Auto repair experiences are like Forrest Gump's "...box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get". Read on. On October 11, 2025, I took my Chevrolet Tahoe in for air conditioning and worn rear brake pad issues. Next day received update notice that a refrigerant leak was found in the evaporator core under the dash. This is a complex repair I would typically only trust with a dealer given its required dismantling and reassembly of numerous surfaces and devices to get at the "core" of the problem. I had good success with ACA on previous repairs over the years, so trusted (assumed) that ACA could likely handle the repair at a cost less than the often most expensive repair charges by dealers. Knowing this was a necessary and painfully expensive repair, I OK'ed the go-head. Here's the list of events on this repair journey over a total period of about 4 weeks: - First week visit-- AC repair underway, and additional brake issue revealing a leaking axle bearing fouling the pads and disks. ACA update added cabin air filter replacement and delay notice in getting axle serviced. Finally, arrived to pick up car. A quick walk around revealed a few issues. The Good: Nice cold AC air again being produced. The Bad: 1. Greasy finger and transfer marks on exterior and interior dash area panels. 2. Daylight sensor on dashboard was missing (never reinstalled) after its reassembly. 3. Emergency brake was not working/adjusted correctly (a real safety issue). 4. The Really Bad: Deep gash in paint on the left front fender occurring sometime during this first week of service. I notified Service Manager, Sal Saucedo, with email and pictures. Also cc'ed shop owner Adam Kalb. - Second week visit-- Met at ACA shop with owner Adam Kalb. While he did not admit responsibility or apologize for the errors on ACA's part, he fully addressed all the added "fix-it" issues. Made arrangements to fix and drop the car at Long Beach Collision Center for a whole fender scratch repair and repaint, and sent me home via a complementary Uber ride. I returned a few days later to The Tahoe which was fully clean, shiny and had also been detailed inside and out. Now to address my customer rating. The review process for services or products is a multi-edge sword. People will rate the "value"of their experience according to just one bad aspect or perhaps numerous variable factors--quality of product and repair work done; personnel trust, helpfulness and attitudes; service pricing, and return/redo trips and labor rates, etc. So my true rating is *2.8 stars*, an average of all these factors. -Repair quality: 5 stars (assuming they use original manufacturer parts as they claim, generally better quality and reliability) -Repair workmanship: 1 star (unfinished repairs and collateral vehicle damage and soiling) -Personnel: 5 stars (upstanding amends made on repair issues, communicative, listen to concerns, good demeanor, helpfulness) -Overall repair duration: 1 star (a multi-week ordeal and disruption) -Cost VALUE of repairs: 2 stars (full "retail" automotive industry rate standards on repair labor, parts and initial estimate charges) My biggest disappointment was with the workmanship and handling of the vehicle. However, despite what happened, Adam never hesitated on all repair issues ensuring they were fully and satisfactorily addressed. Anyone who has frequented this very large shop may notice that every repair bay is loaded with vehicles. In other words, they are very busy and perhaps too much so which I believe could have degrade to the quality of their work on my car. They don't typically ask to schedule your visit so their workload every day is going to be unpredictable. That will cause compromises in the manpower and timeline to get it all done. read more

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was very good and fast I recommend this service there's no appointment just go and get your small check and it'll be all over. I will visit them again. I read more

ACA Automotive - My car and My Grandbaby,'s loving it - Auto Repair Near Me - Long Beach, California

Excellent service, great quality work, Spark plugs & coils replaced. Fixed fuel cap leak and intake housing crack repaired. Very satisfied with the excellent quality of work done. read more

Fast response, very friendly, efficient and fair price for smog check. Gave me the manager's special! Estimated 1 hour but was in and out in 30 minutes. Didn't have an appointment and walked in on a weekday afternoon around 2:30 pm. ACA is my new spot for smog checks! read more

They say they do break and ligh inspection over the phone but once I arrive they don't provide the service... how are we doing all types of automotive repairs and you can't check my lights or brakes read more

Outstanding service. Very friendly and professional technicians and staff. I definitely will return.

