Simard Automotive

I went in to get a code checked on my car. I was diagnosed properly where I do need a new turbo and oil filter housing. This auto shop quoted me about 4k to get these parts replaced. The next auto shop I got a quote from did it for 1800, less than half the amount quoted. The cheaper shop is also 2+ hours away from a major city in Alaska and they still are doing it cheaper. I do not recommend this place if you are looking for reasonable pricing.

I have NEVER had an experience with an automotive shop/mechanic like the one(s) I had with Simard Automotive. I could compare them to the outright horror shows across this town, but there is truly no comparison to be made.

From the first phone call to pickup, every single interaction was professional, informative, clear, and timely. I have even had smaller, brief, non-repair interactions here both in-person and on the phone and they have been, without exception, kind and helpful. Simard will not condescend to you, there is no bait-and-switch, and there is no cloak-and-dagger pricing. You will not be hoodwinked into unneccessary repairs/items, and there is none of the general sleaziness that tends to accompany getting the workup of what "needs done."

Not only did I receive an email containing videos and photos demonstrating the exact issues they discovered, with detailed notes and suggested prioritization, I was then called to review the findings and see if I had any questions. The scheduled work was completed as promised and my car drove like new after. I really want to shout out Ray-what a customer service all-star this guy is-you are in very good & courteous hands when you hand your keys over to this man. And thanks to the guys that did the actual work on my car-just because you're not at the counter doesn't mean your hard work isn't very much appreciated.

Overall, impressed doesn't begin to cover my satisfaction with Simard Automotive-they are a fantastic example of how a business should be run, and others in the area would do well to take note. Don't bother shopping around for work in Fairbanks-this is the ONLY place that will be working on my vehicle going forward and I highly suggest you try for yourself and see why.

I would not trust this shop with anything beyond basic maintenance such as an oil change. I have faith in the Simard name, but not in this location.

My experience was marked by poor communication and a lack of professionalism. Employees openly made negative comments about customers, which was uncomfortable to witness. Throughout the repair process, communication was inconsistent, and I was repeatedly given timelines for updates that were not met. When delays occurred, responsibility was often shifted to other parties rather than clearly explained and owned by the shop.

Rather than providing realistic expectations and taking accountability for missed timelines, it often felt as though effort was spent demonstrating activity instead. For example, after parts delays and communication issues, staff would make additional status calls only a few hours after previous updates, despite there being little likelihood of new information. I would have preferred honest communication and accurate timelines over actions that appeared intended to reassure rather than resolve the underlying issue.

The front desk staff was courteous at times, but I frequently felt that I was not receiving straightforward information about the status of my vehicle or repairs. As a customer, I expect clear communication, accurate expectations, and professional conduct.

Based on my experience, I would recommend looking elsewhere for anything beyond routine maintenance. This shop would benefit greatly from improvements in customer service, communication, professionalism, and accountability.