These guys are the best!!!!! From out of the area and had a vehicle breakdown! They came to the rescue and did a fantastic job getting me back on the road!!! Workers were very, very polite, courteous and personable!! Hats off to the front desk guys also!!! Wish they were closer!!
What a terrific repair shop! Kevin is the best! After the catalytic converter was stolen from my son's car which was parked on 58th and 11th avenue (very common - park in a garage!), they towed the car quickly, Kevin gave us an estimate, helped us negotiate with State Farm, and was generally super helpful, friendly, supportive, and informative. The repair was done quickly as well. We are so grateful to Kevin and his team for getting us through this unfortunate and frustrating event!
Shop does nice work for general maintenance. People are friendly however anything that requires electrical work do not bring your car there. All other maintence is ok. Had to bring my Car back 3 times and they tried but still could figure out. Still paid for services . Ended up bringing car to my mechanic in Kingston NY and in 2 days with the correct equipment and test driving it to locate the problem , they told me the problem and I’m back on the road. Stay away anything electrical. Good for transmissions, alternators , oil change . ELECTRiCAL go elsewhere.
I’ve been coming to 54th Street for years. Owning a car in Manhattan is tough, but these guys make maintaining it easy. They’ve done body work, oil changes, breaks, mirrors, and tires for me. Thanks as always, guys!
Tow truck driver Sheldon towed my vehicle from NYC to LI. I made the initial call with AAA around 12 midnight on a Friday night and of course, we all know a tow is not quick. Sheldon was kind, clear and managed to get my car safely back to Long Island early next morning (I was in no rush). He was kind and very professional. Thank you.
AVOID THIS SHOP AT ALL COSTS. My experience with Service Manager Johnny Beniquez at this shop was one of the most blatant attempts at upselling and dishonesty I’ve ever dealt with in the auto repair world.
I brought my 2019 Honda CR-V in ONLY for an overheating issue. I never saw or spoke with the actual technician who performed the diagnostics — all information came through Johnny. From the moment he called me, it was clear he was setting up an unnecessary and wildly overpriced repair.
Here’s what happened:
• I dropped my car off Friday around 2:30 PM. Johnny told me “one of our guys will run diagnostics tonight and I’ll let you know what’s going on.” Then he immediately followed that with, “We don’t work weekends, we’ll fix it Monday.” So which is it? Diagnostics Friday night or nothing until Monday? Already suspicious.
• He recommended a car rental place that tried to charge me DOUBLE the price of other quotes I received. Convenient for him — not for the customer.
• Monday, he calls with a laundry list of “issues” that made zero sense. He said: • “You had a misfire.” • “One of your coils is bad, but you should replace ALL FOUR — they come as a kit.” This is completely false. Coils DO NOT come in a “kit.” They are individual components, and replacing all four is unnecessary unless all four fail (which they didn’t). This was textbook upselling.
• Then he quoted me an OUTRAGEOUS price of around $2,800. For a “might be” thermostat and “one bad coil.” Any experienced mechanic knows these are fast, inexpensive repairs — assuming they’re even needed. I called my local hometown mechanic and he confirmed my suspicions, I was being conned and the price quotes was outrageous even for a New York shop. ( my hometown mechanic told me he could tow my car from their shop back to Massachusetts and fix both of the things he suggested for less than 1/2 of what they quoted me”.
• When I showed up and I told Johnny I was picking up the car, he became visibly irritated. He made me wait for my bill, and then charged me $205 for diagnostics, which I paid — but the attitude was unprofessional and telling.
• The technician’s notes on my paperwork were honest. Johnny’s interpretation was not. The tech never said four coils needed replacing. Johnny did. The tech never diagnosed a thermostat failure. Johnny guessed it might be the issue.
I drove the car all the way home from Manhattan to Massachusetts, and through NYC traffic, with ZERO problems. Temperature was stable. No misfires. No power loss. No overheating. Nothing.
So what happened? Johnny saw an out-of-state customer, assumed I’d be desperate, and tried to turn a minor issue into a multi-day, multi-thousand-dollar job.
This shop needs to take a hard look at the way their service manager operates because this kind of predatory behavior is exactly why people don’t trust car repair shops.
Update: After reading the owner’s response, I need to clarify the facts so consumers aren’t misled. Look at the notes they provided, speak volumes.
Your shop admitted you could not diagnose any overheating issue — yet still tried to sell me nearly $2,900 in parts and labor (thermostat + all four ignition coils), even though your own report only showed a single misfire on cylinder #3. Recommending a full coil “kit” and a thermostat you could not confirm as defective is not “professional diagnosis” — it is upselling unnecessary repairs, which is a deceptive business practice under NY General Business Law §349.
