Absolutely terrible experience. Our service van broke down in the middle of an intersection near this shop, so we had it towed there out of convenience on a Thursday afternoon. We were told it would be back on the road by Monday. By Tuesday, they hadn’t even looked at it. When they finally did, they claimed it was an electrical issue and charged us over $700 for a part that turned out to be completely unnecessary. The van still didn’t run. We then had to pay another $400 to tow it to our regular fleet mechanic. Our mechanic took less than five minutes to determine it was clearly the transmission — just from the sound it made trying to go into gear. It had nothing to do with the electrical system. This was an obvious misdiagnosis that cost us time, money, and a full week of lost revenue while our service van sat unusable. Now we’re fighting to get our money back for a part that was never needed in the first place. Who knows how much more they would have charged us before eventually admitting it was the transmission? I would absolutely not recommend this mechanic to anyone. Save yourself the frustration, expense, and lost time. Why is it so hard to find honest companies to take care of their customers?
In from out of town, I needed a place nearby that I could drop off my car and walk back to condo. Conveniently located. Lady at desk to greet me and take a reservation for day and time was very friendly and helpful—very important. They performed my requests on time. They pulled a screw out of my tire without having the need to repair it and backed out the charge. Would definitely go back next time here.
Speed bump did me in. Carlsbad Auto diagnosed and put me back on the road quickly. Mike, my rep. was great. Jaime couldn’t have been nicer and all the folks there were considerate, supportive and competent. Thank you all for your help. Susy
Simply Amazing!!! One of our best automotive repair experiences ever; top notch staff. On Tuesday, 11-25-25, on our final day driving from Wisconsin. We started hearing a little brake noise about two hours from our destination in Carlsbad, and based on reviews we decided to call and were able to get an appointment for the following morning. Since the repair shop was close to our rental we decided to drop it off late in the afternoon. In little more than an hour we had an estimate for repairs, with photos of all of our problem areas pointing out what was required and what services were recommended. Our entire rear brake system (rotors, calipers, shoes), was completely worn out, and hopefully they will have it fixed by the end of Wednesday. However at 1:00 pm Wednesday we had our repairs completed and we were able to drive around the area and enjoy a wonderful family Thanksgiving. Many thanks to the staff
I called this number this morning by mistake.I thought I was calling the Mazda.Dealer, in Carlsbad, and I explained what was happening with my 2022 Mazda 3, and she informed me that as much as she'd love to sell me a new thermostat, most likely, it's covered under our powertrain warranty. KUDOS to this shop and its honesty.Thank you so much!
I recently had my Tesla serviced at Carlsbad Auto, and I couldn't be happier with the experience! From the moment I drove in, the staff was friendly and professional. They took the time to explain the service process and answered all my questions, making me feel completely at ease.
The service was completed in a timely manner, and I appreciated the detailed report they provided, outlining the work done and any recommendations for future maintenance.
I also loved that they kept me updated throughout the process via text, so I knew exactly what was happening with my vehicle. Overall, I highly recommend Carlsbad Auto for anyone looking for reliable, top-notch service for their Tesla. They truly go above and beyond!
I had an issue with my alignment so I visited them and got an appt first thing next day. Got two new tires so it was ready for the alignment. I had my car ready within an hour and half. Thrilled!
The team at Carlsbad Auto was great! My campervan went in for a check engine light, and a rat’s nest and damage around the engine was discovered. It was a lengthy stay there, what with insurance dealings and backordered parts. Their communication and professionalism was top notch throughout (shoutout to Jen!). They were also very flexible and patient in waiting for me to be able to come pick the van back up.
Appreciated courteous service and timelines of completion. Also information of services that I should be aware of. I would definitely use Carlsbad Auto Service again. Location was also easy to access.
A+++ experience!!! Zarina was my service advisor. I brought my new to me, 2022 Tesla Model Y LR for a post purchase inspection. They found that the control arms were cracked/worn. This is a pricey part. Thank goodness that I purchased the extended warranty and the part was covered. Zarina handled everything with the warranty company. Thank you Zarina, you’re a superstar.This was on a Friday and the repairs were done on the following Tuesday. So, do yourself a favor and take your vehicle to Carlsbad Auto Service. I would highly recommend them!
