Action Auto Care

Honest, fast, and easy to deal with. Got my regular maintenance done without any of the upselling I’m used to at dealerships. Also looked into one of my minor problems for free.

I wrote to action auto care for a quote; they wrote back within the hour with a number that was similar to what I’d heard from other shops, but what earned them my admiration was that they also mentioned a competitor of theirs that specialized in this type of repair who might be able to do it for less. As it turned out, a lot less. Thank you, Robert and Action Auto Care. I’m saving your number in my phone for the next time I need a car repair.

Honest, friendly, and fairly priced. Action Auto is a breath of fresh air after having an awful experience with a scummy dealership.
I had called around the area for quotes and theirs was on par with everyone else’s ($ 100), but happened to have the earliest appointment available. I asked what they would do for my 25,000 mile service, and everything was in line with my manual. No extra upselling or expensive «precautionary» additional services.
Robert was super friendly and transparent. He explained everything he was going to do and made sure I understood and agreed with why.
I also work walking distance from here, and they were kind enough to park my car for the day. Definitely coming back.

Robert and his team are the best. Honest, knowledgeable and organized. I love that Robert is happy to answer my questions (detailed answers too). The prices are in line for San Francisco — not cheap, but not dealership gouging either.
I now know more about my car and know that we are in good hands with Action Auto.

I was very pleased with my experience here. They were very professional and even gave me car care tips for my manual transmission (not ideal for SF). I felt that they were honest with the assessment of the problem, and the estimate is what I paid.

I came to this place because of all the Unilocal ratings. When I first came to the shop for an issue I had with my 2006 Civic brakes and strange engine noise, his demeanor seemed a little off putting, but after getting to know him a little better his work and estimates and assessment of my car have been fair and honest. He told me all the work that needed to be done now and all the work that can be held off for a later time, and also advised me in which order to do it in so that you don’t drop big amount of money all up front. So I keep going back to him for my oil change and other services because he doesn’t sell you repairs you don’t need.

Robert is super awesome!
My fiancé asked me to take in his 2006 Honda Civic — it had been heating up. Robert was very clear and articulate about what needed to be done. I don’t particularly enjoying going to an auto shop because I always feel taken advantage of… But Robert is definitely NOT a sleazy over masculine egotistical guy– he’s real and honest.
Thanks for fixing the Honda!

Took my care to get smog checked. They were incredibly polite and speedy. I was very satisfied with the service

Finally, I have good carma! This place took great care of my Honda Civic and made sure I knew how to maintain my car in the future. The staff is super friendly, cool, and seem totally honest. No shady business here, just good car repair.
You can also ask any questions, they know a lot and take great care to explain everything. I’m so glad I came here instead of paying more than double at the dealership. I’m sure Action did a much better job anyway, my car is running like a dream!

Robert is awesome! No nonsense, honest, and fast.
Love it and definitely will be back.

Robert and the crew are absolutely the best. As honest as you can ever imagine for a mechanic. Robert’s like the trusted friend who won’t screw you over like the car manufacturer owned shops. Have gone there about 6 or 7 times and it’s been a pleasant experience each and every time. Literally takes the stress out of servicing your car!

Robert is quite simply the best, most efficient, talented and HONEST mechanic I have ever had the pleasure of working with. As someone who is usually on a budget, what I most appreciate about Robert is his ability (and lack of pressure or judgement) in prioritizing repairs. If you only have $ 300 to spend, he can let you know what things would need to be fixed now, in 100 miles, 300 miles, etc. This is something I have only really experienced at action auto. Other repair shops force you into asking more questions, or pressuring you to do more «while they’re in there.» Robert simply lays out the facts, and let’s you know all the details about how the labor, parts and pricing structure works.
His prices are super competitive, but you won’t sacrifice level of service. He turns work around very quickly delayed what seems like the world’d busiest schedule. I view myself as a discerning, at times skeptical customer, and I really cannot say enough about how great action auto and Robert are.
I have called him for advice from the road before, while in a panic and overheating my car. Also had a horrific car accident while in the middle of a 9 month road trip, and Robert was super responsive and speedy about getting me the repair records to forward to my insurance money, even though money-​wise, that got him nothing.
The. Best. Mechanic… you will ever hope to find.

