FIXD: Brand Overview
FIXD (FIXD Automotive, Inc.) is an American technology and automotive brand founded in 2014 by Georgia Tech graduates John Gattuso, Frederick Grimm, and Julian Knight. What began as a highly successful Kickstarter campaign has since grown into a corporate entity headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company was established with a clear mission: to bring transparency and peace of mind to everyday drivers by translating complex car diagnostic codes into simple, understandable terms.
Sector and Activities
Operating within the automotive technology and consumer electronics sector, FIXD specializes in vehicle health monitoring and diagnostic tools. The brand's primary product is the FIXD OBD2 Sensor, a small hardware module that plugs into a vehicle's On-Board Diagnostics (OBD2) port. This device connects via Bluetooth to a companion mobile application available for smartphones.
The core services and features provided by the brand include:
- Instant Diagnostics: Decoding over 7,000 "check engine" light issues and explaining the severity of the problem in plain English.
- Maintenance Tracking: Providing automated alerts for routine vehicle maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations, customized to the car's specific make and model.
- FIXD Premium Subscription: A paid software tier offering enhanced features like estimated repair costs, emissions pre-checks, DIY tutorials, and access to a live mechanic hotline.
User Sentiment and Insights
While FIXD has sold millions of sensors and is widely recognized for making car care accessible, analyzing online user sentiment reveals a stark contrast between the hardware's utility and the company's billing practices. Based on consumer complaints and reviews, users should be aware of the following trends:
- Positive Hardware Experience: Users frequently praise the sensor and app interface for being user-friendly, accurate, and helpful in preventing mechanics from overcharging for basic diagnostic tests.
- Severe Subscription and Billing Complaints: The most prominent and widespread user complaint revolves around the FIXD Premium subscription. A large volume of customers report being unknowingly enrolled in a free trial that automatically converts into a $99.99 annual subscription. Users express intense frustration over unauthorized credit card charges, auto-renewals without prior warning, and a customer service process that makes securing refunds exceptionally difficult.
- Limited Base Functionality: Some drivers note that without the expensive premium tier, the basic free app is somewhat limited and only reads standard check engine lights, ignoring other dashboard warnings like ABS or airbags.
Share Your Experience
Have you used the FIXD sensor to diagnose your car, or have you encountered unexpected billing issues with their premium subscription? We strongly encourage you to write a review and share your personal experience with this brand below to help guide other consumers!