German Transaxle of America

John Roberts

★★★★★

4 years ago

My originally owned 1991 VW syncro trans locked in 3rd gear at under 170,000 miles. A local shop specializing in VW quoted me 12K due to having to ship the trans to Bend and because it was a syncro that company would only do all gear replacement regardless the condition of each gear. They said they had just completed one recently. Needless to say I was stunned. I then towed my Van to my home and did some research. I learned the Bend company was German Transaxle of America. I gave them a call to learn that they only do repairs that are needed and what I was told by my local shop was not true. Why is it that some shops continue to try and screw with their customers with dishonesty rather than seeing the value in return clients with positive recommendations? I learned GTA could do the trans removal and repair so with my one long distance tow option with AAA I had it shipped to Bend. When I picked up my Van I met those kind people I had spoke with over the phone, Kateka and the owner Ken. They were great. All the work was explained to me and also gave me a tour of the facility to which I was very impressed with the organization. They have collected a ton of parts over the years which will indeed help in keeping these vintage vans running for years. Though for my budget it was quite expensive, not that they don't deserve a fair sum for their work but I will have to say considerably less than the originally quoted 12K. I had 4th and 3rd replaced and while apart they saw I'd benefit by having a new clutch. After getting back home to Portland I started noticing my 2nd gear would periodically pop out of gear usually on compression, when letting up on the gas just after shifting up or down. I called Ken and mentioned this but said I could still drive it but had to be mindful and that I could not get back down to Bend for a while. He said he'd make a note of it and to call when I can. Well, about 6 months later I called to make an appointment. Since they are so unique they were quite booked up but wanted to schedule me in for at least a full day so I had to wait a few more weeks. Once I got there they helped getting me back and forth to a motel. They and I were hoping it was only an minor adjustment but did find they needed to remove the trans once more at no cost to me. Even though 2nd gear looked operable, they replaced it to be safe. I was charged for the part which was reasonable and they got it all done and had me driving home the next day. All said and done I paid under 6K. Thats half of what my local shop quoted. Granted they'd have shipping charges and have to pad their labor of removing and installing should they have to do it more than once due to a problem like I had with the second gear but still a huge difference in cost. I would have had much more respect if my local shop had just been straight up with me stating it was them that required all the gears be replaced and not a policy of GTA. I obviously highly recommend German Transaxle of America. From my experience they are straight up, honest, friendly and passionate about the work they do and they deserve the business. Oh, all gears have been working great since that being over two months since the last visit. Hope this helps some of you considering using this business.

Heather Carter

★★★★★

Edited a year ago

No one wants to find themselves needing their transmission fixed (again) on a VW. Alas, there we were. From the first phone call with Katika at German Transaxle of America, I felt reassured and knew what to expect. She explained the process (from arranging transport, to the breakdown of potential issues, to the warranty agreement and 15k and 30 K services) straightforward and transparent. Our interactions made the $$$ sting a little less. I wish I had brought my VW to them in the first place.

Neil Watson

★★★★★

a year ago

GTA worked on the transmission for the previous owner of our 1995 Eurovan camper 6 years and 20,000 kms ago. We ran into a new problem and were getting nowhere with the shops in Calgary. We called Ken and he suggested a simple fix (check the fuses and TCM). After a long sad tale, we got the van back and checked the fuses. Presto! It worked! They could have told us. Too bad, so sad. This level of support for someone who isn't even a client is very uncommon.

Luke Moher

★★★★★

a year ago

Top Notch Shop! I got a transmission built for my 1981 Vanagon/Subaru conversion last year, and the thing runs like a champ. They were very knowledgeable and helpful on explaining the whole process. I'm super happy with the service i received! I highly recommend them.

Reed Nichols

★★★★★

8 years ago

What a great team of competent professionals! Picked up my locking Syncro trans with Paul Guard’s gears. Wow! True craftsmanship!

Rene Muniz

★★★★★

6 years ago

Very happy with the service and performance on my transaxle rebuild for my 2002 Eurovan purchased from the overseas military car sales program (AAFES) in K'town and Heidelberg, GE. A special shoutout to Kateka and Frank for keeping me informed, taking my money, and giving me another 17 years of road time with my "big bug". Thank you so much for the quality work and the smooth performance.

Ralph K.

★★★★★

9 months ago

When our transmission went out on our 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan Camper, the majority of people on various FB groups recommended German Transaxle. One phone call and conversation later with Kateka, and we had an appt scheduled. Cannot recommend this shop highly enough. Communication was top notch and they made sure when we picked up our van they walked us through what went wrong and ways to make sure we avoid the same issues. Thanks for the help!

