This is the only shop to go to in Mountain View. You want honest work done right by someone you can trust and go to for years to come then you gotta go in and see Dennis Muaka. Top notch guy with well rounded experience. Honest and quality work is what you get with Dennis at Griffins Auto. read more

It is sad that after one year working with Dennis 9and being his first YELP reviewer), I have to change my 5 stars to a 1 star. Last year (7/09) I was thrilled when Dennis 'fixed' my electrical problem. However, now that it is 7/10, I have had nothing but regret from bringing my car to Griffin. I brought in for the same reoccurring electrical problem but this time it was worse. I checked all of my fuses just like he had told me to do and never found a blown fuse. Since I live over 1 hour away, I asked Dennis if he would please look at my car while I waited at the corner cafe for a couple hours. He refused and said I would have to leave it with him for 1-2 days. So I rented a car for $100 for two days, only to have him call me and say that it was a blown fuse. So, OK shame on me I thought for not seeing the blown fuse and paid him $89. Just after I left, the fuse blew again, so I called Dennis right away. He just said that I had to change my own fuse and document everything I had done in the car until I could find out what was making my fuse blow. He never even offered to fix the problem or have me come back to the shop! To add insult to injury, he never opened the electrical panel to take a look at the broken wires that my new mechanic was able to find in less than an hour. I am not sure what happened to Dennis over the past year but his pride in workman ship and customer service has really gone downhill. For these reasons, I can no longer recommend Griffin for your electrical car issues. Instead go to Nick's in San Leandro. read more

Brought in my car for full service at 60k. Dennis (new owner) was very friendly and honest, and charged a fair price for the service. Would come back again next time my car needs servicing, and would definitely recommend to others. read more

In a recent near catastrophe - I accidentally put ethanol into my Ford F 350 truck - I had the good fortune to find Griffin's Auto Repair to help me out of the jam. The dealer quoted me over 15,000.00 dollars to clean out the system and worse, my "service technician" at Ford told me he was basing his estimate on information he found on the Internet. (LOL & OMG!) I called Griffins Auto repair and these guys were amazing. They knew exactly how to fix the car and walked me through the steps and possible costs. They were frank and honest let me know it could get ugly if I had to start replacing parts, but they did a great job and in the end it only cost me $1600.00. Now my truck runs great and I've had no problems with it at all. I highly recommend these guys they are honest, easy to work with and don't try to rip you off with unnecessary repairs and other nonsense. Plus they were super nice and didn't make me feel like the fool that I clearly am for putting ethanol into my tank. I highly recommend them! read more

Thanks to reading a review in Yelp, I decided to try Griffin's and I'm glad that I did. I needed to replace the alternator in my car. I called two other places in addition to Griffin's and Griffin's price was about half of what the dealer wanted. The dealer would have placed a new alternator in my car but I decided to go with a rebuilt alternator at Griffin's. Dennis, the owner, is very personable and easy going and I know that he is honest too. He could have tried to have me replace my seven year old battery, but he didn't. He said that he tested it and everything was fine. The car was ready when it was promised and it is running great. Thanks Dennis! read more

I just went in because the bottom cover of my car was dragging. I got quick, effective, and inexpensive service, thanks to Mr. Griffin himself. He even took the time to explain to me what was wrong with the car and how he had fixed it. I will absolutely return with my car problems, and I highly recommend this place to people I know. read more