My independent mechanic (with 30+ years experience) later confirmed: • Thermostat was not faulty. • Only one coil was needed. • The root cause was a failed gasket — something your shop never mentioned.
Your attempt to rewrite the situation in your public response is gaslighting, and the record of the written estimate speaks for itself.
Charging $205 for diagnostics while presenting an almost $3,000 repair estimate without conclusive findings is exactly why consumers lose trust in repair facilities. Your response reinforces my concern that the goal was not accuracy — it was revenue.
I had a super experience with the entire team at 54th Street Auto Care. They were honest, tried to help me find refurbished parts when possible to lower replacement costs, communicated clearly about needed repairs and timing. Cannot say enough how great and helpful they were. Highly recommend using them for all auto care needs.
Breaking down is never easy- the tow truck arrived quickly and I was put at ease. Fred at the front desk was clear in communication, very easy to reach and helpful in every way. Work was done well and timely. They are not the cheapest people, but they are located in Manhattan. They cleaned my car as a nice gesture to give it back to me even better.
Tim jumped my battery on a AAA call a few days ago - and we ended up replacing my battery! It was the right thing to with the original, 7 year old battery on my Subaru Crosstrek...I would have gotten into more trouble had I just gone with the jump. GREAT guy, great call, super fast response time (15 minutes). Give that guy a raise!
I had such a great experience at this auto shop thanks to Johnny, the manager. From the moment I walked in, he was welcoming, professional, and very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all my questions, and made sure I understood what my car needed without ever feeling pressured.
Johnny truly goes above and beyond for his customers—he kept me updated throughout the process, made sure the work was done on time, and even double-checked everything before handing my keys back. It’s rare to find someone who genuinely cares about both the quality of service and the customer’s peace of mind, but Johnny does exactly that.
If you’re looking for an honest, dependable, and customer-focused manager, Johnny is the one to see. He turned what could have been a stressful experience into a smooth and positive one. Highly recommend!
STEER CLEAR! Inexperienced (or just stupid)! AAA contacted 54th Street Auto Care to pick up my car which had broken down in Manhattan. Car is clearly marked AWD which should have been flatbedded or dollied, but rather the 54th Street Auto Care driver dragged the car 15 miles and destroyed the drive train to the tune of ~$6K for resulting repairs. If 54th Street Auto Care cannot handle a simple tow properly then I wouldn't trust them to change my oil let alone any mechanical work.
@54th Street Auto: Glad to share photos of the car NOT on dollies. Would like to see your rear cam footage please indicating otherwise.
I normally wouldn’t even pay attention to such insignificant people, but what really bothered me was the lies. I absolutely cannot stand lies, and that’s the only reason I’m leaving this review – because of Nicholas and his company, who are complete liars, scamming people. Instead of helping when something bad happens, and leaving a good impression, they choose to deceive and take advantage of someone in a desperate situation.
Here’s what happened in my case. My alternator broke down and I needed to tow my car 14 miles. AAA covered 3 miles, and then it was supposed to be $5 for each additional mile. As you can see on the receipt, they already lied and cheated me. They charged me for 15 miles instead of 11, which means they overcharged me by 20 dollars right away.
On top of that, we drove over the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, which is completely free, one way ride - from city to Brooklyn.
I don’t think my review will affect them, because these are the kind of people who only care about their own profit. By the sound of Nicholas’s voice, he’s an older guy, very “old school,” greedy, whose only interest is to grab the money without caring about the person’s situation, problems, or anything else. That’s his right, but it’s my right to leave this review and tell the truth about how you scam people.
When the tow truck arrived, the driver named Oscar told me he wouldn’t even move the car unless I paid him an extra $185 upfront. Keep in mind – I had already agreed on the price with AAA and was only supposed to pay for the extra miles. Nobody ever mentioned any “extra toll.”
And let’s be clear – there is no such thing as a $90 toll from Manhattan. You can lie to tourists, but don’t lie to me. No toll like that exists. I don’t mind paying if it’s a real fee, but you drove me from point A to point B and then invented a made-up toll.
So please, keep your lying comments to yourselves. I’m sorry that in New York there are still these greedy, old-school types of companies who, instead of helping people in trouble, take advantage of them. That evening, I had no choice. It was late, it was raining, and I didn’t want to waste another 4–5 hours waiting for another tow truck. So I agreed. When we arrived, I went to the ATM, withdrew $200, and gave it to the driver. Of course, he had no change. He took the $185 plus an extra $15, calling it a “tip.” For service like this, I wouldn’t even give one cent as a tip.
IOn the receipt, you can clearly see the lies – they cheated me on the mileage, cheated me on the tow, and listed a completely different amount. The driver lied at first, saying he wouldn’t go unless he got $185. But on the receipt, it shows $167. So again – lies and scams.
