Empire Automotive

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Derick Mara
3 weeks ago
Honest good work. I like how the mechanic who works on your vehicle comes out and talks to you personally. One thing I wish was better was communication when your vehicle may be ready or status of the work. Overall a good trusted mechanic, will go back to them again.

  Mike O'Connell
a year ago
Chris, Chuck and the team at Empire Automotive are outstanding! We have a fleet of older trucks for our landscape company that they help us keep in good repair and on the road. Chris is super helpful in troubleshooting, finding parts at a good price, or when needed another local provider for specialized repairs. Highly recommended!Services: Auto power window repair, General repairs & maintenance, Electrical, Tire rotations, Transmission replacement, Vehicle safety inspection, Oil changeServices: Auto power window repair, General repairs & maintenance, Electrical, Tire rotations, Transmission replacement, Vehicle safety inspection, Oil change

  Derek Mead
a year ago
These folks do great work and are wonderful communicators. They've also treated every other customer I've seen with great respect, kindness, and transparency. Really pleased to be able to bring our cars here.

  Scott Shurtz
2 years ago
Chris was recommended to me a few years ago by my brother who is a Lexus Technician. He said Chris was a great mechanic, very honest and that I could totally trust him. I have had nothing but positive experiences with Empire Automotive ever since. Today he came through again for my daughter who needed an emergency battery charge. He fit her in immediately and didn t even charge her. What a great shop and great guy! Thanks Chris!Service: Battery

  Iva Ansbro
5 months ago
I have been coming here over a decade, they are the best in the county. Kind, honest and great at what they do

  Margaret Prescott
3 years ago
Chris and the whole Empire Automotive Team are hands down the best mechanics I have ever experienced. My vehicle broke down randomly 3 days before I was due to give birth to my first child. We had only been to Empire once but I didn't know what else to do so I had my vehicle towed to their shop. The next morning I called and explained to them what had happen and why this was time sensitive. I could not believe how accommodating and understanding they were. Chris and his team went above and beyond to get my vehicle back to me as soon as possible. I will never bring my vehicles anywhere else and I will be highly recommending them to everyone! Thank you so much for the amazing service!!!Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Dipa Bhaumik
4 years ago
What a great place to have your car fixed. My car was driving very noisy. At one repair shop they said both the left and right rear wheel bearings had to be replaced. My friend recommended that I take a second opinion and referred me to this place. Chris drove and checked the car, he said that it was mostly the left rear wheel bearing that had to be replaced. He found a good cheap wheel bearing and replaced it. Chris even showed me the non functional wheel bearing and explained to me what the problem was. I drove back home with a peace of mind. So glad I found a honest car repair place. I will highly recommend Empire Automotive to all my friends.

  Leon Sivertson
6 years ago
Empire deserves more than 5 stars for their outstanding professionalism, courtesy and friendliness. I could not be more pleased with the work they did on my car and it s sorely needed 100,000 mile servicing. I was also impressed with their suggestion that I postpone getting my air conditioner fixed. Being as I probably won t need it until summer comes around again it was a nice bit of savings on something that I really could not afford right now. It s a relief knowing I now have a company I can trust completely whenever my car needs servicing.

  Joanie Yarlick
11 years ago
I love Empire Automotive. Patty, Chuck and all the staff are wonderful and offer superior customer service. They go out of their way to accommodate each customer with warm, friendly, time and attention. I most appreciate their honesty in diagnosing any problems and recommending financially friendlysolutions. They will go the extra mile for you, and have always exceeded my customer expectations. I've referred many friends and co-workers. I am thrilled that they are now a certified smog star station.

  Paul MacDonald
2 years ago
Outstanding shop! We broke down in Petaluma driving back to Washington from the LA area, and the staff at Empire went above and beyond to get us back on the road. Highly professional; experienced mechanics;fair, honest work; and amazing customer service. If I lived in Petaluma, I'd be a customer for life! Thanks to service manager Chris and crew for a great job. (And sorry I took more than a week to get this review up!)

  Karen F
6 years ago
I cannot recommend Empire Automotive highly enough. I have been using them for over 15 yrs because they are extremely knowledgeable, fast, trustworthy and professional. Chuck has even helped me find two reliable used cars for my family.

  Anastasia Lipske (Access Speakers)
9 years ago
LOVE this place, I've been bringing my cars here for at least 25 years, perhaps longer. I knew Chuck back when I was a teen and working with he and his dad at Western Motors, yep, I'm dating myself. :-)Even back then Chuck's integrity was obvious and has continued to this day...not only that, but he's passed it on to his son Chris who is now an integral part of the business.Many of the employees have been with Empire for YEARS so they get to know my cars, not unlike a good chiropractor gets to know your spine!Without hesitation I highly recommend Empire Automotive!

  Nokia n900
7 years ago
My Saturn always breaks down, but I only ever take it to Empire because they're so friendly. They do such a great job. So far they've always found and fixed the problems with my old and ageing car. One of these days I'm going to have to get a new car, and when I do, I'm definitely coming back to Empire for whatever issues I may have down the road with my next purchase.

  Josh Simmons
6 years ago
Fast, friendly, trustworthy, and walking distance from downtown Petaluma! I've had my car serviced by Empire Automotive twice so far. Both times they were faster than expected and kept me in the loop -- explaining issues and my options as they progressed through the repair jobs. Thank you!

  Richard Gustavson
11 years ago
Empire Automotive is the best. Chuck,Patty and staff are always friendly, trustworthy and the service is excellent. They are detailed in their diagnostics, expalin in detail what the problem is and do only what is needed. Their care for the customer is beyond reproach.. I have been a customer of Empire Automotive for many years and will continue to put my trust in their professionalism, courtesy and customer satisfaction.

