Litchfield Auto Repair

I too used to think this was a “good” shop, with an “honest” mechanic. I took my Jeep to them with a SIMPLE clutch problem. The rod fell out of my clutch master cylinder and needed replacing, the clutch needed replacing as well, I didn’t feel like crawling around under my Jeep for 2 days wrestling with my transmission by myself so I thought, I’ll just let Litchfield Auto Repair do it. A week later they call me to say my Jeep is ready. They told me there was grinding in reverse. I’m thinking they are talking about that little bit of grinding you get shifting into reverse sometimes so I go pick it up. Pay the almost $3,000 bill (they replaced a head too) and head out. Go to the store and when I go to back out of my parking space it won’t go into reverse at all, as if i was attempting to shift into gear WITHOUT using the clutch! It was not going into reverse. Now I knew it had to be a problem with the clutch because the clutch pedal feels spongy and it’s HALFWAY to the floor. Obviously, since my transmission was working just as it should before the clutch job, and the feel of the pedal, and the grinding in reverse is an obvious indication of a clutch issue, and most likely means there’s air in the hydraulic clutch system. So after the Christmas holidays I take it back to them and say “Something’s not right, the pedal’s halfway to the floor and I could get in reverse just fine before they replaced the clutch”. They tell me fine they’ll look at it again. Another WEEK goes by I go pick it up. No change. Still no reverse. So by this time I realize they are not going to fix it. I drive it home and tell my girlfriend that I am going to fix it and I am going to take it back up there and confront them with it but that I wanted my girlfriend to go with me because I wanted her to be a witness to the conversation so she could then write her own review about our experience and hear all the BS these guys were feeding me. So I fix it in about an hour in the driveway with my girlfriend watching every move. I kid you not, I reverse bled it and it took me about 30 minutes. My transmission shifts beautifully. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it as I knew, but I had to fix it myself as proof. So I tell my girlfriend to come with me and listen. I told her that I was going to go over the problems with the clutch, the soft pedal, loss of pedal travel etc. and then tell him if he was sure it was the transmission then I wanted to have them rebuild it for the $2000 they quoted me, but only if they were sure it was NOT the clutch. Oh, and they replaced EVERY SINGLE PART you can replace in my clutch AND the clutch hydraulic system. So here’s the good part. Right there with my girlfriend listening they told me my synchros in my tranny were going out, and that the new clutch was putting “pressure” on my already weak transmission which is why it wont’ shift into reverse!! The owner Phil, and BOTH of the guys in the office told me the same thing. The OWNER, and BOTH of the guys that work in the office. Same story. At this point I tell them that is very interesting because I bled the clutch myself and it shifts great. Bled it one time. They claim they had 3 mechanics look at it. Interesting. I’m not a mechanic. I watched a Youtube video and fixed it 3o minutes later. It was laughably easy to fix. So I then informed them that not only is it shifting fine, but I also know that reverse has no synchro. Mark starts stammering and stuttering and says “well let me get you the owner”. So the owner comes up to me checks out the clutch and apologizes and says they “made a mistake”. Really? I don’t believe that for one second. Phil told me he has 27 years experience in the auto repair business. There’s at least 8 mechanics that work in the shop. So, with all Phil’s experience and the cumulative experience of every mechanic in his shop, and they just couldn’t figure out how to bleed a clutch? I think not. We caught them red handed lying to us and telling us it was the “reverse synchro” (there ain’t one), and that the new clutch was putting “pressure” on the transmission, What? That’s not how a clutch works (it puts pressure on the flywheel) and quoted me $2000 to fix it. When I told the owner Phil it looks like he was trying to rip me off for a transmission rebuild. Phil then told me another lie and said he wouldn’t be trying to rip me off because he doesn’t make any money on a transmission rebuild. Really? There’s only about $400 max in parts to rebuild it. So Phil, it has been determined that YOU are a LIAR and a CROOK, FAR from honest. You should be out of business. I don’t even care about the money but all the lying and trickery. There’s no possibility as far as I’m concerned that Phil and his entire shop of mechanics can’t bleed a clutch. I’m still stunned that the owner and both service advisors lied to me like they did. My girlfriend will be doing a review too she heard every word. What a bunch of CROOKS! IDIOTS! These guys suck, can’t even do a clutch really? NOBODY in the shop could figure it out? WOW! I did it. I’m NOT a mechanic. Yeah right Phil, BUSTED! CROOKS! Any doubt in your mind these guys are crooks? They’re LIARS and CROOKS! I would be happy to discuss this with anyone who would just like to know more before you consider letting them rip you off too. I would also like to hear from others who may have been ripped off. Email me: [email protected]