Cynthia Heath

★★★★★

3 years ago

This shop is amazing. From the very first phone call, Kateka answered all my questions (even when I asked more than once) she explained the process, was VERY knowledgeable about the service. I waited four months for my appointment and called the shop a few times and Kateka treated me with kindness and respect in a professional manner. Upon arrival I was treated the same. The diagnostics were completed and I learned my Rialta was dangerous to drive back home (130 miles). Jesse discovered the brand new Volkswagon factory transmission I had paperwork for was the WRONG transmission!! That’s why it drove so bad! I left it in their parking lot and rented a car to get me back home. While it was there the weather turned cold and snowy. The owner went out of his way to make sure the weather didn’t damage my rv. First he went home to get an extension cord so he could plug in my rv. That didn’t work so he then got anti freeze and took care of it. A hero in my eyes. He clearly went above and beyond to help me. My rv runs beautifully. Had I not taken it to German Transaxel, it wouldn’t have been fixed properly, I believe. Thank you to all members of that shop. I am your greatest fan❤️

Duane Sheehan

★★★★★

6 years ago

Have a 2002 Eurovan that was having transmission problems (would lock in 3rd gear when the Transaxle would get hot) at 155,000 miles. I called German Transaxle of America from Seattle and they said they has the same Transaxle in stock. I drove to Bend (then flew home to Alaska) and within two days they had the Transaxle replaced and ready to drive! After driving it back to Seattle, I swapped out with my wife, who drove it to Alaska, her comment after getting to Alaska "it shifts so much better and smoother, like a new vehicle"! The folks at German Transaxle of America were fantastic, friendly, helpful and what a clean shop! I would use German Transaxle of America again in a heartbeat! Thanks All at German Transaxle of America!!!

John Graziose

★★★★★

3 years ago

Great service and Repair. From the first phone conversation they were all about helping us out. They helped us have our Volkswagen Rialta hauled from Las Vegas to Bend Oregon to be repaired. ( We could not find anyone in the Las Vegas area or in most any place that would work on our vehicle) They had shared a wide range of possible repair costs and luckily rebuilt our transmission and Installed a transmission cooler at the very bottom of that price range. When we showed up to pickup the vehicle they were very gracious to explain everything to us and gave us very good suggestions on best practices for operating the vehicle in extreme conditions like climbing mountains and driving steep slopes. We are extremely satisfied with all aspects of dealing with German Transaxle especially Taketa who we spoke to about all the arrangements and the warranty. We drove from Bend Oregon all the way back to New York and thru several National parks and some mountain passes and our vehicle ran great. Highly recommend German Transaxle for Volkswagen Rialta or Other vehicle transmission repairs or rebuilds.

Debbie Hernandez

★★★★★

2 years ago

A top notch shop indeed from the first time we talked with GTA after our local mechanic diagnosed the transmission repair; our initial phone conversation with GTA to let us know what the costs would be along with the timeline to bring our EuroVan in; to what happens once they receive the van. We were kept abreast throughout the 5 month waiting time as well as receipt of the van and while it was in their shop.  Upon arrival to pick up the van we were given a complete tour of the facility; what to expect with the van's performance and how to take care of the transmission in the future; which oil should be used and at what mileage. The staff is very professional, friendly and promptly replied to our messages. I highly recommend the shop! Thank you Kateka and Jesse!!

David Fisher

★★★★★

6 months ago

I hauled my Vanagon 3-speed automatic to German Transaxle after it packed up. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable, and their shop is crammed with spare parts. They helped me unload my broken unit and had it shipped back to me very quickly. I chose a performance transaxle to handle my built waterboxer or a future engine with even more power, along with a lower stall torque converter, which works beautifully. I installed the transaxle myself along with the oil cooler provided. Hose lengths to the cooler are short, and it tucks into the body channel under the sliding door. A very neat installation that should pay a big dividend in the life of the transmission. The transaxle worked perfectly the first time. It runs smoothly and quietly, and the shifting is far quicker than the factory setup, but not at all harsh. One reason I chose German Transaxle, aside from their experience, was because they use an in-house transmission dyno. That means they check their work by running power through the transmission just like it's mounted in a car. There is nothing worse than installing a rebuilt component only to find it has a problem and dealing with removing and returning it. Pre-testing the assembly is the way to go, and the mark of a high quality builder. These folks know their stuff!

