Aamco Transmissions

Save your money and go somewhere else! I usually do not write reviews good or bad. I don’t like to spread negativity in anyway but I feel that I need to say something so others can avoid the nightmare I went through.
It took them more than a month to fix a head gasket in my Honda. I had the engine replaced for $ 800 about 6 months before I took it in to see these guys. It was only supposed to take a week and half but they kept coming up with reasons why it wasn’t ready.
Then by the end of it all they wanted me to pay $ 3200 for the repair cost total. Eventually I was told by some mechanics to report them to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR).
So I did and unfortunately the BAR representative couldn’t find any fault in their pricing. He said unfortunately they can jack up the pricing of labor and parts without regulation.
I was told to let the car go since it’s blue book value was only $ 900. I tried to work out payment arrangements for the balance of the $ 3200 but they said they won’t release the vehicle to me until it’s paid off. Even though they had me without transportation for over a month on a simple fix. I guess it wasn’t so simple since they needed to call in an «expert» to help them get the engine back together. Why would you take a job that you didn’t know how to do?
Finally I offered to sign over the the title to them but they want me to take out some loans to pay them back. I didn’t want to do that.
Then after the BAR investigated them I get a letter in the mail stating that they are charged me another fee to find the Title Owner which they had all that information anyway when I filled out the repair paperwork. Also, they were charging me storage fees that had already accumulated over $ 1000 for the last week.
So by the end of working with AAMCO of Oceanside I’ll be on the hook for over $ 5000 and no car anymore. I can’t begin to tell you the impact this had on my life. Take my advice and take your car somewhere else.

If you go to these guys make sure everything is clear. make sure that they tell right up front that you will be charged $ 125 for a diagnostic. I was not told this and when I went to get my car I was told the engine and transmission was just fine and that will be $ 125.00. I was never told they would need to do this diagnostic nor was I asked if it was ok to do it. I was told to pay the charge in order to get my car back. pffffffft!!!

So, I was skeptical at first (as any car guy would be). But a friend of mine recommended them, and I went with my gut. I went in with trouble on the second gear (blew it out on the strip). I can honestly say that I’m glad I went with my decision. Upfront, Jon was honest and to the point. I’ve dealt with other local shops and even car dealers that want you to just pay and leave. These guys are professionals and ensure that you’re in the loop with what’s going on. I eventually had to get an entire new transmission and clutch. The install was timely and any needed follow on work was prompt and covered by warranty. It’s clear to me that this staff takes their work personally, which me being a car guy, gives me great comfort. If you want prompt, reasonable and honest work done: this is the place to get it.

I went here based off the GOOGLE review. I will go back to why that was important in a bit.
We took our Tahoe here last year to get the transmission fixed. It was done about 5 days and 3,800 dollars later. About two weeks later we drove it home just up north and had problems shifting into park every single time. I took it back in and they told me it was the shift linkage and that this is not their problem. The shift linkage in my vehicle sits underneath the transmission. When I asked if this part had to be removed to take the transmission out they said yes. There was no issue with it before. Also keep in mind this was the first time it was really driven. They said they would «bandage» it and then we could pay a couple hundred to get it fixed. I will never ever come here again. Almost 2 years later we still have several issues.
When the transmission was done and I went to pick it up. They said please leave a good review on google and you can come back and get a free oil change HENCE the good Google reviews and all the bad real Unilocal reviews.

These guys were great! They were very diligent in diagnosing the problem I described when other shoos had turned me away because they couldnt duplicate the problem. They even found out that my car is still covered under warranty and let me know right away! It such a relief to know that there is an honest shop out there still! I definitely recommend taking your car to Aamco Oceanside!

Just spoke on the phone to someone told them what was wrong with my car then he puts me on hold. Someone named John then picks up the phone and says I can’t understand you and Im saying hello. he can hear me because I know the other guy could and I said hello? And he goes hi I can’t understand you when all I said is hello. He then slams the phone to hang up. So rude! I’m not calling back.

John and Ben are the guys you meet when you walk in or call up. They rebuilt my 2000 Jeep transmission and we are ready for off roading now! Thanks

Very helpful and didn’t even charge to get the codes read for my car. Great customer service so I will be going back to fix the problems.

