I dropped my car off for a front end alignment, which they charge $159.95 for. Fair enough. I was told that during their pre-alignment inspection they discovered that the passenger side outer tie rod end was worn and needed to be replaced in order for the alignment to be done. This makes sense, so I said ok go ahead and do it. I was then told that with the alignment and tie rod end replacement, the total cost would now be $565.04! I decided to do it because my car was already there in the shop and it needed to be done, however this price is insane for the work that was done. They charged me $98.92 for the tie rod end, which is a very large markup. They charge $239.81 PER HOUR for labor, which is completely crazy. I was charged for an hour of labor, when I know for a fact that changing out one single tie rod end should only take a decent mechanic 15-20 minutes. It is ridiculously easy. Finally, they charged me $57.83 for "RO Fees" which include recycling, environmental, shop supplies and hazardous waste disposal. This makes no sense to me because I had no fluids changed that needed disposal, and the only shop supplies they would have needed for a tie rod end and an alignment would be paper towels, maybe a dab of anti-seize, maybe a pair of nitrile gloves. Nearly $60 is straight up robbery for the job they did for me. Yes, they are friendly. Yes, I think the work they do is fine. What they charge, however, is not reasonable and I think they are taking advantage of the many people who need their car fixed and don't know a whole lot about mechanical work. This is why I try to do most of my own repairs, but some things (like alignments) a guy just can't do in his driveway. read more

I find that you can really trust the folks at Signal Garage Auto Care. I brought my car in with a loose undercarriage plastic guard that bent down and scrapped the road. Signal could have suggested a new part and the subsequent labor of installing it. I frankly expected this. Instead, they just reattached to old part, and they did not charge my anything at all. I will definitely bring my vehicle to this garage. read more

I have been going to Signal Garage for years, they always do a really good job. Chris the Manager at the St Paul store is the best. They are honest and do excellent work. Rich M read more

I had my non-starting car towed here and the service team here was very helpful. My car isn't new but I was planning to drive it a few more years. The team was very thorough with the diagnosis of the main issue, which turned out to require a new engine. The team listened to me even though the repair was to cost about what the car was worth - due to some other things going on in my life, I just wanted my car back in working order. The service team diligently pursued finding a used replacement engine for me to attempt this repair, but were very honest that both replacements had the same issue at least as bad as my existing engine. I appreciate that the team went the extra mile trying to get my car back into a shape that would meet my goal of being able to drive it for a few more years, and conferred with me each step of the way. In the end, I paid only for the work they had done to diagnose the issue and get my car starting reliably again. I would trust these folks with any repairs I need in the future for certain. They listened to me, were honest about the issues they encountered, and gave me good advice through every step. read more

Got our vehicle fixed here. They were super nice over the phone and nice to squeeze us in, but it got really weird when I came to pay and pick up. My wife had been the one dealing with them over the phone so I wasn't exactly sure of what was going on until I went to pick up and pay. The guy at the counter was not very welcoming at all and when I asked to review the receipt before paying he refused to give it to me until after I paid which was really odd and shady. They seem to have done good work on the vehicle, but the whole payment process was shady and made me skeptical of them. Wont be coming back here and can definitely find places that are more welcoming / transparent about the bill. read more

Always excellent work from Signal. They explain any problems in detail and let you know when something will need service soon. They have great involvement in the community and leave a few treats for when you get back in your car. read more

Just moved into town and wanted to look for a local mechanic for oil change that was close walking distance. They are awesome!

My SUV is three years old, and I am back to taking it in to Signal. I have been a customer for many years, but when I got a new car, I took it into the dealer while it was under warranty. I called earlier this week to get a quote on a tire rotation and scheduled it for this morning. I did not have a ride, so I waited for it, and the rotation was completed in half an hour. Chris was at the desk and was incredibly pleasant. I am thrilled to be back and will have all my work done here, until I sell this car in 10 years or so! read more

I'm in love... family owned, professional, courteous, clean ofc and great staff, from front desk to mechanics. Recommended by Lil sissy & beyond pleased with the work they did, the reasonable $$$ for work done & prompt (got done in the same day as I brought in, was not expecting to receive back for at least 1 day)... tyvm y'all. Will definitely refer others if asked read more

Not very friendly, over charging wanted $2,000 for repairs took my vehicle somewhere else cost was $650 heck of a difference

