Ward and Son’s Automotive

Best mechanic shop in town. The services is the best. Super nice and helpful. I needed my check engine light checked and another place wanted to charge me $ 100 and at this shop they just hooked up the meter thing and told me I need a tune up and no charge. Thank you

We drove up to Truckee from Marin and our 2006 Subaru Outback started to overheat just as we arrived. It was a Sunday evening so of course everything was closed. I found Ward and Son’s on Unilocal and called them to leave a message. Dave returned my call first thing in the morning. He was so nice on the phone, said they had all the parts I would probably need in stock. We had it towed down there and didn’t even need to go with the AAA driver. The car was finished and ready for pick up in about 4 hours!

Took in a diesel vehicle to get looked at that over heating, the radiator was replaced, paid 800 $. When it was picked it from the shop it over heated on the way home. Took it back to the shop the next morning hopping they were gonna make it right. They had contacted me and said it was the head Gasket they were gonna look into it more. Upon second contact, said they were not sure what the problem was. Basically took my money and made no attempt to get my car on the road again.
FYI while hitch hiking to work wile my car was in the shop, got the pleasure to here many story’s with unfortunate endings about these guys, they also flip vehicles out of this shop and think they saw mine and wanted it.
New to town and learned the true meaning TRUCKEE LOVE…
So fixed my car today myself took me about an hour and was the thermostat about a 13 dollar part

Great place to go! Fixed 3 broken wheel lug studs, checked out the rest of our wheels and were done in less that 2 hours. The price seemed very reasonable. It’s where we’ll go from now on when we need a mechanic!

The best customer service I’ve ever experienced in any business… seriously. (See «bottom-​line» at bottom of this review).
My 2004 Subaru Wrx had a blown engine. A mechanic in Reno estimated that it would be roughly an $ 8,000 repair. I discussed this with two other shops in Truckee to get 2 other data points and some «reasonableness» feedback (two automotive related stores). They BOTH unquestionably recommended Ward and Son’s Automotive. I’ve had a vacation home in Truckee since 1992 and had never heard of them. Dave (the father), is from Maine and the product of a good family. After meeting him 3 weeks ago (I left the country for 2 weeks), I consider him a trusted friend. He’s a dying breed… a genuinely good, honest man.
Turns out I needed a new clutch and a water pump as well (I feared the clutch was toast). I bought a new engine, new clutch and had a water pump installed for over 20% less than the Reno estimate for just the engine alone! Dave Ward called me and kept me informed all along the way, trying to save me money at every opportunity.
When I called to pick up the car, Dave told me my gas tank was on fumes and offered to take it to the station to put in some gas (BTW, this was during the first «white-​out» storm of the winter).
Really? You’ve got to be kidding me… It’s a Subaru… not a Bentley!!!
BOTTOM LINE:
1. They’re honest. One of the few… I’ll say it again… they’re honest.
2. They treat you better than Tiffany’s or Nordstrom’s. Best customer service I’ve ever experienced.
3. Korine (front desk) is a sweetheart.
4. While totally safe, (in a good part of town) their shop looks like it’s a vacant dirt lot in Nicaragua… when I got out of my car, I didn’t know if I was going to be mugged or attacked by a junk yard dog. Turns out the dog might lick you to death if you throw the ball for him. Hey, nothing’s perfect… but these guys come about as close as you can get!
5. I recommend Ward and Son’s Automotive without question and will recommend them to ANYONE who will stand still long enough to listen.

Really like this place. Very nice people and very fair pricing. They were recommended by Stones Tires (another great great place)

Seriously. These guys are everything you wish auto repair could be. So friendly. So reasonable. So good. I just needed them to take a look at what appeared to be an oil leak on my older CR-​V with 175,000 miles. Instead of creating reasons for me to spend money, they gave me a complimentary assessment, a clean bill of health, and I was back on the road in an hour. Truly unprecedented. Thanks, Dave!

My wife and daughter-​in-​law were driving from Colorado to Sacramento to bring my daughter-​in-​law to Sacramento for a new job. My wife called me to say the heater was overheating. I went out on Unilocal and saw «Ward & Son Automotive» well rated and called them. Heather answered and was so knowledgeable and helpful. She said bring it in and we’ll look at it right away. They pulled in and owner Ron Ward came out immediately to help them out. After 30 minutes of testing and inspection, Ron felt confident the car was good to go. They tried to offer Ron money but he would not accept. I hope everyone in Truckee and others passing through will support word-​class local business… Ward & Son Automotive. Thank you Heather and Ron!

Talk about a knowledgable and honest shop. I limp my ’96 Grand Cherokee in there with a broken front drive shaft over the holidays and got A+ Service. I dropped it off late at night over the weekend and left a voice mail. He calls me Monday morning and has figured out a complete solution for me with a custom built drive shaft from Reno (my Jeep is lifted so off the shelf does not work) for around the same price as a standard one from Orielly’s, has one of his guys picking it up for me, done all the measurements, found another issue that I knew I had but did not mention, then has it all fixed on time for a great price. Even stayed late on a holiday night so I could pick the car up. If you even need work done and live near these guys, take your car there. They really could have taken advantage of a stranded traveler, but took great care of me. Solid shop!

Windshield wiper lines broke on my way to Reno. I called and was told to bring it in, they put on a new patch hose at no cost and told us to have a nice day. Here I thought I was going to be taken advantage of in our moment of need but was showed kindness. I recommend these guys to anyone.

Great group of mechanics! Got my car in the next day, at 8am. They had it done in 3 hours for a running belt and pulley replacement. Price seemed a little high, but well worth it to get my car back the same morning.

if you can accept the fact that everythings more expensive in truckee, this is the place to go. great crew, great owners, took good care of me in a pinch. thanks!

After talking with Dave Ward about options to fix my problem I am totally satisfied at the way he does business. I would recommend him and his business to anyone needing automobile assistance. Hat’s off to people who keep their word. Signed :
Donald James Pennington Reno Nevada

I took my car in for service and they were fantastic. They fixed what was wrong, check ed other areas of the engine and do not rip you off for things you don’t need. This is the only place in Truckee you should have your car serviced.

We were on vacation in truckee on vacation when our check engine light came on. I called (based on the great reviews) to see if they’d take a look for me. They told me to stop in whenever worked for me. I did and they couldn’t have been nicer. They came right out to my car and ran a test, we talked a bit, he cleared the warning light and I was on my way.

Dave and his team replaced struts and front brakes on our Outback. It now drives like a new car. They saved us $ by advising that the front struts were still good. They also caught and diagnosed a problem with the power steering. I was given affordable options and they got us back on the road in just 5 hours. Could not be happier with their service.

Dave is awesome! I have lived in Truckee for years and just found them about four years ago and now I go to them for everything, and recommend them to everyone! They are honest, helpful and know what they are doing. Would highly recommend them!

Our truck was driving so badly we were afraid to go over the pass. Spent the night in Truckee and went here first thing in the morning. The guy used his reader to check the codes. Car was running fine. Said to go ahead and go home. No charge. Very friendly.

Hands down best shop in the area. I don’t go anywhere else. Unless I need a smog cause they don’t smog there. I go to D.R. Automotive for that. Dave, Danielle, davey jr., Arnold, everyone there is a top of the line mechanic, good sense of humor, and always gets the job done right. I make sure to always do right by them, as they have done the same for me. And if they hook me up, I always reciprocate with a case of sierra nevadas ;)

This is it for my car in Truckee, they always make it right.