Customer Reviews & Stories

Yesterday, I took my car in to Leale's to have the light on my dasboard checked out.  Of course, I was hoping that it was nothing serious but needed to have it fixed even if it was!  I found Mark and staff VERY accommodating, pleasant and so very helpful.  They thoroughly gave my car a full inspection, which I didn't expect, at no extra charge AND what they did find was a spider and her eggs blocking some tube connected to the fuel and emissions that prevents poisonous fumes into the environment.  I hope I explained that correctly!!  Anyway, I was thoroughly impressed with their service and how Mark took his time to explain what was happening to my car.  They were very honest with me, very reasonably priced and know their work; plus I can tell how passionate they feel about keeping our cars safe on the road!!  I highly recommend Leale's Auto Repair, and I KNOW I have found a new home - even for an oil change - yep!  This is where I'm going from now on!!  They've got my business and a new a loyal customer.  Can you tell how happy and relieved I am??  Thank you Mark and staff - you're the BEST!   Sherri Cousart

— Yelp User Review

Very knowledgeable about transmission!!! 

— Google User Review

My car died a few blocks from this place and I pushed it into the shop. Bob was nothing but totally honest with me in telling me that they wouldn't have time to fix my car and making arrangements for me to come get it at my convenience.

— Google User Review

I've been going to Leale's for several years now and have always had great service.  I found out about them because my roommate tried them out when we lived downtown, and she had good service as well. Robert has always given me a fair price, and never tried to get me to do more work on my car than absolutely necessary. Most recently, I needed my door fixed, and he didn't have the right part.  He fixed it temporarily, and had me bring the car back in when the part arrived.  Even though he had to take the panel off my door twice, he only charged me to do it once.  I know that isn't like getting a huge discount or anything, and should be expected, but that's the point - he didn't try to charge me for anything that he shouldn't have.

— Yelp User Review

Once in a while you find a true PARTNER, who is really there to help you.  I was very fortunate to find this in Leale's. On a recommendation via YELP plus location to my home I made the decision to take my 2003 Audi to this shop.  For the past two years I've had MAJOR problems with my car. Although it has low mileage...everything was going wrong and my trusty auto shop and dealer could not solve the problem. Looking at a entire replacement of the transmission (as quoted from another auto shop) I decided it was time to get second opinion. I am SO happy I did. Leale's truly did their homework.  Instead of saying it simply is broken they found out the root cause and guess what -- it was something entirely different. The cost of the repair was still hard to swallow but I have to say the problem would have never been solved if I had kept it at the other shop and payed the whopping $6K for a new transmission. With Leale's the problem was solved for good (and they also fixed other smaller issues which was really great).  Bottom line: My Audi runs the best it has run in the past 2 years.  I never had this experience from the dealership and the other auto repair shop. From now on I'm taking my Audi here. Decision final. Thank you for saving me from more heartbreaking, costly decisions.

— Yelp User Review

Wonderful repair service, fair, reliable, one of the best

— Google User Review

Excellent customer service and helpful information

— Google User Review

Very good so far.  They gave me a quote and a reasonable price. Place is clean 

— Google User Review

Needed a new rebuilt transmission for my Ford Taurus - failed at 153K miles. Called around for quotes and found these guys, Leale's Transmissions and Auto Repair. They quoted me below other services and had a good reputation so I decided to try them out. It was a big decision because getting a rebuilt transmission can be very expensive and you want to get it right. Very friendly and very knowledgeable - worked with Lyle and Bob - they really know their stuff.  Icing on the cake: I was provided a free tow from my house to their business AND a free rental car while my car was in the shop! The rental car service even dropped me off at Leale's after I returned the rental. Only minor complaint was they said the car would be ready on Thurs or Fri and it wasn't ready until the following Tuesday. But no worries as they extended the length of time on the rental car for free. I would definitely recommend these guys to my friends and family. And, most importantly, the Taurus seems to be running great so far.

— Yelp User Review

On point and they are willing to explain what is wrong with your vehicle and why.

— Google User Review

I love having mechanics that I can trust.  They are solid business people with high integrity and they know their cars.  I would recommend you give them a try.

— Yelp User Review

When my transmission went out in my Acura Tl. Jim made sure everything went great! Thanks again!!

— Google User Review

Lyle has excellent mechanical skills. Very satisfied.  Will bring my daughter's Lexus RX 330 back to have the rack and pinion replaced, as soon as it fully degrades in the next few months.  Very happy they were able to provide quick srevice for the transmission filter and flush. 

