Kennedy Transmission

Reviews

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

  Donnie Shultz
3 weeks ago
Had a th-350 rebuit here, quoted $1500-1800, after getting it home I seen how much debris was still on the casing! They had painted rite over it all. The accumulator was packed full of sand and oil as well as the detent cable, then I realized that the cable wasn't even the one that was on it when dropped off! I proceeded to remove the shifter linkage to install the one that was going on the car and then seen they never replaced the shifter shaft seal! Called and left a message for the owner to call me and never did, ended up costing me $2600, what a joke! I wonder if it was even rebuit or just a bunch of used parts?

  Ben Daw
3 months ago
Great team, reliable, and convenient automotive service, but confirm all details and pricing before scheduling work. Note: Forest Lake location does not always accept or credit Kennedy Transmission coupons or advertised discounts. Prices for oil change, battery service, and repairs are not always the best compared to other trusted service locations.

  Chris Jilek
2 months ago
I never like giving anything less than perfect reviews because i know these shops work hard and are overly booked for work.However i Brought my 2014 Silverado 1500 in when the torque converter failed and needed a transmission rebuild. It went ok. Mario was great about letting me know the progress and working with my warranty company. He explained options and I ended up coming out of pocket quite a bit to have it rebuilt with HD torque converter vs a reman put in which is what my warranty would have covered.The day i got it back i started it and it squeeled really loud for about 5 sec. And it still does it every time i start it up since. I brought it up a few weeks later to him and he said they don't do anything to the exhaust when doing the transmission. I understand the business as I work in a similar field, but he seemed to act like I broke it and there wasn't a way they could have done it. I asked 2 other places and they said you do have to loosen it a bit to get the transmission back up in and is actually common for bolts to break. He did bring it back in to make some adjustments to the tune and put in a different synthetic fluid he said was recommended now by GM. He said he thought it was a top far bolt on the manifold. I totally understand in MN things are rusty and break, but I really would have appreciated it if I got a call about it and I would have paid to have it fixed properly at the time. I just had a similar situation at a shop when having my front end done and they broke something trying to get a control arm out and they fixed what they broke and I paid for it happily!Now I have a squeeling truck almost everytime I start it. Going to cost me another 1-2k $$ to have that fixed when I could have had it done at the time for cheaper. Feel like it was just rushed to get it out the door.After a few weeks getting it back I asked Mario about a thermal bypass valve replacement to keep it cooler, and he agreed it would be a good idea as that is what kills the torque converter in these GM trucks. My truck was getting up past 200 degrees consistently. He said he keeps his own GM very cool as well. I was very patient, after waiting for about 2 months to get them to look at my truck, Mario told me they couldn't do my truck style. He said it was a kind that couldn't be swapped. I asked 3 times because I didn't understand what they meant. I knew exactly how it set up. I found the correct part, the same exact brand he recommended. So I did it myself in about 10 minutes and I run 30-40 degrees cooler, and confident my transmission will stay cool.Mario is great and very knowledgeable, but I had a less than great experience for something that was $6,000. More so about the exhaust manifold. Now in the end is going to cost me even more. In the mean time I have an obnoxious squeel everytine I start my truck.Services: Transmission, Transmission repair

  Bradley Jacobsen
6 months ago
This guy Mario is old school. Didn't charge me a dime to look at my truck after it blew up. Where does that kind of courtesy happen anymore?

  scott anderson
a year ago
They serviced my transmission a little over a year ago. Been working perfectly with no problems since they fixed it. Good customer service. Price was less than quoted. Will definitely use again.

  Donna Colling
2 years ago
Mario and his team are the best I have ever found. I would never take my car elsewhere! They are knowledgeable, efficient, fast. They are honest and friendly. They are fair and priced right. I never worry if I am getting good service at fair price!!! So glad I found you....

