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San Francisco Auto Works is the Bay Area's premier independent auto repair shop specializing in Subaru and other Japanese makes. Honesty, integrity, and top notch service are our core values and central to our success. Founded in the Mission District in 1974 by Dale Newhouse, we have over 40 years of history in our current location. Originally a general service facility providing repair and maintenance to all makes and models, our focus was shifted to Subaru, as well as Toyota, Honda and Mazda, when second generation owner Kevin Hrebich brought in Johanda Parmana to partner with him in the business.
Reviews (29)
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Amanda Barr
May 15, 2022
Kevin is absolutely incredible! Great customer service, quick turn around time, great price. Pricing is spot on with what service you are receiving. Did a full 61 mile service on my 2018 Honda Civic and everything is working great! Services: Electrical, Tires, Oil change
Lynn Ching
Apr 24, 2022
Based on the comments, I brought my car in for minor servicing, tire rotation and to check out a clanky muffler. I was dreading having to replace the muffler. Kevin was honest and patient, explained everything to me and fixed my clanky muffler! Turns out the muffler did not need to be replaced, just needed to be "unbent" (I must have backed up into something) at 2 spots. Will definitely be returning.
Seth W.
Mar 13, 2022
Very fast service! Finally a mechanic who has great scheduling skills and blazingly fast turnaround. Fixed issues that other local mechanics had caused. Didn't try to overcharge and pricing was fair.
Kevin D.
Mar 11, 2022
Did a great job caring for a cylinder coil issue on a 110k '13 Impreza (my baby is purring again!), but also wins the award for Best Garage Wookie. I'll be back. Not just for the dog.
Heidi-Jane S.
Feb 24, 2022
I could not have been happier to support this lovely business! Kevin made the process soooo easy - was so personable and professional and the house doggie, Doggo is adorable to boot. Great, professional service, very accommodating. I encourage all my neighbors to support this great local business. Definitely worth the price to sustain a neighborhood treasure. My car is running great and I'm very happy to find such a trustworthy place.
Rob L.
Jan 19, 2022
Very good experience. They explained their process clearly & they showed me how to save $1000. The work was well done & on time. I would definitely use them again.
Madeleine Miller
Nov 10, 2021
I love this place. Kevin is helpful, kind, and honest. I have brought my car here 3 times now and they always offer affordable prices, great service, and transparency. I am so glad I found this auto shop and will always bring my car here first!
Henry G.
Sep 01, 2021
Everyone at SF Auto Works was so friendly and helpful. I brought my 2010 Subaru Forester in because it was spewing oil, smoking, and had a terrifying electrical fire-like smell. They were able to get me in quickly, took care of the problem the same day, charged a very reasonable fee, and explained what the problem was. Would definitely go back and I highly recommend them!
Robert L.
Aug 03, 2021
Honest business. I brought my car in for work and the owner told me it would go away in a couple days and if it didn't, to come back. The problem went away and I wasn't charged a dime. Next time I need work done, I will definitely come back here knowing that I'm being treated fairly.
Sidharth S.
Jul 08, 2021
The team there was amazing! I went after getting a ridiculous quote from another nearby garage for my Saab 9-2X Aero / Subaru WRX wagon for some fairly straightforward work to replace ball bearings and front axles. They also inspected my AC for leaks and refilled the coolant for cheap (giving me good advice since it was a small leak, instead of ripping me off). Highly recommended! Trustworthy, communicative, and quick too!
John R.
Jul 03, 2021
I was in need of a new repair shop after my longtime mechanic retired recently. I chose SF Auto Works because of it's convenient location, specialization in Japanese autos, and the fact that they are LGBTQ+ friendly. As a gay man, it's important for me to support both LGBTQ+ owned or LGBTQ friendly businesses. Auto repair is a triggering subject for so many, so I think it's important to find a mechanic that you believe is fair and one that you can trust.