Went there for a smog check, best price, fast service. Happy with my experience, will go back in the future.

Good Service very fair Labor rates. Unfortunately rated three Stars, due to excessive pricing of Parts. In my case replaced after market Delphi Fuel pumps, can be had for half the price listed by ACA for my SRT Charger read more

Fantastic service! Staff was friendly, and they took very good care of me. Took it in for an oil change and checkup and they did not disappoint. read more

A few months ago, I took my range rover for an oil change. They did change the oil but they also manipulated the lights and as soon as got my car back I noticed a green light on the steering wheel and a sound that my car did not have before the service. So, I went back to the shop to get it fixed but they were not able to solve the issue. My vehicle is a 2024 range rover. The technician said that they would.call me back but that never happened. read more

Really friendly and best price I saw for smog tests. I'd definitely go back in the future.

My AC was not working. I called in the morning for an appointment for diagnostics Adam said "how soon can you be here I told him within 1/2 hour and he said "great, bring it on in. He took my information told me he would call once checked I got a call within a couple of hours and said it needed parts but could be ready by 3 pm the next day I got a call in the morning stating it was ready The pricing was on point The best part of my experience was being treated with care and professionalism by all working there especially Adam I will be returning for all of my car cares read more

Smog check done quickly at a great price! Very friendly team!! Came in with had an appointment and was out in about 45 minutes

Some of the best guys around town. I used to have my own mechanic that I used for years, he was good however he worked by himself and it would take days to get my car back. I looked up ACA and when I first went there I knew this was my new forever mechanics. These guys are solid, specifically super friendly, approachable, and if i ever have any questions they never make me feel dumb about asking it, they're so informative. On top of the friendliness their customer service is stellar. I never have to wonder or ask when my car is going to be done, these guys are always on top of their communication. I feel also the prices are very fair for a big shop which shocked me too! Sal helped me out today and he was welcoming and knowledgeable. I know absolutely nothing about cars but I'm grateful I have this shop to back me up! read more

This place is amazing! Fast service, friendly people, and fair prices. You can believe all the 5-star reviews. This place has earned them! Sal is legit. The whole team there is great. I needed my AC serviced and the lower control arms replaced. I dropped my car off late afternoon and it was done by the next day. All along the way, Sal communicated all the findings and repairs that needed to be done and was very transparent in pricing. I love the no-games approach. I had a good feeling the moment I first called and Sal was open about the costs for the services I was looking for. Other places never wanna give you pricing over the phone. I've been looking for a mechanic for a while now and I think I've found it with ACA Automotive. I felt like I've been coming here for years already. The people are welcoming, professional, and the service is unbeatable. read more

Service is always excellent! Took one of my cars in for a smog and it was ready for pick up within minutes.

I took my '04 Mercedes to ACA for repair of a suspension issue. They kept the car for 11 days. I was provided the following estimates for repair by my ACA service advisor: (these are approximates) $5,000 for needed parts and either $10,000 for labor for a retrofit (doing away with hydraulic lines) or $20,000 for labor to replace the hydraulic lines; I was told that ALL of my hydraulic lines were leaking. Questioning this I picked up the car and paid $1,365 for the work they claimed they had done. I then took the car to another repair shop who specializes only in Mercedes and Lexus repairs. This shop repaired the suspension issue in only 3 days for a total of just under $3,900. This repairperson told me that upon inspection of the car that it was obvious to him that ACA had not performed a computerized diagnosis and had not opened up and inspected the pertinent parts to determine if leaking hydraulic lines were causing the suspension issue. Further, he said when he examined the pertinent hydraulic lines he found that there were NO leaks in the hydraulic lines. I went to ACA and provided my service advisor with this information and pertinent documents. Now, I'm not saying this will happen to you, I'm only saying that in my opinion and my opinion only that if you have a question about an estimate for repair to an older Mercedes provided you by ACA perhaps you should get a second opinion. read more

I've been coming to this location a few times and it's always a great experience! Very organized and friendly staff!

