Dakota's Automotive

Hailey Heinatz

★★★★★

7 months ago

Been going to Dakota’s for a couple years . He has had done wonders for my husbands car . He is definitely worth going to . Super nice and negotiable guy . Check out his shop .

Justin Gigoux

★★★★★

a month ago

Dakotas is awesome they have helped me every time I have needed it with my iid I would highly recommend them there personell are super helpful and and friendly I would highly recommend them

ryan dinsmore

★★★★★

9 months ago

I came to Dakota's based on the positive reviews and a recommendation from a family friend. I couldn't be happier with my service there. I needed to have my throttle body replaced. Dakota got me in fast, had super reasonable prices, and got the fixes done and had my car ready in just a couple days. He was friendly to work with and I wasn't up-sold or made to feel dumb about anything like some mechanics I've worked with have. I can't say enough good things about this shop. Thanks again, Dakota!

Garett Johnson

★★★★★

3 years ago

Like many others that own cars and don't know much regarding their maintenance, I enter a mechanic shop with the utmost caution. I don't want to have the wool pulled over my eyes and be taken advantage of. Then my car broke down on the side of the road and I had it towed to Dakota's and for the first time ever I felt truly taken care of from start to finish. Dakota's Automotive is the definitive gold standard. Other mechanics, both corporate and privately owned, pale in comparison. You want to feel like you can trust the shop? You can trust Dakota's. You want full transparency of the work being done and needing to be done with your vehicle? You can trust Dakota's. In fact, they will take pictures and videos of everything going on and SHOW you what that means. My review photo is of my axle that had a leak and blow out (compare the left side to the right). That photo was taken by Dakota to show me exactly what was going on so that I could make an informed decision about my vehicle and with my money. Are you sick of being scared of work being done on your vehicles? Go to Dakota's. Are you sick of feeling blind to the process? Go to Dakota's. Are you sick of feeling like your money is going down the drain and not going into your vehicle? Go to Dakota's. Dakota's Automotive is, again, the gold standard and I will be recommending this shop to anyone and everyone that needs work done. There is nowhere better. Period.

zack

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

Took my truck in for a 200 point plus pre-purchase inspection. I was thinking of purchasing the truck if everything came back good. Paid $200.00 bucks to Dakota. In the report they said many parts passed the inspection. The 200pt plus inspection report looked good. Unfortunately, I don't think they looked at my cabin filter and engine air filter. Both extremely dirty with hay. I don't think they did much of an inspection actually. Next, Dakota read the truck's car fax report to me and said the title was CLEAN. I was ready to purchase the truck. When I took the title to be transferred to the DMV, the dmv said the truck is a JUNK vehicle. I'm not even able to transfer title or legally allowed to drive vehicle on the road. Dakota did not inform me about the JUNK title. Dakota and his staff are probably laughing now at my situation. Thanks again for the 200pt worthless inspection with the car fax that was obviously false.

Chris Gregston

★★★★★

7 months ago

Dakota and his crew were very nice and attentive when we came to him for help with my Nissian. My neice borrowed my care and got it serviced at the valvoline on Edgewater before a long trip. They noted that i had a transfer case link. Dakota and his team instantly identified that my car doesnt when have a transfer case and after doung a diagnostic there was no leak at all. They were so nice about it they only charged me half as much as a normal diagnostic costs. We will be back and recommend them to our friends and family.

Sara Marie

★★★★★

5 months ago

The gentlemen were very nice and respectful. I didn't have the paperwork I needed and they let me run to get it and come back and still worked on my car even 45 minutes after my appointment time. Highly recommend this place.

Fedosia Konev

★☆☆☆☆

3 months ago

Do not get your smart start installed here or get calibrations done here. They over charged on both. Installation, they charged me $389. Afterwards I asked other companies it would have been $225 for my make and model car. Calibrations were never the same price, $40, $45, even $55. Or I would showed up for a scheduled appointment and no one would be there. I finally got fed up. Went to a different place and it is $35 for calibration and it will be that price every time. I’ve heard they’ve done this to others.

Lex Simonsen

★★★★★

7 months ago

I brought my truck in to get a new transmission, and I couldn’t have been happier that I chose this shop. Dakota went above and beyond in providing excellent service and communication. He is very reasonably priced, and I highly recommend bringing your vehicle to him if you need work done.

Marina Williams (MinaRae)

★★★★★

8 months ago

Dakota is amazing! I came back to finally have my car serviced (something I have been dreading/putting off), and he was incredibly efficient, communicative, and helpful. The prices of what I needed to have done matched the searches I looked into, and were closer to the lower end for the cost of the replacements/labor. He also offered to pick me up, which I was grateful for as I live a couple of miles from his shop. I was also informed to bring cash to avoid the 5% service fee, and was (stupidly) short by a little bit. He generously waived the rest of the fee, calling us even. Just super thoughtful and honest about pricing and prioritizing what needed to be done. Overall, I have only had positive experiences here, and Dakota runs his shop professionally and with well intentions. This has not always been my case with other mechanic interactions, and it truly goes a long way. Thank you for keeping my car running smoothly, and for the dedicated and trustworthy service. Not just for me, but for all of the help with my little brother's car as well. Could not recommend this shop more if you are searching. Also have to give a shout-out to Jon: he is always super friendly and kind with any conversation we have had.