— Google User Review

Took my Honda to the shop without any appointment after an object hit the undercarriage with a thunderous bang. They were busy, but they took me in. After 20 minutes of wait, they explained to me that although some mental edges were dented, the undercarriage was fine and there was no visible damage. They fixed the piece of plastic shielding that was hanging. And the best part was that they told me that there would be no charges as there wasn't much work done. I was floored! Definitely recommend for people who are unsure about what they are in for with car repair. These guys seem honest and very nice.

— Yelp User Review

Best place in town I did my own research. I thought my SUV (explorer Eddie Bauer) was in really bad shape. But to my surprise all it needed was transmission service and a tune up, WOW great experience, professional, REASONABLE pricing. Thank you Thank you! Robin

— Yelp User Review

Outstanding customer service. I highly recommend

— Google User Review

My car died. The people at the 2nd Street Wheel Works pointed me to Leale's. They made a great impression on the phone. The person who helped me was very well spoken.  I wasn't too sure what to think when I showed up and saw a lot full of big trucks. They also repair RVs and what not.  I quickly found the office/waiting room which was clean and comfortable, with the bonus of interesting magazines (Top Gear, hell yeah!) They were communicative and reasonably priced. They told me what the problem part was and what the part did with no hesitation. As a female, I've had some bad experiences with auto places treating me like an idiot. My dad was a mechanic and I do all my own work on my motorcycles and a small chunk on my car so I know when someone is trying to pull one over on me.

— Yelp User Review

 took my vehicle to Leale's for a transmission/differential problem and was given a quote, a couple of days went by and I was told the cost of the repair but it was higher than the original quote and due to the age of the vehicle it was too high and it exceeded the Bluebook value and informed them that I did not want the repair work done.  I was then told it was too late because they were almost finished with the repair and that I would need to pay.  When I went in to pick it up from the shop I explained to Jim what had happened and he apologized for the confusion and he agreed to honor the original quote.  His professional mannerism and his honesty and integrity are impressive qualities.  The technicians are qualified with years of experience and have very good troubleshooting skills.  Overall it was a good experience and if you are in the area, I recommend Leale's for automotive repair work.

— Yelp User Review

Jim, Steve, and the whole team at Leale's have been so helpful with our Honda Odyssey and VW Passat wagon. We keep coming back because of their awesome service and their ability to get our vehicles in and out as soon as possible. They have proven time and time again that they are trustworthy and helpful!

— Google User Review

Great job, very hospitable people. Highly recommend this place!

— Yelp User Review

Excellant place. Very helpful people.  Above and beyond service.

— Google User Review

Lonnie and his team did a great job on my 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro (6-speed manual transmission).  He mentioned it was one of the most complex transmissions they've had to work with.  Once the parts finally arrived from Audi (not Leale's fault) they made the rebuild and install a priority....Keeping me up to date on the progress regularly.  After the install they did a test drive to make sure everything worked as expected, it did on the first try.  Gotta give it up to their technicians.  They also offer a 3 year/36k mile warranty.  I'm glad I went straight to Leale's rather than using an european auto repair shop that could only do the uninstall/install and would have shipped the full transmission to another shop.  Thanks again!

— Yelp User Review

I did the 30k maintenance of my toyota highlander there today. The people are really nice and the job was done very well and quickly. I compared 4 different stores and it is much cheaper than others. I would definitely go next time.

— Yelp User Review

Yep, this place rocks.  Clean, well managed, fair and honest. They actually loaned me a car (for free) until mine was ready - They communicated with me every step of the way, and being a car guy myself, I knew they weren't "jerking me around". The price was less than I expected, and as I was checking out, one of the office guys was giving another customer a ride back to his house while they did the repair.  They even asked the guy "do you need your car back today", and I thought, WOW.  These guys are ON IT!! It's tough to find a competent shop you can trust - You're in good shape with these guys.

— Yelp User Review

I can't say enough good things about Lonni and the guys at Leale's. Our 2003 Odessy's transmission started acting up and we didn't know what we were going to do because when someone says your transmission is giving out all I saw was $$$$$$.  Lonnie took a look and quoted us $2500.  I called at least 5 other shops and the dealership all of my other quotes were for $3 to $4k some with a warrenty, most without. So we went with Leale's because they were the cheapest and came with a warrenty.  Also, $2500 is a lot to come up these days, so Lonnie worked with us on making payment to them.  Which was great because we have a son with special needs that has 2 to 3 doctors appointments a week and not having a car makes that hard to handle. Fast forward 2 months and my friends car died on me while I was driving it to work one day.  We thought for sure the car was toast (215k miles on it already) but Leale's just picked it up late yesterday, called this morning with an estimate to fix the car (needed a new clutch, back brakes, tune-up and AC) $1950 and it would be done this afternoon!! Leale's rocks!!  I have been boasting about you guys on my Facebook page too and have several friends inquire more information so they can check you out.  We will be getting the motor mounts in our van replaced next and I don't think we will be visiting any other shop for our auto needs as long as Leale's is around and keeps this same level of service. Keep up the good work guys!

