway (short&steep). Agent swore they’d correct this. On the second day, a second & third trucks arrived, same result. Meantime Allstate App closed my tow request saying I had used my available towing services for the year. On second day, agent said they’d correct this. Fourth truck (lift w/wheel dollies (4WD& driveway) was dispatched. An hour after estimated arrival, I called towing company & was told they’d arrive soon. Called 2 hours later and was told that service was canceled. Called Allstate & customer service supervisor who said he’d correct the problem with AARPRoadsideAssistance and reinstate my covered tow but it would take 24 hours. So far, 3 days later, it hasn’t happened!

by Mad 80 Year Old

Called for help with a dead battery last night and the recording told me I would get faster service if I downloaded AARPRoadsideAssistance , which I did. AARPRoadsideAssistance said they had found a provider who would be there in 45 min to 1 hr and 15 minutes. I decided while I was waiting I would try to get my sons to help. They were not home. After 30 minutes I decided to call the provider AAA said they were sending. When I reached them, the dispatcher told me they had told AAA they were not available to furnish service so I called AAA back and asked if they had someone else coming. They said “no” but she’d try to get someone and call me back. I said I’d stay on the line while she found someone. She came back and said Shamrock Towing would be there in 20 minutes. Shamrock actually was there in less than 10 minutes and took care of my problem. The process took over an hour and I looked at my app this morning and it is having “technical difficulties” Sure glad I was in McDonalds parking lot last night and not stuck on the freeway somewhere. AARPRoadsideAssistance and the service were terrible.

by Lmheuton

Earlier when I tried to use AARPRoadsideAssistance I was told my membership had expired. Fortunately a Good Samaritan assisted with changing a flat tire. Once home I confirmed my membership was active. Just recently I tried to open AARPRoadsideAssistance and was told it was “unable to locate your membership “. Again, I confirmed my membership is active and was transferred to App Support. My call was dropped and when I called back it was dropped again. Very dissatisfied.

by Doggerel_22

Needed some service for a car that would not start. It was very easy to put in the information and got the assistance we needed. Now, however, AARPRoadsideAssistance says that my service has expired, even though the check for the renewal cleared the bank 2 months prior to the expiration date. Called customer service (twice) spoke to people with accents difficult to understand (come on, AARP. As we age we have a hard enough time with our hearing without adding thick accents in the mix.) one call apparently got dropped. The second service person said just to try later and it would work. Not so much. I’m soon to go on a trip and it would be great for AARPRoadsideAssistance to work. Very unhappy that it’s not.

by Hawkeye1k

App doesn't update if you stay logged in. It kept telling me that my acct expired 6 months ago. I called customer service and they confirmed that the acct was in good status and the problem was in AARPRoadsideAssistance . They recommend logout / delete and reinstall app but actually just logging out and back in resynched AARPRoadsideAssistance with the acct. Not a serious issue just unnecessarily annoying.

by PetiteStar

I’ve use AARPRoadsideAssistance. so many times and it was always always so wonderful and easy to use. Now all of a sudden I can’t use it because it says that my membership is expired, but I just called customer service and they verify that everything is valid.
Come on AARP! This was an awesome app to use!

by Water Minded

Does not list correct models of vehicles

by Buffyjack

Filled out the online form. I tracked the call and I believe it said a 45 minute wait. ETA 6:30. The representative arrived shortly after 6, took about ten minutes to get my very dead battery to work, and even showed me how to lock my car with the key; a new skill for me. Felt so much better knowing I could let the battery charge and not have to sit with my car. Bottom line, arrived early and was on his way before the original arrival time. Outstanding. Thank you!

by Greenfixit

I’ve been delighted to have been a member of AARP’s road service for the past 10 or more years. It is easy to use and always sends a competent operator to the emergency site. I’ve never regretted my annual renewal even if I didn’t have to use it the past year. One event often covers the annual fee.

by Foxyoroxyo

I’ve used this service 6 times lately for a bad battery that I’ve been meaning to replace. Whether if it’s through a phonecall or AARPRoadsideAssistance , AARP comes and helps me start my car back up each and every time. AARPRoadsideAssistance is simple to use. They’re able to find my location based on the address I put in, and the service was always done with a smile.

by Echodale

When I ran critically low of gas while driving in sparsely populated Arizona desert I called and requested assistance. My request was denied because the benefits do not apply to recreational vehicles, even is towing a car (also on empty).

A most inconvenient place to run out of gas. It was alarming and frustrating to learn, after years of membership with few service requests, from an unsympathetic representative that I was stranded in 117 degrees.

by Never Again Back To AAA

Twice I had to use this service. The first time was for a dead battery. I had to wait over three hours for someone the come to jump my car. An recently my car die just as I was getting on the highway after work around 5:30PM. Long story short the tow truck show up at 11:30Pm. I sat 6 hours in a cold car on the side of the highway with cars flying by.
Calls to the service get you no where as your routed to call center I suspect is in India.

by Rubystella

I just downloaded AARPRoadsideAssistance . The ‘add a vehicle ‘ doesn’t work! I download AARPRoadsideAssistance because of a bad experience last month trying to get service for dead battery via phone. Bottom line - I had to get help from others nearby because they didn’t show up. I was hoping AARPRoadsideAssistance would be an improvement, but so far no good.

by Roxychillng

My vehicle is not listed, doesn’t exist in the drop down menu when adding.

by StarService#1

Hit a pot hole on the way to a meeting. Kevin Flint called within 5 minutes of the time I hung up, and got to me in 6 minutes, changed my tire. He helped me feel safe again. Thank you, Kevin for your help! Thank you AARP for sending him my way!

by Richie Rich OC

I’ve requested service via phone in past and today I used app and it was easy and worked out just fine! I’m renewing my membership for sure!!!

by Wheeliedog

I used the AARP roadside service this summer when I had a flat tire, and I am very happy that I did. The whole experience went very well, was quick, and quick.