Let me emphasize this: be kinder. Maybe this review will make you rethink your policies and how you treat people. Though honestly, I doubt it, because greed defines you. All you care about is taking as much money as possible when someone is in trouble. But remember this – in life, the most important thing is to remain human, not to act the way you do.
Also, Nicholas, was extremely rude, unprofessional, and clearly had no idea how to treat customers. It felt like he would sell anyone and anything for just one dollar. I’ve rarely met people this greedy and dishonest.
And when I asked for a clear breakdown, I got more lies. I paid $200, and he said the “extra” was a tip. So imagine paying $38 in “tips” for this kind of disgusting service. Completely absurd.
So yes, I just want to leave this comment to say how sad it is that companies like yours still operate in New York, treating people this way. To you as a company, I only wish one thing: make the world a better place, work on yourselves. Though again, I doubt you’ll change, because I’ve read the other real reviews on Yelp and google, and it’s always the same story.
Maybe someday you’ll rethink your ways. But believe me – karma exists.
Outstanding to work with. Had a flat tire in Manhatten. Tow truck was there in less than 10 minutes. Since we had run flats and had to order them, we needed a tow to Long Island. Super friendly driver. Wish I remembered his name. Several weeks later, I called for a receipt to turn into insurance and the dispatcher, Dylan, was very helpful and friendly.
My 2016 Jeep Wrangler now drives better than the day I bought it.
Was it cheap to get it to this point? Absolutely not. But is anything in Manhattan cheap these days? Absolutely NOT.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re deep in the Google review rabbit hole for 54th Street Auto — just like I was. And I’ll be honest: I was nervous. Nervous about what this was going to cost after my brake caliper broke in the tunnel, and nervous about trusting a new shop with that kind of repair.
But let me tell you — my expectations were exceeded.
Fred is an absolute gem. He tells it like it is. No fluff, no games — just a clear breakdown of what’s wrong, what it’s going to cost, and what actually needs to be fixed now vs. what can wait. That kind of honesty is rare in this business, and I appreciated it more than I can say.
Richie, the owner, was just as great — checking in during and after the repairs, making sure I was fully satisfied and letting me know I could always come back if anything wasn’t perfect. (Spoiler: It was.)
Honestly, I think they fixed more than I paid for, because my Jeep feels brand new. I haven’t driven this smoothly in years. I’m beyond grateful — and now I know exactly where I’m going if anything ever happens again.
So if you’re in a bind, unsure who to trust, and already bracing yourself for the bill — do yourself a favor and go to 54th Street Auto. You’re going to have to pay someone to fix it anyway… might as well get it done right the first time.
This shop towed my car [sent from Onstar and then an affiliate with AAA] and they dragged my AWD car DESTROYING my drive shaft. If you get a tow and see that it is from this shop CANCEL IT!!! Unacceptable. When we contacted them we got a "someone to help you is not in and they will call you in the morning." Never got a call back. This cost me over $5,000 to fix due to the shop's carelessness.
My car died in Manhattan, so I called AAA and the guy determined it was the alternator not the battery. I needed a tow and West 54th Street Auto Care’s tow truck driver showed up within the hour. It’s a AAA certified business. The shop owner was transparent about what exactly was wrong, the pricing and timing for me to pick it up. Everyone I dealt with at this Auto Body Shop was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. They even threw in a free car wash - nice surprise! Both AAA and West 54th Street Auto Care earned a customer for life after providing such wonderful service. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! (and I rarely write reviews, but these guys absolutely deserve it and your business!) I’ll be back for my inspection, oil changes and any other car problems. Thanks a million!
Kevin and the rest of the 54 st. auto care staff were amazing to work with. They explained everything in detail, answered all of our questions, and made sure that we were well taken care of. They helped us deal with our insurance company and offered fair, knowledgeable advice. Our car came back fixed and clean! They are my new go-to spot for all my car needs, I cannot recommend them enough. Thank you 54 St. Auto Care!!
54th St. Auto did a phenomenal job with my auto repair, maintenance, and tire rotation! The service was top-notch, efficient, and the staff was incredibly professional. Fred was awesome and got me in and out within an hour. My car feels like new again. Highly recommend them for anyone needing quality auto care!
I’m giving 6 stars Kevin and the staff at 54th Street are the best in the business. I have tried other garages in the past and, no one knows customer service like this team! They are on time, communicative, and precise. They even thre in a car wash after all the work was complete on my vehicle. It’s fairly easy to make an appointment and they get the job done in a timely manner always with a smile. Thank you for making the experience a pleasurable one. I trust these guys!
Car breaks down in Manhattan, we get towed to this place. They diagnose a broken radiator & it takes them the week to replace it. Ended up with a $2000+ bill that only allowed me to drive an hour before my car was leaking coolant again. Now stranded in Jersey with a 6-year old who can’t get back home to go to school & an auto repair shop owner who runs a skeleton crew during the weekend and has them tell you “come back to us on Monday, use AAA to get back here. You are still on warranty.”