In February of 2017 I took my Chrysler 300M Special to Griffin's Auto for a transmission issue. When he determined I needed a rebuilt transmission, I explicitly asked if it came with 3-year warranty (which I had on a previous car through a different shop). Griffin's acknowledged the 3-year warranty, so I agreed to have Griffin's rebuilt my transmission, for which I paid him $3000. Move forward to December 2018, my transmission failed again exactly the same way it had in 2017. I limped into Griffin's Auto and ask him to look at it, as I was under the impression the transmission was still under warranty (as he was). Going to cost $270 for diagnostics. However, if the problem was the transmission, there would be no charge. I agreed. Next day he called and claimed it was not the transmission, but the speed sensor. To replace the sensor it was going to be $270 for the diagnosis plus $607 for actually replacing the speed sensor. I asked about the failures being exactly the same and Griffin's claimed the "sensation" may have seemed the same, but that they were not the same issues / trouble codes. I asked him how he came to the conclusion that it was a speed sensor. He said he extracted the codes 1790 and 743, both generic codes. Then he stated he drove it with the scanner [connected] and there was no communications with the speed sensor. OK. Then he told me he brought up my receipt and the transmission is not covered because I had a 90 day / one year warranty. Work was done Feb 2017 so warranty was up Feb 2018... he says He asked me if I took a lot of short trips because my transmission fluid looked dark brown and it should be pinkish. I reminded him that he's the one who put the fluid in it. Was he clowning me? I thought about it for a few days, called Griffin's back, and asked if he can guarantee the repair... and he told me that he can't guarantee the work will fix the problem. Hmmm.... I took my car less than a mile away where they changed the speed sensor identified by Griffin's for $330. When they were done I picked up my car, and once I got on the freeway I found the error still exists... which we knew was going to happen. -There is no doubt there is a problem with the transmission. Also, properly identifying the speed sensor status requires the use of a multi-meter, not a scanner. -I am absolutely positive it was a 3-year warranty. A 90-day/1-year warranty is for transmissions pulled from one car and mounted in another without being rebuilt, much cheaper, much less work, and a gamble on longevity. - $3000 for a rebuilt(?) transmission that lasts 9000 miles, and then refusing to take responsibility for the work is both unethical and dishonest. - While it may be my fault for not having the receipt, it was not a great concern considering the following is on the web site: We are so confident in our highly trained mechanics that we GUARANTEE any repair for 36 months or 36,000 miles. Back to 2017 when Griffin's returned my car I noticed it had started to get hot. About a month later(?) having not driven much further than the local store and back, I took my car to Griffin's and he said my water pump was bad, (which is inside the front cover of the motor), so I paid him over $1000 to change it. I didn't drive it much [had 2 cars], and everything seemed OK. However, on July 1 I was going to Lathrop from the South Bay on the freeway when my temp needle suddenly pegged. Unfortunately, I heard rather than saw the problem. The car was towed to a shop in San Carlos where it was confirmed the motor was now a boat anchor. Stored it in his yard [friend of a friend] for over a year until I could afford a replacement motor. At that point I was already done with Griffin's. Then the transmission goes out again after being on the road for less than a year. I deserve to have my $270 returned and a fully functional transmission in my car. read more

My mother and I both have our cars taken care of by Dennis, and we highly recommend him! I am convinced that Dennis prevented my transmission from blowing up on my Lexus RX300, which has been running beautifully under his care. It's an extra convenience when Dennis arrives at our home in the morning, picks up our cars and has them back that same evening! What service! Thanks, Dennis! read more

I have a 2001 Saab convertible, the top has been "cranky" to go up down for a while, and the last time it wouldn't lock into the back of the car. They spent a lot of time and effort to determine the "fixability" were honest and forthright regarding cost. I will go back to them again, and will recommend them without hesitation. read more

You can't do better than Griffin's Auto Repair. Dennis Griffin has been in the business forever and has even trained other auto mechanic professionals. He will tell you the truth and go out of his way to provide service that's outside his job description -- he helped me search for a car replacement. I had trouble with my car overheating, and he thought and thought about what the trouble could be (without charging me) and then came up with an idea of what the problem was -- and he was right! Use Griffin's Auto Repair for all of your car needs and you won't be disappointed with the service and expertise. read more

We moved our yard to Mt. View a year ago. After extensive research we chose Griffin Auto to service our trucks on a regular basis. Though I thought they were a little expensive, they did a great job. I brought a truck in that had a wobble when driving a faster speeds. I asked them to diagnose and call back to approve repairs. I had also approved a general service (lube, oil, etc.). The truck was dropped early on morning to find out he never saw the car in the lot until the end of the day. After approving an 88-point inspection, they said nothing was wrong. I asked them to take it on the freeway. They called me back to tell me three of four tires needed replacing and an alignment was needed. I guess checking tires is not part of the 88-point inspection. I happily paid for their diagnosis so I can take the truck somewhere else for repairs. read more