I needed a new sensor and the estimate came in using an OEM part. I asked if they could look for a lower-priced part if possible. I was pleasantly surprised that when I came to pick up my car, it came in under estimate and the repair was done with an OEM part that was less expensive than originally quoted. I would bring my car back to SF Auto Works and hopefully I had now found my new mechanic.
Kiara S.
Jun 12, 2021
Very upfront, affordable and quick. I had an appointment and they checked my car out decently quick, even though they were super busy and fixed my car within the day. It was also the most affordable and fair prices I've probably ever seen haha. Also, the prices stayed the same they didn't fluctuate so much like the dealerships or other shops I've been to where they just want more and more money.

In addition, the main guy, I forget his name (sorry!) was super cool and very thorough in explaining everything they knew and what was done to my car. It was just overall a great experience and I'm happy I took my car here, thank you!
Oliver R.
May 06, 2021
I've been taking my 2007 Subaru Legacy here since 2013 and they've been consistently reliable, competent, chill, and trustworthy. Pricing feels very fair, and I've never remotely felt like they weren't on top of it, nor that I was getting worked over. You want local reliable independent mechanics like this one to exist, so give them a shot.
Jovanna V.
Apr 09, 2021
If there were 6 stars that is what I would put! I read many great reviews about this place through here and decided to take my car ir. I bought a used Prius and I had heard that it was very common and easy for the catalytic converters to get stolen and if that happened it was about 3k for a new one. So I took it to Kevin and hey essentially locked it in.

A few months later low and behold they tried stealing it! But they were not able to take it because of the lock Kevin had put it. They still managed to make a whole in it and the car was very noisy. I took it back to Kevin and he patched it up that same day and did not even charge me for it. I am so grateful to have found this place and such a great mechanic. Make sure to get a lock with Kevin if you buy a used Prius : I will 100% be a returning customer.
Maggie M.
Apr 06, 2021
These guys are super friendly. Interrupted their lunch break, filled my tire for me, gave me good advice, and pointed in the right direction. I will definitely be using them for my Subaru needs in the future.
James Meade
Apr 04, 2021
Excellent service and price. Kevin and his staff are professional and kind and display an amazing level of knowledge. They completed major repairs on our car in the time they said and on budget. The car was delivered in perfect condition and now runs like a top. I fully recommend SF Auto Works
Mikee F.
Mar 25, 2021
Really wish I knew of this place but I'm glad I found this place through Yelp. I used to go to Midas and it was alright, but nothing memorable in terms interaction. Kevin followed up with an inquiry I submitted through Yelp and was able to get an appointment the following week. Definitely coming back here to support this local shop.
Jim A.
Mar 13, 2021
Good work, fair price. I brought in a Mazda Miata that I had inherited that was smoking and dripping oil and got a quote for some extensive work. I shopped it around and found that it was a fair quote. The work was done quickly and professionally and everyone in the shop is pleasant.
John B.
Mar 11, 2021
I found Kevin to be honest, knowledgeable and reasonably priced. I plan to use him in the he future.
Ashley O.
Mar 05, 2021
Kevin did a pre-purchase inspection on a vehicle I was going to buy and was wonderful. Great customer service and reasonable prices. He is also just a really friendly person.
Risa T.
Mar 02, 2021
Kevin is a wonderful mechanic and goes out of his way to troubleshoot and find the problem. I have always been pleased with the quality of his work. He has been able to schedule and get my car taken care of soon after I call. His prices are always more than fair and about 40% less than I was paying at Lexus.
Jon G.
Oct 16, 2020
I'd taken my car to the Subaru dealership in Daly City and left with broken windscreen (which I arrived with but they never mentioned) and bits missing which I'd asked them to replace. I was walking past SF auto works one day and stuck my head in. I've found my mechanics! Not going elsewhere.
Brett Y.
Sep 04, 2020
I lived down the street from SF Auto Works for a few years and took my 2003 subaru bug eye there for service. Overall I probably wouldn't go back but they aren't horrible. Regular Service: They charge quite a bit. Even if my car was due for a minimal service I was always out over $100 dollars and the car was there most of the day. At the dealership it is under $80 and I am in and out in typically under two hours. Repairs: Their prices seem fair on repairs.

