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    Old Town Auto Service

    3.6 (61 reviews)
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    Services - Old Town Auto Service

    Auto brake repair

    Auto engine repair

    Old Town Auto Service Photos

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    Left CV Axle (front view)

    If you're a AAA member or considering this shop, I strongly urge you to read this entire review. It's lengthy and detailed, but the seriousness of what occurred makes it worth your time. Reading this could save you thousands of dollars, along with unnecessary stress, expenses, and avoidable damage. On Friday, November 14, 2025, my truck was parked outside my residence and would not start. I contacted AAA for towing assistance. The AAA-approved towing company transported the vehicle to Old Town Auto Service in Eureka, California, which is also a AAA-approved repair facility. I was present during both the loading and unloading of the vehicle. At that time, no damage was visible, and the tow-truck operator appeared competent and to be following proper procedures. On Monday, November 17, 2025, Old Town Auto Service notified me that the vehicle was ready for pickup and reported that the non-start condition had been caused by a failed fuel pump, which they stated had been repaired. Upon entering the vehicle, I immediately observed that the interior fuse-box panel cover on the driver's side was missing. I reported this to the mechanic, and two employees located and reinstalled the missing panel. When I attempted to drive the vehicle out of the parking lot, I immediately detected an abnormal steering condition accompanied by an unusual noise. I returned to the service office to report the issue, and an employee accompanied me outside to inspect the vehicle. This steering issue did not exist prior to leaving the truck in Old Town Auto's possession. The mechanic opened the hood to inspect the engine bay. At that time, I observed that the fuse-box cover in the engine compartment had been improperly installed and was misaligned sitting sideways rather than properly seated and secured. I also observed a smashed spray-can cap lodged near the hood-latch area, which had left a clearly visible circular mark on the vehicle. Multiple service managers and mechanics were present as I raised these concerns. The mechanic suggested the noise might be related to the power-steering pump. However, the reservoir was full and there were no visible signs of leakage. I then inspected underneath the vehicle and discovered that the CV-axle boot had been torn open. The grease was clean and free of dirt or debris, indicating that the damage was extremely recent. Another mechanic independently stated that the damage appeared "very fresh." During this time, an employee from the front office made a joking remark about replacing the axle; given the circumstances, I did not find this appropriate. When I asked how the vehicle could have been declared road-ready, no meaningful explanation was provided. I was told only that "these things happen," and the damage was attributed to the towing company without any supporting basis. However, I could not even drive out of their parking lot without immediately noticing a major steering problem. If a test drive had actually been performed, the mechanic would have noticed this immediately. Furthermore, the CV-axle damage is significant and very obvious. Both the tow-truck driver and I would have seen that damage during loading, and we would have reported it upon arrival. Additionally, several mechanics had moved the vehicle, pushing it into the lot, repositioning it onto the lift, and allegedly test-driving it. Any of them would have noticed such visible damage. I was told that the shop would keep the vehicle to further inspect the damage and contact me the following day. However, Old Town Auto did not contact me. On the morning of November 19, 2025, I called the shop for an update. I was informed that the CV axle was broken and required replacement, and that the water pump was also leaking. Neither issue existed when the vehicle was delivered to Old Town Auto. The sole reason the vehicle was originally brought in was to address a fuel-system failure. I was further informed that although they had previously stated the vehicle was road-ready, they could provide me with a quote if I wished them to repair the newly reported damage. These circumstances are completely inconsistent with the condition of my truck when it was placed in Old Town Auto Service's custody. After raising these issues, the manager contacted me, offering $200 on the condition that I not pursue any claims or post anything negative about the shop, while simultaneously refusing to address the damage to my truck and insisting it be towed off their lot. This attempt to silence legitimate concerns only underscores the lack of accountability, professionalism, and honesty I experienced throughout this process. Based on the available evidence and my firsthand observations, I have every reason to believe the damage occurred while the vehicle was under Old Town Auto Service's care, custody, and control. I do not recommend this shop to anyone, especially AAA customers who expect reputable, trustworthy service.

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    2 months ago

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    Lacee C.

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Excellent service and quality The shop was incredibly clean was able to see the progress of the work being done with talking with the tech

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    3 years ago

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    Lacee C.

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    2 years ago

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    Lacee C.

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    2 years ago

    Great service, very knowledgeable, highly recommended. I will definitely use them in the future for any work needed on my 4WD pickup.

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    Lacee C.

    So glad you chose us for your 4Wd pickup repairs! Thanks John!

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Lacee C.

    So glad we were able to help and get you back on the road!

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Amazing service! Fast and convenient. They were so friendly there and the coffee was great!

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    Shane F.

    Thank you so much! We appreciate you choosing us for your Auto repair!

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Shane F.

    Thanks so much for the feedback! Hope you had a great trip!

