My car got clean, it was quick, and a decent price. Vacuums available. The location is convenient and not a hassle to get in and out of.

I love this car wash. Recently, they've made their vacuums free and that saves me quite a bit of money. I live close by and come vacuum out my car and truck each week for FREE!! It's been so nice keeping my cars cleaner in between washes. When I want to wash, I'll buy the most expensive wash, sometimes adding an extra shine or RainX for a few extra $$. The staff is always friendly, they'll prewash if I need it (or ask). Since they've made the vacuums FREE, it's a fabulous bargain. Also, I've run my car thru twice when it's especially dirty, no extra charge. They don't give any grief when I ask for a re-wash on the same day. Excellent service, excellent value. I'm a regular customer now! read more

My Small SUV not very dirty but the back was not clean after going through the car wash. My husband chose the $19 wash but somehow was charged for something extra which made the charge $26. IMO way too expensive. read more

This place is the best, I don't understand the bad reviews. Probably entitled people who think they have the most important car in Tacoma. Free vacuums and you're in and out with a clean car. The staff I have encountered have been great and helpful. read more

If Brown Bear is under new ownership that might explain why their customer service has drastically declined. At this rate the only way they stay in business is because of lack of competition. Was trying to buy a coupon book and they were totally unresponsive and unhelpful. read more

July 17,2025 at 12:46 pm. When it was my turn to get my car washed, I asked if attendant if she could scrub down the back a bit with the brush, she put up the brush hit the top of the back window, then was done sorry that if she's working that hard that she can't wipe down the back end of the car, thank God there was a glass cleaner to finish cleaning all up the mess that she couldn't bother to wash up. read more

Brown Bear was a good experience. I paid for their cheapest car wash and it wasn't the best wash but that's what I paid for. They clearly took feedback well. They clean the back of your car by hand and have available vacuums for free to use. Seems like this business has made vast improvements I recommend it. read more

It's an automatic car wash plain and simple but somehow, they seem to get my car cleaner than their competitors. They could do better by scrubbing the areas that the machines can't reach better ie, the middle of the front and rear bumbers, the license place wells, the side mirrors and areas around them but what can you ask for these days? Customer service and pride in a job well done have gone the way of the dodo. The prices are acceptable for what you get I suppose but beware. When you use one of any automatic car wash, there are chances that something has gotten stuck in the fabric of the machines. I've come out with scratches and gouges in my car or new road grime and grease or tar attached to my car that wasn't there when I arrived. I've also lost a rear wiper blade cover and a license plate so there is potential for something to go wrong. Overall, I don't care to use automatic washes however I don't always have time to hand wash my car. You'd think that in the year 2024 someone would figure out a better way for automatic car washes to work better and more efficiently. We can dream right? read more

The drive through car was doesn't get the back of the car properly. I won't be back. In other places I've lived, someone does a soapy brush of the front and back of the car before it goes thru the tunnel. I'd might as well use the DIY if the drive through doesn't clean. read more

Vacuum not included. Additional $2 for 5 Minutes, not a lot of spots and only one hose per car. read more

Thieves: vacuum your car for 5 minutes $2.00 will not accept coins or cash. Vacuum shuts off after 5 minutes charges you card $5.!!!!! NOT $2.00 as posted and reflected on tap screen!!! read more

