Transmission repair done by technicians with 15+ years on automatic, manual, and CVT systems — the same hands that rebuild BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes transmissions every month. $150 diagnostic credited toward repair, backed by our 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty.
Dealerships mark up labor 40% and chain transmission shops (AAMCO, Mr. Transmission) carry franchise fees and advertising budgets — and they pass all of it to you. We don't. Same OEM-grade parts, same factory repair procedures, same precision — without the markup. Every price below is published, verified, and honored in writing before we touch your car.
Matthews' family-owned transmission shop — automatic, manual, CVT, and dual-clutch systems under one roof. Cheaper than the chains. Faster than the dealerships. Honest work, every time.
What we do differently — and what you won't find at this shop. Both matter when you're handing over your transmission.
OBD-II scan, transmission fluid analysis (color, smell, particle check), road test, leak inspection, and internal component check where applicable. If you have us fix it, the $150 comes off the repair total. If you don't, you walk out with a written diagnosis you can take anywhere.
Most slipping and rough-shift issues are caused by a single failed component — a solenoid pack, a valve body, a sensor. We fix the actual problem instead of selling you a $5,000 rebuild you don't need. The shop that goes straight to "you need a new transmission" is overselling.
You see what transmission repair starts at before you call. Every full estimate is itemized, in writing, and in your hands before we touch a bolt.
Transmission problems often involve electrical faults, fluid pressure issues, or mounts that affect the whole driveline. We fix all of it under one roof. One invoice. One timeline. One point of contact.
The chain transmission shops are famous for this. We see customers every month who were quoted $4,000 rebuilds when the actual fix was a $600 solenoid pack. We tell you the truth even when it's a smaller ticket.
If your transmission fluid is low, it's leaking — fluid doesn't disappear from a sealed system. Topping it off without finding the leak just delays the inevitable failure. We find the leak first, fix it, then refill.
Dealerships bill transmission labor at $180–$220/hr in the Charlotte metro. Chain transmission shops mark up parts 40–60% and add franchise overhead. We don't carry that overhead, so neither do you.
Our transmission prices start at $600 — published here. If another shop won't quote a starting price over the phone, that's usually because they intend to pick a number after they see your car.
From a $600 fluid service before a road trip to a full rebuild on a 2018 BMW 540i — we do it all in our Matthews shop. Automatic, manual, CVT, dual-clutch (DSG/DCT), and torque-converter systems.
Engine revs but the car doesn't accelerate. Usually a solenoid pack, valve body, or worn clutch pack — we identify which during the $150 diagnostic.
Jerks, thumps, or clunks when shifting. Usually a worn mount, faulty solenoid, contaminated fluid, or failing torque converter. Caught early — affordable.
Drain, filter replacement, full fluid refill to manufacturer spec, system inspection. The #1 way to extend transmission life and prevent rebuilds.
Pan gasket, seals, cooler lines, torque converter seal, or output shaft seal — we trace the leak source and reseal. UV dye if needed.
The most common single cause of slipping and delayed shifting on modern automatics. A $600–$1,000 fix that prevents a $3,000+ rebuild.
The brain of the transmission. Worn valves cause rough shifts, delayed engagement, and slipping. Rebuild or full unit replacement.
Shuddering at highway speeds, slipping under load, or whining noise. Torque converter lockup or stator failure — repair or replacement.
Complete teardown, inspection of every internal component, replacement of clutch packs, seals, bearings, and gears as needed. Done in-house, not outsourced.
Continuously Variable Transmissions (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru). Different fluid, different repair procedures. We're equipped for it.
Clutch replacement, flywheel resurfacing, throwout bearing, pilot bearing, shift linkage adjustments. 5-speed, 6-speed, and dual-clutch (DSG/DCT) systems.
ZF 8HP (BMW, Audi, Range Rover), DSG/DCT (VW, Audi, Porsche), 7G-Tronic (Mercedes). Specialty knowledge, dealer-level diagnostics, fair pricing.
OBD-II scan, transmission fluid analysis, road test, leak inspection. Identifies the actual problem so you don't pay for repairs you don't need.
Knowing what's likely wrong before you call helps you ask the right questions — and spot a shop that's about to oversell you a full rebuild. Here's what we actually see in our bay every week, in order of frequency.