I had a my radiator replaced, it was with an aftermarket brand but apparently very good quality from what I've read. I have had zero issues with it. Happy with that. I also had a clutch/flywheel replaced. The price was fair but the bearings on the clutch blew up on me leaving me stranded. Granted this was five years after it was replaced but seeing as the original lasted 12 years I have to question the quality.

My driving definitely hasn't gotten more aggressive in those years. Overall I would avoid them but I don't think they are out to straight rip you off. Their work mostly seems good.
Dc S.
Apr 14, 2020
I've been taking my car here for a few years and have gotten great service. I've never felt like I've been getting up-sold, or given the run-around. I'd highly recommend SF Auto Works.
Alex Kolchinski
Mar 23, 2020
Kevin is the best mechanic I've ever been lucky enough to find. My car started having an issue a few weeks ago, and after the shop closest to me told me they had no appointments for over a week (!) I went to SF Auto Works after seeing the incredible reviews, and I'm glad I did. Kevin figured out immediately my clutch was shot and that I had done some damage to the flywheel by continuing to drive on it, and had it fixed within a couple of days even though the repair needed machine shop work on the flywheel.

I also appreciated that he came in less than a couple dollars off of his estimate for how much the work and parts would cost. A few weeks later, I had my oil changed elsewhere (I'll be going to Kevin for that too from now on!) and whoever did it left a hose loose after changing my air filter. I only knew that my check engine light was on and that the computer was telling me I had a leak, but when I took my car in to Kevin he figured it out in a matter of minutes, fixed it and didn't even charge me. My only fear with leaving this review is that too many people will catch on to how incredible this shop is! Thanks again Kevin.
David C.
Dec 12, 2019
I had a pretty negative experience and felt compelled to share. I took my car (Subaru) to them for a tune-up, and also to identify a faint rubbing noise I'd noticed it started to make. First, they didn't ID any rubbing noise and said they thought it wasn't an issue. Six months later I took it to the Daly City Subaru dealership, and they knew exactly what I was describing and fixed it at no charge -- apparently Subaru was still covering this despite the car being 7 years old.

I know everyone loves to hate on the dealership service, but in this case they came through. That wouldn't be enough to give a one star review, though. In addition to this problem, 2 days after picking up my car from SF Auto Works I got a flat tire. The mechanic (at another shop) I took it to said that the pressure in all of my tires was way off, and that there was no way that they had been topped up properly by SF Auto Works. When I called Auto Works to ask what had happened, they couldn't provide any explanation. No make-good either, not even an apology!
John Stockton
Feb 11, 2019
HANDS DOWN the BEST place to take your Subaru. I am from 200 miles away, my Subaru broke down when I was visiting San Fran. It needed new turbo and engine, and turned out not worth the cost to repair. This guys were SO helpful and UNDERSTANDING, let me keep the car there for a week while I found a salvage buyer for it by placing an ad on craigslist.

Let prospective buyers come and see the car at THEIR shop. Sold the broken down car for fair price, not a give away price. Then ended up buying a low mileage Subaru directly from the shop at the Kelly Blue Book private party price! A Subaru that they just finished doing a complete overhaul on. This car has run flawless since the day I drove away, 18 months ago!
Jake H.
Apr 25, 2018
I've been going here for 5+ years. These guys are great. Big props to Joe who is always cheerful and ready to help with my car. They always deliver the car on time and with minimal fuss. I recommend this shop to any Japanese car owner, especially Mazda and Subaru.
Roy Peterson
Feb 02, 2017
I love these guys. Took my Mazda there for the first time last week, needed a new clutch and a headlight. They fixed everything perfectly, quickly and within the quoted estimate amount. Best I've ever been treated by a garage by far.