Took our older car to get work done on the front end. We dropped it off on Friday night right before close and they were able to call me Saturday morning to tell me the problem. They only SUGGESTED what needed to be fixed, no pressure to get everything they suggested. They also gave me the total cost before touching the car. I was pleased that I was able to tell them what I wanted and what I could pay before they tore into my car. They finished the car by Monday after afternoon (quickest I’ve ever had a shop fix my car) and they even offered me a free oil change next time we come back. Definitely will come back to them, they’re very friendly and offer a very generous military discount! Very friendly staff too!

Overrated and way overpriced. It might sound stupid, this was my first time getting a tune up for my car and I explained so to the garage person.
The worst isn’t that they ripped me off but that the service I requested wasn’t done properly.
Horrible place, no trustworthy people.
Will never come back.

I sincerely wish I could give this shop more than 5 stars.
We had my daughters car towed here after it died on the freeway. We were just about to leave the country for a week and couldn’t deal with this car problem right now. We decided to store the car at one of the yards of the company that my wife works for. It just happens to be right down the street. I thought it was silly to tow it ¹⁄₈ of a mile and figured I could push it. After a couple of guys help us push it off the property, I started to to push it with my daughter steering.
The shop owner Ben and his teenage son Jacob saw that it was a more difficult task then I thought it was. They began to help me. I wasn’t even half way there and realized there was no way I could have done it with out their muscle and act of kindness.
As hard as they tried to save me money on a rebuilt transmission and their physical efforts, I wish I could have given them my business.

Very easy going trustworthy staff. Highly recommend them. They might make suggestions about things your car might need but don’t try to push you into anything.

They did a great job on my work van. Took an extra day but I’d rather it be done right then quickly since my vans are my source of income. Was the same price that they quoted me from the beginning. I do need a dampener for the drive shaft in the future. It really is bad, I saw it with my own eyes so they weren’t trying to upsell extra stuff.
They did valve cover gaskets, front and rear seal on the transmission, both u-​joints on the drive shaft, serviced the transmission and replaced both gaskets on the differential and service as well. All for $ 1230.00 Good Price? I thought it was. I also got a free oil change. Good stuff guys.

Great customer service Ben is very friendly.

Very Satisfied. You get a little bit more than what you pay for here. Highly appreciate the customer service, speed, generosity, and most importantly– TRUSTWORTHY! I will be certainly returning for all our auto needs. Thanks Ben and Team!

I brought my Jeep Commander here last week and they were quick and friendly. My truck runs like new again. Super satisfied customer!

I would give this place a zero if possible.
Bad customer service. Dose work that doesn’t need done to run up the price. Price gouging customers. DON’T COME TO THIS SHOP! This place is a huge rip off..

I’m heading there tomorrow to have my clutch checked again. I am thinking that it’s the transmission but I’m hoping that it’s the clutch because the owner said he would warrantee my repair for one year. I’ll give you an update tomorrow.

This place has horrible customer service. We paid around $ 3800.00 for a «new» transmission to find out later that they just rebuilt it… When 90% of the reviews are bad and this is my first 1 star review, it is really saying something about the company… We have had problems with it numerous times since & they seem too «busy» to work with us. They have canceled appointments or taken days to even look at it. Last time I brought it in I had to pay more for something since it has a turbo system in the truck. I don’t understand to this day why they couldn’t have had it done right the first time. It’s been almost a year and we are still having to take it in since its still not working perfectly.

Do Not Bring Your Car Here!!!
Chris D is correct. I had the same problems with AAMCO. I brought my car into AAMCO for the free diagnostic in need of transmission fluid and to check a possible leak. They gave me an estimate of $ 3600 and said they tried to do a transmission fluid change but the transmission just jammed up and they need to take the transmission apart to see what the problem was. When I showed up with the tow truck the owner came out and said their original quote might have been too high and that it might only cost me $ 2700. Because of the high estimate and pushy sales tactics I took my car over to Oceanside Transmission where the mechanic said my car did not have a drop of transmission fluid in it and I was missing three bolts. On top of that the battery was dead thanks to AAMCO. Oceanside transmission put some fluid in the car and it ran perfectly fine.
Go to AAMCO if you want to be RIPPED OFF. Never again will I bring my can into an AAMCO or recommend it for anyone, especially Oceanside AAMCO.