After reading all these great yelp reviews I was really hoping Red would be my go-to mechanic for the used Sprinter I just bought. Unfortunately, after my first experience with them, this will not be the case. Quick version: for $1500 I got slow service, sub-par communication, bad work, and they even managed to make one problem worse. I then had to fix the problem myself. Long version: Red's had my Van for over two weeks. I understand they are busy and this wouldn't be a big deal if they had good customer service.... But I didn't hear any updates from them for almost 10 days. I called to touch base and didn't receive a callback. I was told it would be done on a certain day only to have that be pushed back twice. I understand things get hectic and bad communication happens. I could over look it if the work they did was great. Unfortunately... ...the work was not great. They stripped the threads on one of the glow plugs they removed and that added $200 to the bill to rethread the cylinder. I know glow plug removal can be tricky but they also botched my radiator repair. I told them I had a slow leak that happens when I drive long distances and they replaced some hoses. After I got the van back I went to L.A. and the leak happened at a faster rate! I borrowed a pressure tester from Autozone an did a test on the radiator (something they said they did and charged me $66.50 for) I found 3 leaks from hoses that needed to be clamped tighter. One of these was from a new hose they put on. They made the leak worse and I question if I needed new hoses at all(which cost $164.46). I bet the original problem was just the other two loose hoses. After tightening all the hoses my coolant level has been holding fine. All in all I gave Red's $1,505.36 and for that amount of cash I expected a much better experience. read more

My car needed a lot done to it and I knew it wasn't going to be cheap. I started calling around to different Auto Repair shops to get estimates on what I needed done. I started to compare prices and found that Big Reds had the best deals in town. It gets better... When I was calling for estimates a lot of the places told me they'd have to keep my car for a few days because what I needed done was going to be a big job. I guess I was fine with that other then the fact that I would have to find some type of transportation to work and school for a few days which would probably cost me even more money, BUT when I had arrived to big reds for my appointment they told me they'd have it done by the end of the day! Everything worked out great! They got my car done by the end of the day! They saved me a lot of money and my car works like brand new!!! Great customer service! Great mechanics! read more

Big reds repair shop is a great place to have your car serviced for a very affordable price with great peace of mind to go in hand. Theres no frills and thrills such as a shuttle service to work or home or a extravagant waiting area with a waiting staff and a full bar, but then again who needs or wants to pay for all of those surcharges in your bill when all you really want is for your car to be on the road again? If your looking for a honest,thorough and expedient mechanic look no further because big reds embodies all of that. read more

I've been coming here for over a year now. Just went in to have my brakes checked and a belt looked at. $20 to just adjust my belt and the brakes were at 60% and they adjusted those too. This place is really honest, family owned and I don't have to worry about getting the run around, or them not giving me all the details on what's going on with my car. I also feel a lot better taking my car here than anywhere else. read more

Showed up w/o appointment in my RV, traveling from out of state. Needed engine repair pronto. Liked Red the moment I met him. He and his techs fixed my Mercedes turbo-diesel quickly and for a fair price and sent me on my way. First class service. read more

I had quotes of $3000 + from various different mechanics, all of which could not or would not give me a definate answer for what was wrong with my minivan. So I got Big Reds number from a friend. I talked to Ken on the phone, told him my thoughts and described the problem to him. Right away he knew that it was the head gasket and so we had it towed to his shop. He called me later that day to give me a quote of $1500 for everything! Less than half the cost of each of the other places that I had been to. He did a great job, very professional and friendly. I would definately reccomend to any friend or family member. Thanks Ken! read more

My entire family brings their vehicles to Ken and has for years. From major things (like replacing the engine) to minor things, we love Big Red's. Ken is honest, reliable and really goes the extra mile to do a great job. read more

Add me to the long list of customers who are THRILLED with Big Red's Auto Repair! Red and his team were skilled, fast, responsive, communicative, trustworthy and professional. I brought a vehicle into Red's shop to have it inspected before I purchased it and learned everything I needed to know...and more. I am from Portland, OR, but I wish I lived in San Diego so I could have Red service all my cars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Thanks Red and team :) read more

Very bad experience!!! I have replace my transmission oil and after 1000 miles my transmission was empty!! I spend over 1k for hotel Towing and everything for dealership and they don't care about my time and money !! I have video whit transmission liking and pictures whit all the bills ... avoid this location!!! read more

My 4' x 8' open trailer lights stopped working so I searched online and found Big Reds. Checked Yelp so called about a same day appointment. The nice lady who answered the phone said no problem. I showed up a few hours later and Ken & Mike(?) took time to assess and solve the problem. They spent about 30 minutes, explaining to me what they were doing along the way, and even replaced a couple parts. I asked Ken how much I owed him and he said, "No charge, Merry Christmas." I was in shock and so appreciative...I will DEFINITELY be back next time our cars or trailer need work. That truly was incredible service, and the guys have a great attitude. read more