  Ryan Bushinski
a year ago
Mario was great to work with. Explained the process very well, completed the repairs before the date he quoted, and was right on estimate. Overall a good experience. I would use them again!Service: TransmissionService: Transmission

  Dustin Aldridge
3 years ago
Last year I was planning on driving across country and needed an inspection. I took my vehicle in and they inspected it for free.I appreciated the kind gesture and brought my vehicle back in this year, when I noticed the braking wasn t up to par.After dropping the vehicle off, I got focused on work and didn t realize it had been 6 hours. When I rang the front desk attendant, he informed me that he wrote my number down wrong and that s why I didn t receive a call.So he went ahead and made a decision for me. He installed close to $1200 of brakes and rotors. The average costs of this repair is 300-800 after calling multiple car mechanics in the area. I took offense to the $300 up charge and installing parts that I didn t request.I had enough money on hand to pay 300-800 but not $1200 at that time because I was waiting for a replacement card from my bank. I was blindsided by the cost.When I informed him of this; he wasn t only only rude by disregarding my attempts to prove I d pay some at that moment, he passive aggressively told me to come in that week to pay before he went on vacation because it s easier for him.Just as they decided for me, I made a decision for them. I wrote a check for $500 and I ll be writing another check for the remainder.The lack of professional service, and a seemingly predatory business practice, in my opinion, is why I m writing this. They would ve had a lifelong customer if they d handle this differently. It seems like it was a bait and hook.Do not do business here. They will take advantage of you.

  Janet Hochule
3 years ago
Bought a three year old used RAM and needed a new transmission and front end redone. Mario worked with my aftermarket warranty company to get them to help pay for it. He took a lot of time to explain everything to us. Made a bad situation much better knowing we would get a safe truck.Services: Transmission, Steering & suspension repairServices: Transmission, Steering & suspension repair

  Erin McCabe
5 years ago
Mario is the only mechanic I trust with my vehicle. Automotives can be expensive to maintain but I feel that I am not being taken for a ride here. My car is just over 100,000 miles and it is in great shape because of proper maintenance and great recommendations that Mario gives because cars are not intuitive for me. I have driven from St. Paul to Forest Lake for years because this shop is just that good!

  Jared Pullis
3 years ago
Been taking my wifes 2014 Fusion here for the past 3-4 years. Mario (owner) is always very pleasant and never tries to "sell" us an un-needed repairs. I've listened to Mario talk to plenty of customers in person and on the phone over the past few years and he never pushes a repair on them. He is always upfront with you. For these reasons I will continue to bring my wifes car in for oil changes and not hesitate to bring in it for repairs in the future. 5 Star service every time!Services: General repairs & maintenance, Oil change

  Allen jensen
a year ago
I'm delivery package person up front, and he's sleeping have him signed invoice, he thought my pen ! So confused what he doing trying print out check don't working tell sleeping he nit wske up been wait 1/2 hr , tell him have write check out , missing not put dollars on check still sleeping! Guess drinking problem make sober

  Jakob Smith
8 years ago
#1 shop in town. I am a home mechanic and the one thing I will not and can not do is transmissions. Mario was able to help and fix my car with-in a time frame that I could not believe. Being a home mechanic I get very defensive when it comes to bringing cars to a shop. However not this shop! Even though I wont be bringing my car into this shop every time there is a problem I will say if you are thinking of going here do so! Mario is the best and is very knowledgeable on what he does. Highly recommend this shop!

  Ahren Schuhwerck
7 years ago
Fantastic service and all very good parts being used rather than cheap parts that might go bad that other shops use. So may be pricey but it's worth it! Mario is always a good guy to work with! Our family will continually go here. You know my broken down beamer more than I do at this point. Lol. Thanks so much for everything! Great job, fantastic business!

  Patricia C
a year ago
Kennedy Transmission is THE place to go for your auto needs. The mechanics are knowledgeable and personable. The owner Mario is a great guy who runs an outstanding business. Support local businesses

  Jonathan Banks
8 years ago
At first I enjoyed the service that Kennedy provided my family. Quick turnaround and a somewhat positive attitude. More recently I had them do some service on my vehicle; I was miss quoted on the price. The service they did do did not fix the problem. Mario makes assumptions before he truly diagnosis the correct problem. Their labor rates are on the high side; the parts mark-up prices are disgusting and when questioned about their service or diagnosis instantly he becomes defensive. I will never bring my car or truck back to him; no matter who is doing the work.

