Keiji Auto Service Inc

First let me say, I've taken my Toyota Avalon to Keiji several times, and always had a very good experience. Until this morning! My "check engine" light is on, so I take the car in and Keiji's guy comes outside to read the code. He can't get the code scanner to work, for some reason -- okay, that sort of thing happens (btw, I had no trouble reading the code with my own $10 obd2 scanner at home, so obviously something was wrong with his machine). When I ask the guy, what does he suggest I do, his response is: "Get a new car" (exact quote). Of course, I thought he was joking, but no -- he repeated that response, plus a surly "take it to the dealer," after which he just walked away. When I went inside again to talk to Keiji, his own response to me was, "Well, what do you want me to do?" (also an exact quote). A few more words back and forth along those lines, and I left. Now, maybe Keiji and his guy were just having a really bad morning, I don't know. Regardless, I'm obviously done taking my car to a mechanic who (a) isn't able to scan a diagnostic code, and (b) when that happens, responds so dismissively and rudely.

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I wanted to try Keiji's Auto service because of the wonderful reviews I saw on Yelp and Angie's list. We have recently moved back to Skokie and didn't hav a local auto mechanic. Thru Angie's List I found out the Keiji had worked for Toyota company in Japan and works on Toyota's in his shop. We have a 2004 Corolla that had the Check Engine light come on and we also had a 2006 Toyota RAV4 that had the Maintenance light come on also. So fearing the worst I called Keiji and we brought both cars to him.



Well he used the auto diagnostic machine on the Corolla first and opened and tightened the gas cap.. that was the problem. So we told him that the Maintenance light was on the RAV4 and he asked if we wanted the light off and we said yes and he got it to go off and told us that the light comes on automatically every 5000K miles. Then he wouldn't charge us anything, only took about 10 min. total. We gave him a tip anyway. Spoke to him for a few minutes. I am Japanese American and he reminded me of my Dad and my Uncles, especially my Uncle Ben who was a truck mechanic. My Dad and his brothers grew up in Northern CA and Keiji had lived in the same area at one time.



He was great, saved us a lot of money and we have a new mechanic for our cars that we can TRUST.

I've been going to KEIJI AUTO for the past 15 or 20 years!!!! Keiji actually worked for Toyota directly (he was born in Japan)! His customers were so thrilled with his honest and very reasonable service!!!! When he moved to the Chicagoland area (Skokie, Evanston), he opened his small shop and has become a sort of legend among his customers!!!

Keiji and his son Brian will tell you exactly what needs to be done to make your Toyota great!!!!! They specialize solely on Toyotas (all make and models). When they perform an oil change, they not only do a fast job (like many of the franchises everywhere), but they actually do a total diagnostic review, drive your car and are truly "TOYOTA DOCTORS". Keiji is truly the most honest Toyota mechanic ever!!!! I've often gone to Keiji because the dealer told me I needed this or that! Keiji would get in my Corolla, drive it himself, make a few refine adjustments and it would be good as new!!! He should be nominated for "THE BEST TOYOTA SERVICE IN CHICAGOLAND"!!!

Beverly Frank, Chicago

The loud noise from the sensor hanging down is gone, the tire nails have been removed (I had been adding air often). I know what needs to be done next, the approximate cost of future repairs, and have a referral for my muffler along with detailed directions to get there. I have been told many of the items that still need to be done can wait to be repaired at my convenience. Very polite and informative service , no high pressure to do everything at once as I usually experience from repair shops who try to convince you that every item of your car needs repairing immediately. This repair shop specializes in Toyota, works only on Toyota autos and the owner worked for Toyota Company prior to opening his shop. I have had horrible past experiences when taking my car to repair shops; I have been overcharged, talked into doing repairs I later found were not needed, and feel I have been scammed because I know little about automobile repairs--- an easy victim for unscrupulous auto repair shops.

Keiji is very honest and trust worthy. He listens to the problem on the phone and tells me what he thinks and sometimes I don't even need to go in. This time I did and fully expecting a new alternator or new belts since my car is 11 years old Keiji just made an adjustment and its working perfectly. Keiji knows his Toyota's and is spot on when something needs to be replaced. My other Toyota has 200K on it thanks to him and is going strong.

I like how Keiji, from Keiji Auto Service Inc. discusses things with you, and seems to take a genuine personal interest in your experience.

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He is the best mechanic I have ever been to. He works on Toyota's only.

He helps you keep your older car working on the road. He is very honest. I had a case where I left my lights on. AAA told me that my starter was going bad, but Keiji advised me that my starter was fine but that my battery would need replaced after the season. I am very happy with his services. He is teriffic.

I only wish I could replicate Keiji for help with everything else.

I've been going to Keiji for the last decade as I've had two aging Toyota's to maintain. He only works on Toyota's but he's able to perform miracles on them. My Celica had a variety of problems over the years, but Keiji has always been able to sort them out and fix them at very little cost. He's professional, fast and never seems to take a break. I've referred many people to him and they're always very grateful, especially after hearing the Toyota Dealer's repair quotes. I used to live in Edgewater and found it easier to get to, especially since there weren't a whole lot of other dependable service places around there. Since I've moved to North Center, I have discovered places I can trust and rely on, so I don't get out there as much anymore. Still, I'd recommend Keiji to anyone with a Toyota that needs TLC to keep going.

Excellent, this is THE place to take your toyota. Very affordable and the work is done right.

We have used them for years. It is a small shop that specializes in Toyotas. They are cost effective.

I have been using their services for the last two years now. I like that they are trustworthy and they explain the work well to me. He is straight forward when he tells you something. He specializes in Toyotas. He will do little things and not make a big deal about it. He is very nice and helpful and his prices are very reasonable.

Our Camry needed a new horn as the old one sounded like a wounded water buffalo but faint. The dealership quoted us $150 for the parts and $150 for labor. We told them to go ahead and do the work. They charged us for the work but didn't do it. We called and had them credit us and told them we wouldn't be back as they were less than apologetic. I called Keiji and made an appt to bring the Camry by his shop. He looked at it right then and there and told me no problem he could fix it and it would only take 10 minutes, I could wait if I wanted to, but the horn was expensive. "How much?" I asked. Well it turns out that it had 2 horns and only one of them needed replacing and it would cost $50.00 for the part and $7 for labor. Since then, we don't take our cars to anyone else. We even subsequently bought 2 more Toyotas and part of the reason was that is all Keiji works on (oh, that and Lexus). He is always honest, with reasonable prices and very professional. He is great with women and never talks down to me. We love him. He trained in Japan and only uses Toyota genuine parts. In short, we won't go to anyone else.

Very good. I use him and a lot of my friends use him as well.

We own four Toyota's (Avalon, Prius, Camry and Corolla.) I trust Keiji completely. I have had estimates for work from others and Keiji usually charges much less than the others. He does great work and always finds the least expensive way to do the work. When my power steering went down, another repair place looked at it and said I needed a new yoke ($650.) Keiji looked it over and poured in about $20 of power steering fluid. That was two years ago and the steering has been fine ever since.