This is the second time I'm leaving a 5 star review on this shop, they took car of my radiator which was leaking after the dealer shop denied replacing it under warranty. I was offered a fair price, good parts and even longer warranty period of one more year and 12k miles more than what the dealerships offered. I wouldn't waste my time going anywhere else anymore.
Not good brought my car in because it wouldn’t start. They couldn’t find the problem and eventually said they had found it and fixed it picked up my car drove it. The next day wouldn’t start brought it back to them. They said it was the battery and let me go my own way. I broke down on the freeway right after leaving that Store. The whole job cost well over $1000 and I have a car that won’t drive won’t start. they said they were gonna send me photos of the broken down equipment burned out equipment and they never did
I brought my 2012 Fiat 500 to Carlsbad Auto Service and they did a great job fixing it. The team was professional, friendly, and made the whole process easy. My car runs perfectly now!! highly recommend!
Just had my first visit to Carlsbad Auto Service and it was perfect. Professional, friendly, knowledgeable and very trustworthy. I typically take my 2019 Kona Hyndai to the dealer for service - not anymore. More than pleased to find this gem in my neighborhood.
Mike and his team did a great job with the ac repair. Always in contact with me and updating the work that was going on. I think they went the extra mile to get it done in time for our trip that was coming up. Thank you all for your hard work
After moving from Carlsbad, California, to Corpus Christi, Texas, in search of a coastal lifestyle with a lower cost of living, I’ve gained some perspective on the true value of staying in Carlsbad. This review is for Carlsbad Auto, a shop my family relied on for over 20 years. They consistently charged fair, standard rates and never took advantage of the community to inflate prices. That kind of integrity means a lot, and I regret not writing a review sooner, especially since online reviews weren’t common when we first started using their services.
Since relocating to Corpus Christi, I’ve been disappointed to find that auto shops here charge rates comparable to, or even higher than, those in Carlsbad, despite the significantly lower cost of doing business in Texas. Unlike Carlsbad, where community values are strong, some shops in Corpus seem more willing to exploit their customers with excessive pricing.
If you’re considering leaving Carlsbad or North County to escape the high cost of living, I urge you to reconsider. The extra expense in Carlsbad comes with a stronger sense of community, better weather, well-maintained roads, greater walkability, and more. In hindsight, taking on a second job to stay in Carlsbad would have been worth it.
Thank you, Carlsbad Auto, for decades of reliable service and for being a trustworthy part of the North County community. Your commitment to fair pricing and community values is deeply appreciated.
My car was towed to their shop after it completely died at a stop light. AAA was the tow company and they recommended this place because it was close and they said it on their list of certified AAA mechanics.
They charged me $150 to diagnose what was wrong with the car. They provided a long list of items wrong with the car that included many items that had nothing to do with my car not running including telling me I needed to replace the radiator, axles and struts. The total to fix all these items would have been more than my car was worth.
In order for my car to get it running again I needed a new alternator and battery. The amount they quoted to fix the alternator was approximately $1,650 and the battery was approximately $350. A total of $2,000.
I called my normal mechanic and he laughed when I told him what their estimated was. He said he would replace the alternator and the battery for a total of $700. So I decided to pay for my car to be towed to him.
When I told this shop I was going to tow the car to my mechanic they said their initial quote for the alternator and battery was using premium parts. They wanted to send me a revised lower quote using non-premium parts. I said no thank you and said I just wanted to tow my car.
I forwarded my mechanic the long list of items they said needed to be worked on besides the alternator and battery and he said everything else was fine with the car and nothing needed to be replaced.
Quick and efficient. Everyone were nice and polite. I love that they send you all the information to your phone and print it. If you need an oil change go to them!
I have been a customer of this shop for several years. Recently we had a dispute over a charge. Jamie, the owner personally contacted me and we resolved the issue to my complete satisfaction. This was exemplary customer service and I recommend the excellent service here.
