Do not get any mechanical work done here! They have continuously messed up the work on my transmission and have not stood by their work and corrected their continued problems. In a nut shell, this is the timeline of my transmission with work done by Cottman's. 5/12/17 - Initial transmission lock up 5/13/17 - $800 worth of work, and I got my car back 5/15/17 - Locked up again! (more issues, no transmission fluid) 5/19/17 - $1500 worth of a rebuild and I got my car back 5/20/17 - Found a leak (bad seals..) 5/23/17 - get my car back 8/8/17 - Found another leak (failed to configure computer, multiple seal leaks) 4/24/18 - Found another leak (bad seal behind torque converter) 5/23/18 - Transmission locked up again!!!! I brought my car in 5/13/17 when my transmission locked up. They did some work, cost me a couple hundred dollars, but I got it out a couple days later. I drove it home and it locked up immediately by the time I drove it the 10 minutes to my house. I brought it back to them the following Monday, 5/15/17, and this time they had to rebuild the whole thing. They also didn't fill it will transmission fluid before letting me take it the first time. They did the work, pulled it, sent it out to get rebuilt and reinstalled it. It never ran the same, but no one really expects it to, right? When it was installed there were continued noises that have never stopped. I also noticed they ruined my brand-new ball joints because they tried to pop it off the joint instead of simply unscrewing the nut and bolts off the lower control arm! I picked my car up 5/19/17 after they rebuilt the transmission. I noticed the next day that my car was still leaking transmission fluid!!! I took it back to them yet again on 5/20/17!! Picked my car up 5/23/17, it didn't show any leaks at least, but never again has it sounded the same again. I noticed even more leaking beginning of August, and I brought it back to them again on 8/8/17! It was literally spraying transmission fluid on the inside of the front driver's side wheel well. I suspected this, so cleaned it thoroughly, and noticed that it still was getting wet. They removed the transmission and sent it back to the shop. The guy at the shop told them that there wasn't anything wrong with the transmission, they just didn't reconfigure the computer correctly, and sent the transmission back to Cottman. Cottman changed out some seals around the cv joint and reconfigured the computer. This was why it never sounded the same!! After I got it back it sounded a little better, drove a little better, but still not that good. In April of 2018 I took my car to another shop to have them see if they could find out what some of the squeaks and noises are coming from. They couldn't find any, but found another leak in the transmission!!! This one was located up in the front seal of the transmission, behind the torque converter!! So, I took it back to Cottman's again to have them fix it. Why would I keep coming back here, because the transmission is under warranty still.. They took it in 4/18/18 and repaired the leak and replaced the seal. So, now I'm driving my car to work 5/23/18 at 8:30AM and my transmission locks up again!!! It wont go past 2nd gear, it wont go into reveres anymore. I limp back to Cottman's shop to have them look at their handiwork and to take care of it. This time, they come back and tell me its 7000 miles past the warranty of the engine!!! Really! Like I drove 7000 miles between 4/18 and 5/23.. You took it in last month and fixed your continued problems! It obviously has continued issues, they have not done their job, they never properly repaired the problems and instead did shotty work until my transmission locked up again! Now they want me to pay for a whole new build!! Do not trust this place, they don't know what they are doing. They are not honest with their customers and have not been able to resolve the continued issues with my transmission. I have continued to give them the benefit of the doubt because they have always attempted to correct the issue. This time they have not. I do not recommend you have them do work on your car. read more

Have a 1996 Tracker that I love. It's a spare car, used just for grocery runs and in-town errands. BUT...I love that vehicle...taught my daughters how to drive on it...took it all over the country on business trips and have always had a good time driving in it. Six months ago, the power was noticeably absent. Took it to my regular guy and he said it was not something he understood. He recommended Cottman. Took it to Cottman South Austin and Don and crew did a GREAT job on it. Fair pricing and great service. Me and Tracker are back on the road, feeling our oats and grateful to Don and the techs at Cottman. Bill K read more

My 2007 Ford Explorer suddenly started jerking going into 3rd gear. I was referred to Cottman at South Austin through an online referral site. Don called me back the same day and was able to get me in that afternoon even on a holiday weekend, to have someone look at it. I was impressed with Don's attitude and his staff. They looked at my SUV right away and provided a pretty comprehensive inspection for free. It was unfortunately a worst case scenario and I was going to need a rebuild. Don showed me the computer readout of the costs of the rebuild kit and I double checked with another trusted mechanic who told me that based on the trouble code from the transmission, a rebuild would probably be needed. Don was able to help me request financing for such a large repair and he was able to work the pricing within the financing range so I didn't have to come up with much out of pocket. Don and his team took great care of me and even though it was an extended holiday weekend, they got my truck done in a very timely manner. If your experiencing transmission trouble, Don and South Austin Cottman Transmission are the guys to go see. read more

Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care - Auto Repair Near Me - Austin, Texas

If you need anything for your car, look no further. Don and his team are great, are flexible and offer fair prices. I own a 2007 Jeep Liberty and my car was in much need of some work. The guys got my car fixed up and I was able to leave to my trip to Atlanta, GA and come back safely :) Sincerely, Ana read more

Boy are we glad we chose to do business here first, the staff was very polite and eager to find a solution. My boyfriend had been having issues with his 2006 Honda manual transmission, and after a few failed personal attempts he decided to take it to Cottman Transmission! As it turns out the master cylinder had not been adjusted properly. They fixed our issue right away and the car runs better than it has since we bought it a few months ago. This establishment was quick and courteous with affordable prices on other work we may need in the future. If you are looking for an honest and honorable mechanic go to Cottman! read more

So I gave Cottman transmission and Don a year to respond and fix the problem and replace the parts that they broke on my car. Nope not a single call or response. 1st. I took my 01 impala in saying that I needed my shift solenoids changed and my fluid changed. They said, "that is a 300.00 job." (Cool saves me having to do it.) Nope, first they fried the ignition sensor while I was at the shop. Then had the audacity to charge me for it. Then told me my transmission was bad without even cracking open the tranny to check it out. Next when they replace the ignition they break the hazard light switch and they don't even install the ignition that they replace properly so the battery is dead and the key won't come out of the ignition when I come to pick it up. When I have the ignition fixed properly they find multiple parts that have been broken and screws missing. And guess what switched out the shift solenoids and pressure solenoid and transmission fluid and filter change, and the transmission now has no problems. (Did I mention what I took it in to have them do is a common problem for the 4t60e transmission) Lesson learned Cottman transmission is inexperienced and only knows how to replace transmissions not actually fix them and will destroy parts without a thought or care to you. (Pictures to come) read more

I started having transmission trouble last year in February. I decided to take my truck to Cottman transmission south Congress location. $1800 and a week later I had my truck back. Immediately upon driving my truck I realized it was not changing gears right. Approximately a week later I called the manger and took it back to Cottman and asked them to take a look at it. After keeping it for 2 more days they told me they could not find anything wrong with it. I insisted the work was not done correctly yet they would do nothing about it. I was left with no choice but to drive it. I dealt with 2 different managers. The second time I went back I asked where the first manager was and the second manager replied with "How's your truck running" I replied with "like crap". He said well there's your answer. A couple weeks ago less than a year later my truck breaks down again...transmission! What do you know a different manager. This manager (John) tells me they have been through 4 managers in the last year. I tell him the work should be covered under warranty but I cannot find my receipt. He then "checks" his system, his managers system, the corporate office and all hard copies. I feel pretty confident that I will eventually find my receipt so I have him diagnose my truck. He tells me about 2 days later that he cannot find any information on me having the initial work done. That same day he tells me it's going to be another $1800. Since he has already dropped the transmission I'm already in it for at least $500. I tell him just do the work and I will continue to look for my receipt. I finally locate my receipt unfortunately I have a habit of scanning all my paper work onto my computer so it is not the original. I send it to him and he says he will call me back. A couple hours pass and he calls me back. Wow miraculously they have uncovered the "original" missing receipt! Keep in mind that for the last week I have been asking him to look in his system for my information and he had turned up nothing! He then comes back to me and says the dates do not match up and there are not enough details. He tells me the owner (Steve) has instructed him that the repairs will not be covered unless I am able to find the original receipt. I then have a few heated words with the manager and ask to talk to the owner. The manager's first response is well he's not here. I then ask him for his number and his response was I can't give you that information. So I ask him to have the owner call me back. Later that evening the owner Steve calls me back. This was like talking to a lazy used car salesman. In my mind I'm picturing a boss hog looking, Cadillac driving , cigar smoking, overweight, fried chicken eating, sweating profusely shell of a man! So after many minutes on the phone with Steve I then decided I was getting nowhere! I needed my truck back. I had been without it for a week...depending on others for rides etc. I then asked him is there anything you can do? That's a lot of money to have to pay in one year. A total of $3600. He said well...I'll get back with you tomorrow. I call back first thing in the morning and guess what they knocked a hundred bucks off...woohoo! Oh the generosity! I go pick up my truck but this time I make sure the receipt is itemized. I then ask to look at the "original" receipt they uncovered. What do you know they provide me with an 8.5 x 11 copy? The receipt system they were using at the time was pink carbon paper. Yet they will not accept my copy. I then ask for all the original parts back. He tells me oh we can't do that. I tell him that's BS of course you can. So he says well let me call the shop where the work was done. So now my transmission was not worked on in their shop? They have all the tools, the workspace, the technicians etc but they send my transmission out for repair? Let me add that when I dropped my truck off I asked if they were busy and John said well we have one other vehicle in front of you. Fine I give him the benefit of the doubt. I call back the next day...then the next day...then 2 days later. It has now been 2 weeks and I'm still getting the run around. I called again 3 days ago (02/05/13) and spoke with John the manager and he said he would call me back the next day. Guess what no call yet!? Oh did I mention my transmission is still not running right? Yeah felt some clunking the last couple days. I mentioned that to John 3 days ago and his response was "yeah right". Wonder how much it would have been to just buy a new transmission? Bottom line: Never ever take your vehicle to Cottman Transmission! They are crooks and couldn't care any less about their customers! read more

