Big Red’s Automotive

Ken and his crew are great mechanics and offer amazing customer service. It’s nice to have a trust worthy shop in your neighborhood to bring your car to. I highly recommend them. Thanks guys!

Was living in Escondido temporarily when my car completely shut down on the freeway. Feared the worst. Because I was on my way to somewhere and could not take care of everything that night, I needed a place to keep my car overnight. Knowing that it would be after their business hours, Big Red’s was still kind enough to stay open long enough to give me time to wait for a tow truck and have it towed there to leave overnight.
I get a call the next morning and, to my embarrassment/​relief, I had simply run out of gas and had killed the battery. (this is a new car for me, so I had not experienced what the car would do in this situation) They kindly recharged the battery and filled up the tank a bit for me.
A week or so later, my check engine light comes on. I’m about 99% sure it is because I had left my gas cap loose, but wanted to double check. Again, they were kind enough to run the codes right then there and determined that yes, it was just my gas cap. No charge.
Needless to say, even though I thankfully have only experienced minor, minor car trouble, Big Red’s was kind and efficient every single time. They could have easily taken advantage of me, and it truly meant so much to find a repair shop that I could trust whenever I am back in the area. I will be sure to go to them in case I experience any real car trouble in the future ;).
Thank you!

I took my 1998 Dodge Durango here last week to get an idler pulley and a fan belt put on after mine gave out. I was nervous taking it to someone who wasn’t my dad since he’s always done the work I’ve needed and Big Red’s definitely came through. Not only did they put the parts I needed on but they also fixed my vacuum tubing, cleaned my air filter, and topped off my power steering fluid for no extra charge and it only took about an hour for them to get it all done. Needless to say everyone at Big Red’s is great and I’m definitely going to be back. Thank you!

Big reds repair shop is a great place to have your car serviced for a very affordable price with great peace of mind to go in hand. Theres no frills and thrills such as a shuttle service to work or home or a extravagant waiting area with a waiting staff and a full bar, but then again who needs or wants to pay for all of those surcharges in your bill when all you really want is for your car to be on the road again? If your looking for a honest, thorough and expedient mechanic look no further because big reds embodies all of that.

These guys are the best they are almost family. They know me by name and help me out everytime. Frank has even gone out of his way to drive to me when my car was overheating. I will never take my car anywhere else.

I have a lifted Jeep that most places will not work on, or they want to charge an arm and a leg because «It’s lifted», yes, it is an off roader, but my daily driver as well. I do some of the work on it myself, so I will not tolerate a lousy mechanic. The staff here knows their business, and since I am OCD, I can find something wrong with just about anything. In short, I am probably considered a difficult customer, it does not faze these guys, and they have done some great work on my truck, including some custom work, I guarantee they won’t do at the Jeep dealership unless they charge you $ 10K! I will not take my car anywhere else, Oh, one more thing, I was there one day, a lady had a van and she came in with a ruined motor because, although the shop had done the work 9 months prior, a head gasket job, she drove it when a hose blew, and it got hot, and she kept driving! Guess what? Ruined moter, and he fixed it, and when the lady left the van there and left with her husband, I pulled the owner aside and I said «WHY are you eating all that money? It’s HER fault, and the owner told me, I’d rather have her as a happy customer, than running around out there bad mouthing me. I couldn’t believe it, I would have told her to…, Well, I don’t understand it, being a painting contractor, I would not eat an expensive job when the customer is responsible for the screw up. Now you tell me, why would i go anywhere else? He works on any model, he does fleet work which tells me guys in business use him (A good recommendation in my book), and he’s reasonable, and most of all, he seems to be one of the 10% of honest car shop owners. I’m hooked.

Couldn’t find a place to work on my 2008 Dodge Sprinter Itasca Navion RV. Freightliner no longer has the codes, Mercedes didn’t have a Sprinter mechanic, and Dodge had no time. So I googled Dodge Sprinter mechanics… they listed Big Red’s and I booked an appointment. Got there early… was hard to find. I beat staff and was sure I was in the wrong place… bays didn’t accommodate height of my RV. I went searching for an alternative online. Found a truck repair place nearby. Ken arrived just as I was ready to leave, assured me he worked on Mercedes engine in Dodge Sprinters ALL the time. TIMING IS EVERYTHING IN LIFE… so glad we connected! EXCELLENT SERVICE, FANTASTIC CUSTOMER RELATIONS, KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF, COMMITTED TO GETTING THE JOB WITH QUALITY… with REASONABLE PRICES!
Thanks Ken, and Frank and Ian… you’ve got a permanent customer (all the way from Ocean Beach.) I have told many Sprinter owners of your wonderful service!