  AL
3 years ago
Got an estimate to rebuild transmission... nearly $3500 for a 2000 silverado..ha got job done elsewhere for $1836 2yr 24000mi warrenty. Your company is trying to hard to line your pockets in my opinion.I don't know how you would tell whether or not I'm in your system seeing i don't use this information in store very often. Keep my business affairs on a separate email with my full name not my nickname. Good job trying to discredit my one star. So hears a complaint where there was once nothing but a 1 star review.I now award you -1 Review updated from zero text 8/11/2020

  Dawn GAALAAS
7 years ago
Mario and his crew have ways been great. We have always tried to fix our vehicles ourselves. When it came to a transmission issue we tried Kennedy transmission. They fixed the problem and did one better found another issue with wiring. Mario took good care of us. Now I go there for any issues with my car, and my oil changes. You guys rock. Thank you!!!

  Dan Groshan
7 years ago
Mario is a straight shooter. My transmission failed and I (barely) drove my vehicle over to Kennedy, mostly because it is close to where I work. Turns out that they could not help me with the transmission because the one I had is out of production and they couldn't get ahold of one for a reasonable price, so Mario called around and set me up with someone who could help - AND while my car was at Kennedy when they were doing the diagnosis Mario let me use a loaner vehicle free of charge. He went the extra mile to help me out for no reason at all. I feel like I cannot repay Mario for his help, but I will definitely be going there for any maintenance work I need done in the future and recommending his shop to everyone. This is a trustworthy repair shop.

  Matt Madison
a year ago
I called a few transmission places to find out about a truck I'm buying for plowing talked to the owner very knowledgeable and friendly was able to find out best plan for the truck and how much it would be to have the transmission upgraded and built the best for work definitely happy with their service and plan to use them again for another truckService: Transmission repair

  Timothy Morin
8 years ago
Mario has been amazing to work with. I take not only my company fleet to him but send my entire family to him, including my own mother. Never have to worry about him telling her she needs something when she truly doesn't.

  Richard Dworshak
5 years ago
Had transmission and clutch replaced and noticed backup lights did not work since. Brought back to see if it had any relation to that work. Was diagnosed the backup switch was bad. Charged over 38.00 for a 13.00 switch. And 40.00 for 10 minute job. Not a fan of taking advantage of previous customer and not a good way to get this one to return. Otherwise they are friendly. But hourly rates way high and gouge on parts prices.

  Jordan LeVesseur
2 years ago
I had a "clunk" problem with my 2009 Escalade that no one could figure out and these guys had it diagnosed and fixed in no time! They showed me a few other issues that we took care of also. Very impressed, I will definitely be going back for future repairs.Services: Transmission, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Wheel alignment, Oil changeServices: Transmission, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Wheel alignment, Oil change

  Vincent Nelson
4 years ago
Excellent service and quick turn around times. Kennedy Transmission has helped me out of a pinch when it comes to needing to get my vehicle back on the road ASAP on several occasions. They will definitely be my local first choice for vehicle work.

  Tiffany Johnson
2 years ago
This is the best shop anywhere! The mechanics always do a great job, you will never get charged for anything that's not necessary. My family and I don't take our vehicles anywhere else.

  Mr Germ
3 years ago
Good quick service! They did leave me with a new problem! upon leaving the shop I noticed a code that wasn't there before! Quoted me 1900 wound up being 3200ish. Not bad just go at your own risk! They will fix you well ...but rob you better!

  Miah Kay
4 years ago
Mario the owner is honest and fair. Hard qualities to find in auto-repair. Fixed right the first time. From transmissions to motors he can do it all. No tires or rims.

  Charles Hawkins
11 years ago
Had my transfer case replaced here and bought the 1 year warranty.A couple months later the main rear seal started leaking and called them to get it warrantied since I now live out of state. They claim seal was not covered under warranty. Called the parts provider they got it from and they said each transfer case is clearly labeled when they get them that the seal should be replaced.Explained this to Kennedy and they wouldn't help and just pointed fingers back and forth with the parts provider.Ended up having to pay for new seal installation out of pocket even though I paid for a warranty.Would not recommend this place to a friend.

  Suzanne Amato
9 years ago
Mario and his team of mechanics are first class. I have all my vehicle maintenance performed at their shop. From engine and transmission change outs to oil changes, they do a first class job!!

  Rebecca J
2 years ago
Mario at this location gave the best customer service ever! He was professional, friendly and honest. 5 stars and will definitely recommend my friends to go there!Service: Auto engine diagnosticService: Auto engine diagnostic