— Yelp User Review

I have used this auto repair shop several times in the past couple of years. My last experience was an absolute pleasure. Bob was excellent to work with and he kept his word. I was on the fence as to whether or not I wanted the repairs done or not. Bob gave me an estimate and kept his word. I wasn't hit with any surprises even though the job wound up being more difficult than they expected. I think they barely broke even on this job. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this shop. Professional, courteous, and honest.

— Yelp User Review

My daughter is going to S.J.S. we live Anaheim, so my daughter calls to let me know she has problem with her car.  now this is tough because I can't do much and if I have towed down here it's going to be expensive  (with gas over $4.00) so I decide to see about having it checked out up there and I called Leale's and talked to Bill he did a great job, and gave me a good price and handeled  it quick. Thanks Alot...

— Yelp User Review

I was amazed at the service, professionalism and fair prices at Leales. Also, they do ALL REPAIRS, not just Transmissions! If something was wrong with your car, regardless of what it is, I would recommend Leales! Lonni was very helpful and friendly and I never have been so pleased with spending thousands of dollars to repair a car! I went in with a Saturn having transmission issues, and some other incidental problems. Lonni said he had worked for Saturn for years and expressed that he suspected a certain issue because my car was notorious for it. He hit the nail on the head and it was indeed what he said it was.  I also had them fix windows, seat belts, A/C starter & ignition problems, and it all came in less than what I budgeted for the transmission alone.  Unfortunately, they said they couldn't replace the seatbelt, but somehow it got fixed anyway (no charge) and also they said that they didn't fix the A/C but it is also miraculously working. Of course, I cannot promise that they will fix things for free for YOU, but I'm very happy with my experience. They also were very accommodating to shuttling me home and picking me up when the car was finished. If I had to say something critical, it was that service took a little longer than I expected, by about a day or two. I had a lot being repaired, so it wasn't that big of a deal, but my expectations were set for a day or two less. They lose a star for this, but gain a star for the "extra" work they did, so it still works out to 5 stars in my book. I will certainly return to Leales anytime I need to.

— Yelp User Review

I'm writing this review BEFORE my truck is finished. Steve and the crew at Leale's COULD NOT BE MORE HELPFUL. The absolute best customer service I've had anywhere in years. Beyond professional and courteous. Having transmission problems is stressful enough ... I would recommend this company and Steve above any garage I've used in the last 10 years. Constant updates on status of my truck, costs and evaluations. What could have been a nightmare has been more of an opportunity.

— Google User Review

Took my classic mustang in for transmission repair and a door issue. The staff at Leales were extremely helpful and I felt my car was in very good hands. After getting the car back, the door started to get stuck again. I took it back to them and they were fast to solve the problem. Overall I am very pleased with Leales service, courtesy and commitment to their customers.

— Yelp User Review

I brought my car in at 8am yesterday and by 11 am I got the call the car was fixed and ready to go. It was less than $290  for parts and labor.  This was a busy garage  My car was important and they fixed it. I am astounded because as a woman I have been in bad places with auto repair  I was charged three thousand dollars for a timing chain that was under warranty.  I was young and naive  and had to take a loan out.  I REALLY APPRECIATE HONEST BUSINESSES AND LEALE'S IS HONEST   in addition  the car was clean when I picked it up   The steering wheel , no grease,  the floor  no greasy papers with foot prints all over,  I will definitely use Leale's  for both my cars needs

— Google User Review

ABSOLUTE BEST TRANSMISSION SHOP IN AMERICA!!! No Joke!!!  I belong to an international Jaguar car club, and the entire membership goes on at great length about the dreadful state of affairs with auto repairs generally, and specifically. When it comes to high end ZF transmissions, about 3 people in the USA really know how to service them, and they all work at LEALES!!!! If your transmission has serious or minor problems bring it to this shop and you will always be treated fairly and will get the absolute best and the most fairly priced repairs compared to any other shop in existence. The guys in this shop will probably be able to diagnose your problem in about 30 seconds. They will have it fixed faster and cheaper than any other facility in the world!  If you have a really new high-end  car, dont even think about taking it to the dealer where they dont do anything but upsale you into replacing whole components. Thes guys will save you time, money, and heartache!!!  ONE THOUSAND STARS!!!!   ********************************** This shop can fix a 3 speed standard in your old ford or a 7 speed transmission in your Ferrari... go NO WHERE ELSE!!!! I dont give praise lightly, but I have been talking to tranny mechanics literally for years trying to get mine serviced properly. One shop said I needed a brand new tranny ~ 4GRAND!  I knew he was wrong, but the level of incompetence is astounding and so prevalent that when I talked to Mark, I knew I had found the best Transmission mechanic and shop in the USA. Hell! I'm looking forward to my next tranny problem just so I can watch these guys do their thing again!!!!