Stopped by yesterday after I picked up a few cases of my insanely expensive waters from Super Supplements and after all the additional cash I dropped on vitamins and supplements that I'll more then likely never use (unless this is the time I finally start following through on the supplemental stuff, I like to remain optimistic when I can). Now as far as Brown Bear goes, it was all I could hope for from a car wash. I arrived with a very dirty Porsche Macan and left with a clean and shiny one. I don't think I could ever ask for more then that from a car wash. I will say that I was expecting a rather long line due to the nice weather and the fact it was a Saturday, but I was in line and pulling out of the wash within 10mins of paying. They have three vacuums to the left as you pull out of the wash which is convenient but I can imagine they are hard to score on busier days. After the money I spent at Super Supplements, anything would have seemed like a great price that was less then my trip there. I decided to go with the most expensive wash, which was around $18, then I was given the option to add on a feature for another $6 (I kind of feel like they knew I was in a freely spending kinda mood, but at this point it's still just speculation, so I'm just going to leave it at that). Of course I chose for the extra option even though I don't feel like I was in the actual wash any longer than the car before me or after. Not that I was timing myself or the other vehicles because that would just be weird. It did cross my mind that i really had no way of knowing if the add on was applied or not, but I figured this is where the whole consumer/supplier relationship comes in and you just trust that whoever you are paying to provide a service, is honest. Almost all of the brake dust on my rims was washed off when I pulled out, and that stuff is usually a two day process to remove when I do it myself. So I decided to just think that's what the additional cost was for. The vacuums were $2 for 5mins, which I thought was a fairly decent price. It took me $4 to get the entirety of my interior which was actually less time then I was expecting. So my overall experience here was as good as I could have ever expected. I'd definitely go back in the future and I'd recommend them to anyone in the area who needs a wash. read more

They take your cash via an inoperable machine and fail to credit you! Do NOT use this location if you're paying cash. The attendants do not have the capacity to even give receipts for the lost cash, and failed to even put up a sign saying "Broken" or a simple piece of tape over the coin slot so customers know not to put their cash into the broken machine. After sending a FB Message to the store manager, she called back, only to say, "Oh, I thought you were calling about ANOTHER location". That's it! read more

Located in 38th cool place to wash your car. I went to the free day! I didn't wait to long

The line moves very quickly. Very reasonable prices for a car wash. Quick and convenient.

Waste of money. There were smudges left all over my car and both license plates got bent. They also do not accept cash.

I try to keep my automobiles clean when the weather is nice. Found brown bear on yelp, drive thru car wash. This car wash works very good, leaves some areas of the vehicle wet. The blower does not get the vehicle completely dry, I usually wipe my vehicle down with a micro fiber towel afterwards. Vacuums are available but cost $1.00. read more

See all

Nothing like showing up at 7:23 to see that they blocked the tunnel and waved me off like an idiot. The hours are clearly marked until 8pm and I hope a manager reads this review and holds the staff accountable for being whack. Cool that my monthly membership comes out two days before the end of the month but this can happen, right? Please... read more

Great car wash, fast quick efficient.

I just drove through this car wash and they are pulling a fast one! On the screen to purchase your carwash they ask you to sign up for a monthly club--same price as a single carwash. What they don't tell you until after you have made your purchase is they are going to automatically charge your card over $44.00 monthly. Additionally, you have to call in to cancel it on your own time. So, today, I had 2 charges on my card because I didn't want to be charged monthly. This is such a scam! Be weary of this business. They weren't planning to tell me either, I just noticed it on my receipt. I won't be back! For the record Christine (manager) you better start letting people know before they make the purchase. Most people who have been going here for years don't look at the signs. I'll just get my car vacuumed for free in Gig harbor. I WILL NOT BE BACK!! The employees were nice but the manager avoided the situation and didn't properly handle it! read more

I'll admit that I'm mostly writing this as a counterbalance to some of the crappy reviews. It's a automated car wash, it got my car quite clean. Requirements met. Happy customer. Done! read more

Well I paid for the most expensive car wash a little later in the day, left a ton of water spots on my car, showed up the next day to run it through again but they only have a same-day only rewash policy. How in the heck is that supposed to work if you wash later in the day. I've gotten a lot of car washes here, this will be my last one they should have let me run it back through. Plus half the time I come here they give me old rags that leave a bunch of lint on my car, they need to invest money and some newer wash towels. read more

Tacoma's one-and-only thrill ride! Put five bux in the hand of the attendant, then sit back and hold on as your vehicle is blasted on all sides by giant robots in a 5-minute long Tunnel of Terror!! Don't miss out on this exciting adventure! Also, more fun and games are available at the coin-operated Sux-O-Lux machines and Little Green Tree Dispensatorium. Bring the whole family! read more

This is the best car wash I have ever had. My truck was filthy and covered with mud all down the sides and back. The man who did the prewash scrubbing did an incredible job because when I came out of the wash my truck was sparkling clean. I don't live in Tacoma but will be coming back for a wash when I'm close. I've been to other Brown Bear car washes where I had to drive through twice to get it clean. Thanks for restoring my faith in car washes. read more