I have been using Signal for years, and have always had great service and super courteous experiences. I have been remiss in not posting a review before now. Timely, straightforward about needed repairs and costs vs. things that can wait, and always constantly in contact about "surprises." More than once I have had a large, expensive repair that has come in at under the initially quoted estimate. We have used Signal for our Toyota Prius, our late model Hyundai Santa Fe, and now my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Always, always, always pleased with their service and advice. I highly recommend them. read more

West St. Paul location ~ Impressive family owned business. They are very proud of their professional knowledgeable employees and keep a personal touch with customers. They seem to be on the cutting edge of technology also. They won my trust and that is not easy. I would recommend them to family and friends. Owner of a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited hemi Brought it in for a big job. read more

Outside temperature was well below zero and I am not mechanically inclined in fair weather so I was grateful to happen upon the Signal Garage on Marshall Avenue when my Low Tire Pressure warning light came on. I pulled into the tiny parking area at the corner and walked in, explained the situation to the person at the desk. He immediately drove my car around the corner, filled my tires and reset the warning light. No charge. Good people. Thank you!!! read more

I had previously gone to the shop on Marshall avenue when it was owned by other people. I contacted this shop three separate times online and never heard back from anyone. I then was finally able to get ahold of someone by phone and I made an appointment. I had the car towed there and the shop manager left 2 messages of less than 12 seconds and told me to call them. In between the first and second message they left they sent a text to me instructing to tow the car from their premise in 72 hours or it would be towed to an impound lot. This was less than 24 hours of me initially towing the car there and I still had not talked to anyone. The messages left instructed me to call them but did not say anything more. When I talked to the person there he had not hooked up the car to a scanner and said that the wiring issues would be too expensive to perform. I asked him why he threatened to tow my car when he had not even talked to me first. Also, when I contacted them online and eventually spoke to them by phone I explained everything related my car ahead of time. Lastly, I went to another person and replaced the ecm and I have not had any problems since read more

They lied about the cost of an oil change. Following a diagnostic assessment, claimed my car needed 1000.00 worth of this and that for maintenance. I contacted my car dealership person and he said most of the maintenance they recommended was unwarranted. When I declined the added service beyond oil change, they were rude and all the friendly BS was gone. They are a rip off and get your business by being over the top friendly, initially. read more

I have an older car that I plan to trade in after winter. My goal was to tackle important safety issues but not put a lot more money into it. Initially I took it to another auto shop but I left feeling like they weren't listening to me and didn't understand my priorities. I called Signal Garage Auto Care and explained to them my goals. They were able to fit me in at a convenient time and gave me a careful evaluation of what truly needed to be repaired. They got the work done quickly and at a reasonable price. They are a professional, honest group of people that really care about their customers. I highly recommend. read more

They made time to help me change my wiper blades today under heavy precipitation. They are always super nice - thank you guys so much!!!

We needed to get our car battery replaced and had a great experience at Signal! The staff was very helpful and the work was done quickly! We will definitely be going back! read more

An employee calling me this summer to tell me "my car was ready for pick-up" when I had not brought my car in to their shop for a few years. Receiving two letters from company, one week apart in late September, offering me a discount coupon to use on their previously-recommended service for my car - a car that I did not own. Telling two different employees that I am not the person they were trying to contact about a specific car and that they need to correct their records. Sending a written letter addressed to the company owner at the end of September and no reply in any form, whatsoever, to date. Priceless. UPDATE: it's Dec. 20, 2016, and still no response. Fortunately, however, I've not received any further mailings or phone calls from them. read more

Our car had some severe vibrations coming from the front right wheel. Signal Garage diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly! I was very happy with the detailed customer service and rapid turnaround that got us back on the road within two days. read more

Quoted me 650 for changing an alternator in a 04. Any shop worth its salt would look for a re manufactured alternator and take at max 2 hrs to put it in. around 300 bucks. read more

So nice to be able to feel good about an auto shop. Avi and Ethan (3rd Generation Owners!) we're friendly, thorough, and knowledgeable. My issue was a known issue for the make/model, diagnosed quickly, and they worked hard to provide the fastest and most economical solution. Since I had the car in and needed an oil change as well, I asked if they would fit it in. No problems, no concerns, quick service! I'm newer to the neighborhood and it's great to have a place I trust to take my cars. read more