  Shelby Vance
9 years ago
I've always had good service at Empire Automotive. I think they are very helpful and honest, something I don't say about too many other service businesses. The rides home and back again are a big plus. On a lighter note, I enjoy the " home" feeling of a resident cat and dog!

  pat donegan
9 years ago
I have been taking my cars to Empire Motors since I moved to Petaluma in 1988. I can without any reservation recommend Empire and its employees. I have never had a problem with work done on my cars and have recommended them to anyone who asks for a "good and reliable mechanic". When I moved to Petaluma, my parents had been customers of Empire Motors for a number of years and experienced the same level of excellence as I did.

  Daniele J. A. Strawn
6 years ago
My husband and I moved to Petaluma in 2012 when we still owned our Jetta TDI. While in the Whole Foods parking lot, another TDI pulled up next to ours and knowing how difficult it is to find a mechanic that knows these cars, I asked the driver where he took his car to get serviced. He recommended Empire Auto, so we checked them out and have never looked backed! The whole team is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. My husband is a novice mechanic who likes to fix as many parts as he can and these guys will work with him, answer all his questions and, of course, do an amazing job for everything that we cannot handle on our own. We have never felt ripped off or taken advantage of, which has been commonplace with other mechanics in the past. Now we own two Honda's, a Fit and a CR-V, and we know both are in good hands with the Empire Automotive team.

  Andres Fossgreen
4 years ago
Friendly, excellent service. Had a misfire, a labor intensive repair in my case. Within a day they took my car in , quoted a fair price and even beat their quote by a couple hundred dollars. Drove it out that evening! Definitely will be back here for all tune ups and repairs in the future. Thanks Chris !

  LT's Garage
5 years ago
Had my van for 3 days. Then told me they couldn't work on it. Put a quart of oil in my transmission. Charged me 296.00 dollars. I'll never go back. Been doing business with the dad for over 40 years. Not the son. I'm done. You only RIP me off once. It wasn't a misunderstanding. He knew what he had done & didn't care.

  Ray Dio
6 years ago
I'm not surprised there are so many customer automobiles parked in Empire's driveway every week. These people are remarkably good at what they do...yet very down to earth. They involve you in the process from drop-off to pickup. And they do what they say they're going to do. No question I'll bring my car back again and again. -- Ralph S., Petaluma

  michael martin
3 years ago
They looked over my air conditioning system put a charge on it, they could have told me anything and I wouldn't have known the difference. But they were very honest and knowledgeable. And in the end they only charge me 250 bucks. I really enjoyed my visit there.

  JF Hayet
8 years ago
Amazing service and everyone was an expert at customer service. It has been years since I have experienced such service in an auto shop. So happy to have finally found a great shop in Petaluma. Great people, great prices and fast turn around, does not get better.Highly, highly recommend.JohnDillon Beach, CA

  Maggie Hohle
6 years ago
Empire automotive did a fantastic and affordable job on my son's Chevy Cavalier, and at short notice. They were kind, economical, and quick. Would go there again in a heartbeat.

  Wendy Albrecht
10 years ago
Best in the West! Chuck, Patty, and Chris run a well oiled ship! Thoughtful, kind and considerate as well as smart! I have 4 cars and they all come to the empire hospital to see Dr. Chuck and have for over 18 years. It is great to see his sons stepping into their Dad's shoes. Hope their feet are big enough. Chris certainly is well polished in his people skills and communication. I like it when the doctor talks mechanenglase so I can understand what is under the hood causing the trouble. They'll be my auto docs until I stop driving. They even take care of my kids cars and soon to be grandkids. Check out Patti's jewelry wares inside. They'll soften the bill !!!

  Heidi Darling
5 years ago
EXCELLENT customer service. I only had a 1 day pass from DMV to resolve all my client's vehicle needs. Desperate I dropped the car off to Empire Automotive. They agreed to store the vehicle, check the battery since it would not start, partner with other local company to smog, and then went above and beyond to google another local company in Petaluma that could resolve a certification need by DMV. I would have had to spend another 6 hours with DMV to get several day passes had they not helped me. Can't thank them enough. They need 6 stars.

  Jody Meyer
6 years ago
Chris and the friendly, helpful staff never fail us in delivering quality care. We have used them several times for our vehicle repair needs and recommend them for all your needs as well.

  Ashley Schweigert
6 years ago
My friend and I were on a road trip and the engine light came on on my Dodge pickup. They were the only shop that would get us in right away to determine if it was an emergency or not! Definitely set my mind at ease! Thanks Chris!

  Casey Jones
5 years ago
Chris was very helpful and clear in explaining the issues with my car. Very reasonable prices and explained the details clearly. No one likes when their car breaks down, but I would definitely take my car back.

  Mary Visco
11 years ago
Empire Automotive won the People's Choice Award in Petaluma last year and I can see why. It is a true family business and is run with caring and pride. Chuck Robfogle and his wife Patty and his son Chris are unbelievably warm and compassionate. They really care about us the public who have concerns about our cars. They are not out to gouge us or get rich. They just really want to help. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. The staff = Meghan, Cleve, Jackson, Jeff, Gerardo are just incredible. And the best part is that if you have to wait they have the greatest waiting room with TV, coffee , treats, magazines, newspapers, wifi etc. If you need a ride, no problem. They even transported me to Rohnert Park when I needed it. They have kept all of our vehicles running beautifully and I couldn't recommend them more highly. Believe me you can trust your vehicles to this shop. They are the best!!!