This is the most reliable and trust worthy auto repair business I have ever dealt with in 30 years in No. San Diego Co. Ken is stand up guy, gives you options, and really cares about his team delivering the best service possible at a fair value.

I never write reviews, but I got my brakes fixed here at Big Red’s Automotive, and was so impressed. Ken was helpful and friendly, and even showed me on my car what the problem was so I could see for myself. I really appreciate when businesses go the extra mile like that. My brakes were done quickly, and the price I paid was much less than what I had gone in expecting to pay. Overall, I give this place five stars and highly recommend it to anyone needing car repairs.

This time I went straight to Big Red’s because I knew I would get honesty and fairness. The engine light went on on a Sunday. I emailed Big Red’s and was advised that as long as light wasn’t blinking I could drive it there. Arrived Monday about 8:00am and after inspection, nothing really but the spark plugs were worn and it was time for an oil change anyway! Very happy with the service and wait time. I’ll be back.

These guys are so awesome!!! They saved me $ 800 over another shop to do my brakes, bearings, alignment and lights. They did excellent work. Not only that but they made me completely at home in their shop, letting me set up my computer and work there in their comfortable waiting room while my car was being serviced plus they brought me snacks! Talk about service! They are really friendly, honest and good people and they know what they are doing. It was totally worth the drive from La Jolla to go to them. My go to mechanics from now on!

I usually stick with the car dealer for check-​ups and repairs, but a friend recommended me to Big Reds.
I had the engine replaced in my car and am glad I had it done here and not at the dealership.

I had my BMW serviced at BIG REDS for a fraction of the cost of the local dealer.
The car runs GREAT.

Great experience! Ken and Naomi are awesome! They are honest and very helpful. Their prices are fair comparing to other mechanic shops! They know their stuff and I will definitely go back to them.

I have been taking my car to Big Red’s for about 5 years now. Ken and his team are very honest, experienced and provide a comprehensive service at a reasonable price. Ken ALWAYS goes out of his way to take care of his customers and I feel fortunate to have found such a great shop. There is peace of mind in knowing that my car is in good hands and I am not getting over-​sold on services I do not need. I moved from San Marcos to Santee and continue to take my car up to Big Reds for service… they have earned a life-​long loyal customer in me.

After being recommended to Big Red’s by a friend, I can say that I am so pleased with the attention, honesty and fairness that I receive from this business. Ken goes out if his way to make sure his clients are taken care of and treated honestly. You will feel like part of the family as if Ken is taking care of one of his own’s safety with his concern and attention to detail.

Ken is the best he is always honest and ready to help if it’s not his expertise he sends you someone that can help you. We’ve been going to him for years,

Honest, thorough, comprehensive service at a (wait for it!) reasonable price! If you want someone you can trust, this must be your one and only stop! And, as if trustworthy and reliable weren’t enough, Ken and his staff additionally go out of their way to accommodate their customers’ transportation needs while their vehicles are being serviced/​repaired.
I’ve been raked over the coals in the past — but have been nothing but pleased since I started using Big Red’s over the last few years!!!

This is my second time to come here, this time to get my struts replaced. Toyota Dealership was quoting me $ 2,000 to get it done, and i got it done today for a better price at Big Red’s. Ken (the owner), is very professional, and honest. They get their customers through referrals, and word of mouth, which is great. Well, im here to attest that they do a great job and overall i would give them 5 stars. The staff here are nice and friendly, and there’s an area where you can wait, with free wifi. I am definitely tired of going to places where they try to take advantage especially when they see you’re a woman and think you don’t know anything about cars and prices… It’s great to find a place that’s HONEST. They do repairs on most cars, also motorcycles and boats!

Ken and his staff have lots of experience and are very knowledge when it comes to working on my car. I get my oil changed and he does all the major work on the car.
He even puts me in a rental car while mine is at his shop getting worked on.
Signed:
Another Happy Customer