First time to the 6th ave location and the layout is pretty quirky.... not too many spot after the wash is done to wipe down and clean, I think you would have to circle back around and park in the rear to get a decent parking spot to dry your car and vacuum, etc.... They didn't have any towels available at this location and I had to ask for my air freshener even though I purchased the Beary Best! read more

This has to be the closest to the berry best car wash around . Sometimes the wheels and rims don't get what they should but the wash is great ! read more

Expensive and I chose middle option and still had crap on my car and this was before the smoke and ash issues.

Love Brown Bear. The staff at this location are always happy and make it a great experience each time. read more

This is a basic car wash, nothing fancy. But my cars always come out clean. The machines do an especially good job on hard to clean alloy wheels. The employees have always been courteous. If you are looking for a basic automated car wash then this place is hard to beat. read more

The worst car wash I've been too. Came out of the car wash with a scratch on the right side of my car and chipped paint on the trunk. I will never be returning to this location. The woman giving instructions and directing the line to the car wash was also incredibly rude. read more

Drove here after finding the other location in Tacoma under construction only to find this location also out of commission and under construction so also could not get my car washed. Very disappointed and a waste of time read more

Lots of colorful soap and friendly, but confused runners to take your cash. Just make sure the you get your own credit card back. Get the Beary Best for a light show that will make your little ones squeal with delight. read more

Erik Johnson the area manager reached or snd apologized for issue and rectified the situation. Great customer service on their end for that. I love Brown Bear and wouldn't expect anything differently. Thanks for your time and I appreciate the response. read more

I wasn't too impressed with the car wash. The price for what I got disappointed me. I think I would rather go to a do it yourself place than go back and pay that much for a drive through car wash or go to a gas station that offers a drive through car wash. That is what this place reminds me of except it was more expensive. read more

I used this car wash for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised. I went with the $8 wash. I was a little worried that the wash was not going to be very good because of how quickly my car went through the car wash, however it came out great. I will go back here to my cars from now on. It was cheap, quick, and washed well. read more

This yelp is for Damien, what a guy! Makes goin to a car wash fun again! He not only makes it a pleasant experience by actually having a personality AND a sense of humour, he did the extras that so many of his co workers have lately forgotten! Namely, get the back bumpers and windows cleaned with the brush! it's not a hard job. But damien makes it fun! hope he's there for my monthly car wash, though I'm sure someone in upper management will snag him! Thanks for the great wash today! As always, Brown Bear makes my truck BEAR-able again! read more

DO NOT USE THIS CAR WASH! I went through and it tore off the back bumper of my car. When I went back the next day to talk to the manager, he told me there was nothing he could do. Poor customer arrive to say the least. VERY displeased customer. read more

Brown Bear Car Wash - Do not use this car wash! My car was fine when I went in, and it came out like this and they wouldn't do anything about it. Horrible service - Car Wash Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Not impressed. First time customer and I doubt I'll return. There's no mention by the employees that you need quarters to use the vacuums (no plastic) and it's not clearly marked where you can get clean towels to dry your vehicle off with. Wish I'd realized there weren't any clean towels in the vicinity where I was about to vacuum my car before I walked clear across the parking lot to the attendants to get quarters. There was bird crap still on my hood after my deluxe/most expensive wash and soap suds. It would be a nicer experience if there was clear labeling regarding clean towels and quarters. Tomorrow it will rain. read more

Ashley and her team at Brown Bear went over and beyond to get my car clean after a can a spray paint exploded next to my car at the Home Depot. Ashley had all hands wiping down the mess with polishing compound. Car looks good as new. Thank you! read more

Granted we were looking for a service who washes the car for you, my husband was willing to do the job himself. He asked the terrible assistant if the $11 run-your-own-car-thru wash included the vacuuming at the end, in which he responded reluctantly with a mumble that sounded like yes. Turns out, it doesn't and you have to use quarters for the vacuum. When confronting the assistant he was extremely rude and very audibly told him "I told you no twice!" Um, no thanks. Good luck with that business. read more