Hiro Protagonist

★★★★★

Edited a year ago

Let's take a moment to sing the praises of German Transaxle. Do I have a German vehicle that would make sense at German Transaxle? No, no I do not. I have an old raggety toyota pickup that's become hard to find parts for. And I called and asked if they could work on my transfer case noise and they politely sidestepped with a "that's not really too much of our market, and we would be afraid of providing a substandard service." Which is fine for a bunch of reasons. I then made a HUGE leap into being the worst customer possible by buying my all my parts unseen out of state on the internet, disassembling the whole Tcase myself, evaluating my project as being way over my head, and showing up on his porch with a home depot bucket full of part asking "Can you help me get this back together?" And Ken the owner said, "We could, but you can show up on Monday and use the tools. You'll be so much happier finishing it yourself." In July. During business hours. For those that don't know, the usual answer to this kind of request is "go away kid, we've got work to do." He answered a billion questions and had all the advice you need, but don't know you need when you do it. Shit that's not in the chilton manual. "Take that out first. Put this in first or you'll waste that gasket Use grease on these. Use oil on these not grease. Grind off this flash. Look at this wear, see where they meet?" My T-case is back together. I finished it myself (with excellent tutelage, and a whole shop full of tools I can't afford). And I'm OVER THE MOON. FTR this is NOT how you should deal with German Transaxle, but really who else even would consider my ridiculous request? Big thanks to Ken and all of German Transaxle, who was helpful, inviting in their shop, and not at all condescending to someone as green as I am. Furthermore, this is an amazing shop. Things are clean, and organized on an impressive level. This is truly a white glove service operation. It's a holdover from earlier days, when the guy that owns the shop can do the kind of work he actually wants to put his name on, and can make enough money doing it. Who has enough resource to not only float the boat, but enough to foster community. I have so many good things to say. I mean if you're in need of older euro van service work you're probably stuck coming here anyway, but..... Find a reason to give German Transaxle some of your money. They deserve it. These are the kind of institutions you want to keep alive. Would give a 6th star if I could

Kourtney de Haas

★★★★★

4 months ago

I used to rebuild my own transaxles but decided to send my Eurovan to GTA. That choice was validated every time I interacted with Kateka at GTA. My questions were answered and the work was done to a high standard of quality. I recommend GTA to anyone with a German car needing transaxle work.

Russell Coe

★★★★★

5 months ago

I cannot recommend German Trans Axle highly enough. I just picked up my 2002 Audi S6 Avant yesterday, after having this fantastic team rebuild my transaxle. Their shop is so cool. It is huge, and is loaded to the roof will transaxle parts. The work area is absolutely spotless, and the transaxles they were working on looked like jewels. If you have a Audi, VW, Porsche, that needs transaxle work, this shop is the place to go to. I’m sure they also work on other makes. The price was well worth the wait time to have such a dedicated work team do their magic, and much much more reasonable than any quote I got for the same job in the SF Bay Area. I was quoted over three times for the same job, and was told all sorts of nonsense about how hard and difficult it would be. One phone call to German Trans Axle, and speaking at length with the wonderful and knowledgeable Tateka about my Audi, it was obvious they could do the job absolutely to Manufactures specs. I had the car shipped to Bend, and even with that cost felt I was well ahead of the game. Drove the car home yesterday 517 miles with out an issue. or drop of fluid showing up underneath the car next morning. If your you want the best work done on your cars transaxle, do not hesitate to call German Trans Axle in Bend. As an added bonus, Bend is a really cool place to visit. Russell Rolly Coe

Julie Bollermann

★★★★★

a month ago

German Transaxle just rebuilt the transaxle on our 85 Vanagon Westy. They were incredibly easy to work with, very reasonably priced and the difference it made to the van is OUTSTANDING! Our Vanagon is so much quieter. We had no idea the noise was coming from the transaxle. We would highly encourage anyone with a noisy Vanagon to have their transaxle looked at by German Transaxle.

Cindy Vanover

★★★★★

2 months ago

Like Russell of 4 months ago, I too want to give a huge shout out to the team at German Transaxle. My beloved 1987 VW Vanagon Syncro broken down on the way home to Colorado from Nebraska. After having it towed to my shop in Boulder, CO. I was informed that it was the transmission and also provided with a few options for having it rebuilt. Given the age of the vehicle and that it is a 4 WD but has a Subaru engine, it was clear that it required a knowledgeable shop with very specific expertise to rebuild the transmission. I did my homework, including a visit to a shop in Canon City, CO before deciding that German Transaxle is where the work should happen. That required having my vanagon shipped to Bend, OR (over 1,100 miles). Kateka and the team were awesome, keeping me informed along the way and reaching out before each subsequent step for approval. Turns out that not only did my van need the transmission rebuilt but also the front differential AND needed a new drive shaft. They were diligent about driving the van after each step to check the work and were able to uncover root causes for many an odd sensation until it drove like a dream. I flew out to Bend and picked up my van the Friday before Christmas. I got to 'tour' the shop and was super impressed with the setup, the cleansliness and of course the people. Kateka walked through all the paperwork as well as the break in protocol for my new transmission. They even double checked that the heater and the wipers worked for me before I set out on my driive home. I went on to visit some friends in Ashland, OR and family Stockton, CA for Christmas before returning to Colorado racking up over 1700 miles without a hiccup. I cannot say enough good things about this shop and honestly may just make an annual pilgrimage to Bend to have them service the fine work they did! Work with German Transaxle of America, you won't regret it.