Cowden Automotive Auto Repair Shop of San Francisco, CA

Nov 01, 2024

Had them perform a triple cooling system (engine/electronics/EV battery) service. Used OEM fluids, very competitive price, done the same day, and super friendly staff. What's not to like??

Oct 25, 2024

Great customer service and focus on reliable car repairs to get your ride back on the road without issues.

Oct 18, 2024

These guys are absolutely the best. They’re fast, they do excellent work and are very reasonably priced. I’ll be a customer as long as I own a car in SF.

Oct 11, 2024

Always a good experience. It's like they are working on their own car. You always feel confident when you pick up, that your car will be running at its best.

Oct 08, 2024

Mike was incredibly helpful and help give me a peace of mind!!

Oct 08, 2024

Took my car in when the check engine light came on. After the diagnostic, Mike (the owner) took the time to give me a detailed explanation of the issue. They worked fast, were honest, and even cleaned the inside/outside of my car. Mike seems like a genuinely nice guy and trustworthy, can't recommend enough!

Sep 08, 2024

Great, timely service, and the guys were nice. Fair price. Would recommend them for most of your auto repair needs.

Aug 08, 2024

Brought in my Dodge Caravan this morning. Justin worked on it. Could not be happier with the results. Honest, professional and friendly. You are in great hands when you bring your car to Cowden.

Aug 08, 2024

Really excellent service. Justin explained clearly what needed to be done for my 2013 Honda Civic scheduled maintenance. He also let me know exactly what the cost would be. Reasonable charges. The car was ready in a few hours. Very friendly staff.

Aug 08, 2024

The staff was very nice and were communicating with me on a regular basis. No surprises.

Jul 08, 2024

Cowden has done a great job on our car, which needed body work. This is the second time we've used Cowden and they gave been friendly, prompt and reasonable. Their work was great.

Jun 08, 2024

Always great service, thanks!!

Jun 08, 2024

Cowden Automotives has been one of the best experiences I have had with a mechanical shop. I have a 1975 450SL that I had no knowledge about and after going to two other "reputable" places that 1) did not actually do the work they charged me for and 2) wanting to price gouge me, I felt immediate relief when I spoke with Justin. Justin is very clear and concise on explaining the good and bad issues of the vehicle and providing transparent pricing. He even went above and beyond by trying to find as many OEM parts to maintain the classic aspects of the vehicle. I felt immediately at ease and very confident that Cowden could complete the repairs within my budget, and which they did, way above what I expected. I will keep Cowden as my sole mechanic and will definitely refer them to everyone. They do all calibers of vehicles from classic to current, so give them a ring. You will not be disappointed!

Jun 08, 2024

Honest, professional and outstanding service. Great custom customer care. My go to business for all car care needs.

Jun 08, 2024

Justin was very knowledgeable and service oriented. I’m very pleased & will come back for all future servicing!

May 08, 2024

Happy to find someone familiar and excited to work on my '84 Rabbit GTi. The car came back running like it did when I got it in '85. Such a pleasure. Mike and Justin are great people to talk with and do a great job getting the job done the right way. Justin went through every detail that needed to be done. They're a keeper and I'll be back with this car and any others that need their expertise.

Apr 08, 2024

Great experience, super helpful, clear and honest. I'd recommend you go again. I needed some expensive work, or so I thought, and they told me to hold off. Would absolutely go again!

Apr 08, 2024

If you want to be treated in a condescending manner, this is the place. I don’t know what this Squidilly Diddlilly looking dude problem was, but he did make it obvious that the customer don’t know what we are talking about,, even though i have a bunch replacement parts in trunk… … well I’m sure someone besides Cowden will appreciates some business.

Mar 08, 2024

Great staff with lots of experience and really good communication. This shop and their mechanics have fixed me and my sisters vehicles a couple times now and I am always very happy with the results!

Mar 08, 2024

Thank you Justin - appreciate the quick turn around, professionalism and most of all the stellar work!

