AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care

I went into this aamco resigned to getting a rebuilt transmission, I had been told this by my mechanic and the local ford dealership. So I went here to see if I could do better than the 3200 the dealership wanted. Angelo refused to give me a price for a rebuilt transmission until I came down so he could diagnose the issue. He said come on down this is 230 pm on Tuesday he had my car back to me at 230 Wednesday running like it was new! And the price.. 793.00 to fix a solenoid issue, not replace the transmission. Thank you!!! Angelo!!!

I am so glad I was referred here by a co-​worker. Angelo and his staff are extremely friendly and trustworthy. I have brought my car a few times for repairs and maintenance (2007 Toyota Matrix) and always drive away with confidence. Their work is fast and reliable. They even referred me to another great place nearby for tires (I will be reviewing shortly). Also they are conveniently located near Sullivan Station.

Why is someone from California rating Aamco Transmissions in Charlestown, MA? Because my daughter is attending school out there and her car started making loud and worrisome noises. She was referred to Aamco by someone who thought it was probably transmission trouble. My husband called and made all the arrangements for her to take the car in over the phone. He spoke to Angelo who said they would check it out and let him know what the problem was. He called back the same day and said it was a loose exhaust heat shield and worn out serpentine belt and tensioner, relatively minor problems. Since we were handling all of this from out of state, he could easily have taken advantage and told us it needed any manner of additional work done, but instead got the repairs done quickly and even told us that the car was well maintained and in good shape. He also remembered our daughter by name from when she brought the car in. It has been almost a week and the car is running great. We are relieved to know our daughter is back to driving a reliable vehicle and we feel very comfortable having her go there for any future problems.

Alright. Transmission issues suck. I was referred to AAMCO at 8:30am by my mechanic for a p0700 (transmission code, sending my Jeep to limp mode), specifically p0714 and p0750. Did a tonne of research beforehand and even swapped out speed sensors myself hoping for a miracle cure (didn’t happen that way).
Gil saved me. Without an appointment, he had their people look at my car and before I left I was given the diagnosis. Transmission solenoid on my Jeep had to be replaced, which involves a partial disassemble of the lower transmission pan. They also saw a crappy Tie-​Rod that I neglected to fix awhile ago and forgot about. So they went at that as well.
Within 4 hours I had my car back and now it’s driving fantastically again. Sure I paid a butt load of money, but I called 3 transmission shops and they all quoted me $ 600 more than Gil did. The solenoid he threw in there was brand new as well.
Rated @ 5 stars because I think people whine too much and I want to help offset their low ratings. If you own a car, expect problems that are waiting to happen. AAMCO did me a favor by pointing out my Tie-​Rod, and I would rather do preventative maintenance for $ 100 than have my tire fly off while driving.
Happy 4^th of July, I’ll be servicing my liver to forget the 1.2k I just coughed up.

Wow! I can’t believe what goes on here. I went to pick up my car for brakes and he did an oil change and replaced the filter without asking. I just wanted brakes. They said it needed it. I had it done a week ago. I should of waited, cause my other mechanic was too busy. Also when I was picking up my car they were just cleaning up after dropping someones vehicle off of they’re lift. Destroyed it! What a bunch of clowns!

The car’s transmission acted up only a month after the repair. I took it back to this AAMCO only to be disappointed this time around because they refuse to redo the work and decided it was to be blamed on the design of the car and its computer. How can you blame a mechanical issue on software? Are you telling me for the first 10 years of the car’s life that it was running a bad software? Does that even make sense? They also said this was the root cause to a mechanical shifting problem where I was no longer able to manually shift my shifter into lower gears where I was able to do so before they repaired my car. The bottom line is they will NEVER admit they cannot fix the problem as they will more than happily take your money and attempt their version of how to fix the issue. The warranty is crap since they did not even honor it because the problem still persists. What exactly does this warranty cover? So now I still have a broken transmission and I’m down about $ 3600 with nothing to show for it except a lame warranty that no other AAMCO will honor since they refuse to touch another mechanic’s work. Therefore this nationwide warranty is completely bogus and not honored across franchises. Save your money and avoid AAMCO franchises as they are individually owned and basically make up their own rules.

