Rapid Transmissions

Rapid in Kearny Mesa is the only transmission shop that touches our classic cars after learning our lesson the hard way at another local shop with our Mustang. We first used Rapid 5+ years ago on our TBird’s rebuild, and then we have them inspect every few years to change the fluid, check for leaks, etc.
When our Mustang was hesitating between 2^nd and 3^rd, we took it «somewhere else» first and we were up-​sold on things that weren’t needed and it STILL hesitated between 2^nd and 3^rd (and told it should feel this way OMG!). Literally, after a road test and less than an hour’s worth of work by the fantastic mechanic Jeff, we were up and running, shifting smoothly. Guess what? He felt the adjustment was such an easy one, he didn’t even charge us. Now THAT’s the «summit» of customer service!
We highly recommend Jeff’s wonderful skills and personality, Gilbert’s excellent management, and Greg’s hands-​on ownership for any transmission needs that you have. They are good people and will treat you with kindness and respect!

We had Rapid rebuild the transmission in our 2001 Acura a year ago. The transmission recently started slipping again. We took it back to Rapid and although it took a while for the problem to replicate in their possession — Rapid found the problem — stepped up to the plate
and rebuilt and fixed the transmission again under their original guarantee.
It sucks to have major mechanical problems and have to put out a lot of cash but comforting to know that the business stands by its product and service and is there to serve you.

I was first introduced to Rapid Transmission by the radio. The people on the radio I want to support. It pays the bills. I came out on top. One of my trucks blew the transmission. It was Christmas time. The last thing I wanted to pay was $ 3000.00 for a Transmission. They helped me out. I have a better transmission with a sub cooler, «Manufacture screwed up» truck now has 200k mileage. I have since brought 3 cars to Rapid Escondido. The guys are great, they remember my name and do good work. Never talk down to you. I just took my truck to Rapid Transmission they did and inspection. FREE. told me to come back in 4 months it looks good. They could have screwed me for a inspection. So many times I have heard bad stories about Transmissions shops. The Transmission is as important as the motor. «You do not move with out» it. A good customer will be a repeat customer.
Larry Barry
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I brought my truck in for an oil change. Gilbert greeted me as soon as I walked in the door.
I live conveniently close and had a friend waiting outside to take me home while my truck was getting fixed but Gilbert still offered a ride home if I needed it which was extremely generous.
I got a call as soon as the truck was ready to be picked up (which was faster than I anticipated)
When I came back to pick up my vehicle Greg checked me out. The process was quick and I was out of there in no time.
The guys are Rapid Transmissions are awesome! I’ll definitely be coming back when I need any service on either of my vehicles.

Very helpful and honest. I took my car in with a transmission issue. They managed to save me a couple hundred.

Brought our car in to check on hesitation. The good news is that although it was not a new transmission needed as Quality Chevrolet of Escondido had wrongly diagnosed (at $ 4500 to fix) but instead a bad coil and tune up needed. ($ 400) My only complaint is they missed the chewed wires to the spark plugs and coil thus costing me another $ 400 to diagnose and fix when we got home to Tucson. Overall very nice people but I question this miss. I have brought to their attention and they agreed to fix our next problem for a much reduced cost, but no plans of being near San Diego anytime soon so not really a good outcome for me.

Scam artist! My 2001 Honda Civic needed a new transmission, so after being referred here from a friend I gave them a call. I was told that they would send a tow truck to pick up my car and should it need a major repair the shop would cover the cost of the tow, otherwise I would need to pay for it. I was also told that I would receive a free quote once they pulled it apart and knew exactly what it need, I said ok, they sent a truck to come get my car. Later that day I receive a call saying my car made it and that it would be $ 500 for the estimate and that would NOT go towards the cost of repairs or the tow! WHAT?! That’s not at all what I was told over the phone! After being very angry and mislead and listening to the scam artist at Rapid Transmission trip over their words I had to call my insurance company and have my car towed to another shop, that actually did what they said they would do, for the price they said they would do it!

