Benson Tire & Auto Service

Ivan M

★☆☆☆☆

6 years ago

I want to try this shop because its near my house. I took my wife’s car there, for rotation. And I also told them about vibration when wheels turn all the way. They told me that I need new axles. I was little bit surprised that I need new ones, and axles can be cause of vibration. But I told them to replace it, if it fixes. After few hours I came back to pick up a car. I ask them to show me old axles, they show me axles that had dust on it, and it wasn’t from my car. And on top of that they did not fix anything(vibration), they damage seal while replacing axles and my car start leaking oil from where axles join transmission. And when I ask them how come I steal have vibration, they told I need to get new transmission. Witch made no sense at all. Before I drove way, I decide to check wheels nuts make sure they’re all tight. And what you know they forgot to tight them, and they told me that I am good to go. I tightened then with my hand. At that point I was extremely upset, so I decide just drive home like that(2 blocks). And do it my self. Next day I took my car to a friend shop. All I need to replace is motor mount cost me about $60, not axles, not transmission. I regret taking my car there. They might know tires, maybe very simple repairs, but they might forget to tight something like ur wheels. I would never take my cars there. If you looking for place where mechanics don’t care and don’t know what they are doing, but everyone very nice this is a place.

Mike Pullman

★★★★★

7 years ago

I've driven by this place a lot and just assumed it was another shop trying to scam or whatever. But I took my car here a few times for some emergency work and I've been really surprised. They are all super friendly they get my car worked on and out pretty quick. They know what they are talking about and very personal. If they don't know what the problem is they check it out and they always give me results on the cause of the problem which seems to be difficult for others. I really enjoy bringing my car here and I will continue to do so. I highly recommend them to anyone and if you have a problem you should probably check to make sure you're not the problem. I see no issues with them.

Ryan Newendyke

★★☆☆☆

4 years ago

The counter guy rushed me through picking a tire. "cheap and fast" seems to be the motto here. They got my tire changed same day but I ended up with a second rate tire brand without realizing it. Car settings were changed when I got my car back and an item I had in my back seat was destroyed because whoever drove my car put the seat way way back and didn't look at what was behind them... Thankfully my seats weren't damaged. Definitely wouldn't trust these guys to do more than a tire change and will probably look elsewhere next time I need one.

Stanley Winterman

★★★★☆

4 years ago

I bought 4 new tires and had an alignment done. Within 10 minutes my car was up on the rack and the work was started. So I was able to wait for my car. Only complaint was low stock of tires on hand so my choices were limited.

Hugh Jorgin

★☆☆☆☆

5 years ago

Be very, very careful bringing your car here for anything other than tires. These guys are not skilled or trained at complicated auto diagnostics. Their default is to tear your car apart, destroy things and then charge you for them to keep trying different ideas rather than admit they aren't trained mechanics. Once your car is torn apart they'll have leverage over you to keep milking you for money. They charged 80 dollars for one lug-nut. 100 dollars for a 1 ft plastic cable. And lots of 160 dollar "diagnostic" charges. Then I got my car back with parts on the floor that had not been reattached and the interior and exterior covered in grease. The biggest issue with Benson Tire is really their inability to diagnose and fix real problems. I left my car for a two day fix and it turned into 10 days without a car! 6 days in the shop and then they sent me home with a car that wouldn't lock. So it had to come back not for one day but 4 more days because they were "sent the wrong part". Or more likely they had no idea what they were doing and were simply ordering random things and trying them out all on my dime! Finally I get my car back with a part that doesn't work properly and am told it works 'well enough and my car is 10 years old so I shouldn't expect the part they fixed to work perfectly.' I literally was stunned. And you will be too at their incompetence. I'm tempted to take them to small claims but that seems like insult to injury. This place is like a bad TV commercial parody of the auto shop you never want to end up at. You know the one where the mechanic with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and coke bottle glasses scratches his heads while looking cluelessly into your gutted car and disgruntled employees in the back ground drop things and wipe grease everywhere. Honestly they order their parts from the car maker dealership so it truly makes more sense to simply take your car to the dealerships certified technicians and get top notch, guaranteed work in a shorter amount of time then have your car put together wrong and delayed for 10 days. And then have to pay someone else to fix the new problem created by Benson Tire! Avoid this place at all costs or your car will be be destroyed and you bank account as well.

