Tow Company Bent My Tie Rods—Now What? Your Guide to Getting It Fixed

Ever get your car back from a tow and realize it’s worse than when it left? Finding out the tow company bent your tie rods (or even wrecked the frame) is enough to ruin anyone’s day. But don’t worry—there are good ways to handle this mess without getting stuck with a huge repair bill or dealing with a shady tow company.

First Things First: What Are Bent Tie Rods and Why Does It Matter?

Tie rods connect your steering system to the wheels. When they’re bent—even a little—your steering can feel off or unsafe. It can even lead to bigger problems like uneven tire wear or loss of control on the road. If both the front and rear tie rods are bent (and especially if the frame is damaged), you’re looking at serious repairs that should be fixed before you drive another mile.

Who Should Handle Your Claim—AAA or Your Insurance?

So Triple A (AAA) sent out the tow truck that damaged your car. You took photos and video (smart move!), but now comes the tricky part—should you let AAA handle it directly with their claim center, or should you involve your own auto insurance?

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• AAA Claim Center: If they arranged the tow, their claim center is usually the first stop. They may accept responsibility and work with you (or their preferred shops) for repairs.
• Your Insurance Company: If you have comprehensive/collision coverage, your insurer can manage everything—including fighting with AAA’s insurance if needed.
• Avoid Direct Contact With The Tow Company: You’re under no obligation to talk with the company that caused the damage. If they contact you directly and it feels uncomfortable, ask them to deal only with insurance or AAA’s claim adjuster.

It’s totally reasonable not to want any more contact with a business that already let you down.

Steps To Take When Your Car Is Damaged By A Tow Truck

Not sure exactly what steps to take next? Here’s a checklist that covers all bases:

• Gather all evidence—photos, videos, receipts from before/after the tow.
• Get an independent mechanic’s diagnosis of all visible damage (tie rods and frame).
• File a claim with AAA’s roadside assistance or claim center as soon as possible.
• If you feel more comfortable using your own insurer, call them and explain everything—mention all proof collected.
• Don’t authorize repairs until there’s clear communication about who pays—and where you’ll take it for honest work.
• If contacted by the towing company directly, politely decline and refer them back to the insurer/AAA.

A Real-Life Example

One Reddit user shared their experience after an AAA-arranged tow led to disaster—their previously drivable car came back with both front and rear tie rods bent, plus possible frame damage. Like you might be feeling now, they didn’t want direct contact with the unprofessional towing company again. Instead of going it alone, they kept detailed records (photos/video), started a claim immediately through AAA (and considered involving their own auto insurance for backup). The key takeaway was documenting everything early on—and pushing for repairs at a trusted shop instead of anywhere “recommended” by those responsible for the damage.

Extra Tips To Protect Yourself (& Your Car)

• Don’t settle too quickly: Wait for all damage assessments before accepting any offer.
• Choose your own repair shop: Insist on using a mechanic you trust—not one suggested by those paying for repairs.
• Keep communication in writing: Emails are better than phone calls when it comes time to settle disputes.
• If needed, escalate: If neither AAA nor your insurer is helping fast enough—or if there’s pushback on repairs—consider talking with local consumer protection agencies or a lawyer specializing in auto claims.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Let Someone Else’s Mistake Cost You

Bent tie rods and possible frame damage after a bad tow job can feel overwhelming—but being organized makes all the difference. File claims quickly, keep records of every call/email/photo/video, and don’t be pressured into dealing directly with anyone who made things worse in the first place.

Sometimes these situations drag out longer than they should—but standing firm about what happened means you’ll come out ahead in both repair quality and peace of mind.

Ever had something like this happen after using a roadside service? How did you get it resolved?