I came here because I was having a a couple of issues with my car. After doing much research, I went with Action Auto Care because of the Unilocal reviews and the pricing. I called other places, and they quoted me at more expensive rates.
The problems consisted of rear brake pad replacement, tire rotation, fog light replacement, and AC pumping out neutral air. I also had a small problem after changing my air filter. The plastic covering under the glove box would not stay mounted.
I brought the car in at 9am. They told me that the tire rotation would cost $ 25, the changing of fog light would be $ 10, rear brake pad replacement would cost $ 230 – 360, and the AC most likely needed freon added, which would cost $ 148.
They called me at noon to let me know how the work was coming along. Everything was going smoothly and they were going to change the brake pads next. They also told me that they would need to purchase clips to mount the plastic covering back onto the glove box. Then the worker chimes in on the conversation and said that the clips weren’t needed, and he already fixed it.
A few hours go by and they call me again. They explain to me that they added freon gas, but my car was not utilizing it. They told me they run diagnostics and to pick my car up around 5:00.
When I got there, they told me what bad luck I had run into. My AC compressor was busted and it would need to be replaced. They explained that the probability of this part malfunctioning is somewhere around ⁵⁄₁₀₀ chances. This also happens to be the most expensive part to replace. I did some research and at the dealership, this part goes for $ 677.85. They told me that it would cost about $ 1000-​$ 1400 to replace, which is reasonable considering labor. Boo! I called around and the cheapest place I could find in the Bay Area was Alouis Auto Radiator, which was the place Action Auto Care recommended. They quoted me at $ 1070. I am taking it there on Tuesday!
They felt so bad for me that they did not charge me for the tire rotation. I also asked them about when I would need my timing belt replaced. They told me that it would be sometime in the near future, but to come back when my car reached the appropriate mileage. They gave me a ballpark figure and explained to me that this was because some things would need replacing, and others would not.
Great place to have auto work done. They are the cheapest that I have found after calling around. They have good Unilocal ratings. Customer service was fantastic. My bill came out to ~ $ 400.
On a side note, a few days passed and I started to hear a noise while driving only at speeds exceeding 55mph. The sound is almost identical to someone turning on a treadmill, but no one running on it. It started to occur after taking it here.

(+): great service, friendly, and quick. Robert and team accommodated me when I had a quick lightbulb change. I expected to drop it off and pick it up the next day, but he prioritized me and I walked out in 10 minutes.
(-): nothing
(0): you won’t go wrong with action auto care!!! Believe the Unilocal hype.

I’ve brought my 1999 VW Beetle here for the past eight years. Robert always makes it right. It’s great to have a stand-​up man as your auto mechanic!

Robert is a great no-​BS guy. Although they didn’t fix my car from the first time I showed, he deducted what he charged me first time and fixed it perfectly. I had trouble with windows electricity and power steering pump noise. He took care of them.
He is a reasonable and professional mechanic.
Coming back if something happens with my car again.

Another great review tops them all. Thanks
Robert for helping me get my Honda Accord’s alternator replaced ASAP even though you had some cars ahead and able to fit me in some how. I like the way Robert was honest every step of the way. Robert is an awesome person for going the extra mile for me. He was able to get everybody’s cars done that day. Pretty cool.
Thanks again,
Edgar

Took my Honda Fit here for the first time today. Robert gave me an estimate when I dropped off the car for intermediate maintenance. When I asked if the car could be ready by 3 he said normally they quoted 5 but would try. He called me at 2:30 saying it was done. One gold star.
When I picked it up another young man went over the paperwork. It was $ 10 less than what Robert had estimated. Another gold star.
The paperwork stated I needed a new clutch. At hearing this Robert’s ears perked up. He said he would drive the car around the block with me and give me an estimate on how long I could wait before dealing with the clutch. Another gold star.
When we got to my car, Robert looked confused and asked if we were at the right car. I have an automatic. No clutch. No clutch to replace. He told me to sit tight while he checked something. When he came back he said there had been another Honda Fit in for the same type of maintenance. There was an error in the paperwork. He was genuinely apologetic even when I told him no big deal. Another gold star.
Overall impressed with timeliness, honesty, and a true commitment to serving the customer. I will definitely continue to bring my car here for all future needs!

Action Auto Care is the best shop in the city!
Robert is knowledgable, professional and fair. Especially as a woman, it is important for me to take my car to someone who will explain things clearly without being condescending or misleading. I also do a lot of research when there is something wrong with my car, and I have found that Robert’s prices are always comparable and fair.
The shop is located in a convenient location, using BART or the bus from downtown. There is a Whole Foods right across the street, which is a nice spot if you have to wait a bit. However, my car has always been ready in the timeline given to me, so that has never been an issue either.
Robert is easy to reach and he returns phone calls quickly. And finally, he will never recommend anything that makes no sense in terms of repairs. He has build an honest business and I really respect people like that. Lucky to have found Action Auto!

After reading the stellar reviews, I called and got an appointment for a week out. Needed to get my car a full check up — it’s a Honda CR-​V, 13 yrs old with 165k miles. Because he’s never serviced my car before, Robert suggested an intermediate service which included an oil change, tire inspection & rotation, checking out the brake pads, transmission, rear trailing stuff, and a slew of other things that I don’t recall at this moment. Intermediate service was about $ 225. The next level up was around $ 530 and is a major inspection. He said he’d call me if any work was needed and would not do any work unless approved by me. In the end, aside from a small tire patch, nothing else was needed for now. He gave me a report and for things to keep an eye on, he also noted when some things would probably need replacing.
Overall, I was VERY happy with Robert. I appreciated that he didn’t try to upsell ANYTHING. He actually kept me from spending more because I considered the major service, but he said, no, let’s go with intermediate first and see if we should look at more. Very honest guy and he deserves the fantastic recommendations here.