I wish I never brought my car to Signal Auto Garage. I took it there knowing they would be on the expensive side, hoping to get some work done quickly. They continuously put my car at the bottom of their list. They held my car for roughly a week, I ended up having All American Auto fix my car. Additionally, my car's window was left open for an entire weekend. I suggest taking your car somewhere else if your looking for a quick, honest, and reliable mechanic. read more

I've been bringing my wife's car here for service for a while now, and I'm impressed. They are always friendly, explain things well, and based on estimates I have received from other places their prices are often the best or very close. I've been a dealership guy for repairs for years for my car, but I'm close to switching over because the experiences I have had here are so good. I highly recommend this place, I am glad it was recommended to me! read more

My heater went out in the depths of winter so I brought it to Signal because of the reviews and location convenience. They came back with a huge quote and lots of recommended add ons, new filters, new windshield wipers etc totaling over $800. I panicked and felt like that was a lot of put into a car that's on it's last leg. So I took it to another place, just to double check before making the decision, and they fixed it for $104. It worked all winter. On top of that I paid $75 to get that huge quote with a massive diagnostic from Signal of detailing everything wrong with my car. Lesson learned. I have a mechanic I trust now and would caution anyone considering Signal, especially if you aren't well versed in car mechanics, to look elsewhere. read more

Signal Garage always takes great care of us and never tries to get us to "fix" anything we don't truly need. They're honest and forthright, and they explain everything clearly so you can make an informed decision. They also go out of their way to accommodate you, even if you show up without an appointment. read more

To summarize, They CHARGE MORE, SLOWER, DODGE RESPONSIBILITY, and INCOMPETENT. Let's begin with the fact that they charged me $200 dollars for investigating my check engine light. The service that can be acquired free of charge from other auto shops apparently cost $200 because their fingernails will get dirty and they will have to go to a nail salon later to fix that I guess. When they ask you to pre-authorize $200 worth of work INCLUDING PARTS, please do know that they will absolutely charge you $200 JUST FOR LABOR for a simple OBD2 readout. For some dumb reason, even after this whole ridiculous $200 for doing absolutely nothing, I somehow trusted them enough to work on my recently purchased car. In my defense, I just wanted to go to a shop closer to my place but boy should I have gone elsewhere. Anyway, my car was shaking a little bit at high speed (although not much and definitely not a safety hazard), and because I wanted my new car to drive as well as possible, I drop it off at the shop thinking alignment job would take at most a couple of days. WRONG, it took them 7 days to start working on my car at all. Reason? Apparently their supplier was having an issue and according to them "every shop in town is having the same problem", Ok cool, although it's not my fault at all and they should really have their ducks in a row, I can wait and give them the benefit of the doubt. When their supplier finally can give them parts, they call me to inform me that they would need some specialty parts that their go-to supplier doesn't have. Why did they ,AFTER 7 DAYS, started investigating to see what parts my car would need while their supplier was down? Maybe stupidity, maybe incompetence, maybe both. It took them 10 days to do a simple tire replacement/alignment job. Just amazing. But it gets even better. I should've doubted their competency since they have displayed numerous times that they lack it. My tire within 5 minutes of driving on the highway began to deflate as air was leaking through the side of the wheel. I end up pulling over and put a spare on it which is not something I should have to do after a tire job. I bring my car back the next morning since these delicate bunch have to go home at 5:00pm, they take a look and scratch their heads a little. They tell me they will fix it by the end of the day. I go to pick it up later that day and it sure is fixed though I am very much annoyed that I had to put a spare on unexpectedly on the highway and had to bring the car back. So I ask for a partial refund but they apparently couldn't refund me anything because I "drove it while it was leaking air enough to deform the tire" and so they "couldn't get a refund on the tire from the supplier" as if it's my fault. I push and push but they end up refunding $25 for all the effort I had to expand just to have my car in a functioning condition. Now I'm furious that they charge me so much, slow at turning things around AND the work isn't even up to par. What can I do though, I accept my defeat and start heading home. That's when my tire pressure sensor light comes on. My heart sinks and I pull over. I check the tires but no tire is leaking air. I continue to slowly drive home but don't see any problem. At this point, I have no trust in them in their ability or integrity. I call to schedule a time to get that fixed where I would be present while they are working on the car. For some reason, the owner is very reluctant to have me stick around while they work on my car, keep trying to dodge it by trying to convince me to leave the car and take a loaner. I eventually get an agreement from him that if I can bring my car by 3pm, I can have them fix the car by their closing. My work was done much earlier so I end up getting to the shop by 2:30. Although I came even earlier to allow enough time for full inspection/repair, they return with my car in 15 minutes saying it is fixed. I drive away and within 10minutes the pressure light comes on again. At this point I just give up on them. read more

