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.

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

Escondido Transmission

(760) 741-7861
1175 Industrial Ave # O
Escondido, CA 92029

Brian’s Automotive And Diagnostics

(760) 743-8863
636 W 9th Ave
Escondido, CA 92025

Website: http://www.briansdiagnostics.com/

At Brian’s Automotive And Diagnostics, our number one goal is complete customer satisfaction. Every day, with every customer, we focus on providing high-quality Auto Repair services coupled with top-notch customer service. With many 5-star reviews, we are proud of our reputation as one of the Escondido area’s most trustworthy Auto Repair shops.

Grand Garage

(760) 270-9235
1556 E Grand Ave
Escondido, CA 92027

Website: http://www.autorepairsescondido.com/

Our years of experience combined with our drive to continuously train in order to utilize the latest repair and maintenance procedures means there is almost no problem that we can’t solve!

Road Star Auto Repair

(760) 738-6000
132 E Mission Ave
Escondido, CA 92025

Website: http://www.roadstarautorepair.com/

Road Star Auto Repair provides a variety of automotive and fleet services. See us for steering and suspension system repairs, engine diagnostics, and much more. If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your vehicle, try our online diagnostic center to get answers in minutes. We offer Interstate batteries, ACDelco parts, and Moog suspension parts.

Performance Auto Care

(760) 480-6666
615 W El Norte Pkwy
Escondido, CA 92026

Website: http://hiperformance760.com/

We at Performance Auto Care are committed to excellent customer service. We understand that a good auto repair shop is nothing with out good customers who are appreciated and treated with respect. We strive to complete all repairs in the timeliest manner possible because we know that your vehicle is important to you. We don’t like to let vehicles just sit around the shop. Our prices and labor rate is very competitive with other comparable shops and we often have the lowest price.

Mechanic Mike’s Automotive

(760) 739-8147
1251 N Escondido Blvd
Escondido, CA 92026

Website: https://www.mechanicmikes.com/

Mechanic Mike’s Automotive has been providing quality car care in Escondido since 2004. We are a family owned business delivering honest and professional automotive repair and maintenance services to the people of Escondido and the surrounding areas.

Pro Auto Care Center Transmission & RV

(760) 678-0804
1181 N Escondido Blvd
Escondido, CA 92026

Website: http://proautocarecenter.com/

Pro Auto Care Center Transmission & RV is a full service auto repair shop, we specialize in transmission repair and RV repair. Our goal is to make it the best experience possible and answer any question you might have. Customer satisfaction is our #1 goal.

Rapid Transmissions

(760) 746-2828
859 N Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025

Website: http://rapidtransmission.com/

At Rapid Transmissions, we repair, replace and rebuild all components of your vehicles driveline including the Transmission, Clutch, Transfer Case, Driveshaft, Differential and Axles.

Transmission Pros of Escondido

(760) 489-8265
644 W 9th Ave
Escondido, CA 92025

West Escondido Automotive & Transmission

(760) 741-0071
2200 Auto Park Way
Escondido, CA 92029

Website: http://westautomotivegroup.com/

West Automotive Group is San Diego County’s premier automotive and transmission repair shop. We have two full-service shops in Escondido, CA and El Cajon, CA. Our customers have been receiving top of the line maintenance and repairs since 1992.

Transmission Shops in Nearby Areas

• Anaheim
• Bakersfield
• Carlsbad
• Corona
• Chula Vista
• Elk Grove
• 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
• 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 Escondido, 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.

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