The team lead by Mike was very transparent and took some issues with my keep step by step. This allowed me to consider each issue and whether it was worth while to fix when I may simply do a trade in. Honest and transparency was supported with pictures and proof. Thx
Found ourselves in Carlsbad, CA with obvious brake issues. Contacted Carlsbad Auto Service and arranged to take our car in the next morning. They completed a complete diagnostic by later that morning including an estimate for required repairs. I okayed the work and they were able to complete the repairs by the end of the same day. Very impressed by their professionalism and their ability to support my tight schedule.
I just moved to Carlsbad a couple months ago and found this shop walking distance from my place. Unfortunately it was at a time when both of our vehicles were having some pretty serious problems at the exact same time, but luckily the team at Carlsbad Auto took care of me.
They are very organized, have great communication, and excellent customer service overall. I loved that they add pictures of issues with the vehicle to the inspection reports and fully explain everything without you having to ask.
My usual experience with mechanics up until this point is they just tell you what's wrong, and you have to ask a bunch of questions to understand what the problem is (or if it's even actually a major problem). These guys make it clear, breakdown whats urgent vs not, etc. Also the 24/7 pickup & drop off lock box is super convenient considering I can just walk from my apartment whenever I'm available.
Pricing seems fair and standard for the area. It would be awesome if they offered a labor discount when multiple repairs share overlapping work (mostly saying that because I have an old truck that needs a ton of work lol). Then again I'm not a mechanic so it's hard to say if this is a reasonable request.
Everyone I've met from the team has been great. I'll be coming back as long as I live here. Highly recommend.
I have a 2007 Civic Hybrid Honda with over 250k miles. Driving to Carlsbad, CA from Phoenix, AZ, my car started to lose power. I made it to the city but only had a week before I needed to head back. They helped me find a tow truck, communicated via text and phone calls all week, and my car was done before I needed to go home. It drove back to Phoenix with no problems. They did a great job working on my hybrid battery and while it was expensive, I didn't feel they were taking advantage of my situation. I appreciate all the hard work they put into my car and hopefully, it will last a long time before I have other problems.
Great communication, all repairs and test results explained. Trustworthy service. I found Carlsbad Auto after constantly receiving exorbitant repair bills from another mechanic. Carlsbad Auto does not recommend services you don’t need. It’s a relief to have found them and feel confident you’re getting fair prices and service. . I won’t go anywhere else for my car.
This was by far the best auto service experience I have had. From the fast and easy appointment response, courtesy ride back home, to the most detailed diagnostic I've ever received, and the no hassle check-out process... I am grateful for this auto shop. I wish I would have known about them before my last service appointment at another repair shop. Thank you to the team at Carlsbad Auto Service! I appreciate your care, honesty, and attention to detail.
My Corolla’s AC stopped working and it’s the middle of the Summer (oh no!)
Tried booking an appointment online but the website wasn’t being cooperative when trying to select what type of service.
Called the service line to book an appointment, but after waiting on hold for so long, the cheery hold music became infuriating.
Good thing I work right next to this place! So i walk over to book an appointment but they won’t allow me to book it in person. They just made me call the same phone number. So i waited on hold again, but after another extended wait i gave up.
I just want to overpay for AC service so I don’t melt in my super reliable 2010 Corolla. I’m regretting my recent Sienna purchase as well in case that inevitably needs service.
Super disappointed in the customer service here. Do better.
This is a terrific auto repair shop. The people are easy to work with, knowledgable, responsive, and honest. They have been very accommodating in getting me in when I need them, and they have worked with me to keep my car in good health. I've only been with them for a few months now, but have been 100% pleased and impressed.
Amazing experience!! Very trusting, transparent, kind, thorough, professional. Mike took the time to explain what was wrong with my car and sent a very detailed inspection report via text that was even color coded with high priority vs. low priority repairs. Great communication. Even paid for a one way Lyft from the mechanic back to my house. Incredible customer service!! Highly recommend. Would come back. 10/10
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