Howard’s Automotive

Chuck has taken care of my cars for twenty years and I trust him with my life and the lives of my kids — literally — to keep my old cars safely on the road. I keep cars a long time and Chuck has been great. He never tries to sell me something I don’t need, even when I think I want it. He is great with foreign and domestic cars alike and specializes in getting parts for old American cars and restoring them. Plus he’s just one of the nicest guys around.

I have been using Chuck Howard as my mechanic for over 10 years!
I have 2 Honda vehicles, one is 24 years old and one is 21 years old.
Chuck is an excellent and honest mechanic.
I would not take my cars anywhere else but to Chuck.
He is THE BEST!

I read everyone’s reviews and chose to get the brakes on my older Toyota replaced here. The work was completed and within a few days I noticed grinding when I was reversing and pulsing when going down hills. I took it back in to get looked at and he adjusted the brakes. Drive away, same problem. I ended up going elsewhere and paying again to get the brakes replaced a few months later, for safety’s sake. Very frustrated and will not go back there.

My neighbor has known Chuck for a good 40 years — so it was a no brainer to take all my car issues to him. Like all the other reviews, great person, know his stuff and really very good with his pricing. I would not go anywhere else.

Can I give 10 stars ??? I have a 1987 Buick Grand National. It’s not an easy car to work on. I was having issues passing SMOG, I actually had it in 2 places just to fail. The two people who tried to smog the car couldn’t tell me the issues in why it kept failing … 76 in Corte Madera «STUPID «told me more about GOD then what was wrong with my car. Anyways Chuck is the man !!! Nice Smart and his prices shocked me !! He was so inexpensive !!! I will be a forever customer and tell everyone to bring their cars to him. THANKS CHUCK !!! YOUR AWESOME !!!

I have been going to Chuck for 3 years now. He is the easiest person to work with and remains so calm about everything; he doesn’t make you feel like the car problem is as bad as it looks and just tells you «okay I’ll fix it.» He comes from a long line of family mechanics and is just a nice, honest mechanic who tells you what needs to be fixed and what can wait. He’s done a lot of work for me and I’ve never had a problem afterward. In emergency situations I was able to bring my car in and he diagnoses it immediately, I’ve never had a problem with making an appointment or getting my car in. I love Chuck and know him personally because he’s a close family friend of my boyfriend; I recommend him to everyone. Great guy and great mechanic.

Chuck (the owner and the guy who does the work) is a great guy who does excellent work at a very reasonable price.
We’ve be taking our cars to him for years — and we are never disappointed.
He’s the best!

This review is WAY overdue! Chuck, you are our hero! Thank you so much! –After buying a 2003 low mileage pre-​owned Toyota 4Runner from an out-​of-​town Toyota Dealership we drove it home feeling proud to be the new owners of such a nice and reliable SUV. Thoughts of road trips to the coast, camping in Yosemite, and ski trips to the mountains danced like sugar plum fairies in our heads. Then on the same evening of the purchase, on the drive home from the dealership, we noticed a slight groaning noise coming from the front right wheel and a bit of a wobble in the steering… (we never had the chance to get beyond 60mph during our test drive and our highway portion of the test time was limited by the Dealership Sales Guy) How could this be? Didn’t our Dealership Sales Guy tell us all about the 120-​point check and service that all Toyota Dealerships do before selling a «Toyota Pre-​owned Vehicle»?? We called the Sales Manager at the Modesto Toyota Dealership the very next morning and he basically told us that we had bought a used car and it was sold «as is»… Wait, what happened to all the love, the «don’t worry it’s a Toyota inspected and reconditioned pre-​owned vehicle», «we check all of our vehicles thoroughly before selling them» and «this is one of the most reliable and maintenance free SUVs ever built»??? Angry, frustrated, and mostly just disappointed with our purchase we took our vehicle to SOMEONE WE TRUST that same morning– Chuck at Howard’s Automotive!
Although we didn’t have an appointment and Chuck had a full schedule of cars to work on that day, he graciously agreed to help us out and take a test drive and look at our 4Runner. Within a few hours Chuck had skillfully diagnosed the problem, provided a break-​down on the parts needed for repair, and he let us know that he could do the service if the dealership wouldn’t step up to make the repairs. Thanks to Chuck, we walked into our local Marin Toyota Dealership with the proof and facts needed to raise a credible and rightfully demanding complaint about our car purchase and Toyota’s need to make good.
Long story short– In the end, Toyota did make and take responsibility for the repairs yet it was a full on battle with lots of calls to top level people at the Modesto Toyota Dealership and threats of Unilocal reviews and small claims court, etc. And, in the end the Marin Toyota dealership did do right by us by doing the repairs and coordinating the financial responsibility for the repairs with the Modesto Dealership…
Yet, it is Chuck, who is the true hero and savior in this story! We experienced a heart-​breaking situation with 2 untrustworthy car dealerships, a bogus tow the company-​line mechanic, and an abundance of corporate thievery at its best. We want to thank Chuck for his integrity, compassion, willingness to help on such short notice and totally cool no pressure «let me know if I can help you» offer to make the repairs if the Toyota dealership didn’t make right. (Plus, his diagnostic charge was so affordable!!! We had very little money left after our big «new» car purchase so his understanding and sensitivity to our financial situation was truly saintly!)
We will be taking our cars and repairs to Chuck at Howard’s Automotive without a doubt! We highly recommend that you do the same!