Feb 08, 2024

Always 5 Star

Feb 08, 2024

I love this place this is going to be my new mechanic spot. They were very polite and helpful the prices were reasonable and they also told me what I should get fixed in the future. It was a great experience

Jan 08, 2024

There are many choices in auto repair and I'm so glad I continued to trust Cowden with my choice. Having an older car can be a bit of a mystical journey but utilizing Mike and Justin's expertise they've gather over the years has given me the confidence that when I turn the key....no worries is what I get. Reasonable in price and personable in treatment. I'll choose them over and over again. I recommend.

Jan 08, 2024

Another excellent visit. Justin and team serviced my vehicle while I waited in their clean waiting area. Will recommend to others.

Jan 08, 2024

This was the 3rd time we have brought our car to Cowden for general service over the past 10 years. Always friendly and great service. They explained everything they were going to do and called to let us know what additional service was needed. We felt totally comfortable working with them (never felt like they were taking advantage of us like we have felt with other repair services). We highly recommend them.

Dec 08, 2023

Completely disrespectful, rude and condescending from the second I showed up. It was the WORST customer service I've ever encountered on top of which I am now working with Bureau of Automotive Repair filing a complaint due to missing items from my car!!!! I l do not like to air dirty laundry out and post negative things but this place is horrible. I asked them about missing items and they completely blew me off and didn't even return my call. When I called them back she he answered me with "isn't my problem, we didn't do anything with it" and hung up. I like to give people benefit of doubt but not this place. My service would be take your requests ANYWHERE other than here.

Dec 08, 2023

notch" Always fair and truthful, Cowden has taken care of my '88 Mazda pickup for over 20 years. They are not the cheapest but are the most reasonable and give a full backing to their work. My truck still running well after 110k speaks volumes. Now after 120K Much thanks to Justin and the crew, when the brakes on my truck (1988 Mazda) began to fail. I was able to immediately have the truck towed to Cowden and it was fixed a day later. Wishing everyone at Cowden a Happy Thanksgiving.

Nov 08, 2023

A few friends recommended Cowden Automotive to me about a year and a half ago, and I have been a grateful and loyal customer ever since. I am always given very detailed and helpful explanations of repairs and maintenance work done on my car, and I always feel that my car is in the best of hands. This past week I had an issue with my car which needed immediate attention. I contacted Cowden Automotive when I got home from work--thinking I would probably have to wait to get an appointment, but I received a quick message back to bring my car in first thing the following morning as it was seen as an "emergency" which they were quick to want to help me with. As my car is 18 years old, I was concerned that it might be difficult to get the parts needed to repair my problem, but they were able to get the parts quickly and all is well now! I am so grateful to have found such a terrific auto repair service where they truly care about you and your car. Regular checkups and oil changes are very thorough, and so I always feel confident that my car is truly good to go after being serviced. I'm sticking with them!!!

Nov 08, 2023

Buen servicio 👍

Nov 08, 2023

Cowden Automotive is my new mechanic! I took my older van in for some AC work, which they performed quite well. I knew there was some other work that needed to be done on the van, but I wanted to see how the did on the AC before I committed to deeper work. Justin did a diagnostic and confirmed the work I knew needed done. I appreciated that. He worked up a plan to do all the work at once to save in labor costs. The turnaround was fast, service was top notch, and the van runs so much better! I’m getting at least another hundred miles per tank now! Thank you Justin and Cowden Automotive, a job well done!

Nov 08, 2023

I love this place! Mike was so incredibly helpful, patient, and kind. He made sure it was safe for me to drive my car on a long road trip after my coolant alert turned on, and also took the time to teach me how to refill coolant on my own. Best automotive spot in SF :)

Nov 08, 2023

Justin was clear in describing what service my car needed. Work was performed on time as promised. Very satisfied.

Nov 08, 2023

Justin was very helpful, straightforward, friendly, and honest about the timing and possible expense of the work. He fit me in at the last minute (unexpected repair needed) and delivered as promised. It was all very easy peasy for me.

Nov 08, 2023

The smartest, most professional, capable mechanic I’ve ever found. I was bringing my vintage Land Rover to a Land Rover specialist in SF, and then found Cowden - they’re the best. I wouldn’t bring my cars anywhere else.

Nov 08, 2023

i LOVE this place they always treat you with honesty and will only fix what needs to be fix and will be upfront on all repairs i take my car to no one else