Dropped my truck off on a Thursday and after they said they were looking into it and diagnosing the noise i heard, they called me on Monday and were looking for the wheel lock so they could start diagnosing the problem. I went to pick up my truck becuase nothing had been done in 4 days of having it, the inside looked like a robber had gone through it and now my check engine light is on, not to mention they were driving my truck around in 4 wheel drive! Not only is it not fixed but I now have new problems! Never Again!! read more

Went in for routine maintenance with another transmission company. Change filter and fluid. They told me my transmission was in need of repairs and there was no indication that there was a problem. I decided to get a second opinion with Cottman. There was no mention of the other company when dealing with Cottman. They changed the filter and fluid with no mention of a problem. That was 6 months ago and the car is doing great. Cottman service was fair and friendly. They get the 5 stars because of my prior experience with the other company, I feel Cottman was honest and straight forward. read more

If I could give a half star, I would. I brought my Mazda3 in back several years ago to have the transmission rebuilt. After struggling to afford the service, my car ran fine again.. up until about 14 months after the rebuild.. They guarantee work for 12 months.. This time, I decided to save money and rebuild it myself. During this process is when I realized Cottman installed the clutch plates incorrectly, thereby causing them to wear much faster than they should have. In the end, It has now been several years, my transmission has had no problems, and I spent $2000 less doing it myself. This has taught me to never pay a premium to have a shop work on my vehicles. read more

The worst Rip-off of my recent experiences with Auto maintenence. Spendt over $3000 for a Transmission Overall and a year and a half later still have the same problem. That's after returning the vehicle at least 5 times until I am told we're past warranty... read more

My check engine light came on and so I took my car to a Ford Dealership. The quote I received to replace the front Catalytic Converter for my 2013 Ford Taurus SEL was very pricey and I needed to think it over. I went home and started researching mechanic shops near me and Cottman popped up with very high reviews. I had nothing to lose so I gave them a call. Don answered and told me I could bring it in immediately. They ran a check and found the same problem as the dealership, but vowed to make it cheaper. True to his word, Don came back with a price I could stomach, showed me the issue, and gave me his professional advice. I am beyond satisfied with the service and treatment that I received as soon as I opened the door. This place has earned a customer for life. read more

My 2002 toyota camry had transmission as well as catylac converter problems. I looked online everywhere, read reviews and Cottmans was my pick. I am very much satisfied w my service and the work done on my car. Everything done on my car was explained to me so that i could understand as well as explain to the next person what was done to my car!! Don was very nice as well as patient with me and everything worked out in my favor, this company has life customer. Thanks read more

I'm new to the neighborhood and priced out a some work I needed on my 2001 VW at multiple places around William Canon. Cottman was not only to most affordable, but the customer service was wonderful. No frills, but Don the manager and his team took great care of me and my car. I'll definitely be going back. Five Stars. read more

They're awesome, especially John, he really went the extra mile for me. They towed my PT Cruiser and got right to work fixing the problem. I would recommend them to anybody. read more

DO NOT GO HERE! This place has terrible workmanship and doesn't stand by their word. I took my classic Jeep by with a minor shifting problem that turned into 4 months of chaos and created more problems that are STILL NOT FIXED. They replaced parts that didn't need replacing, they didn't put the parts on correctly, and they even threw away some existing parts that needed to be put back on(like the inspection cover of the transmission). They road tested my vehicle on south congress in 4wd instead of 2wd. They intentionally put in the wrong mileage on their invoices so they wouldn't have to stand by a warranty. I had to take my vehicle to Eagle Transmission(great guys) for them to diagnose what was wrong and write a report stating issues found and potential problems that were never figured out by Cottman. They don't document parts they buy or services done on your vehicle so they can state it wasn't their fault or part. These guys are completely unprofessional and WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR WORK. They are truly CROOKS. Save yourself the time/money/heartache and take your vehicle somewhere that is actually trusted. I brought them back my Jeep so they had the opportunity to make things right, and was told my only recourse was legal action and they didn't have to fix my vehicle at all. I hope people read this review and understand how painful it is to spend over $2,000 in repairs and be worse off then when you started truly because of incompetence. read more

