Transmission repair — how to find a reputable transmission shop

How to find a reputable transmission shop

You have four options to get your transmission repaired: Independently owned mechanical shop, Dealer, Chain operated transmission shop, or an Independently owned transmission shop. When you need yours repaired, here’s how to find a reputable transmission shop.

Pros and cons of getting transmission repair at a local independently owned mechanical shop

Pros:

• They’re local, and they care about their reputation.

Cons:

• Since they don’t deal with transmissions on a regular basis they’re not very good at transmission diagnostics. As a result, they tend to recommend a transmission rebuild more often than just a repair.
• They don’t do their own rebuilding. They usually send yours out to be rebuilt by a local rebuilder (rebuilding a transmission requires special tools and unique knowledge).
• They’re often more expensive than a specialty transmission shop because they have to mark up the cost of the rebuilt transmission.
• They aren’t always aware of the factory’s extended warranties.
• You can only get warranty repairs done at their shop. If the transmission fails while you’re on vacation/out of the area, you’re kinda screwed.
• They usually only offer a 12-month/12,000 warranty on the transmission.

Pros and cons of getting transmission repair at the dealer

Pros:
• The dealer is most up-to-date on known repeat failures and manufacturer “goodwill” extended warranty coverage. Because of this, they are more apt to replace the valve body and solenoid parts rather than recommend a full transmission rebuild.
• If your transmission needs a complete rebuild, the dealer usually doesn’t do it. They usually install a factory-remanufactured transmission supplied by the carmaker. These are usually higher quality than a rebuilt transmission.
• If they repair your transmission, they’ll use factory parts versus aftermarket parts.
• Best warranty: The remanufactured transmission usually comes with a longer 3-year/36,000-mile warranty that can be fixed at any dealer of the same make.

Cons:

• The remanufactured transmission costs more, and the dealer’s labor rate is higher than independent shops.

Pros and cons of getting transmission repair at a chain transmission shop

Pros:
• They can usually turn your vehicle around in 1-2 days versus 3-5 days at an independently owned mechanical shop. That’s because they get the transmission from a local distribution center the same day.

Cons:

• Chains and franchised shop have incredibly high sales goals they must meet. So these shops tend to jump right away to recommending full transmission rebuild rather than repair.
• Chain and franchised rebuilt transmissions have a reputation for being lower quality which tend to fail after the warranty period.
• The cost tends to be slightly higher than a local independently owned mechanical shop or a specialty transmission shop.
• Warranty is usually 12-month/12,000 miles and you can get warranty at any of their chain/franchised shops.

Pros and cons of getting transmission repair at an independently owned transmission

Pros:
• They are pretty good at diagnostic work and are not afraid to work on valve body and solenoids rather than recommending a complete transmission rebuild as the first option.
• They usually rebuild your transmission on-site.
• They’re cheaper than a dealer.

Cons:

• They’re not always up-to-date on the known failures; the dealers see those first
• They aren’t always aware of the factory’s extended warranties.
• They usually offer just a 6-month/6,000 mile warranty. You sometimes have to pay extra for a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.
• Unless they’re an ATRA member, you can only get warranty repairs done at their shop. If the transmission fails while you’re on vacation, you’re kinda screwed.

Find a reputable, independently-owned transmission shop

Many independently owned transmission shops belong to the American Transmission Rebuilder’s Association (ATRA). ATRA puts on seminars to keep members up-to-date on the latest repair and diagnostic techniques.

In addition to offering training, an ATRA shop participates in a warranty program that helps you get transmission repairs in other locations while you’re still covered by a warranty.

Find an ATRA shop here. Then go online to check out the shops’ reviews.

©, 2021 Rick Muscoplat