How to Save Money:

We try to recommend repair shops more likely to install a remanufactured transmission that you purchase on your own for cost savings. When buying a transmission through a repair shop or dealership, you generally will pay $300 – $800 more.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

When buying factory direct, you can save $300 – $800 from what the shop will add as their markup on the transmission. Get a factory direct estimate by text message + email by clicking here.

Questions to ask when calling local repair shops:

Note: Before calling, have your 17-digit VIN# number (from the vehicle dash, door or an insurance card, registration or title) handy.

–Do you install transmissions? Can you quote me a price for installation?
(Check the guide table below for fair labor prices. Labor costs can differ by area.)

–What is your hourly labor rate?
(Typical rates average $75 – $115 per hour)

–Can I have the transmission shipped to your shop for install?
(If you are purchasing directly from a company selling a remanufactured transmission)

Transmission Installation Shop Locator:

Below is a searchable map of repair shops that may install used or remanufactured transmissions at fair labor prices.

Reliable Repair Shop Criteria:

The following are recommended criteria to look for when calling around to find the most fair and reliable local repair shop for transmission installation:

• Has been in business for 2 years or more.
• Has a 4.0 or higher Google Reviews and/or Yelp Reviews rating, with no patterns of 1-star reviews.
• Has a Better Business Bureau “B” or higher rating.
• Is willing to install customer supplied transmissions purchased through reputable suppliers.
• Charges a maximum $95/hour labor rate for initial transmission installation and has a warranty hourly rate that is less than retail for warranty repair work.
• Offers transmission replacement labor using established hourly book times (Mitchell, Alldata, Chilton, Motor, etc).
• Has ability to reflash/reprogram using OEM subscriptions for late model 2006+ vehicles (shop equipped with Snap-On Pass-Through Pro II/III, Drewtech CarDAQ-Plus 2, Drewtech RAP, or similar J2534 device)
• Have a repair shop that does excellent transmission diagnostics and installation and want to be recommended? Visit our For Shops page

Fair Replacement Transmission Cost and Labor by Model

Find your transmission model in the table below for fair prices from reputable suppliers. Also fair labor cost for local installation at a local auto repair shop.

Get a free estimate on a remanufactured transmission factory direct by email.

More Information by Transmission Type

Where to Buy a Used Transmission

Option 1: Buying through a Local Repair Shop

When you go to your local repair shop, they’ll order a used transmission from a local or out-of-state salvage yard, depending on availability.

Pro Tip: If you are having your used transmission installed at a local repair shop, this option is the most recommended way to buy a used transmission.

The major benefit here is that you will typically have some sort of warranty on both the parts and labor through the repair shop if the one they purchased fails.

Option 2: Buying direct through a Salvage Yard

If you are installing a used transmission yourself, the nationwide search engine most commonly used to find a salvage yard transmission by repair shops and insurance companies is www.car-part.com which is connected to almost every salvage yard in the US.

Car-part.com uses the Hollander interchange system for searching the exact used transmission that will interchange with yours.

Pro Tip: Buy From A Salvage Yard That is Within Driving Distance From You When Possible! Always sort by distance and buy in your local area for the matching used transmission to save on the cost of shipping, if the matching unit is available locally. Also, if you have a warranty situation, it is much more difficult to have a warranty claim resolved if you purchase a used transmission from out of state.

Only licensed salvage yards can list auto parts on car-part.com so you can be assured that the companies listed are actual salvage yards.

Option 3: Buying online through a broker or website

Buying a used transmission through a broker / website is not recommended. Most brokers / websites typically use the above www.car-part.com to find you a transmission, then mark up the part by several hundred dollars–charge a brokering fee–and not all online brokers are legitimate or give you the accurate mileage that was on the transmission they are selling. So in the end, you end up paying more for the same thing, at a higher risk of having difficulty if you need a warranty claim.