It took them FIVE DAYS to replace my ignition switch and key sensor. After which, the radio didn't work - they unplugged my antenna, my compass was not functioning and my A/C isn't working. They also lost the tuning knob and trim on my radio. Attention to detail is sadly lacking at this garage, as is timeliness. read more

This was my first and BEST experience I've ever had with an auto repair service. The employees are impressively friendly and helpful. They were timely in diagnosing and repairing my car, and their diagnostic system is the most comprehensive I've ever seen, and best of all, it was easy to understand. I highly recommend Signal Garage and Auto Care. I'm happy to drive 90 miles for such great service! read more

You will get the best and friendliest service at Signal. The Forrest time I went there, I noticed my oil was low on the way to work. They didn't even charge me for the service or the quart of oil. I've been a customer ever since. read more

Always willing to go the extra mile and answer every question I had. They provided a detailed analysis and were clear about what repairs were actually needed and what I could just keep an eye on. read more

Randomly stopped in here to see if they would mount my license plate bracket on my front bumper. They agreed to do so at no charge because it was easy work. As someone new to Minneapolis it was nice to feel welcomed. When I have repairs that need to be done this will be the first place I call. read more

I left my car with Signal for an oil change knowing that my fiancee had enjoyed her service with Signal before. I, unfortunately, left dissatisfied. I'll admit that I had gone way too long between oil changes, and I suspected Signal would probably point that out to me. About midday, I received a call from Kevin stressing how far overdue my car was, and strongly urging me to get an oil cleaning in addition to an oil change. I wasn't sure I could afford the service, so I asked to call back with an answer. He told me he needed an answer quickly. I called back about ten minutes later and spoke with Angie. I asked her to tell Kevin to go ahead with the cleaning because I was left with the impression that my car would be significantly worse off otherwise. About three or four hours later I received a call from Kevin. He told me that he had never received a phone call from me, so they skipped the cleaning and only did the oil change. I told him I did in fact call, at which point he said I didn't call quickly enough. I challenged that, telling him that I spoke with Angie only ten minutes after speaking with him and that Angie told me she would pass the message along. Kevin then backpedaled, saying that it didn't make a difference anyway and that my car essentially never really needed the service to begin with. I told him I didn't understand why he would have pushed so strongly for an oil cleaning if it made as small a difference as he was now insisting. He never backed down, continuing to insist that it didn't matter in the long run and ultimately ignoring or otherwise missing my point. I'm incredibly frustrated by my service with Signal. Not only did they never take responsibility or apologize for their shoddy internal communication, but Kevin insisted that I was the irresponsible one multiple times before I clearly challenged him and named names. What's more, I feel he tried to up-sell me by urging me to add a service that he later said wouldn't significantly serve me anyway. I certainly won't be returning to Signal in the future. UPDATE: I originally wrote Ethan, but I meant to write Kevin. I've since replaced all instances of Ethan's name. read more

The absolute best! They could have really taken advantage of me by insisting I needed severe repair, when all that was necessary was a loose wheel. Thank you, thank you, thank you! read more

Signal has been so great every time I bring my car in. They are very transparent about costs. Not to mention, their AWESOME online reports that show you future repairs you might need down the line - but Signal never pushes me to spend more. I highly recommend to anyone in the area. read more

