Stephan’s Auto Haus

I have brought in my 1999 Audi A6 Quattro for past 3 years. They have always done solid work, always worked with me on keeping what needs to be done affordable. The shop manager, Jeremiah, is very informative, helpful and honest with everything they have done. As long as they can keep my car alive within reason, and they have so far, I will be back.

Highly Recommended. A knowledgeable group of techinians whose work is 100% backed by the owner. In my case, Stephan frankly acknowledged that in diagnosing a very complicated ECU/​turbocharger issue a faulty part had been overlooked. He only charged me for the part I would have originally needed and nothing for the labor (over $ 450) to install the part. Integrity like that is, unfortunately, a rarity in the auto service business meaning Stephan will be taking care of my V-​Dub for as long as I own it.

They were able to diagnose and fix a high pressure fuel pump leak on my 03 turbo diesel. Great work and they kept me informed about the process. I will be back for other more complicated services.
Thank you!

Great shop! I enjoy doing my own car maintenance (’05 GLI), but I’ve become extremely busy over the last couple of months at work, and have been searching for a good vdub place. This is it! Down to Earth guys, honest, and from what I can tell, good work. They also give your car a quick wash, and offer a military discount!

Brought my car in for an oil change and engine check light.
Mistake #1 putting 5W-​30 Oil in my 2008 turbo engine Audi. BAD! BAD! BAD!
Mistake #2 Finding loose screws in corners of my engine bay. Which I had to put back myself into what holds the wires to my coils.
Unlike some reviewers thats visited ONCE and put a good review. I have been here MULTIPLE TIMES.
Customer Service. Decent. Care for my expensive Audi. Bad.
I wouldnt reccomend you bringing your newer European Vehicles here.

We brought our 2005 Audi A4 in after 3 other shops, including the dealership, failed to be able to give us a good idea as to what was wrong. From the first interaction, Stephan’s was wonderful. Good clear communication, definitive recommendations, and a great turn around time. After dealing with other shops in town who seem to expect people to just be able to leave their cars indefinitely and rarely, if ever getting calls when promised, Stephan’s was such a positive surprise. Thank goodness we didn’t fall for the dealer’s solution that ‘it must be the transmission because we can’t find anything else.’ The car is finally fixed for less than 50% of the other estimates and we couldn’t be happier!

I have work done here on a regular basis. They are nice and always do solid work. I have recommended this place to many people in the past and will do in the future. You guys rock! Thanks

Stephan and his team take care of my Nissan. They are always professional and explain everything before they do it.

We searched CA for an ethical car repair shop for our rare vanagon and the name that kept popping up as the most trustworthy was Stephan’s Auto Haus. We called him and he spent over 30 minutes talking to us about what we needed done. To say the least, his work speaks for itself. We loved the new interiors and engine redo. It was worth every penny having our sweet vanagon shipped from Laguna Beach to Sacramento. Thank you!

I have been coming to Stepan’s Auto Haus for over five years to keep my 2001 VW Passat Wagon on the road. They have always exceeded my expectations and Always stand behind their work (no questions). The prices are less than the dealer but not cheap because they are professionals. Trustworthy to a tee!

I seriously think Stephan’s Auto Haus is the best shop for water cooled Vanagons/​Westfalias in the entire USA. Excellent customer service, they back up their work with a 2 yr /​24,000 mile warranty on all parts and labor, and they really know their stuff. I hear Stephan’s engine conversion is the way to go (heard this from people who have it and also from Peter at Van Café). They have earned my loyalty for life!

I took my 2003 Dodge truck there for a heater core replacement, the repair and customer service were the best I had ever received! They were completely honest and didn’t tell me I needed a new transmission as well, LOL!

I have had extensive work done at Stephans on my Vanagon. Stephan is as honest as they come. Even if you pay slightly more than a cut rate shop, the quality and backing is well worst it. Over the years I have been going to Stephans I have had a couple parts which prematurely failed and he was all over it with making sure I was not inconvenienced by the extra repair, and of course no charge as it was just a bad part. That happens from time to time. And far less when you use Stephan as he uses the best available. So your odds are far better. I have tried the rest and actually I had to bring my Van to Stephan to repair what another shop had done. They installed Chinese manufactured parts and they failed almost right away.
It is rare these day for someone with any knowledge in repairs to greet you at the counter and even answer a few questions. But they still do at Stephans, most often with the owner Stephan. Most other shops these days have a cashier who just graduated from McDonald’s U, take your money with no knowledge of what was wrong and what was done.
Bottom line is you can trust Stephan. And the service is excellent.

Stephan (the owner) is actually on the property, takes an active role in your car and you as a person, and is fair and honest w his recommendations. Ijust had my RAV4 serviced and me and my family are now loyal patrons. Also the staff is amazingly personable, friendly, funny, real, and helpful – imagine that in this day and age! Love Stephan’s.