— Yelp User Review

Love this place!! Got an oil change while at work. Then after seeing a jerk about my car I take it here and within the hour Leale himself diagnosed what was wrong for free!! They were super busy but he still took my car out and confirmed I wasn't crazy and that my car is acting weird. They are sooooo nice and helpful I won't go anywhere else.

— Yelp User Review

This Shop and the team of mechanics are  one of a kind.  I have a 2005 Acura with high miles.... while driving home from work I turned on the air conditioner and immediately my car  started to sputter . A rotten egg smell came thru the vents and  Car Had absolutely no power and all . thankfully was only one block away from Leale’s shop.  Only problem was it was 5 o’clock and as I pulled my car into the driveway  the gates  were being closed.... and to my surprise Steve- re-opened  the gates for me to pull my vehicle in and hetook the time listen and to speak with me about what had just occurred.  I was able to drop my vehicle off and with no charge they diagnosed my vehicle and I had  my car back to me the next day ready at 11 AM.   Diagnostics tech was amazing, repair was fixed quickly and cost was way less than I expected it was going to be!!!! But what stood out to me the most was thier Customer service!!    I would recommend  this shop to anyone and everyone... !!!  Thanks again Guys !

— Google User Review

Very good service. Mechanic called me twice to let me know about the ongoing procedure, no unexpected surprise, but solved problems!

— Google User Review

So I'm a young woman with no dad or boyfriend around to take care of my car questions. The whole car maintenance thing just stresses me out because I always hear about how mechanics rip people off. I'm probably the easiest target there is. Just clueless.  Anyway, I'm totally satisfied with my experience at Leales. My 2007 Jetta  broke down on the side of 87 during rush hour. I had my 2 year old in the car, and it was super hot and really lame. I called a tow truck and had my car towed to the nearest shop with good yelp reviews. Leales. It was after hours so they were closed, but I left my keys in the drop box and kept my fingers crossed that I'd have my car back ASAP and my engine wasn't shot. They contacted me right away the next morning and assured me that they'd take care of everything. I needed a new serpentine belt, belt tensioner, water pump and battery. Yikes. They let me know the price and I gave them the OK. My car was ready the next day.  When I went to pay, my bank card had a security spending limit, so I needed to get to a bank to withdraw cash. One of the guys, Mike, offered me a ride. Super nice of him, right? So now,  I'm back in the road again. They gave me a receipt with a break-down of all the charges and friends all said it was very reasonably priced. My car-enthusiast friend also said that Leales was reputable and I was lucky I didn't have my car towed somewhere else. I was/am very satisfied with their level of customer service and how quickly they repaired my car. Seem to be honest, professional and efficient. 5 stars for Leales :)

— Yelp User Review

Prices are fair and the employees were very knowledgeable. The service was very good, they did a great job

— Google User Review

I usually too busy to write a review. For leale's I have to write one even though I have to find time to do it. I have a 2001  Honda accord EX, drove for 14 years, and transmission start to have problem this August. Took it to Honda dealer, they told me it will cost almost more than $5000 to fix it. I drove it back. rented a car, start to look for various places that can fix transmission. Most of these places quote a little lower than dealer's but still quite expensive and warranty is not that great either.  It took me a while to finally find Leale's, I looked at all the great reviews here, decided to give them a call, once I talked with Bob, I know this is it. The price range is best I got, free towing, and there is three year warranty for transmission. I told bob right away on the phone to let them tow my car to their place. The towing company came  picked up the car, next day, bob told me the exact price for rebuild the transmission and when it can be fixed. the price is within the range he first told me, and I need to wait one week, but that's OK to me. One week later, the car is ready! They had a guy to deliver my car to me, and I drove the car back to the shop so I can feel how the car feel after transmission being rebuilt. And it feels great!!! (the mechanic who delivered my car is also very nice person, we had some nice chat.) I paid what I was told a week ago, no surprises. So overall, it's really great experience, excellent work, excellent price, great service!!! I already told my friends about this place, and I definitely recommend leale's. I will come back write another comment maybe after 3 years:)

— Yelp User Review

I was extremely pleased with my recent visit to Leale's and my interactions with Bob. He is a true professional who you can trust with all of your transmission needs. I was referred to him by my VW mechanic after my 2002 Eurovan began showing signs of distress after longer drives. I called on a Thursday and Bob was able to schedule me for the following Monday. Bob and his crew ran some diagnostics and were not able to reproduce the issue. Instead of trying to sell me on some work that I did not need, like a lesser mechanic might do, Bob provided an honest opinion that I did not need anything done at this time. He is also approachable and answered questions in a friendly manner, which I appreciate as I do like to understand the underlying issues. When the time comes for my transmission to be rebuilt or replaced, I will definitely return to Leale's. It was well worth the drive from SF to know that I received excellent service from highly experienced professionals.