I read the reviews online and so had high hopes for Signal Garage. My regular place was too busy to get me in during the week and I had been looking for a repair shop closer to home. I decided to give Signal Garage a shot. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience and recommend looking elsewhere. I requested they look into two issues. The first was a problem with my passenger-side power window that squeaked loudly when going down and the second was an issue with rough idling. I appreciate that when I dropped my car off that the guy at the desk was upfront with me and told me the cost of them looking into it. He told me the window investigation would be 100 dollars since they would have to take the door apart. That seemed fine and made sense. Next he said that to investigate the rough idling that it could cost another 100 dollars because they would have to experience the issue while driving to make an accurate diagnosis. I was a little surprised by this knowing that the rough idle could be felt by driving the car around the block and stopping at a stop light. I did explain to him it should be really easy to reproduce the issue and he emphasized the "could" and then said that the basic diagnostic would be 40 dollars to check simple things like spark plugs, filters, etc. I was a little wary of the place since most places I trust will charge you when they actually find an issue (aside from things that would require more serious troubleshooting like electrical work). I requested that they call me before doing any further investigation after the basic diagnostic was performed. They did get my car in the same day, even though when I initially called they said it probably wouldn't be looked at until the next day, so that was a plus. When they called me after looking at my car, I was told they didn't find anything with the basic diagnostic of the rough idle and specifically mentioned the spark plugs and wires seemed fine. I was given a quote of 509 dollars to fix the squeaky window as they said the regulator was bad and that the regulator and power window motor were sold as one unit. I did find the part online on Amazon for 60 dollars and also called another local shop that gave me a quote of 250 dollars for parts and labor. I felt their quote was too high, being twice as much as another place (in Saint Paul on University Ave.) so I declined the work. I also declined any further investigation into the rough idle because I now knew their prices were not in line with my expectations. I figured I would take it elsewhere later in the week. I picked my car up to find they did lower my bill from what they said they would charge me for their investigation, so I walked away paying 90 dollars. The next day my girlfriend drove the car to pick up her sister. Her sister got in the car fine, but when they arrived at their destination and she tried to open the door, it would not open. My girlfriend got out and tried to let her out from the outside and that did work. However, when she went to close the door, the latch had stuck open and the door could not be closed. She called over to Signal Garage to explain that the door would not latch shut and they told her to bring it in and they would fix it. They drove the car from the other side of Minneapolis and luckily there was a bungee cord that I keep in my car they were able to use to help hold it closed. Her sister sat in the back of the car since she did not want to risk falling out of the car. The door would swing open at times since the bungee cord wasn't strong enough to hold the door closed around corners and they ended up having to stop a few times on busy roads to close the door. Signal Garage repaired the door so that it would latch close once again. My girlfriend was talking to the guy at the desk and mentioned how unsafe it was that the door would not latch shut and let them know we refused the repair to the window the day before since it was twice the cost of another local repair shop. The guy told her that "you get what you pay for", which I don't know how to take since they were paid to put my door back together incorrectly. I brought my car to a different repair shop a few days later and requested they look into the rough idle. This shop did not not have an upfront investigation fee and after a few minutes found a loose spark plug wire. The bill for their successful find and work was 15 dollars. The rough idle is gone. Overall I cannot recommend this place based on them overlooking the loose spark plug wires (even though they claimed to have checked they were good), careless work, and their high prices. read more

My car was making squeaking noises for a couple of months. I finally brought it in. Kevin at Signal Garage said I need a serpentine belt changed. He also prescribed a tensioner change, new front breaks, a new battery, and a few other things. I became a bit nervous and got a second opinion at the dealership. The repair guys at dealership service said only the belt needed to be changed. The other items were fine. I'm now hesitant to recommend Signal Garage. I like supporting small businesses but I don't like being upsold for repairs I don't need. Their oil change is also $10-15 more than at Firestone. I won't be coming back. I just don't trust the upsell and that my best interests (not their pockets) are in mind. Integrity and Honesty goes a long way with me. Going to Firestone, Costco, and dealership to get my service needs in the future. Sorry Kevin! Integrity still counts. read more

I guess the "female friendly" service they advertise means they're polite when overcharging you? I was having car problems, and brought it here for a diagnosis, starting at $40 and increasing in price if it takes more time. They called me later in the day and said they weren't done diagnosing, but wanted to change the spark plug before proceeding, and that so far it would cost $375! (Plus more diagnosing and costs for repairs from there) So, I paid the diagnostic fee, and had a family member change the spark plugs. The parts cost about $50 and he was done in 20 min. Another car garage trying to take advantage of a (broke) young female. read more

Family owned, great service, female friendly, good prices- nothing not to like. Had my bumper fixed and replaced here a few months ago, looks great and done at a reasonable price! VIP package is a great deal! Free tow, a few oil changes and many other things for a great price. I highly recommend Signal Garage! read more

This is the first time I have had my oil changed at a shop (handy fathers are the BEST), but with how friendly and quick the service was I think I will let my dad off the hook and continue at Signal. They provided me suggested services during my next visit, which was appreciated and I didn't feel like I was being oversold something not applicable. I do love their billboards as well. It's always nice to know a business has a sense of humor. read more