Carlsons Automotive - Amarillo (TX)

2 /5 Lauren Hickmott: We were charged $350 to get a new battery and have the oil changed. We asked for a quote on how much it would cost to fix the heater, and told them specifically that would be something we would have to budget in and not to do any work on it. When we got our bill, we saw they charged us $45 for labor to diagnose the problem with the heater. When my husband asked them about this and reminded them that we had said not to do any work on it, she said that they did not do any work. He had specifically told them we were on a budget and that was not a priority right now. If they were going to charge us a diagnostic fee, they should have asked us first. They also charged $45 to diagnose that the battery needed to be replaced. Once again, we were not aware of the diagnostic fee. I understand having diagnostic fees, I just wish they would have been upfront about it and asked us first.

5 /5 Tara Roberts Zabriskie: I was driving thru town on my way across country when my cooling fans died. I first took it to the Subaru dealer and they wanted $1200 and said there were no parts between Denver and Dallas so Id have to wait two days for them to get here. Frustrated, I drove over to Carlsons Automotive who came highly recommended by my brothers friend. They promptly diagnosed the problem, gave me an estimate at half of what the dealer did, and could get the parts right away. I was in and out of there in less than 3 hrs and that includes the time they took to help another traveler with her truck who was hauling horses and also needed to get back on the road. Great people. Competent mechanics. And friendly service all around.

5 /5 Hazim Rashawka: My car was displaying a maintenance warning, so I stopped by to have it checked. Since I recently moved to the area, I was willing to pay to avoid any future issues. A gentleman named Tyler helped me out; he said it was a simple fix and took care of it for me. He also addressed the tire pressure light and fixed that as well, all at no charge. I truly appreciated his kind and friendly approach.

1 /5 Barry Lynch: BEWARE NEW OWNER! As a loyal customer of 27 years, I took my truck in to get the brake rotors changed and run a test on the battery/alternator. The prices here have always been high, but I have always been a "you-get-what-you-pay-for" kind of guy. After paying over $1000 to have my brake rotor and pads changed, I got to work the next day and notice this insane raddling sound coming from my front tire. The tech had broken the hub cap that covered the lugs and had placed one of the screws inside the cap before bolting the broken cap back to my truck. It sounded like loose change in a dryer. Disappointed they had not told me they broke the cap, I called to bring the cap by and discuss its replacement but was greeted by 5 techs and told the cap was broken beforehand and that the screw was NOT left in the cap - but that I must have done that myself. Needless to say, after 27 years its time for a divorce. After a thousand-dollar brake job and getting laughed at like in National Lampoons Vacation - when the mechanic asks Clark Griswald, "how much you got?" I guess I will find a new shop. Miss you Ed. Hope these guys can get your name off the sign sooner rather than later. Disappointed life-long customer.

5 /5 Amy & Avery Nubson: No matter how new or your old car might be, it’s frustrating when it has a problem. Even more frustrating, and scary, when it breaks down on a cross country road trip. We’ve driven across the country 20 times with our 2009 Venza and it’s been very reliable. With 4 hours left on this road trip to Albuquerque, our Venza had some rattling underneath. On the way we stopped for the night in Amarillo TX, unsure of how to reach a trust-worthy mechanic. We found one at Carlson’s Automotive! Bonus that it was a mile away from our hotel. They look at the car early in the morning, it was a minor fix, nothing major at all, they took great care of me. I would drive back here for more mechanical work if needed! I feel safer on the road knowing there are trustworthy and honest mechanic out there!