— Yelp User Review

This is the best automotive shop in California. Period. I'm normally so negative in my reviews that Yelp has taken many of them down and temporarily banned me at times. But Jim and his team deserve five stars. They deserve more, but I can only give five. For all of you "enthusiasts" out there: I have a 2004 Audi Allroad, am an engineer, and worked as a mechanic when I was in college. I know a little about what I'm talking about when I say that NOONE I have come across in the last 20 years is as knowledgeable and trustworthy as this shop.  This review is no joke. Email me if you want a direct reference.

— Yelp User Review

I had serious issues with the 6-speed auto transmission in my Audi.  The car only  recently came out of warranty and the dealer wanted big bucks to replace it.  After negotiation with the dealer, I was still not satisfied, so I took it to Leale's.  I talked to Bob about the problem and he explained to me the process they go through.  This was my first time taking a vehicle there.  They have years of experience working on german ZF transmissions, so I felt they could do the job right.   Turns out the the some parts failed inside the transmission and it required a full rebuild.  Leale's got the parts and completed the work in 2 days.  I have had the car back for a week and it shifts as good as new.   Awesome communication throughout the whole process.  Bob was terrific.  I had such a good experience that I will definitely consider them for other car work in the future, since they do a lot more than just transmissions.  The transmission work wasn't cheap (nothing about these german cars ever is), but Leale's gave me a very good warranty and that makes me confident they stand by their work.

— Yelp User Review

Leale's has been in business a very long time. They do transmissions and clutches, AC and cooling systems, oil changes, electrical.......in other words they have people trained in all areas, and for almost all brands. As a result, this is where the car dealers take their problem jobs and overflow work.  What you can take away from this is that these guys have proven that  they know what they are doing - year after year. You don't go there to get the best price, you go there to get it done right. And then in the long run it's the best total cost because they used quality parts and the work was done correctly. So yeah I recommend Leale's very highly, as they work on  my Suburban, and my BMWs, and other cars as well.

— Yelp User Review

These guys really went out of their way to help me out. I was picking up my mom at the airport and I thought I was having some transmission trouble. The took a look at my vehicle and even though it wasn't the transmission they explained the problem to me, gave me a few repair options and let me know that I was probably okay to pick up my mom and drive her back home. I really appreciate the fact that they really helped me out even though I wasn't a customer. I am not in anyway affiliated with these guys, but I would definitely recommend them. They also had a nice clean shop and comfortable chairs in the office. Thanks for helping me out guys!

— Google User Review

They did a transmission rebuild for my 4Runner. There was an issue with the transfer case and they replace it with no questions asked -- all under the warranty.

— Yelp User Review

We just had our Honda serviced there, and the customer service was great.  I left two messages to schedule an appointment over the holidays and they called me back each time, even though they were closed.   They serviced our car on the first work day of the new year and had it done by noon.   Very convenient and easy to work with.

— Google User Review

I had a great experience at Leale's! My transmission went out on my truck a few months back. I'd call about 4 or 5 different shops for a quote. When I called Leale's, their warranty is by far the best and priced reasonably. They are now my shop of choice!

— Yelp User Review

Took my 350z in to have some transmission timing thingy code p1084 work done and I can not tell you how great it was working with an honest repair shop.  I searched out yelp and found these guys and read the reviews and let me tell you THEY ARE TRUE!  The problem I had was kinda tricky and took a couple days to diagnose but Bob told me that from the start.  It did take over a week but I didn't mind because they wanted to be sure they got the problem taken care of correctly. I seriously had my mind set that this repair was going to cost me over 2 grand because I swear to buddah my car cost a grip to get anything done on it..so I was scared.  When all was said and done (and they did some work and labor hours on it) the tab? 945.00!!!! I am positive any other shop would have been over that 2K so I was grateful. No really I WAS. $945 may sound like a lot to some but to any 350Z owner out there that has had work done..you feel me!  I would recommend these guys in a heart beat.  If you need any transmission work done PLEASEEEEEEE call these guys first.  Honest, up front, no BS.

— Yelp User Review

I originally got my transmission rebuilt in Arizona. I was having issues after moving to California and decided to go here for my warranty. Leale's will honor gold atra warranties!! Although it turns out what's wrong with my car is not covered under  the warranty, and the issue I'm having with my transmission control module has not happened until after my transmission was rebuilt - I understand that it is not their fault and if anything the fault lies with the shop in AZ. Leale's did accidentally run my card for $120 but quickly refunded the amount within the hour. It was an honest mistake.  I give them five stars for their professionalism and honesty. As much as I would have loved the experience to go a little differently, they did what they were supposed to and did it with the customer experience at the top of their list.