I reviewed Griffin's a year ago but it disappeared for some reason. I've reposted it at the bottom here. After such a great experience our first time we brought our car to Dennis again recently. Once again he gave us great service and finished our job early. That's 2 for 2 Dennis. Thanks man! If you're looking for an honest garage to get your work done Griffin's is the place. Our first visit to Griffin's was over a year ago. Our car broke down on a Saturday and had to be towed. The first garage we tried to use wasn't able to fix our issue so we had it towed to Griffin's on the recommendation of the tow truck driver. Even though it was Sunday we dropped the car in the lot and left a message on the company voice mail. Dennis got back to us first thing Monday morning and was very upfront and honest during all of our interactions. He even finished a day before I expected. read more

Dennis was great to deal with. He came in $140 under the $1100 estimate he provided for a variety of things needing to be fixed and even put some gas in my car (without charging me I noticed when I looked at the bill). Is this a clever way of soliciting 5-star Yelp reviews from new clients, or just how he rolls? The latter I am thinking, but either way here I am, happy to share my experience. read more

Absolutely awful, I'm a disabled Iraqi Freedom War vet and I brought my vehicle in to get looked at and they broke my glove box. Then wrote up a quote to replace the air filter when it was basically brand new. They're incompetent and ridiculously overpriced. 80 plus dollars for an oil change when my friend who's a mechanic said it should on cost $20. I was told my payment, an official check from the Federal Government, the Department of Veteran Affairs who be ok, then told they don't accept checks. So, they work never got done and the incompetent mechanic wouldn't even fix my glove box that he broke. So much for showing respect to the Combat Veterans who served this country. read more

Looking over a review, I must say that I have been taking my car to Griffins for over 20 years, and Dennis Griffin is always professional. He always takes time to explain exactly what issues are and makes sure you understand. So if I see a negative review, I can only say there was a misunderstanding of expecations. I have found Dennis to be more than accomodating. But keep in mind, he has been in business for 45 years. He is not some "fly-by-night" oil lube place that you can push around. I know of friends that were at the dealership and they couldn't find a problem, and the dealership referred it to Dennis. He has been teaching automotive repair for years, and from what I can see, he is known as the "expert" by other shops in the area and they refer troubles to him. You won't find anyone better. read more

OMG! I have never been so impressed with an auto repair shop as when I took my Ford 150 Truck to Griffins Auto Repair. Dennis Griffin is the most reliable and honest mechanic I have ever delt with. Being a single women, I am very leary of prices and estimates given by mechanics because so many of them are just rip off artists. Dennis is a man of his word and always stands behind his work. I have been so impressed with his work and the way he does business I have told all my friends about this great auto repair shop and three are already taking their cars to Griffins and are very happy with the work and amazing service. read more

My cabin lighting system had some problem and it would turn on and off. I took it here to check what is the problem and if the battery has short circuit. They said they didn't find any problem and it's probably the battery. When I went there to pick up the car, the ceiling lights and radio would not turn on at all. when I ask them why is that? they said they didn't touch anything related to those circuits, while that was the main reason I took my car there to check those circuits! But instead they broke my car totally and refused to fix it. Oh by the way I had to pay $125 labor fee for breaking my car! Definitely check your car first before making any payments! read more

I've finally found an auto mechanic that I can trust! Dennis is honest, professional, and a skilled diagnostician. He will not recommend unnecessary service, unlike other mechanics I've used in the past. I first went to Griffin's when the dealer wasn't able to resolve a cooling system problem. The dealer seemed satisfied to take more of my money without fixing the problem. I took the vehicle to Griffin's and Dennis was able to quickly diagnose and fix the problem, and the bill was very reasonable. I've since taken all 4 family auto's to Griffin's for service and have never been disappointed. If you want high quality vehicle service at a reasonable cost, take your vehicles to Griffin's. read more

Dennis is probably the friendliest and most easy-going person I've ever dealt with in any sort of customer service, and when you're dealing with a vehicle, that's very important. I brought my truck there, a 1987 Ford F-150, since most of the places in the area seemed to mainly focus on newer vehicles, and since he appeared to have been in the business long enough to be more willing and more knowledgable on how to work on older vehicles as well. My assumption turned out to be very correct. He quickly discovered the problems going on and was sure to call me each time, and had my truck fixed each time directly after calling me. He had all the parts on hand or was able to locate them very quickly, and even fixed a few minor problems for me, such as a brakelight that was stuck permanently on, just because he could (which I really appreciated, it probably saved me a fix it ticket). I definitely will continue to bring my truck here, since it definitely will continue to break, and I trust him to take good care of it. read more