Always there for us. We have been going there awhile. Always a good experience. Friendly& always helpful.

The price for smog check is very good with smog tips coupon. I waited for 45 to 50 minutes which was worth the wait. The receptionist was courteous. read more

Competitive prices! My most recent visit was a breeze. I recommend going across the street to Awesome Sushi while you wait.

They did my car's smog on 7/22/24. As a woman, it's tricky to get unbiased, professional, and accurate service. ACA made me feel super comfortable and I didn't feel cheated in the least bit. They have a customer for life! read more

ACA Automotive - Very professional and accomodating!!! - Auto Repair Near Me - Long Beach, California

If your car's got a mystery problem, these are the people you want working on it. My Mustang had a tricky underlying issue that wasn't easy to find, but ACA Automotive stuck with it until they got it fixed. Now my car is legal and running great. Huge thanks to Sal for keeping me updated and explaining everything clearly along the way. Great service, great communication -- highly recommend! read more

ACA Automotive - Veronica - Auto Repair Near Me - Long Beach, California

My 2011 Toyota RAV4 was not starting so I had AAA tow it to ACA Automotive. The service completed included battery terminal clean and replacement and it took two days to complete. Communication with Sal was prompt, clear and professional and his excellent customer service was greatly appreciated. He answered multiple questions and made sure I understood the diagnosis and plan before proceeding with repairs. The value was reasonable, especially with a 10% discount through partnership with AAA towing. Overall, I highly recommend ACA Automotive and would use their services again in the future (Ref #261020). read more

This review is to shout out Ernesto! Thank you for giving me the manger special. The person who was yelling out misinformation needs to be FRIED! Period. Let's drive into this review. Yelpers are the best when it comes down to telling the truth. I needed a smog and some people I follow on yelp wrote great reviews regarding this place. So, I said why not try it right? I pulled in around 12:30 PM on a Friday. When I walked up to the counter, I was greeted immediately. I couldn't remember what the deal was called, but when I went to inquire a man who works there interrupted my conversation with another worker (Ernesto) to yell at me... "whatever is on yelp that's what it is." I guess Ernesto seen the look on my face and said "are you talking about the manager's special" I said yes that's what the yelpers called it. He reassured me and said that he would get me the deal. So yes, I had to stop and write a review. I should have gotten the name of the rude employee, but I wasn't thinking straight, sorry yelpers. Service: The service was fast it took about an hour, and they do have plenty of seating inside and outside. I went about across the street to a sushi place while I waited. (I wrote a review on that as well, please check it out.) All in all, my care passed the smog and tags are finally on my Blue Baby. read more

Great team, great service, great value! I felt well taken care of and will definitely return!

I was quoted $90 across the street, thank fully I called ACA and they offered me the manager special. Service took less than 30 minutes. Such a great deal for fast and efficient service. Will continue to come back. Thank you to the ACA team! read more

Did a smog on another car. Friendly, knowledgeable, fast, and uncomplicated as usual. I had a coupon ready for my smog and before I even offered it, they asked if I had one which nobody else ever would ask. They have a healthy confidence about them that other places lack. Never had any issues with the service. Just try to be early since they are popular for a good reason. read more

Went in for a simple Smog Check and had Great service with excellent staff support. I would definitely go back

I use ACA annually for smog checks. Always quick, professional and they were very helpful when my vehicle didn't pass smog at first.

I came to ACA for a smog check as a first time customer. They were friendly, quick, and communicative! The whole process took about 30 minutes and they did a great job. The price also couldn't be beat! I'll definitely be back. read more

Sal helped me out with my brakes and was as professional and courteous as could be! I appreciated him being upfront on what I could realistically expect in regard to price and time. I'll be back for more work in the future! read more

Not a surprise, ACA Automotive is truly top tier. Their service is fantastic, professional, straightforward, and honest. It's clear they really care about helping their customers. When my catalytic converter was stolen, they even referred me to another shop that could assist with the specific repair, above and beyond! They are a trustworthy place. Highly recommend them for any auto service. read more

Great price and great service. Adam is the best. I've been here before and I'll keep coming back again. Highly recommend.

