GA
Griffin's Auto Repair
Trusted auto care with AAA certification and decades of expertise in San Diego.
4.2(5 reviews)
auto-repair
$$
Trusted auto care with AAA certification and decades of expertise in San Diego.
Griffin's Auto Repair is a certified AAA-recommended auto shop in San Diego, offering reliable and professional vehicle maintenance and repair services. With over 10 years of experience, we specialize in diagnostics, engine cooling systems, and general repairs for a wide range of vehicles, from modern BMWs to classic VW buses. Our team prioritizes clear communication and customer satisfaction, ensuring your car runs smoothly and safely. We're dedicated to providing honest, high-quality service that you can trust.
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Comprehensive vehicle diagnostics using advanced OBD2 scanners to identify issues accurately.
Professional flushing of coolant systems to prevent overheating and blockages.
Leak detection and system integrity checks through pressure tests for cooling and other systems.
Repairs for engines, brakes, and other components to keep your vehicle in top condition.
Specialized care for vintage and classic vehicles, including restoration and tune-ups.
Battery charging, testing, and electrical system repairs to ensure reliable performance.
I've gotten consistently great service at Griffin's Auto over the past 10+ years. Mario was my service rep for my 75k service last week and did a great job communicating with me. I always feel like I can trust the service reps and Mario was no exception. Thanks for another great customer experience!
I came here today to get a coolant flush for my BMW E93. I had been experiencing overheating issues and had gotten a few fault codes on my OBD2 scanner relating to a possible blockage within the coolant system and possible pump failure. I asked them to do the flush. I received a phone call less than hour after leaving the shop. They told me that the engine cooling fans had switched on as soon as the engine was started, and that this was a really bad sign. They didn't give me any actual technical details but simply said that this was bad(which it is). I was already aware of this problem, as my OBD2 scanner had indicated that the coolant pump was being shutoff due to a blockage, which resulted in the car trying to cool itself as much as possible by running the fans at their full rpm. They didn't mention anything regarding the pump error codes at this point. Instead, they recommended a pressure test on my coolant system. I agreed knowing that it's a relatively simple and USUALLY inexpensive($80-100) procedure involving connecting a pump to the coolant reservoir and pumping the pressure up to the car's functioning coolant system PSI amount. This allows them to check for any leaks within the whole system. There weren't any. That cost me $193.33 for the pressure test alone. That's literally double what they charge at another shop down the street from them! I get a 2nd call an hour or so after the 1st with no mention of how the pressure test went. It's at this point they mention the fault codes showing up on their diagnostics equipment and make the recommendation that I replace the pump and thermostat(which is the most likely fix for this issue given my cars age, mileage, and the history of pump failures on all E90 series). It's at this point I realize that they hadn't even bothered to run a quick diagnostic on my car's system before recommending and completing a $193.33 pressure test. Knowing this, I declined their recommendation, and asked that they just perform the coolant flush with the hope that it might get rid of the blockage which would allow the pump to run again. I never assumed that this was guaranteed to solve the issue as I had mentioned to them that I may just need to replace the pump when I first got there. I knew this was a common issue with E90s. They told me it was unlikely to work(which it didn't) and that I would eventually just need to do the replacement(which I am). After picking up the car and arriving home, I plugged in my OBD2 scanner again just to recheck what error/fault codes were showing up. While doing this, my car notified me of my battery charge being at a low level. This had never occured before but was also indicative of a common problem that occurs when you bleed the coolant system and run the venting process. When doing this, it's recommended to connect the car to a battery charger because during the venting process, the electric water pump pulls a lot of power from the battery. During this process the engine isn't running. I called the shop to ask if their technician had connected my car to a battery charger during this process. They said that he did. When I told them that my battery was drained they took absolutely no responsibility and instead told me that they would go "check" to make sure that the 2 battery chargers they had were functioning properly and that my battery would eventually recharge itself when it's running...I will never go back here again and don't recommend anyone else does either.
I went to Griffin’s Auto Repair for a minor issue. I needed a new bolt for the skid plate. Although they were extremely busy, they worked me in and took care of my problem. They were positive, friendly, very customer oriented and provided exceptional service. I was impressed with every person who helped me that day. I especially want to compliment Dwayne. His approach was amazing and very much appreciated! Thank you Griffin’s Auto Repair for the outstanding service you provided.
🙌AMAZING 🤩 First Class service! ♥️ We Highly recommend this Auto Shop! Absolutely 💯 certified AAA recommended! These guys are the real deal they treat you right:)A million times thank you so very grateful to the owner & his professional crew! You’re our favorite! 🤩know it!
Great Service, Great Communication! Just had them work on my 1966 21 window VW bus. Super stoked it is running perfectly after sitting for several years. Thank you guys for the great work!!
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