They replaced the fuel pump without any issue. A leak was discovered on the top of the fuel tank, in the plastic housing around the valve. They told me if I wanted it replaced it would cost approximately $800 for a used fuel tank from a salvaged vehicle or $1400 new from Ford. When I went in the next day, they showed me exactly where the leak was, and Phil, the mechanic, told me that he could try gluing the crack and stopping the leak. He said he had done it numerous times in the past, and that it had about a 75% success rate. I chose the option to glue the crack. Phil glued the large crack in the plastic valve. It has been a couple of months and I no longer smell a gas leak after filling the tank like I used to. I really appreciate Phil taking the time to show me the fuel tank and for giving me a much less costly option. The entire staff was very helpful and professional. My only complaint would be the price on their parts. I understand they need to mark up the price to stay in business and pay their employees, but the mark up on the fuel pump was quite significant. I know they receive parts at a discounted price, and I don't expect to receive the parts at their cost, but the price I paid them for the fuel pump was about $300 more than what I could have purchase the same exact motorcraft fuel pump for at my price from Amazon.

They were fine.

It was not cheap. I love this place. We take all our cars there. They're honest, they follow thorough with what they say they're going to do, and they don't charge you for things you don't need.

It went GREAT! Very helpful and honest staff. A pleasure to deal with! As a person that has spent 20+ years in the auto industry on the sales end, I truly appreciate an honest shop. Litchfield Auto Repair is the only place you should take your vehicles!

Had my 75,000 mile check up done at Litchfield Auto. They were easy to contact, set up an appointment, offered to drive me where I needed to go but had a ride. The car was completed but they didn't call till 555pm and closed at 6pm so I could not get there in time as I was out doing errands. They kept the car locked up and I picked it up after the weekend. Car was clean. Rides well. No issues.

I am so grateful for this wonderful auto repair shop. Whenever I have a problem with my vehicles (2003 Ford Expedition, 2004 Toyota Camry, 2012 Toyota Camry), Phil and his staff go out of their way to meet my needs. I have been coming here with all of my vehicles for over 3 years because Phil is honest, fair, and an outstanding mechanic. He and his wife really care about their customers and know how to deliver exceptional customer service. We moved here 3 1/2 years ago and are so happy to have Litchfield Auto taking care of us. I drove in this morning without an appointment because I had to drive to Los Angeles for an unexpected doctor's appointment and was afraid to drive that far with my bumper missing a screw. Phil made time for me and keeps these parts in stock for his regular customers in case they need them. ?Believe me, I am grateful for Litchfield Auto Repair!!! ?A+ Service!! Thank you, Phil and Tamara!!

I am so grateful for this wonderful auto repair shop. Whenever I have a problem with my vehicles (2003 Ford Expedition, 2004 Toyota Camry, 2012 Toyota Camry), Phil and his staff go out of their way to meet my needs. I have been coming here with all of my vehicles for over 3 years because Phil is honest, fair, and an outstanding mechanic. He and his wife really care about their customers and know how to deliver exceptional customer service. We moved here 3 1/2 years ago and are so happy to have Litchfield Auto taking care of us.
I drove in this morning without an appointment because I had to drive to Los Angeles for an unexpected doctor's appointment and was afraid to drive that far with my bumper missing a screw. Phil made time for me and keeps these parts in stock for his regular customers in case they need them.  Believe me, I am grateful for Litchfield Auto Repair!!!  A+ Service!! Thank you, Phil and Tamara!!

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They are exceptional and we have been going to them for about 2 years.

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I am so happy to have found Litchfield Auto Repair!!  I have moved 15 times and lived in three different states due to my husband's work, and I can say without reservation that Litchfield Auto Repair is the very best auto shop I have experienced. Phil, the owner, is honest and very talented as an auto mechanic. I originally brought in my 2003 Ford Expedition two years ago  because the engine would die unexpectedly. Phil diagnosed the problem immediately as the battery cable, which is a problem area for this model. Runs perfectly ever since.  
Next, I brought in my 2004 Toyota Camry which needed a thorough going over (since I couldn't find a good-honest mechanic the whole time I live in Baltimore, Maryland). I knew the timing was off. Phil fixed it so it runs more smoothly than when it was new. Finally, I brought my 2012 Toyota Camry for oil changes--even thought they were still free with Toyota Dealer 's new vehicle  purchase program. I trust Litchfield Auto Repair completely.
Growing up with an interest in auto repair, it is difficult as a woman to get treated respectfully in most auto shops. At Litcfield Auto Repair, Phil and his staff always listen to my concerns, ideas, and very particular expectations on my vehicles.
Litchfiled Auto Repair is immaculate, comfortable, and well run. His beautiful wife, Tamara,  coordinates the front desk and knows her products and  how to give excellent customer service.  
If you want an honest, exceptionally talented, and caring auto shop that is reasonably priced, I highly recommend Litchfiled Auto Repair.