— Yelp User Review

Steve was extremely helpful. My Mazda 3 had gone back and forth between Aamco and dealership about transmission issues.  Steve and his team found the issue, a connector needed replacing. Dealership wanted to charge for the whole harness. Steve called around and found someone willing to supply just the connector.  Saving me hundreds of dollars.  I was updated throughout the process and they tested the vehicle after repairs were made to ensure quality.  Highly recommend this shop!!!

— Yelp User Review

I've been bringing my cars to Leale's Transmission for over 10 years. I've received impeccable service each and every time--from basic oil changes to major car repairs. The services have been well done and I have never had any problems. Those that work there are professional, kind and easy to work with in person and over the phone. At Leale's Transmission you will be getting great service completed with honesty and integrity. Highly recommend!

— Google User Review

Very good auto shop. I took my car here for a diagnosis and they were very thorough and honest. They also were very attentive and didn't leave me waiting. They got me in the same day, and their staff was very friendly and easy to work with. Very knowledgeable! Definitely making it my go-to shop!

— Yelp User Review

Not giving much details here.. but the gentleman that worked there that gave us great advice on our car and didn't charge us for looking at it, thank you... This auto repair shop is the perfect example of an honest mechanic. Thank you guys for being honest and not taking advantage of a situation where we were completely stressed out.. for all looking for a mechanic with a great moral standard bring your car here.

— Yelp User Review

I was hearing some odd noises in my Jeep Compass. I took it to couple of shops including the Normandin Jeep Dealership and they told me I need a new transmission. I was pretty concerned given the high cost of replacing a transmission. I took my Jeep to Leale's, and talked to Steve. From the start he was great, listening to the issue and taking the Jeep in for diagnosis. Long story short, it turned out to be just a wheel bearing.  They fixed the car in no time and saved me $$$$. I'm so grateful to their expertise and professional conduct. They saved me big time.  I definitely recommend them and will use them in the future.

— Yelp User Review

I live in the Keyes neighborhood just south of San Jose State University and Leal's Auto Repair was a local place that I decided to go for some urgent work on a nail in my vehicle's tire. Bob and Mike were extremely helpful and quickly identified the tire that had the low pressure due to a nail. I brought in the car in the early morning on a weekday and it was attended to within 15 minutes. Great service all around. Would definitely use these guys again.

— Yelp User Review

I just recently bought a used car. This is the place I took it in for a PPI. Steve was really nice and even sat down with me to explain all the problems the car might have within the next few months. I just took my car in again and they replaced all the motor mounts. They were very courteous and finished the job fast (within the day). Personally, I don't know a lot about cars yet Steve or any of the other staff are always willing to explain things. They really do go the extra mile here. Previously, I used to have my grandpa take my car into another place in Santa Clara but from now on, this is the place I'll be going

— Yelp User Review

My 2003 Jaguar transmission was troubled.  Jim and the folks at Leale's rebuilt the transmission, then found and diagnosed a very tricky speed sensor issue that was compounding the trouble.  The car is now driving great, and I am a happy driver.   I highly recommend Leale's for transmission repair or service, and suspect they'd do a great job with other types of automotive service as well.

— Yelp User Review

Jim Leale and his staff took care of me personally, gave me clear concise communication every few days so I was up to date on the transmission diagnosis/rebuild project, finished before I expected, and beat his quoted price by $600. I mean- who does that? His observations were professional and honest, the shop is clean and organized, their attention to detail is excellent. What more could you ask for? More drama and head games? Higher price? Longer delays? Weeks on end without an update?

— Yelp User Review

You simply can't ask for better service.  I took my truck in to investigate a leaky transmission.  They guys were super awesome.  Took my car, diagnosed the problem, ordered parts, gave me a really honest quote, and did the work.  It's that simple. These guys are as good as it's going to get.  Read the other reviews.  They're legit.  I'm guessing the bad reviews on here are very few and far between.  You simply can't please everyone.  Either way, my experience was great.  These guys did a great job and more than I actually anticipated as the damage was slightly more severe than expected.  They took the time to explain to me what was going on and even showed me the damaged parts. The total paid amount was completely reasonable given the amount of time it took to do the work.  You'll notice that everyone in the shop is actually working hard all the time.  This is absolutely not what I've seen at most shops.  These people are experienced and get stuff done for you.   My only advice is for potential customers:  The people at Leale's are completely reasonable, honest, and hard working.  Their rates are great and they have a solid basis for all of their estimates.  Please be courteous to them.  I think you'll find that it's a great business. Thanks for your time.