My experience with this Aamco store was better than I had anticipated. The work required on my car was a nightmare come true as it required a transmission rebuild. I don’t know about you, but for me anything related to transmission and motor puts me in panic mode because not only is it pricey, but if things go wrong you could be getting in a nasty situation. My current mechanic does not work transmissions, so I was left to explore on my own.
In the past, I had a horrible experience with a brand new Durango in which the transmission just gave up at 19k miles. The experience of it breaking down on me three times after bringing to the dealership for repair made me hesitate a lot when it came to repair the vehicle I now own, because trusting a mechanic was hard as hell!
I believe my fear was so intense, that Angelo who was handling my car sensed it, and he did what no other mechanic has ever done to give me a piece of mind. Not only did he bring the price to a more reasonable level for me, but even videotaped the process that was taking place on the transmission, he even showed me what parts were damaged, and needed change. And as a surprise when i came to get my car, he installed a set of new brakes and rotors free of charge (he could have been greedy and have charged me extra– but didn’t), his commitment to give me a piece of mind, and gain my trust, is what really won me over. Oh, and he even paid the rental I used while my car was being repaired!
I am a happy girl! I got my car back, everything works great, there were no unexpected changes, I have new breaks, and I was able to pass inspection which is why I had to get this job done in the first place. Thank you Aamco, and thank you Angelo for your professional service.
I’d totally recommend this place to everyone. Angelo the owner is willing to work with you, and thoroughly explain what they are doing on your car. He is very nice, but most importantly, he is committed to gain your trust and give you a piece of mind without taking advantage. To me that is hard to find these days.

saved me! everyone so nice, professional, Angelo so helpful can’t say enough, Charlie thanks for the tow and being so great to me. in today’s world where having a great mechanic that you can trust is so hard to come by, this is the place you can trust thanks again! :-)

These guys totally saved me!
I walked in after work with my VW tale of woe. Jay happily came right out followed by Robinson, in the cold and armed with flashlights, to look at my malfunctioning hood latch. I never really considered the hood latch as a potential problem, but trust me… Driving around with the hood unlatched is a very bad idea. This was a tricky problem that could have led to a dangerous situation.
These guys could not have been nicer or more helpful. It’s like they actually care about fixing things! Long story short, they fixed my hood latch and it didn’t cost me a lot of time or money. YAY!
I especially LOVE that they’re so close to the Sullivan T station. I left my car, went to work and picked it up after work without a hassle… Super convenient!
Thanks again Jay, Robinson and Angelo for the great service!!!

Enter AAMCO at your own risk, you may be SCAMMED:
My Jeep Grand Cherokee was making noise so I brought it in to the Magazine Beach Shell. They spent many weeks on the car and couldn’t figure out the problem, so they referred me to this AAMCO because it may have had to do with the transimission. The people at the Shell contacted AAMCO, and informed them I would be coming to get this checked out. When I went to AAMCO, I made it a point that I was the one referred to by the Shell. Geoff took my car, and called me later in the day saying that they «found out what was causing the noise.» My car «needed» a new pair of wheel bearings. The repair cost me $ 1000 dollars and it didn’t fix the problem. I brought the car back to the Shell a couple months later and they were shocked at what Geoff did. I also found out that the Shell had brought in the Jeep to this same AAMCO before, and Geoff himself said that the problem was caused by a damaged gear the transmission. Because the Shell had exchanges with Geoff about this car, and brought it in themselves, it was implied that Geoff had the information on file, and would diagnose properly when I brought it in myself. I was foolish enough to have trusted Geoff to fix the noise because he said he had «found out» what caused it.
I also wanted to note that Geoff tries to up-​sell you on various things, and he tries to avoid letting you take the car before he can charge you for anything.
If you ever bring your car in, make sure you do thorough research and get a second opinion. When referred here by another garage to test the transmission, try to have the mechanic or a knowledgeable representative go with you. Don’t fall for Geoff’s sales language and techniques. it’s okay to question, wait and to say no. If you are oblivious, you will be SCAMMED!
Unfortunately for me, I might have to bring in the Jeep again to fix the actual problem, and it may cost me three times as much.