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    3 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Old Town Auto Service

    Review Highlights - Old Town Auto Service

    I had a slight issue a few days later and Steve could not get on it and take care of it fast enough.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Leon's Car Care Center

    Leon's Car Care Center

    4.0
    (111 reviews)

    This is a bit late this happened in 2025, but I needed time to assess what was going on with the…read morecars. This is more detail for my Dec 22nd, 2025 review. I have 2 cars both were being serviced at Leon's and for regular service I liked them, good customer experience up front. However, I took my 95 Toyota Land Cruiser in with 2 issues a suspected fuel leak (we could smell fuel in the garage when you opened the door) and it was running rough, more so when it was cold. Leon's looked at these problems and said they could not find either one. About the same time I took my 2001 Subaru Outback to them about an overheating problem and the guy from the shop came back with a big list of repairs to fix the problem even though I told him this car was a car I was not going to pay lots of money to repair. So with no solution for either car I looked for and found a shop in Arcata. The Land Cruiser went in first. On the first day he dropped the fuel tank and found that the line to the emergency break had worn a hole in the top of the fuel tank and it was leaking. He fixed it and looked for the other problem, it took him a bit longer but not much and he found the number 5 spark plug cable was periodically arcing to the exhaust pipes. So here is the significance of that, Leon's let me drive the car out of there shop with an active fuel leek and an active ignition source should the fuel get close to it. I was not pleased. Then I took the Subaru to the same shop in Arcata and in less than a day he said he found the connector to one of the fans that go on when the radiator gets too hot was not securely connected. Infer what you want from this but one thing is for sure Leon's should have caught the loose connector. Both cars now seem to be running just fine. So why did I not rate them a 1? Well initially I rated them much higher. When I came here for oil changes and tuneups the customer service at the front desk was great and this is where most auto repair shops drop the ball. I assumed that the work in the back followed the same pattern, but this turned out to be a bad assumption. So they could be good for regular maintenance, but I would not go there for anything tricky.

    Worst customer service I have ever received. Left an appointment disrespected and frustrated…read more I like to say good things whenever possible, so first the good: Scheduling appointment was great. I immediately put the appointment into my phone with alerts, but when I showed up, they had me down for the following week. Honestly, I have a reputation for being in the right place, early, like I was that day. Maybe it was my rare mistake, maybe it was theirs, or maybe just a simple miscommunication - fine, moving on - wasn't upset about it, demanding, or anything. The good part was that the owner checked with the foreman who said they could squeeze me in. Very nice, unexpected, and I thanked her. Then things went off the rails. She said no time for an oil change, which I was fine with. However, I said my coolant was a little over-filled and power steering fluid was low. She got snippy with me in a bad way saying she was already squeezing me in. I wasn't demanding anything, and it was a 5 minute job. If she had politely explained that it wouldn't be possible today, I would have accepted it, no problem. I said "sorry, it was just a question." She snatched the paperwork away, grinned at me in a angry way and asked if I wanted to leave. How incredibly over the top and insulting. She added, "because you seem unhappy." I said "you seem unhappy. It was a simple request. Not a demand." She was clearly angry and reiterated that she was doing me a huge favor already (although I think the scheduling issue was on them). Her tone and actions were way, way out of line and totally unacceptable, especially considering how minor the request was. So I calmly said, "This is unfair treatment and unprofessional" and left, which I think was pretty fair. I called to speak to the manager, which I think I have only done once before in my entire life. She answered and passive aggressively said, "sorry, I'm the owner. Leon was my dad." She made no effort to make it right. And she was edgy from the very start too. The whole interaction was so unprofessional, hostile, and I'm shocked by it. Probably the absolute worst business interaction of my entire life. I have never written a negative review before, but this is well-deserved. Do not go to Leon's.

    Johnson Automotive & Electric

    Johnson Automotive & Electric

    4.0
    (71 reviews)

    Fit me in for a smog check on a busy afternoon. I was in and out in 20 mins. Great service and…read morekind, professional staff. Highly recommend Johnson whenever you need a smog!

    This is my first negative review ever. These people are…read moreterrible. I made an appointment to have my car approved after being totaled and repaired. The state insists that you take it to an approved repair shop and have it pass brake and lights , etc. They told me it would be $350. My windshield needed repair and they failed my car because of it. (FYI, that could have informed immediately it couldn't pass unless the windshield was replaced) After returning to pick up my car. And getting the failed paperwork . They said that they could have my windshield repaired so it would pass. ( They charged me $400 plus tax) I made the appointment to have them fix the windshield. Again I brought my car in and waited. Once the windshield repair guy arrived he immediately declined to fix my windshield because it was too complicated. They then told me they would find another windshield repairman to my car. I waited two days no call. I then went to pacific in Arcata. Had my windshield repaired. Returned to Johnson's and they said it would be another $400. Because they would have to recheck everything. Of course I wasn't going to pay them another $400. I drove a block to Broadway and stopped at Broadway Automotive. They would only charge $250. I just believe in good customer service. I would never suggest anyone ever going to Johnson's auto for anything.

    Old Town Auto Service - autorepair - Updated August 2026

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