Caden Valencia

★★★★★

2 months ago

I had an appointment for 9am to get an interlock device installed. The older gentleman that works from the desk (I’m assuming the owner) told me he didn’t know if he would be able to get it in that day, if at all. I asked him when it would be ready if I stayed there and waited, and he said he didn’t know, and informed me that they were behind. I asked, whats the point of having an appointment then? This is the last day I can get it installed, and I talked to the mechanic Ernesto who was very friendly and he told me my truck would only take 45 minutes, and he would take care of it. I was on the phone with my lawyer trying to work out an extension with the judge so he saved me a lot of grief. I will probably not be back here for calibration due to the principal and the way the man handled things, but I appreciate Ernesto’s service. Side note: the Lifesaver company is the only company that takes SNAP benefits as payment. Also I will say, the company called the mechanic directly to get the appointment set up, so they knew I would be showing up at 9am.

Patrick Barnes

★☆☆☆☆

2 months ago

​Stay Away: Paid $6k+, No Results, Car Still Withheld ​WARNING: Do not take your vehicle to Dakota’s Automotive. I have paid over $6,000 and, months later, nothing has been completed. Most shockingly, I still do not have my vehicle back. This has been the worst service experience of my life. I strongly advise taking your business elsewhere to avoid being ripped off. This establishment is unprofessional and dishonest.

GenYuki Yin

★☆☆☆☆

a month ago

Brought my 2020 jaguar f pace for a oil leak underneath the car. Spoke with Dakota and he stated that it was coming from timing cover and valve cover gasket. Mind you I drop this off right before thanks giving and paid $2600 up front for the work to get done. The high cost was due to the "labor." Almost a month has gone by and I have texted/communicated with Dakota/front desk for updates on the repair, since no one is giving the status as weeks gone by. Finally picked up the vehicle close to the end of December 2025. It was also noted by Dakota that the timing chain needs replacement so I agreed and it was added to the bill. The total is now almost $4000.Two weeks pass by and I notice something leaking from the bottom. It has been raining the last two weeks so when I first notice some leakage I was thinking it was water. When it finally stop raining and physically went under the car to see what was leaking and once again it was the oil. Dropped the vehicle off on January 16 and took a a Lyft home. It is now February 13 2026 and the vehicle has not been looked at. Called the front desk person and he stated that the shop will get to it next week, which will go over a month since it was dropped off. I would not recommend going here for repairs. The turn around time to get your vehicle back is a few weeks to a month. The communication on vehicle updates lacks poorly and the cost is high. Mind you, would you pay close to $4000 to repair a oil leak which is a valve cover gasket, timing chain cover gasket, timing chain kit, for a 2020 Jaguar F Pace just to get it back and it still leaks oil? This is unprofessional and I am highly disappointed in the overall experience.

Stephanie Pfeiffer

★★★★★

5 months ago

Excellent service from start to finish. Dakota offers clear explanations, transparency, quality work, and reasonable prices. Dakota walked me through each scenario (best, worse, worst) and what total repairs could cost. He offered options and let me decide which part to purchase based on cost and warranty. He saw me right away and had me back on the road quickly. Would highly recommend!

ijinian fango

★★★★★

a year ago

Love this shop! The person fixing my Chrysler 300 was so understanding, helpful, kind and friendly. I was able to drive my car again because of him. The price was worth the spent. Thank you Dakota Automotive for your good service to us.

Brant Heavner

★★★★★

3 months ago

Marvel relationship with Dakota's automotive has been a very special one. They have treated me with kindness consideration and really looked out for my best interest 🙂. After I had a negative time with Payless automotive which has since closed with the death of its owner I can honestly recommend because they're thoughtful and care about their customers. In years to come I see them having a bigger business than they already do because personal integrity never goes out of style. With respect to everyone who sees this review. Brant Heavner owner and operator of Willowdale Enteprizes. I Thank You For Your Time 🙂🙂💯🌹

Chirs Hanes

★★★★★

2 months ago

I recently had my truck serviced at Dakota's Automotive in Salem, and I couldn't be more satisfied! The team is professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly friendly. They went above and beyond to fix my turbo installation issue, and even though there were some delays, they communicated clearly and kept me updated throughout the process. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality work truly sets them apart. I highly recommend Dakota's Automotive for anyone in the Salem area needing reliable and honest auto repairs!