I had a 2001 VW Jetta that I brought in due to transmission failure. Granted I have had it rebuilt before, but it ran perfectly since then. When I brought it to Rapid, I did experience great customer service and they explained everything and were very helpful.
However, I had to bring the Jetta back SEVERAL TIMES over 6 months because of various problems — all of which were repaired or replaced on the first visit. Their warranty covered this, but the reason I am rating 2 stars is because I had to bring the car back in so many more times when it should have been done right in the first place.
Additionally, during the times when the car was in their shop I was never ever given a clear estimate of the time it would take. I know transmissions are challenging but do not tell your customers «we’ll call you back in an hour» or «call tomorrow» and then either never hear from them or get another «call tomorrow.»
Maybe slow down and get the job done right.

Sooo, I came here for one issue and left with relief and my transmission fluid replaced. Totally unintentional.
I hit something in the middle of the freeway which took a chunk out of my front bumper and obviously went underneath my car, so I was really concerned there was more serious damage.
I totally forgot the name of the guy helping me, sorry! [I came here a few months ago, yeah haven’t been on top of it] But he was really nice and even showed me what happened underneath my car. They were originally going to just check for damage but checked my transmission fluid and said it was burnt. So they even showed me how they drain out the nasty black fluid and replaced it with the clean RED fresh transmission fluid. This was the first time I was actually shown what the mechanics were doing and could trust them. So thankful and was glad to learn more about how to properly take care of my car!
Will definitely come back! Couldn’t have asked for anything better!

Everyone was so kind even when I decided not to have any work done. I would definitely go back here for future transmission work

Had my transmission repaired here in August 2012 and I can’t praise them enough! Customer service is awesome! Work is stellar! Warranties are fabulous!
During regular maintenance the tech noticd I had a transmission leak. Brought my car in on a Friday morning around 8am and was done by 1030.
Nick has the best customer service skills and he’s a great fit for the front desk. Even the ladies that were there were super friendly and welcoming!
They support the Navy League and wounded warrior foundation which is fabulous!
If you need transmission work– this is your place!

I wish I could provide more praise to this shop than criticism; luckily the only praise I can give is that new clutch they installed almost 4yrs ago on my 20 year car is still working fine *knocking on wood*; the unfortunate part is the lack of service, the ridiculous high pricing, and poor availability.
Recently I took my car there after being referred from another mechanic that questioned the clutch switch on my car may need adjusting when it would not start (but battery and alternator are perfectly fine) after leaving it there on a Saturday to avoid possibly breaking down again, I get contacted Monday late afternoon by Nick informing me that my starter needs to be replaced but is quoting me a hefty $ 389 to do so (this included a 10% discount since I was a returning customer). Sensing that they were inflating the price, I called the original shop that sent me there and quoted me atleast $ 100 less… Around 5pm, when I went to pick up my car, the staff saw that I had difficulty starting my vehicle, in front of their garage, but offered ZERO help or care. I had to beg Nick to help start my car yet he did not fail to give attitude saying my «gameplan» was for the car was since I wasn’t leaving there to be repaired… Nothing but negative and selfish vibes from this place– let’s just say I was singing praises once my car started with a good push and I could leave that place of swindling.

A few weeks ago my clutch burned out while I was chugging up a hill on the 52, and I had to have my Tooyota pickup towed in for repair. I knew the clutch was gone and was hoping the transmission wasn’t. We ended up being towed to the wrong transmission place, but when I went inside and asked if this was [the other place] Transmissions, Nick at the counter said, «No but we can be that for you.» It made me laugh after a very horrible morning, and they offered to pay the towing fee, which was sizeable, since I’d been towed in all the way from Santee.
So we left the truck with them and went home, and after about an hour they called to let us know it was just the clutch. We asked them to check the rear seal on my engine while the transmission was out, as we thought an oil leak we were trying to find was coming from there, but we couldn’t see it. They found the rear seal was leaking (the truck is 25 yrs old) and replaced the seal, with labor, for under $ 100. To pull the transmission in search of that leak would have cost BIG bucks, so I was very relieved that they could take care of this for me.
I haven’t seen a drip of oil since, and the new clutch is divine. I just took it in for a two-​week follow up and things continue to look good. I’m very happy with the customer service and the repair.