Pro Tip: Resist the urge to buy a low priced transmission over the Internet that claims low mileage. The risk of a warranty situation is generally not worth any savings of buying a cheap transmission from out of state. You will have little or no recourse if the transmission does not work right. If you prefer to not deal with a salvage yard, buy a used transmission for sale through your local repair shop. Because if you end up having a problem with the transmission (roughly 20-25% chance), buying through your local repair shop will save you the potential headaches of dealing with a third party from out of state who is trying to get a warranty unit from another salvage yard in another state. The repair shop you are buying through typically will already have an established relationship with that salvage yard and will get your situation resolved far easier than through an online broker.

Our Recommendation

We recommend Street Smart Transmission. Their transmissions carry a 3 year / unlimited miles warranty that covers both parts and labor. Their warranty is nationwide and attached to the VIN so it is transferable with ownership if you decide to sell the vehicle. It also covers both parts and labor for the installation of the replacement transmission.

Finding a Shop to Install the Remanufactured Transmission

If your transmission has failed, you’re going to need a skilled mechanic to replace it. You can find a shop using our shop locator map.

For warranty purposes, you need to find a reliable repair shop. That way, if the replacement transmission doesn’t work properly, the warranty will cover it.

Warranty

Each step in the remanufacturing process has to be verified by quality control managers before the build can continue. This guarantees uniform, properly functioning transmissions that will exceed the original manufacturer’s specifications. It also allows for a generous warranty that will protect you from transmission repair costs for up to three years.

• Standard coverage: 3 Years / Unlimited Mileage
• Commercial applications: 18 Months / 100,000 Miles
• Warranty is attached to the VIN number and can be transferred if the vehicle is sold
• Coverage is good at any licensed repair shop, anywhere in the United States
• Pays for parts & labor
• Replacement transmission will be shipped immediately upon receipt of a claim

In addition to the exceptional warranty coverage, every transmission is shipped to any business address for free, and core returns are shipped free as well. Between the build quality and the warranty, a our transmissions are literally better than new.

More Information by Make & Model

Mission Bell Motorworks

(951) 34-2676
1710 Palmyrita Ave #1
Riverside, CA 92507

Services: Oil Changes, Engine Services, Brake Services, Transmission
Website: http://www.mbmotorworks.com/

Magnuson Tire & Auto Repair Inc

(951) 683-1780
1555 University Ave
Riverside, CA 92507

Website: http://www.riversidetireshop.com/

We will provide you with dedicated service and quality automotive parts you can count on. We want to be your ultimate destination for car repair, oil change service, car tune up, and car inspection. Our advanced car diagnostics will find any problems with your vehicle and we’ll fix it right away.

Bloch & Shelton Garage

951-686-5880
3764 Comer Ave
Riverside, CA 92507

Services: Oil & Filter Changes, Brake Services & Repair, Suspension Services & Repair, Tire Rotations
Website: http://www.blochandsheltongarage.com/

Here at Bloch & Shelton Garage we are dedicated to keeping your vehicle safe and reliably on the road. Our experienced service and repair staff will keep your vehicle in top condition.

Woodcrest Auto Service

(951) 780-3311
18400 Van Buren Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92508

ASE Certified Technicians with Decades of Experience. From Smog Checks to Transmissions- We’ll Give You Honest and Affordable Service. Woodcrest Auto Service and Smog is a local Auto

My Tran-E Shop

(951) 243-7675
21891 Alessandro Blvd
Moreno Valley, CA 92553

Website: http://www.mytraneshop.com/

At My Tran-E Shop, our friendly staff takes the time to diagnose the true problem that your vehicle is having. After explaining the problem to you, we get to work to ensure that the issue is repaired. Our transmission repair shop is not a big-chain center, which means we believe that excellent customer service is important as well as your 100% satisfaction.

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers

(951) 785-8590
3255 Van Buren Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92503

Website: http://www.ramonatire.com/

At Ramona Tire, our mission is to provide you with the highest quality customer service available anywhere. Drive over to your nearest location for professional automotive services and name brand tires at fair prices.