I went there today to get my brakes fixed. Specifically, I needed the two brake pads in the front replaced, so I bring my car in at 11:00 AM today. There Geoff, who is the manager, serviced my car. He called me up after some time, and he’s advocating that I get both, the brakes and the rotor fixed for ~$ 350. I told him, «no, only replace the brake pads.» An hour or so later, he calls me up again to tell me that my air filter needs to be replaced. This is idiotic, because I just got an oil change the previous day, and my air filter looked good to all of us. Geoff said that he’s «concerned» about my level of service and my decision to only get the brake pads replaced, and therefore, it won’t be under warranty.
So, I pick up my car today at around 4:00 PM. The total was what we had agreed on: ~$ 160. Geoff is a very polite guy. I’ll give him credit on that. But there’s something shady about them looking at my AIR FILTER when I brought in my car for a BRAKE JOB. Moreover, I didn’t appreciate all their upselling that they were trying to do. 2-​stars — and that’s for Geoff’s politeness.

I love my car, but sometimes it makes me want to pull all my hair out! I drive a 2004 Mazda6 that has a few accidents (not my fault!) in it’s past, but mostly has done pretty well.
I have always driven by this place, but had no actual recommendation to stop by here until the past year or so. A friend of mine suggested instead of crossing my fingers and holding tight to my wallet, I should see what Aamco could do for me.
In the past I was sometimes hesitant to go to mechanics just off the street, cause I have had bad experiences with guys thinking that they can take advantage of me cause I’m a girl. But Aamco seemed the furthest from a horrible dealership experience I’s last had.
Once I was in there a few minutes, I decided I was 100% comfortable with my car in these guy’s hands. Angelo, in the office, and Pedro in the shop were both very reassuring, willing to work with me to schedule things, and took the time to explain things to me, including the squeaking and rubbing noises coming from my rear wheels. They have relieved me of all car related headaches in the last year.
I have had my brakes done here, and now can stop on a dime again! It was not too expensive, and I could easily set up an appointment to drop my car off before work and pick it up at the end of the night. This is usually the hardest part about getting my car fixed. It has never been a problem here.
In the dead of winter this year, I found no matter what I tried to get my heat going, it would NOT warm up. When the windshield is covered in snow, it’s a little troubling when this happens. I called Aamco and talked to Angelo, a few days later the parts had been ordered and delivered, my stinkin’ car finally had heat again, I have never been happier to drop my car off or pick it up at a mechanic’s shop!
I have and will continue to recommend my friends and family to go see Angelo Ciano at Aamco in Charlestown.

Great experience — very professional, friendly, and fast-​working crew at AAMCO in Allston/​Brighton. They knew many of their customers by name and were very straightforward. They fixed an oil pan problem I was having and I was in and out in an hour. They open early, too. Thanks!

I had to take my chariot, the ’01 Kia to NTB which is next door to AAMCO. Only, I had not known that after waiting in line for 20 minutes @ NTB that NTB:
A.) Does not have my correct information in their system, even after going there for 7 years.
B.) Cannot fix my car because they do not have any «diagnostic» equipment.
C.) Do not care.
So, I’m not a mechanic, I don’t know how to change the oil in my car, diagnose a grindy thang versus a shaky shaky thang, nor can I change a tire. No, no. No. No. I just know how to pay in plastic and pray when I drive the Chariot around the mean streets of Lower Allston.
The guy took pity on my and said that they probably could diagonse the problem @ AAMCO.
Well, where in god’s green earth is this place?
It was next door.
Yes, I’ve lived .02 miles from this location and yet, I’ve never noticed, AAMCO, the Beacon of Light! The fixer of cars. The harbinger of well, I don’t even know what a harbinger is… but lemme tell you somethin — the great guys @ AAMCO FIXED MY CAR!!!
Now, for those of you who have had the pleasure of being a passenger in the Chariot, you’ll know that I take great measures to see that this car
A.) Runs and runs well and
and
B.) Is cleaner than your car. Or, anyone else’s car.
Yes, folks, I take pride in my ride.
Well, Scott over @ AAMCO was able to diagnose the problem of my car and fix said car.
I might have paid a lot of money to get it fixed. And, might have means, I did (815 beans). No biggie, Steve gave me peace of mind and basically said, that my car will be good to go for another couple of years.
I believe him.
I hope I won’t be back to AAMCO anytime soon, but if you have a problemo w/​your chariot, why not give AAMCO a try?
I did!

DO NOT take your car here!!! They tried to SCAM me by charging ridiculous rates for simple repairs and parts. $ 69 for a $ 12 filter, $ 125 to fill the transmission with fluid, a new front axle when I didn’t need one.
BEWARE!
Take your car to ABJ instead.