— Yelp User Review

After looking into a number of shops I couldn't have found a better one. Seriously the best most trustworthy shop out there! They were extremely helpful and listened to all my concerns and helped me based on what I could afford. They know what they are doing and they don't give you wrong information just make some quick money. I would definitely recommend them and I won't be going anywhere else.

— Yelp User Review

Leale's rebuilt  the transmission in my old '98 Ford Explorer a few years ago.  2 years and 10 months ago, to be exact.   The car broke down on my kid up in the Sierra's and ended up in a transmission shop in Modesto, where they explained to me that the converter had fallen apart and gotten into the transmission and needed to be completely rebuilt. I called Leale's and because I had a 3 year warranty, they took care of it.  They COMPLETELY took care of it.  They tried to get it repaired in Modesto for us, and when that didn't work out, they had it towed to San Jose and fixed it.  It turns out it just needed a torque converter solenoid.  Not sure what that does, but it sounds a lot easier than a rebuild.  Thank you to Jim at Leale's for making this part of the "adventure" really easy and stress free for me.

— Yelp User Review

My 1995 Ford F350 box truck was in need of a new transmission. I called all around the bay area getting prices and mostly the run around with crazy high pricing. I would have to buy an after market transmission usually made in some far away place with inferior parts and labor I was told. Most places turned me down because its a box truck and they could not get it inside on their lift...totally understandable. After a dozen or more calls I finally hit some pay dirt in the form of a man named Mike over at Bay Area Truck in San Jose. He explained that they could not help me but he knew of a business that could and to be sure I spoke with Jim over at Leale's Transmissions, also in San Jose near Tenth St. and Keyes. I did just that and eventually was led to a very helpful and informative man named Todd. Great guy and seriously very helpful. He made arrangements for my truck to be towed from San Mateo to his shop where they would rebuild my transmission from scratch and  for half the price I had been quoted from other shops here in the bay area. Not only that but the final pricing was a full $600.00 less than the top range he originally quoted. Not to mention they checked other items wrong with this truck I had not mentioned before that they discovered and no extra charge. Todd kept me in the loop the whole way thru with phone calls and messages. Truck shifts great.  I'm very Happy with their service....Top Notch in my book. I was treated with respect and dignity....two very important keys to great customer service often overlooked and forgotten in today's busy business world. Thanks to the whole crew at Leale's who helped fix my truck and to those that referred me to go there as well. You guys are the best!!!

— Yelp User Review

Early this year, I was having serious transmission problems with my 2006 Jetta. The car was skipping gears and experiencing jitter and honestly it was near the point where it became useless and unsafe to drive it. After asking for estimates in multiple places, I decided to take my car to Leale's based on the overall positive reviews and the impression of professionalism I got by visiting their shop. Leale's provided great service and after they replaced the brain box, now the Jetta feels like a new car. I could not be happier.  I intentionally waited for multiple months and put thousands of miles on the odometer before writing this review and I have to say the car still feels like new. I highly recommend Leale's.

— Yelp User Review

First of all, let me say, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place! If I need anything, or have any questions, I do not hesitate to call this place. I fully trust them with my Truck, and any kind of maintenance or advice on it!  At a previous shop, I felt like I was being taken advantage of, and my problem wasn't being fixed. My truck was switching gears like crazy and another shop tried to have my transmission replaced --- It just didn't feel right. When I took my truck into Leal's, Steve had the team look at it. Turns out it was just a few shorted wires in the main electrical panel! A big THANK YOU to Steve and everyone at Leal's for helping me with my truck issues and being absolutely wonderful to do business with.  Cheers!

— Yelp User Review

Dropped off my Cadillac Cts V. Based on all the great reviews and ignoring the bad ones. I met with Steve he made me feel comfortable I am a female and sometimes mechanics try to take advantage thinking aaah she a female she don't know jack... I hope they find where the noise is coming from. I will update this review upon the outcome. I am looking to be a longtime customer someone who will without a doubt refer my friends and family.

— Yelp User Review

Ok this is for all those ladies out there looking for a honest and trust worthy mechanic.  First of all I am a woman who has a hard time trusting men, but especially mechanics.  My car seemed to be struggling to shift into the next gear when I went faster on the freeways.  Then the search began for a auto repair shop.  So I took the time to read the reviews on Yelp to find one. Voila La!!! Steve agreed to see my car early Tuesday morning, his mechanic rode with me he brought his handy device that he plugged into the mother board.  As he drove he kept checking his little computer to see if there were any problems with my transmission.  Lud said the car was running fine and the gears were shifting just like they are suppose to do.  He did think he heard the wheel bearing making noise, but I would have to come back and leave it so they could check it out.  My mind was imagining this huge price for a transmission and it turned out that everything was running great. He could have charged me for the transmission diagnostic but he didn't, will I be back you better believe it.  My search for a honest mechanic is over.  Leale's Transmission is now my new place.  Woman I hope this was helpful, Gloria