Advanced Import Auto Repair

(951) 687-9511
7304 Indiana Ave #3
Riverside, CA 92504

Website: http://advancedimportautorepair.com/

Advanced Import Auto Repair, Inc. is your local, full service auto repair shop in Riverside, CA. We offer professional repair services for your engine, transmission, brakes, electrical system and any of your other auto repair needs.

H&L Armstrong Transmission

(951) 687-2821
8651 Indiana Ave
Riverside, CA 92504

Website: http://www.handlarmstrong.com/

At H&L Armstrong Transmission, you get the best of both worlds: a top-class auto repair shop combined with the unique, friendly service of a family-owned business.

Protrans Automotive & Transmission Specialists

(951) 367-7400
3420 Gato Ct
Riverside, CA 92507

Website: http://protransautomotive.com/

We are a family owned business with over 50 years combined experience in caring for your automotive needs. At Protrans, we pride ourselves on our customers complete satisfaction.

Riverside Transmission Center

(951) 279-7833
12321 Sampson Ave
Riverside, CA 92503

Website: http://riversidetrans.com/

Riverside Transmission Center specializes in Transmission Diagnostics & Transmission Repair, and our technicians are the experts. We’ve been Rebuilding Transmissions and Repairing Transmissions for over 30 years.

AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care

(951) 338-9085
3595 Market Street,
Riverside, CA 92501

Website: www.aamcoriverside.com

Econo Firestone Tire & Auto Repair

951-688-8103
7445, Arlington Ave.
Riverside, CA 92503.

Transmission Shops in Nearby Areas

• Anaheim
• Bakersfield
• Carlsbad
• Corona
• Chula Vista
• Elk Grove
• Escondido
• Fontana
• Fremont
• Fresno
• Fullerton
• Garden Grove
• Hayward
• Huntington Beach
• Irvine
• Long Beach
• Los Angeles County
• Modesto
• Moreno Valley
• Oakland
• Oceanside
• Ontario
• Orange
• Oxnard
• Palmdale
• Pomona
• Rancho Cucamonga
• Sacramento
• Salinas
• San Bernardino
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• San Jose
• Santa Ana
• Santa Clara
• Santa Rosa
• Stockton
• Sunnyvale
• Torrance

California State Licensing Requirements

California does not require transmission shops in Riverside, CA to qualify for a state license, so there is no state standard for competency among transmission repair services. They require only a registration, for which there is no inspection or testing of ability in transmission repair.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

Questions to Ask a Transmission Shop

• How many years has your shop been working on transmissions?
• Do the mechanics at the shop work on your model of vehicle often?
• Do they have customers that received great service as references?
• Is there an inspection fee before they will actually begin work on your vehicle?
• Does the shop need to take your car apart in order to quote your repairs? If this is the case, then ask how much reassembly will cost. Don’t allow a cheap upfront quote sway your decision. This is an easy way to be taken swindled.
• When services are quoted for rebuilding of the transmission, then will the repair be itemized and recorded in detail? Cheap shops will try and swindle you by not recording their services and then charging you for items, or services you did not receive.
• Is this shop capable of all types of transmission work, or will the have to outsource some of the work to another shop? If there is another shop involved in this transaction, can you know their name so that you can research their reputation?
• Does this establishment have active liability insurance? This assures you that you can be compensated if anything should happen to your vehicle while it is in their care.
• Is this shop going to use parts that you consider good quality? Whether original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, other new parts, or used or refurbished parts, it is your decision what you allow your mechanic to put in your vehicle.
• Will the work done by this shop void your factory warranty? Don’t be left holding the bill in the likelihood you should have another car problem just because you didn’t as a question.
• Can you receive an itemized report of the quote for your job? These items should all make complete sense. If you feel uncertain of something, don’t feel pressured to use that shop.

There are several ways to be taken advantage of when looking for transmission repair in Riverside County CA, so please don’t take the time to make an informed decision. Your vehicle is important and so is getting it repaired for a fair price.