Rapid Transmissions is a supporter of the Warrior Foundation Freedom Station, and so am I. That was the 1^st reason I brought my vehicle to Rapid. Also the fact they have been in business over 40 years in San Diego, so they must be doing something right. They were very polite, and accommodating. They treated me like family and they did a free external inspection of my vehicle. They also did a complete transmission service to include the pan gasket, labor etc. for only $ 69.95. That is less than I pay for a tank of gas. I highly recommend Rapid! I know nothing about cars and they were honest! Thank you so much.

Came here for transmission problems! Nick helped us and was absolutely amazing! If you come here ask for Nick!

I went to Rapid Transmissions for a 60,000 mile transmission service, my mobile mechanic highly recommended them, he has worked with them for years. I knew there was an issue with transmission because every now and then the car would slip in gears but wasn’t sure if it was just the way this car drove since I bought it second hand. Well Chad the manager gave me the bad news that I needed a new tranny. I have a warranty on the car so he took the time to call the dealer to make sure they would cover the work. How nice and human of him. In today’s world, hardly anyone takes time out of their day to help another. Thanks Chad!
If you need transmission work done, I too highly recommend this honest and professional company.

I was very satisfied with the help they gave me concerning the issue I thought I had with my transmission. Rapid checked out my truck and assured me that the transmission was ok. I would definitely recommend their shop to anyone, I felt they were very honest and took the time to address my concerns.

totally will not be going here again! I went because my car wasnt shifting out from 2^nd gear… they told me that i was going to need to get my tranny rebuilt… because it was failing 5 major transmission codes… turns out i went to another shop and it was the computer failing, not the transmission! i would of ended up spending money for no reason… way to go with making your costumers think they need more than they really do… one scare, but i was smart enough to go get a second opinion which ended up in under a thousand and it was only the computer! if you want to get ripped off then go here but if you dont go somewhere else! i highly recomend going elsewhere!

I understand cars so I can usually tell when I’m being fed a line of hooey. .. but I don’t understand transmissions at all. I mean: how do they do that? So when it became clear that I was having a problem, I went to see my favorite person in auto repair, Kwan at Hillcrest Smog & Repair. She confirmed my diagnosis but told me they don’t do trannies. She recommended Rapid.
Was it cheap? No. But am I satisfied and confident in my new machine? Yes.
This is a very busy shop with a lot of energized people. Mark and Michelle deal with their customers with great patience. I need to understand, you know? So Mark took me back to the shop where my transmission was laying on the table, described the problems and solutions, even let me talk with the technician who was dismantling it. I opted for the complete fix including the big warranty.
I had to go back three times with minor funkiness and strange noises. The funkiness was fixable, but the noises were persistent. Finally, Mark put a stethoscope on me and had me come back under my car, which was up on a rack, and listen to a few things. It was clear the noise was not the transmission, but seemed to be coming from the power steering pump. Back to Kwan I went and sure enough: bad pump. Now that’s replaced and the old Jeep (the Heep) runs great.
Sometimes, when dealing with repairs of complex equipment, you have to take a breath and have faith. I trusted the recommendation I got — Kwan always takes good care of me — and my first, second, third and fourth impression of Rapid was that I was dealing with pros who knew what they were doing. I believe I now have a vehicle that will carry me another 150,000 miles.

I went to Rapid when my transmission started having problems. They overcharged me, but the worst part was that only TWO WEEKS after they «fixed» my transmission, I drove to visit some friends 60 miles away. While trying to back out of the driveway, it became apparent my Reverse gear didnt work anymore. I called and explained my situation, and they told me I had to tow the car to their shop. I explained that I couldn’t afford to do that, and they didn’t car, nor did they offer to tow it, even though it was their fault and awful craftsmanship that put me in this situation. I tried driving my car around the block, and then the entire transmission locked up and stopped working. It had only been two weeks since they fixed it! My car is at the shop right now (I had to pay to tow it) and even though they said that it would be a priority, I still haven’t heard back from them and its been a day.
so, if you want a poorly built, over-​priced transmission that breaks only two weeks after you leave the shop and you don’t want anyone to give a s***, go to Rapid.