Dub Moh

★☆☆☆☆

3 years ago

Terrible experience here!! I love supporting local small business but this is unacceptable service received. Chris was nice on the phone and quoted me significantly more than Costco or America's tire. I thought what the heck let's give it a shot. He got the tires earlier than expected which was nice but the technician couldn't even tighten my wheels correctly! Almost lost a wheel! All lug nuts were loose on driver side and one came off while driving. I had to go out and buy a tire iron to fix it myself! When I called to mention this Chris said bring it in and he brought his technician over who swore this couldn't happen because they use an impact wrench. What a joke, mistakes happen but this is pathetic.. The only thing I could think of is they hand tightened for speed and forgot to torque the lug nuts down properly. If I could give zero stars I would! Please consider taking your business elsewhere or make a comparison to know what you are getting and make sure to inspect the job after!! Sad but true story. TLDR; went in for rear tires, came out with a loose lug nuts and a shaky wheel. Saw metal shavings and called in after identifying problem. Was told to come in and make it right, they tried their best but you can't make up for incompetence.

Shena “Cheena” Clarke

★☆☆☆☆

4 years ago

I will never go here again. They messed up I waited over an hour . Got there when they opened. You have to have a very nice car for them to treat you like a customer, I have a beat-up car but it runs(not by them ever), I need it. I felt so low and disrespected. 50 dollars and the tells me since you waited so I top off your fluids. He didn't do me any favors. Be careful.

Lenny What

★☆☆☆☆

3 years ago

After Inspection Chris Kong stated that the left axle shaft need to be replaced for $300. 2 hours later he called me up and said the axle is frozen and I need to pay an extra $200 to fix it because he will have to take out the right side apart in order to get the job done. I gave him a go ahead, now the price jump to$597. When I picked up the car I had a sound that squeaks,noisy. They made my car worse. Think about it twice guys! Why they always find a way to add more problems to the initial one and never fix them? At he end you end up getting a worse car. If I didn't claim the extra back they will definitely take my money for free without a even fixing the original problem you came for. SCAM,RUDE, UNPROFESSIONAL Please guys be aware

Mikayla Neff

★★★★☆

Edited 2 years ago

I called ahead and they said they could help me with my tire and that they were open until 6. I arrived at 4:30 and they were closed and shut down. Nobody answered the phone. So just be aware of your timing. I returned on saturday and they were very fast and courteous in fixing my tire.

Terence Judkins

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

Avoid, Avoid, Avoid. I've been coming here for years but things have dropped off a cliff with the new management. My latest interaction was the final straw and I will be taking my business elsewhere. Short summary: they were going let my daughter drive on an unsafe tire, I'm positive they damaged the tire and took no responsibility, when I said I would take my business elsewhere they verbally attacked my daughter. Full details: My daughter told me her tire has low pressure and every time she filled it up it lost pressure over a few days. We both looked at the tire and could not find anything obviously wrong with it. We brought it down to Benson. Later that day we got a call that nothing was wrong with the tire., he rim had a hairline crack which was causing a slow leak. I agreed to pay for a new rim which was installed. When I came to pick it up I was surprised to see a damage to the tire where an inch long chunk of rubber was missing from the side. When I went in to talk to them about it they insisted it was like that. Which doesnt match what they said on the phone (tire was fine) and what my daughter and I saw when we inspected the tire. The person behind the counter insisted the tire IS fine like that. When I had their tech look he said he wouldn't drive on a tire like that. It will have a bubble soon and burst because the sidewall is now thin in one spot. I told them what their tech said and they agreed to replace the tire. When I went into pick it up they told me I had to pay for the tire. I said I would pay (almost $400 for the tire alone) but I would never come back. At this point the woman taking payment said "well maybe your daughter shouldn't drive high". Crazy.