Why don’t you use your tow trucks drive to pick us up in Jersey? How can you replace a radiator and have it leak coolant an hour later?
If I call in on the weekend AFTER LEAVING YOUR SHOP - I don’t want to talk to the tow truck guy, I want to speak with the owner, since this is his mess to clean up and help us with. But apparently, they are too busy to give a damn. Simply “we open on Monday.”
I have never in my life been more mad, or treated in such a disrespectful manner. I manage hundreds of customers weekly & this place has a thing or two to learn.
As of me writing this right now, we are over budget (broke), stranded in NJ & no way of getting back home.
Excellent service I called triple A on Friday morning . My car was stranded infront of my apt building on east 88 street in Manhattan , And I believe ELLIOTT & Thomas was they names , they came in a Chevy impala with a TRIPLE A ON THE DOOR basically 10 mins after I called TRIPLE A FOR ASSISTANCE. They were Very professional & very helpful in helping me understand why my car was not starting . Thank you again. I give this place 10 stars.
I had a bad situation turned good with their help! I was getting into the city for 2 days with my family. My car conked out in midtown. I called AAA they sent a tow truck, (54th auto care) the guy came with in 45 minutes, towed to their show late in the day. Next day I had a diagnosis, they had to replace, radiator, alternator and Battery. All was done in a few hours (warranted by AAA for a few years) and I drove home! Thanks guys, amazing and I totally appreciate it.
The shop I was towed to, 54 West Auto, absolutely preys on AAA customers who think they are getting a deal. I was charged $230 per Goodyear tire, I have never in my life paid more than $140 per tire. The 10% discount offered was only on labor, so it did not save me any money and certainly resulted in me spending significantly more on this repair than I would have at a retail repair shop.
I am glad that I am safe and now able to use my vehicle, but this $650 repair is much more money than I have to spare at this moment. I feel like a victim to some scam, shame on you all.
Absolutely OUTSTANDING people who work here. Fred and the other gentlemen around saved my day! They were helpful, friendly, kind, and funny and rescued my ring which had fallen in the grate out front. I am extremely grateful for their kindness and ingenuity! 12/10 service here!! Thank you!!
Without a doubt the best garage and service I have ever experienced. I knew it was going to be a good experience when I pulled into the garage and noticed how immaculate everything was. Not a drop of grease or oil anywhere. The gentleman who greeted me treated me like it was a 5 star Michelin restaurant. Started with their AAA guy Jeffery who brought me a new battery on a Sunday night a couple weeks ago. Apparently the bottom part of my battery had separated from the rest of the battery. On his referral I bought my car in for inspection. They discovered something that I was told about a few months back, both front axles spewing grease. They repaired that within the day. And, to top it off, they cleaned my car inside and out. Even buffing out all those parking garage marks on the sides of the car. The guy up front, Fred, was also way above and beyond. Would I recommend this place. Heck yeah!
Iyor the tow driver was really cool! He secured our food truck very well and drove safe. We bonded over our love of food. Hope we can have him again as our tow driver for any emergencies. We booked through AAA for an emergency tow for our food truck to be delivered from Manhattan to Queens for emergency repair.
Someone hit our car while it was parked on the street. The car subsequently stopped starting & we had to have AAA tow it. The guy that came to tow was very professional & quick. We had them take a look at it & from the start felt safe in their hands. Kevin kept me in the loop the entire time. He was reasonable, transparent & accurate with time & costs. They fixed the car and had it looking like new in 2 weeks! The detail people really deliver! Rich got us settled up with payment & pick up & was very helpful! I look forward to using this shop in the future & I definitely recommend. Thanks again!
I was stranded in NYC. This company came with 15 min and rescued me out traffic. Cristian was excellent guy who provided the service quickly and professionally and drove me back to Jersey safe and sound. I highly recommend Cristian as a top notch service provider for this company.
I was involved in an automobile accident on November 10th and I called 54th Street Auto. Not only did they come right on time, but they also took excellent care of me. They made sure I was ok and they took my car over the weekend as it was a Saturday. The autobody technician, Nick, called me first thing Monday morning and assured me that I would be more than satisfied with the results. I have to say- I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED with how AMAZING my car looked. Not only was the job done on-time, they went ABOVE AND BEYOND. They detailed the inside of my car, they fixed things without me asking, they changed my windshield wipers, replaced light bulbs, I mean I've NEVER Experienced such great services in my entire LIFE!!!!! If you have any autobody work needs, Please, Please, Please, go to 54th Street Auto- THEY ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!! I GUARANTEE IT!!
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