Litchfield auto is the best. They analyzed my problem, which was a bad power steering pump and a faulty rack and pinion steering mechanism. They advised to fix the least expensive item first, then go from there. Replacing the pump did correct most, though not all, of the problem. I still need to fix the rack and pinion, but cannot do that right now. So they came up with a discounted price, and put it in my file so that I can use it later. They picked me up and dropped me off so that I did not have to spend the whole day in the shop. They are very professional, polite, and really seem to care about the customer. I will definitely continue to use this auto repair shop.

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I've had so much difficulty finding a trustworthy, reasonably priced mechanic in the West Valley and I wish I had found Litchfield Auto Repair much sooner. I'm a single female who knows next to nothing about cars (not that being female means I can't understand cars!). I can change an air filter, windshield wipers, and bulbs and I know how important routine maintenance is, but I struggle to understand some of the bigger stuff. Even so, I don't blindly trust anyone associated with car repair or car sales. I've learned some hard lessons about blindly trusting auto mechanics! When the shop I was previously using went out of business, Litchfield Auto Repair was recommended by a friend.
I've taken my car there 3 or 4 times for oil changes and for routine maintenance (new belts, things like that). Even though I find cheap deals on oil changes, my car had over 150,000 miles on it and I wanted it to last as long as possible. So I paid the $40 for an oil change because I knew that Phil and the guys at Litchfield Auto Repair would check out the car and not simply change the oil. If they thought something needed attention, they would tell me, explain it to me, and let me make the decision that I felt was right without any pressure or condescension. Phil would answer all the questions I had, no matter how silly some of them might have seemed to him. He would also tell me when he thought something really didn't need to be done, and when I should take care of something now that would avoid a huge issue later. Even with AAA and insurance that covers roadside assistance, I didn't want to be stranded on the side of the road because of something avoidable. Phil helped make sure this didn't happen to me.
Unfortunately, I did get stranded by a major malfunction (I've been told by several mechanics that it was something no amount of preventive maintenance would have prevented on my car that now has 166,000 miles) on a freeway in the middle of rush hour. I had the car towed to Litchfield Auto Repair. They gave me a ride home and then called me that evening to give me the bad news that the repairs were major and would be pretty expensive. I was in shock by the whole experience and Phil told me to take a few days to think about it, that my car would be safely locked up inside their facility, and that I was not being a charged a thing for the diagnostics or for storage. I went by to see him in person the next day when my mind was a little clearer, and he took the time to explain things to me again and talk me through my options, including helping me narrow down what brand of new car I might want to buy. A few days went by and I decided to sell the car, and Phil reassured me again that I could leave the car there and that he would be happy to speak to potential buyers about the needed repairs. Finally, I found a buyer and we came to the shop to close the deal. Phil talked to the buyer (another mechanic), removed the cross bars from the roof rack for me, and wished me well, knowing that I might not be able to bring him any business for quite awhile. The mechanic who bought my car told me that Phil's diagnosis of the problem was correct (my car is a Subaru and the buyer owns a Subaru repair shop and said these things are usually misdiagnosed by less knowledgeable mechanics).
So Phil didn't make one cent off of me during this whole ordeal and never once did I feel like I was being a bother. I felt guilty about storing my car there and asking for help removing the roof racks, but he was as gracious as he could be about everything. He was genuinely concerned that I make the right decision for my specific situation. My experience with most other places is that they are shortsighted--wanting the quick buck that's right in front of them, even if it's dishonest. Litchfield Auto Repair was genuinely concerned with doing the right thing for the customer, which might not net them any profit in the short run but will surely gain them customer loyalty and plenty of business later on. I truly believe that nothing would have prevented the mechanical breakdown of my car (it had 166,000 miles on it AND it's Arizona, where things dry out and go bad), and I'm glad I had Litchfield Auto Repair to turn to when I was in trouble. I recommend them enthusiastically and with no hesitation. Even if it costs a little more than some franchise or national chain, it's worth it to me for the peace of mind and to know that they are looking at the big picture so their customers can avoid expensive, traumatic car-related issues.
The staff there has treated me well all along, but I am overwhelmed at how well they treated me during this ordeal for which they didn't make a penny. Phil knew I'd be buying a new car and that he probably wouldn't get any business from me for awhile as a result, but he still helped me beyond expectation. THIS is how business should be done.