Yes, I am liking this neighborhood service station. They provide excellence with customer service & efficiency. They go above & beyond to give great (& affordable) value with a smile. read more

The only negative experience I had was related to their hours. Their shop hours showed they were open until 5:30 PM, and I arrived around 4:12 PM, but the gentleman at the front desk informed me they don't accept SMOG test requests after 4 PM. I had to leave with disappoint because I drove fast to get there and missed my other committments. I just wish that policy were clearly stated on their website. Aside from that, it's a great place for one-stop car repairs and maintenance. Majority of the people are friendly and helpful. read more

THEY TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WOMEN!!! I took my car here because the caliper for the brake fluid burst on my left drivers side and ACA is quite literally around the corner from my house. After them having my car for 4 fulls days I get a call where one of the workers was trying to tell me that what I thought happened was correct, but before they could fix it they needed to change my brake pads and they can't allow me to do anything to my car until they change them. The kicker? The man I talked to kept talking down to me and saying 'sweetie you don't understand' after he confirmed my suspicions and was telling me I didn't understand cars. Finally my boyfriend had enough and spoke up on the phone only for this man to cut his bullshit and say they'd charge $1,445 to change my brake pads and the caliper. Holy hell?! I have my neighbor, the mechanic, do most of the work on my car and after telling him what happened immediately after he goes tell them to F off we can tow your car and fix it tomorrow. WHEN WE GOT THERE IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE AND THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN!!! My neighbor not only fixed my caliper, he changed my brake pads and rotors and lug nuts and other bolts that ACA stripped and ruined for less than half the cost ACA was quoting me at with labor included... and he did it all in a few hours. Clearly ACA wants to take advantage of women. I will never bring my buisness here and I can't believe you allowed your employee to laugh and talk to me on the phone the way he did. Judging by other reviews this isn't an uncommon event for women. Stop trying to take advantage of women because you assume that they don't understand cars. Me and my family used to be loyal to this business but slowly everyone's had a bad experience and left and now I understand why. read more

LADIES BEWARE! Unless you really know about cars do not go here, they will take advantage of you. They will say work needs to be done that doesn't. I went to the dealer for a recall and they gave me a laundry list if things to be fixed, I went to ACA to start chipping away at some of the items. Well, ACA wanted to fix things that were in good working condition, like brakes! They want to align my tires when there is something wrong with the suspension. I recently moved back to Long Beach and they had a great reputation when I left but not anymore. So disappointed read more

Most of the time they are not friendly and appears unhappy with their jobs or they just don't want to be bothered.

This place replaced the driver catalytic converter on my car. I Drove the car for about 6 months with their new Catalytic Converter and the cat went bad. They didn't cover their workmanship or part claiming the cars 'prior' engine issue made the part (catalytic) go bad. The fact they don't stand behind their workmanship or parts is bad business. On top of that when they gave me my vehicle back, it was 3 quarts low on oil. When I brought the low oil to one guys attention he said, "wasn't the car eating oil before?" I said, "that was the last motor". So I speculate, during their "inspection" in order to deny the warranty they wanted to use the guise of the vehicles past issue as the reason to void the work. It was only $1650 they would have had to eat, but they couldn't do that. So when you folks get your vehicles back, be sure to check the fluid (oil especially) because there is no way I gave them my car with a full oil reading that had 331 miles on a fresh oil change that I did myself and when they gave the car back it's 3 quarts low. One of 2 things could've happened: I either did not do the oil change and put the 8 quarts of oil, OR they removed some oil hoping I wouldn't check so the motor would have an issue and then they are justified. Not today Satan. The technicians face when I told them I gave them a car with a fresh oil change and got my vehicle back low on oil tells me everything I need to know. They didn't even offer to put oil. I had to ask these bone heads. read more

ACA Automotive - Here is the receipt ACA provided me stating, "further inspection reports that internal engine issue caused catalytic converter failure." - Auto Repair Near Me - Long Beach, California