Bruce Bowles

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

came back here last week to give them another chance on their service. What a mistake! I had them rotate my tires. They did and they put a plug in one that had a nail in it. The steering wheel shook after that on the highwayI brought it back. They said it was now perfectly balanced. The steering wheel still shook. I brought it back a second time. They said I needed new struts and two new tires. I felt they were being DISHONEST for the steering wheel did not shake when I brought it in and the tires have very little wear for they have only about 20,000 miles on them. I took the car to Hilltop Buick and here is the report word for word from the dealer: Tires have a lot of life, Found 3 of the 4 tires off balance left front tire was off by 2.0 oz, right front tire off by 3 oz, right rear tire was good, left rear tire off by 2.75 oz. Hilltop Buick balanced them and the steering was good again. Benson tires is completely incompetent if they cannot perform a simple tire balance correctly after two tries and then horribly misdiagnosed the problem or they are unscrupulous. Either way you are making a HUGE MISTAKE entrusting this business to service your car.

Michelle Palasek

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

I have appreciated this neighborhood auto service for the past few years until now. 8 months ago, I took my car to Benson & they informed me that my front boot was broken and that I needed both front axles repaired so I had Benson complete the job, which was $700. Then last month, I had taken in my car for a diagnostic at another Auto shop in Alameda. They informed me that my front boot was broken and that I needed both front axles repaired! I went BACK to Benson and let them know that they needed to be repaired again after less than 8 months. Well, the staff at Benson couldn't have been more disinterested in my concern. The person insinuated I was driving in a way where I broke them again, keep in mind I have record I drove 5K miles in 8 months and that axles can last up to 80K miles and no, I'm not an aggressive driver who speeds over potholes...The front desk person told me I was "stressing her out" and there was no attempt for this faulty service. Did Benson ever replace my axles, or did they do it incorrectly? Either way, they made it very clear they weren't going to help. The staff informed me that they had changed management because the previous owner passed away so there was "nothing they could do about it". Side note, is that they also recommended an oil change for $150 in a previous visit, knowing I wasn't due for one. This business is operating under unethical & dishonest practices. I recommend you find another business for auto service.

Mindy Ryder

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

I used to go to Benson tires for my tuneups and have had no problems. The owner was nice and the service very good. Flash forward to about 1 year ago. The front desk service is not good but more importantly the car service is incompetent. They have lost 2 customers, myself and my husband. Please do not use this awful business.

Steven Dunston

★★★★★

2 years ago

Under new owners since Oct 2023. They took good care of me. My punctured tire wasn’t patchable but they found me an affordable replacement quickly and had me on my way in minutes. Friendly and professional!

Steve Levin

★★★★★

2 years ago

Oakland residents should come together and exclusively patron this business. There’s simply no better place to get a tire changed. They are quick and efficient and they operate with outstanding customer service. While I of course hope that my tire is never slashed again, I look forward to returning when my tires are old and need to be replaced. And I am so grateful for the quick job they did this morning.

Ay Hay

★★★★★

a year ago

Staff are professional and sweet as pie. The servic e I received for my 2014 Chrysler Town and Country was phenomenal. They replaced the struts, mounts, balancing and windshield wiper arm. The service was complete in perfect timing. The fee was not astronomical to where I would not return. I will refer them to everyone. If you want a professional and the work really done right come check these guys out. And you'll love the fish tank.

Miqua Thomas

★☆☆☆☆

4 years ago

Went into bensons 3 days ago with a scheduled appointment the man at the counter Chris Kong that says he is the service manager was so rude it was 8am & he could not help me with anything , he said if you don’t like my service you can go else where , I would never take my car here & suggest no one go into this business all of the mechanics are just standing around & they still didn’t get my car right after I still let them work on it. Chris kong needs Jesus