These guys are so awesome!!! They saved me $800 over another shop to do my brakes, bearings, alignment and lights. They did excellent work. Not only that but they made me completely at home in their shop, letting me set up my computer and work there in their comfortable waiting room while my car was being serviced plus they brought me snacks! Talk about service! They are really friendly, honest and good people and they know what they are doing. It was totally worth the drive from La Jolla to go to them. My go to mechanics from now on! read more

Upon arrival I was greeted with a warm smile from Naomi, who sat behind the desk. The family dog approached me for a brief petting. Ken personally diagnosed my car within the hour, and completed the task that same day. As I drove away, I was now the one with a smile on my face because I paid less than half of what I was quoted at the previous mechanic. read more

Been needing Big Red's a lot lately, I have 2 cars that he takes very good care of and recently brought my boyfriends 23 year old daughter's car in that had not been taken very good care of. These guys are prompt and go out of their way to get to the bottom of problems. I needed an engine replacement and they had it in and out in 4 days! Thanks to all at Big Red's for their quick response and getting my cars back to me in no time at all! read more

Great experience! Ken and Naomi are awesome! They are honest and very helpful. Their prices are fair comparing to other mechanic shops! They know their stuff and I will definitely go back to them. read more

I have been taking my car to Big Red's for about 5 years now. Ken and his team are very honest, experienced and provide a comprehensive service at a reasonable price. Ken ALWAYS goes out of his way to take care of his customers and I feel fortunate to have found such a great shop. There is peace of mind in knowing that my car is in good hands and I am not getting over-sold on services I do not need. I moved from San Marcos to Santee and continue to take my car up to Big Reds for service.... they have earned a life-long loyal customer in me. read more

Big Red Automotive is the best place to take your car. Honest and reliable. I had to ask 3 times if the price was right after my last maintenance. Anywhere else would have added another digit for less service. I am grateful to have found Big Red. It was recommended by my co-worker. read more

I have a lifted Jeep that most places will not work on, or they want to charge an arm and a leg because "It's lifted", yes, it is an off roader, but my daily driver as well. I do some of the work on it myself, so I will not tolerate a lousy mechanic. The staff here knows their business, and since I am OCD, I can find something wrong with just about anything. In short, I am probably considered a difficult customer, it does not faze these guys, and they have done some great work on my truck, including some custom work, I guarantee they won't do at the Jeep dealership unless they charge you $10K! I will not take my car anywhere else, Oh, one more thing, I was there one day, a lady had a van and she came in with a ruined motor because, although the shop had done the work 9 months prior, a head gasket job, she drove it when a hose blew, and it got hot, and she kept driving!! Guess what? Ruined moter, and he fixed it, and when the lady left the van there and left with her husband, I pulled the owner aside and I said "WHY are you eating all that money? It's HER fault, and the owner told me, I'd rather have her as a happy customer, than running around out there bad mouthing me. I couldn't believe it, I would have told her to....., Well, I don't understand it, being a painting contractor, I would not eat an expensive job when the customer is responsible for the screw up. Now you tell me, why would i go anywhere else? He works on any model, he does fleet work which tells me guys in business use him (A good recommendation in my book), and he's reasonable, and most of all, he seems to be one of the 10% of honest car shop owners. I'm hooked. read more

This is the most reliable and trust worthy auto repair business I have ever dealt with in 30 years in No. San Diego Co. Ken is stand up guy, gives you options, and really cares about his team delivering the best service possible at a fair value. read more

Couldn't find a place to work on my 2008 Dodge Sprinter Itasca Navion RV. Freightliner no longer has the codes, Mercedes didn't have a Sprinter mechanic, and Dodge had no time. So I googled Dodge Sprinter mechanics...they listed Big Red's and I booked an appointment. Got there early...was hard to find..I beat staff and was sure I was in the wrong place...bays didn't accommodate height of my RV. I went searching for an alternative online. Found a truck repair place nearby. Ken arrived just as I was ready to leave, assured me he worked on Mercedes engine in Dodge Sprinters ALL the time. TIMING IS EVERYTHING IN LIFE...so glad we connected! EXCELLENT SERVICE, FANTASTIC CUSTOMER RELATIONS, KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF, COMMITTED TO GETTING THE JOB WITH QUALITY....with REASONABLE PRICES! Thanks Ken, and Frank and Ian...you've got a permanent customer (all the way from Ocean Beach.) I have told many Sprinter owners of your wonderful service! read more

Ken absolutely made my day today!! Thank you so much!! He changed my headlight and asked to charge only $20 as opposed to the $200 I was quoted from Tires Express!! In addition, he helped me remove a lot of scratches from my car even though I didn't ask him to and he didn't want to charge for that at all!! Amazing man and service, I will always go to this place for any car issue that I have in the future, no doubt. I highly recommend this place for the knowledge, kindness, down-to-earthness, and excellent service and the job done quickly. This is my third time coming here (first two times were for oil changes and also had excellent experiences) and I can't think of a single bad thing to say. Except maybe I wish their dog wasn't blind and old, because he seems so sweet. May their dog suddenly have great health and eyesight!! May all beings reading this and not reading this be well and happy. =) read more