You step on the gas, the engine revs high — but the car barely accelerates. This is "slipping" and it's the #1 transmission symptom. Most often caused by a worn solenoid pack, low fluid from a leak, or worn clutch packs. Acting fast can save you a rebuild.
Transmission fluid is bright red when new, darker brown when old. If you see a reddish-brown puddle under your car after parking overnight, you're leaking. Common sources: pan gasket, cooler lines, output shaft seal, or torque converter seal.
Shift into Drive or Reverse and the car sits for 2–4 seconds before it actually engages. Usually a sign of low fluid pressure (worn pump, leak, or low fluid), worn solenoids, or internal seal wear. Common on high-mileage vehicles.
The transmission shifts but with a noticeable clunk, jolt, or thud — sometimes hard enough to feel through the seat. Often a worn transmission mount, bad solenoid, or contaminated/burnt fluid. Easy to diagnose, usually cheap to fix.
A sweet, hot, or burning smell — sometimes with smoke from under the car. This means transmission fluid is overheating, often because it's low (from a leak) or contaminated. Stop driving and get it diagnosed immediately — driving on overheated fluid destroys internal components fast.
Healthy transmissions are quiet. A whine that changes pitch with speed is often a worn pump or bearing. Grinding usually means clutch or band wear. Humming at certain RPMs can be the torque converter. Different noises = different fixes.
A solid or flashing transmission/check-engine light means the computer detected an issue. Codes like P0700, P0750–P0795 (solenoids), or P0730 (gear ratio) are extremely common — and often a $600 fix, not a $3,000 rebuild.
The transmission "fails safe" by locking into 2nd or 3rd gear to protect itself. The car still drives but won't shift past that gear. Usually triggered by a stored fault code from a sensor, solenoid, or pressure issue. Often a less serious problem than it feels like.
Most shops put you in a queue before they've even seen your car. We don't. Drop-offs accepted daily, written estimate the same day, most transmission jobs done in 1–3 days.
"Slipping into 2nd." "Red fluid on the driveway." "Check-engine light." A real person picks up at (704) 635-1813. We accept drop-offs any weekday — no appointment required, no two-week waiting list.
Manufacturer-level scan tool reads transmission-specific fault codes. Fluid analysis (color, smell, particles). Road test through every gear. Leak inspection on the lift. Most issues identified in 60–90 minutes. If you have us do the repair, the $150 comes off the total.
You see exactly what's wrong, what parts cost, and how long the job will take. We tell you whether it's a component repair, a full rebuild, or whether a replacement makes more sense. We recommend the cheapest option that actually fixes the problem — not the most profitable one.
Repairs happen in our Gribble Road shop — we don't outsource transmission work. Component repairs (solenoid, valve body, torque converter): 1–2 days. Full rebuilds with new clutch packs, seals, and bearings: 3–5 days. All to factory torque specs.
Before you sign off, we drive the car through every gear with you alongside if you want. Verify smooth shifts, no slipping, no codes. Hand you the warranty card (24 months / 24,000 miles standard, 36 months on full rebuilds), and you drive away confident.
Standard auto insurance doesn't cover transmission repair — it's a "wear and tear" item. That's where our pricing matters most.
Transmission failures are one of the most common claims on extended warranties — and one of the most expensive without coverage. If you have an aftermarket policy or factory powertrain warranty, we work directly with the carrier.
I chose this service to repair my car. The most important thing is the excellent price/quality ratio. All work was done qualitatively and carefully. They have never charged me with additional services — everything is clearly justified and shown. The mechanics and the manager are great. I recommend!
A friend recommended this company and now I'm really happy I came. They repair any car — quickly, efficiently, and at a reasonable price. The craftsmen are professional and explain everything clearly. Pleasant service and reliable results. I definitely recommend it!
My 2017 F-150 started slipping into second gear. Dealership quoted $4,800 for a full rebuild. Prime Motors did the $150 diagnostic, found a failed solenoid pack, and replaced it for under $850 total. Two years later still shifts perfectly. Honest people.
$150 complete transmission diagnostic, credited in full toward your repair. 1–3 day average turnaround. Repair-first approach — no pushed rebuilds. 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. 36-month warranty on full rebuilds. No upsells, no pressure, no surprises.