— Yelp User Review

My yukon with 172K miles on it dropped a cylinder driving home from work, I knew I had low compression on that cylinder so it wasn't a total surprise. I wanted a new GM crate motor installed I just didn't have a shop in mind that I knew could do the job correctly. I immediately started looking here and elsewhere and making phone calls and I just didn't have a lot of confidence in the shops I was talking to. They mostly specialized in lightweight type auto repairs, oil changes tune ups etc. and the people on the other end of the phone didn't sound very knowledgeable about removing and replacing engines. I called a shop I used in the past who does great work but only works on rear ends and they recommended leales. This recommendation along with the great Yelp reviews and the knowledge of Jim on my initial phone call I decided to have Leales do the job.  I picked up the truck a little over a week later my total bill came in within the initial estimate, technicians JL and An did the work. Leales did find a couple related issues with my truck that needed fixing that I already knew about and was glad they took care of them. My first impression picking up the truck was no greasy fingerprints on the outside or inside of the truck, I expected some on a job this big. I have 1000 miles on the new engine and the truck runs like new, I couldn't of asked for the work to be done any better. Early on at one point I called a GM dealership and their estimate to do the work was more than two times what I ended up paying at Leales. If you need a major auto repair I highly recommended Leales, I'm sure they can handle the small stuff too.

— Yelp User Review

Jim, Steve, and the whole team at Leale's have been so helpful with our Honda Odyssey and VW Passat wagon. We keep coming back because of their awesome service and their ability to get our vehicles in and out as soon as possible. They have proven time and time again that they are trustworthy and helpful!

— Yelp User Review

I can't say enough about Steve and his crew. I heard an awful noise in my car and was so worried my car was falling apart. Drove it over to Leale's auto repair and Steve was so warm, friendly and very helpful. The technician listened to it and could diagnose it with listening to it....almost like a car whisperer. It all turned out to be a small part and they even did an over view of safety check on my car as well. They took wonderful care of me and my car to get me safely back on the road again. No run around, no second guessing, no trying to sell me something I did not need. Honest and trustworthy. Thanks again guys. You are my go to mechanics....

— Yelp User Review

I have a 2014 GMC Terrain and my "Check Engine Light" came on and my car began stalling. I ran a diagnostic with my Onstar account and found that My Variable Valve Timing Control needed to be replace. I had no clue what that meant and I know nothing about cars. I was immediately concerned. I called Carmax because when I purchased the car (used) I had also purchased a extended insurance program with them.  Carmax referred me to a website called Repair Pal. That is when I found Leale's. My husband was skeptical (he's been bamboozled by mechanics in the past.) But Leale's had AMAZING reviews. I was able to get an instant estimate by answering a few questions.  I wasn't entirely sure if the extended warranty would even cover the repairs. The instant estimate was not bad so I didn't have a problem paying it out of pocket if need be. I went ahead and  scheduled an appointment online. We received a confirmation email and even got a follow up call from Todd.  Upon arriving both men at the desk were very helpful and put us at ease. I dropped off my car at 8:30am and got a call from the shop that is was ready by 12:00pm. They also checked with Carmax and turns out the entire visit was covered by my extended insurance so there was nothing to pay out of pocket!  The car is running even better than it did when we first purchased it. I am glad to say I now have a Mechanic that I trust!

— Yelp User Review

This repair shop came highly recommended to me by a co-worker and I took them up on the recommendation.  I called ahead explained my situation and made an appointment to bring my car in with Todd, who was my point man through the entire experience. He went above and beyond with some added phone work (incoming and outgoing) and during such a high stress time (whenever you have to go to a mechanic) that was extremely appreciated.  I cannot thank you enough. I do not want to inundate the phone lines with future business (yes, I do), but Steve and Todd are so great running the front office.  They answer even the smallest questions with the warmest presence I have seen ever from an auto shop in-person and via the phone!  If you do not believe me, read the rest of the reviews about this place.  If anyone says otherwise, they likely came in with a bad attitude or something.. and who deserves that when they are trying to help you.  Leale's does not do half-a$$ work.  If you want that kind of job done you should take your business elsewhere. I can now say, I have found a repair shop that I trust.  The long awaited search is over.  Let me repeat, because I know that is shocking and uncommon... Leale's Auto Repair is a shop and entire group of people that you can trust because they stand behind their work. This is my bay area mechanic - although I have already recommended that friends from Sacramento bring their car troubles out to Leale's too.  They are really that phenomenal.  #100

— Yelp User Review