A good repair shop that can diagnose and install a replacement transmission can be hard to find – especially on short notice. We can help you find a shop that does quality transmission diagnostics and installation for a fair price.

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?

We also include a guide for fair prices for both replacement transmissions and installation labor for the most common transmission models.

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.

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

Randy’s Automotive & Transmission

(714) 821-1800
230 S Magnolia Ave
Anaheim, CA 92804

Website: http://randysautoandtransmission.com/

Golden West Transmission

(714) 898-9751
13802 Goldenwest St
Westminster, CA 92683

Website: http://www.goldenwesttransmission.com/

Goldenwest Transmission has been proudly fixing your transmissions in Orange County for over 39 years. Our certified techicians specialize in all types of transmissions. Whether you have an automatic or manual trans, or if your car is front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, gas, diesel, or hybrid, our team can fix it. When your transmission is slipping or failing, let Goldenwest Transmission take care of the problem.

Vung Tau Auto Repair Muffler & Tire

(714) 534-4800
13331 Brookhurt St
Garden Grove, CA 92844

Website: http://vungtauautorepair.com/

Integrity Transmission & Auto Repair

(714) 785-4568
6044 Cerritos Ave
Cypress, CA 90630

Website: http://www.integritytransmission.net/

Integrity Transmission & Auto Repair is a locally owned and operated auto repair facility serving Cypress, CA and surrounding communities. Owner Henry Villegas and his son opened shop in 2010 with one goal in mind: To be the most trustworthy and dependable transmission and auto service shop in Cypress.

Transmission Specialist

(714) 265-0397
980 N Harbor Blvd
Santa Ana, CA 92703

Website: http://www.santaanatrans.com/

Transmission Specialists welcomes you to our Garden Grove ~ Santa Ana transmission repair shop website. Each transmission technician at our automatic transmission repair shop in Santa Ana ~ Garden Grove is highly qualified and ready to deliver their expert automotive transmission repair technician knowledge & skills for your every automatic transmission repair need.

G & S Transmissions

(714) 534-0753
12760 Nutwood St
Garden Grove, CA 92840

Website: http://www.gandstransrepair.com/

We Are Orange County’s Oldest Transmission Shop, Opening Our Doors in 1954. We do full transmission and all general automotive work. We Are Open Six Days a Week to Service All Your Transmission and Related Auto Care Needs. Drive By and Stop In to Say Hello. We Are Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday. See You Then!

Leon’s Transmission

(714) 534-3300
12612 Garden Grove Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92843

Website: http://www.leonstransmission.com/

As a family owned and operated business, we’ve provided excellent transmission repair and customer care for over 50 years. With 8 locations throughout Southern California, you’re sure to find a Leon’s Transmission near you!

Quality Firestone Tire & Auto Center

(714) 903-4466
12042 Knott St, Ste G
Garden Grove, CA 92841

Jiffy Lube Oil Change Center

(714) 554-0610
13970 Harbor Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92843

Website: https://www.jiffylube.com/

Transmission Specialists

(714) 265-0397
980 N Harbor Blvd
Santa Ana, CA 92703

Website: http://www.santaanatrans.com/

Our automatic transmission shop is proud to be affiliated with the non-profit organization known as the Automatic Transmission Rebuilder Association (ATRA). As an ATRA member our automatic transmission repair shop adheres to the service and repair definitions which are a part of the ATRA bylaws and code of ethics.

Certified Tire Garden Grove

(714) 636-2263
9572 Chapman Ave
Garden Grove, CA 92841

Website: http://www.certifiedtire.com/

Every business claims to be the best. We just are the best. Certified Tire’s satisfied customers speak for themselves, in saying we have exceeded their expectations and continue to provide amazing service beyond just a tune up or tire rotation.

Buddy’s Auto Repair

(714) 539-9175
10601 Acacia Ave
Garden Grove, CA 92840

Website: http://www.buddysnapaautocenter.com/

Buddy’s Napa and AAA Certified Auto Repair Shop has been in business for 40 years. We are available from 7am to 6pm Monday through Friday and from 8am to 4pm on Saturday for our customers that cannot get in during the week.

Transmission Shops in Nearby Areas

• Anaheim
• Bakersfield
• Carlsbad
• Corona
• Chula Vista
• Elk Grove
• Escondido
• Fontana
• Fremont
• Fresno
• Fullerton
• Hayward
• Huntington Beach
• Irvine
• Long Beach
• Los Angeles County
• Modesto
• Moreno Valley
• Oakland
• Oceanside
• Ontario
• Orange
• Oxnard
• Palmdale
• Pomona
• Rancho Cucamonga
• Riverside
• 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 Garden Grove, 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?

Likewise, California has no legal requirement that services for transmission repair in Garden Grove, CA first show proof of liability insurance to reimburse you in the event of any damages that might occur during servicing.