My car runs like new! Thanks Chuck, you’re the best. :)

We have been taking our cars to Chuck for years. He does superior work and is one of the most honest and trustworthy individuals you will ever meet. He has fixed cars for a fraction of the cost that other dealers/​mechanics have quoted us.
We can’t imagine taking our cars anywhere else. If you are searching for integrity, honesty, and quality workmanship, Chuck Howard, is your man!

He is a hidden gem although always a long line of cars waiting so get there early. I appreciate Howard’s due to his extremely reasonable rates and he does ONLY the work that absolutely needs to be done. He is just a really ‘regular guy’/ nice person who knows what he is doing. Located very close to Trader Joes (right off the highway) and almost across the street from Joannes or the shopping mall where Macy’s is.

I’ve been going to Chuck for almost 4 years now and he is amazing! My Grandmother went to him with all her cars and recommended him to me. Sometimes her recommendations are a little off but she was right on about him! Chuck always has room for my janky 20 year old car and has fixed everything from broken water pipes to my power windows to my blinker switch and always with a fair price. He is honest, courteous, and timely. He usually finishes my car sooner than his projected time. The best part is that I always feel safer in my car after Chuck has it. Bottom line: He’s the best!

Chuck has been my mechanic for about 25 years. He’s a down to earth wonderful man who’s honest, caring, and funny. I love Chuck. He’s a GOOD MAN !!!

I have been taking my cars to Howard’s Automotive for 10 years. Chuck is all about trust and honesty and safety and fairness. I have my highest regards for the service provided!

I have been going to Chuck Howard of Howard’s Automotive for over 5 years now.
He is the last honest mechanic in Marin county-​period!
Why we love Chuck:
1) His communication skills are great! He is pleasant, nice and listens to what your problem is and then solves it
2) his price is more than fair
3) your car is ready– when he says it will be ready-​!
4) He doesn’t find 10 other costly things that need fixing eveytime you bring car in !
5) He fixes it the first time!
Really– this guy is the real deal!

Probably the closest thing to a village blacksmith. He can fix anything! from my vintage Jaguar to my daily driver. It’s always fun to see the parking lot with automobiles from all eras ready for repair.
Chuck is great !

I love Chuck. I have used him for years. He’s always accomodating and honest. I’m not a car person (i.e. typical woman that wants to know the bare minimum re: automotive stuff!), but I am comfortable recommending Chuck for three reasons. One, my very anal ex-​boyfriend recommended him to me. Two, he’s always done right by me while getting me back on the road asap. Three, my new anal boyfriend understands all of this stuff and gave him the thumbs up. Good, honest, efficient. What more can you ask???

First off, this i my first online review for ANYTHING. Howard’s inspired me to give it a whirl.
Chuck at Howard’s Automotive is the best mechanic I have ever dealt with. He is one of the last honest mechanics in the shady auto repair industry. I have taken all of my cars to him since I found him 5 + years ago. He has worked on a range of vehicles for me. I have brought him my 1970 Datsun 510, a 93 Infinity j30, 1996 VW Passat VR6, and my current 91 Nissan Maxima. He is very easy to deal with and will tell you what you need straight up. I took the Passat in because it flooded my floors with coolant. He told me I could take it Sonnen VW and pay them hundreds of dollars for a new heater core or he would throw a bypass on it and get it back on the road for $ 25. TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS! Most mechanics wont even let you in the garage for that much!
That is just one example of the many times he has done right for me and my cars. My Mom, Dad, and friends go to him on my recommendation, and they have all returned to me with thanks.

This is probably one of the last honest mechanics! I will not take my car anywhere else — why? I have never gotten ripped off here — Chuck is a fantastic mechanic with honest prices. My little Toyota will go to Howard’s garage until it does it’s last put-​put. But heck it’s already 8 years old and still in excellent shape thanks to Howard’s Auto!

For YEARS I tried to find an auto mechanic who was competent and reliable, and whose services were reasonably priced. Chuck — the owner and only employee — fits all of these qualifications. He is good at classic auto engine restorations and just plain breakdowns of everyday cars.
He will take tow-​in emergencies, but it’s best to call ahead for an appointment.