Friendly and quick. Price for repair seemed fair maybe a little high. They charge for diagnosis and do not apply to the repairs. I paid $ 55 diagnosis fee after questioning the $ 110 estimate for simple overheating that turned out to be the fan. (which is what we both guessed it might be). Would definitely return if they change the diagnosis fee practice.

Just visited Stephans Auto Haus this morning for a Free oil change and vehicle inspections that I won at Sacramento Pride 2012! I have to say that the staff is great. I waited while the guys took good care of my car and gave me a full report on what items need attention. They are honest and truthful about repairs and do what they can for their customers and potential customers as I witnessed while waiting. I will go back again definately… Thank you Stephan & Rob!

Stephan runs an extremely honest and thorough shop. I’ve had a VW GTI worked on here many times in prep for selling it and both Stephan and Rob were upfront about the repair costs versus value for selling the GTI. I have been nothing but impressed with each interaction we’ve had.
Most recently, my girlfriend’s Toyota 4Runner needed a new catalytic converter, a repair that five muffler shops turned down. Once I called Rob, he took a few hours to do amazing research on the needed repair, found factory recalls (that we didn’t qualify for, sadly because the mileage was too high) and took care of the entire process of the repair, dealing with the Toyota dealership for an ECU re-​flash and was very helpful and courteous to my girlfriend when she was there.
This shop wins SN&R’s best-​of award almost yearly, and for good reason!

I hate to give one star to any business, but I’m sorry to say my experience at Stephan’s was bad enough that I will never go back. Main problem I had is the distinct lack of communication between the counter person and the mechanics. Then, the indignant, unapologetic reaction to me sharing my concerns with said counter person. Finally, there was the total lack of follow up after several calls.
If you’re curious, here’s my story:
Based on Unilocal reviews, I took my ’91 BMW here to replace a broken motor mount. I asked them to check out a loud clunking noise in the middle of the chassis and a shimmy when braking. I got a cheery «No problem!» and thought how lucky was I to have found this shop on Unilocal.Yay me.
When I returned to pick it up, the counter person had said they did a full inspection and proceeded to tell me all the maintenance I needed, including a leak in my power steering (which, curiously had not made it to my garage floor). He clarified it was small. I asked about the other problems and he said they didn’t check but they could «put some more miles on it to check it out.» I was late for an appointment so I said I would come back. As I drove away, the clunking sound was still there and as loud as ever. I couldn’t believe they didn’t drive it during their self-​proclaimed «full inspection,» especially since he offered to put MORE miles on it. I told myself, «Maybe the counter guy didn’t know the mechanic didn’t test drive it.» So, I called him right away and told him. Instead of a simple apology and new appointment, he was very defensive telling me they couldn’t check it because I had to leave. (WTF?! What about during the entire morning when you were supposed to… Fine, fine…) I told him I was concerned about the drive line and could he let me know how much to replace it before I bring it back. Several days later, I still hadn’t heard anything so I called back. Same counter guy says their internet was down so he hadn’t/couldn’t find out anything but he’d check and call back. Another few days later, still nothing… I decided to forget about doing any more with this shop.
Flash forward… that «small leak» started to appear on my floor after a week. Within a couple more weeks, it was a gusher. I took it to another mechanic who showed me a curious hole in the power steering pressure hose that had eventually split the hose. Now, I can’t prove anything. All I know is the car wasn’t leaking anything before I took it to this shop…

My Golf broke down on I-​80 just west of Sacramento on my way to Tahoe last Friday — I had a bike race to get to on Saturday, so this was hugely inconvenient.
I got towed to Stephan’s (this is about 4PM on a Friday.) Was met by Stephan himself, who after listening to my story arranged a very reasonably priced rental car and had me picked up and on my way within 30 minutes. They worked late that Friday to diagnose my car and order the part it needed, and had the repair done early on Monday afternoon.
Stephan’s made what could’ve been an ugly experience as painless as possible, and were friendly and forthcoming all the while. Highly recommended!

Exceptional service, exceptional people
Since we arrived in Sacramento in 2003, Stephan White and his technicians have been maintaining our cars with exceptional skill and great personability. At the time of this writing, we have had a 1998 VW Passat Wagon, a ’87 MBz 300E and a 1971 Squareback Sedan.
For each of these vehicles, Stephan and his staff have done simply great work, at prices which are fair. When he or his staff makes an estimate, they stick to it or call you in advance and tell you the reason why. They’re not perfect of course (who is?), and on the very rare occasion I’m not happy with the work, they make it right.
A rare plus: the receptionist (Sara) is a technician herself; when you have questions, she doesn’t refer you to another tech, she *is* a tech – she just has nicer fingernails. Sara’s knowledge is second probably only to Stephan’s own, and you may rest assured she knows her cars.
All in all… if you have a European car that needs servicing, and you’re within range of SAH, this is your top choice, bar none.