Asked if the South Austin Cottman would honor the 'Group Discount' coupon card, that was on the front desk, citing $100 off. Was told yes. Gave them the go ahead to do $1300 of work, should be $1200 after the coupon applied and was told 4- 6 hours from 0900 when I dropped the car off on Friday. Heard nothing all day (of course) I called them and was told they had an hour or so remaining and that it would be completed the next day (Saturday). You guessed it. 5:30PM on Monday my car was finally ready and the bill? Oh yes, the OWNER, I understand, wouldnt allow them to honor the discount plus he then had all of the cards for the discount removed from the desk! Do yourself a favor and take it to somewhere else that is locally owned. Go local- there are many, many reputable places to use instead of this place read more

This place is a disaster, avoid it at all costs. I took my SUV to get the transmission fixed about a year and a half ago. They had it in their shop for weeks while they constantly gave me run arounds and excuses why the car wasn't ready. Apparently their techs were incompetent and assembled it incorrectly multiple times and had to keep rebuilding it. Fast forward 9 months and the exact same problems are occuring, so we take it in and they say it appears it wasn't rebuild properly before. Not surprised. Fast forward 9 more months and the transmission is back to having the exact same problems and Cottman insists it's not their problem as it's out of warranty. I'm sure that after all the abuse the transmission went through getting improperly rebuild here it'll be beyond repair and have to be replaced. Worst service company I've ever had the displeasure of dealing with. They deserve to be out of business. read more

Don conned me into believing he and his shop were wonderful. As it turned out, he caused me and my son a lot of grief. He hurriedly fixed the transmission without replacing the radiator, which, in turn, ended up costing us $2500 more dollars 3 weeks later because the head gaskets blew and everything else went wrong. I would not recommend anyone to Cottmans now. I was gullible but now see it all clearly. read more

I got there for something else, and my car started leaking oi, and the low oil lamp came on. They changed the valve cover gasket, the radiator coolant hose and replenished the engine coolant and engine oil, and charged me 385 for parts, plus 95 for labor. I checked the cost of the parts in Auto-zone, and the Hose sells for 8.99 and the gasket kit for 26.99 They just plainly took advantage of me in the moment when the car seemed to be suffering a major problem read more

Awesome customer service! My car was assessed quickly and I was quite pleased with their prices. Everything was taken care of in a timely manner and because of such great service I will be returning for my vehicle needs in the future. Keep up the great work guys! read more

This was a great experience. Smart technicians that know transmissions. Took care of the issue the first try and completed the work quickly.

I have been to Cottman for several different items on my cars over the last couple of years. I have always been treated well, the work has been done quickly, and I feel the price has been more than reasonable. They have my business for sure! Thank you, Cottman! read more

Having some transmission issues with my 2008 Rogue. Don spent a good amount of time with the diag process and wasn't convinced that there was anything wrong with the transmission. He could have tried to sell me something I might not need, instead suggested a minor part might be the culprit. Got to think that if it turns out that part didn't do it and I end up needing transmission work anyway, I'll be going to Don for the work. read more

After being quoted nearly 3,000 on my car(which is not worth half that) somewhere else, I decided to get a second opinion at Cottman. I was very pleased. Ronnie knew I couldn't afford much and he got me the best deal in Austin. My car now runs perfectly and I will recommend them to anyone. They are awesome! read more

I would not recommend this auto repair shop to anyone. I took my car in because I thought it might have a transmission problem. They charged me a lot of money to access what repairs might be needed and then quoted me a price of over $3000.00. I decided to get a second opinion at another repair shop and it turns out all I ever needed was a bolt tightened. Do not go to this place. I have heard bad things about the shop and the way the owner is cheating its customers. read more

In Feb 2011 I was having problems with my car shaking and rattling. It seemed to happen in 1st gear. I could not imagine what this would cost to fix. Being a women I ofter feel the auto shops are trying to take advantage of me. I took my car to Cottman in South Austin and have to say I was very please when they called me to say it was a motor mount and nothing to do with my transmission. Being price conscious I check Cottmans price against other's and found Cottmans price to be better than others. The manager Terry was very knowledgeable and nice to work with he explained that one of the motor mounts was completle worn out and another one about 1/2 gone to watch for the same thing to happen in 20K or so miles. I asked to see the broken motor mount and spoke with the Technition he was also great at his job and explained the motor mounts duty said no worry on waiting to get the other one fixed, just watch for the shaking to start again and bring it on in then. I have to say thanks to a great team of employees taking care of me. read more