AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care

Just wanted to update my review about their business. I still continue to go to this auto repair shop for my routine check ups because these guys let me know if there is anything else going on with my car. This is something I really like about this shop. They are always really concerned about the needs of my car.

Great place do business with. Todd is a good guy and he’s very clear on the work and the amount that it’s going to cost. I will definitely be back!

Where do I even begin. I took my car here for a check engine light, they kept the car overnight since I turned it in so late in the day. Ran a diagnostic and said my car was throwing five codes total. The estimated repair with the diagnostic cost would be close to 1000 $. I wanted a second opinion so I took my car to Mossy Volkswagen down the road, showed them the information I had received from amco and asked them to check it out for me. They had my car for just a few hours before they called and said the only code my engine had was for my airbag. They charged me 125 $ for the diagnostic, and they fixed the sensor along with cleaning up the engine for me. Everyone I have talked to has spoken badly of amco but I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt and see how they worked, and they will not be getting my business again!

OK first off you have to trust the people. Do I trust the manager Todd? NO. I asked for a quote on a clutch and was given a range. I will never accept a range from a mechanic again. Transmission work is what they do. They know the man hours, they know the parts. My big mistake. They went over the top end for a job that is about as simple of a clutch replacement as you can get.
Second, when the work was done was done, the manager told me 3 – 4 days. I called the next day and the mechanic said it was done. Another Lie. Once they have your car they have you over a barrel and they take full advantage of it. It is like being held hostage.
So the clutch gets replaced and a month later my transmission leaks all over my brand new concrete driveway. (see photo below). As transmission EXPERTS, I came for at least a quality job if I was going to get hosed, but they could not even do that correctly. What do i get fro my troubles? A smug attitude from the manager and a non existent Owner.
They did fix their leak and I get a text my car is ready. I get there and it is still up on the rack and these 2 guys are looking at it. Then they start coming at me with more problems the transmission has in order to cover their ass in the future. I asked why it was not brought up the first time but their was no answer.
Good luck

I’m not interested in your mechanics listening to my vehicle, let alone touching it again. I will likely allow the B.A.R. to handle the situation for me. The bottom line is that this never should have happened in the first place.

I’ve had work done at this location a couple of times, the most recent being earlier this year, and it’s refreshing to know that there are honest mechanics out there. Todd and his team have never steered me wrong. They always let me know what was going on with my car, and what all of my options were. They never beat around the bush or fabricate lies (which I’ve had happen to me, at other shops). And the great thing is they really care and they take the time to explain to me, whatever issues my car had, which is nice because I don’t speak car. Definitely recommended.

Hate to bash on this place since it has such a good rating. I went in thinking I could just ask a simple question, which was, Do you do free test drives for cars that might have bad transmissions?
The answer?
A long-​winded, enthusiastic ‘fuck off.‘
I only asked since my local Firestone offers the free test drive, but they don’t repair transmissions. I figured going to a place called ‘Aamco Transmission’ might offer the free service, with a technician who specializes in that line of work. Too much to ask for? I guess so.
Moral of the review? Call in with your questions, unless you like getting told to fuck off.

These guys are awesome! After being told by 2 mechanics that it would cost $ 4000 or more to replace our transmission, Todd and his crew fixed it for nearly half that! Todd is very personable, friendly and a delight to work with. I highly recommend these guys for an honest, fair price and a quality job well done!

Fallen far from Grace… I have taken my cars to aamco for years. Over the last few months I have been having a loud noise when driving I brought it in. After having my car for 2 days they said nothing was wrong, took my car to a different shop they found the motor mount was bad and so was a bearing, they showed me to old parts and you could see the issue as clear as day! No more loud noises. I will not be working on my cars anymore…

I checked out a used car before buying it at everyone was really friendly and nice to me. Fabian checked the car completely, to see eventual leaks or problems. He found out there was a leak of the struts fluid, so after buying the car I took it there. They called me after they found the components telling me the final cost of the work and they asked me if I wanted to proceed or not. In less than 24 hours they changed both of my front struts, doing a great job for a very reasonable price.
Thanks again to Fabian and all of the guys there!

This is the 2^nd time I’ve had my 2002 Saturn repaired at this shop and I plan on returning for all future repairs. Todd makes you feel like you’re bringing your car to a friend to be fixed. Prices are reasonable and the work is done in a timely manner.

I highly recommend AAMCO transmissions in El Cajon very friendly very fair and they always get the job done right have never had a problem with them great shop.

I can honestly say I have never been 100% happy at the end of a car repair.
Today that all changed.
I left AAmco having a transmission replaced.
Not only were their prices competitive but the customer service was great, no not great… Perfect!
Todd and Chris both took the time to explain each step of the way.
I am so grateful for this team!

I have been having issues with my ford focus and I took it to 3 different shops. One place wouldn’t help me because my car didn’t kick any codes, the other said just drive it till it dies, and the last one charged me $ 215 to change my oil and recharge my ac (which didn’t fix my issue)
I took it to Aamco, where they were up front with issues and possible coasts and super friendly. They found the issue real quick, fixed it and got my car back to me for just over $ 200 and it’s fixed. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I will never take my car anywhere else!!!

Took my scion in for ck engine light they took care of it. The light came back on 2 months later I was kind of upset cause I thought they were going to charge me again. They didn’t they thought the time to explain what they did. Great guys and great service.

I always thought AAMCO was transmissions only, but it’s good to know they have total car services. Took my car in for an oil change. I haven’t had the car that long and didn’t know a good place for this make. The service was very thorough — they did a complete check of my car and explained areas to watch. They were really busy but they got my car done right away. All the employees were very service-​oriented.

Mike C. I took my car in due to transmission shifting poorly. They took a look and diagnosed the issue. Quoted a good price so I had them repair it. When I picked up my car the total price was $ 75 less than what I was quoted. My transmission has never shifted as well as it does now.

Came in on a Saturday without an appointment with what I thought was a major problem. I had taken the car to another garage a week earlier and they told me they fixed it. When the same problem reoccurred while I was trying to move across country, I thought I was screwed! The Owner/​Technician, Fabian, said he thought he knew how to fix it for MUCH LESS money than I thought it would cost. Within two hours from the start of troubleshooting, I was on my way down the road with a PERFECTLY functioning transmission! I made my 2,000 mile trip with no further problems and Aamco El Cajon called me to check on my trip. THESE GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!

I have been coming here for the last 10 years and have nothing but love for these guys. And because I am a wedding DJ my trucks ALWAYS have to be in good working order and that’s why I come here. They also just don’t fix your problems but they also educate you as well. They just don’t tell you that there is a problem but the explain what’s wrong and what they have to do to make things right. I always seem to walk away from any fix smarter that the last time. Todd and Fabian always take care of my issues with quality work and that’s why I expect. You pay for quality once and you pay for a discount twice. A+++ service all the way guys THANK YOU!!!
DJ Pat

I’ve been bringing my cars here for 7 years now all I can say is their services are exemplary! I return to establishments based on the honesty and feeling I get. This is one of those places that keeps me coming back. They’re very clean with my cars and are always finished when they say what they will be.
I had a 97 528i BMW that they had kept alive for so many years. They’re very fair price and when it came time to replace the head gasket instead of trying to make a quick buck off of me the owner Fabian suggested to sell the car as it was not worth the money to fix it. So I sold it and got a 2010 Prius and I plan to bring it to them for all my service needs. This is the honesty I expect and received. Thank you AAMCO!