Flathead Transmission Specialists - Kalispell, Montana

Kaylee K.

Even though they gave me bad news about my transmission, I absolutely loved the customer service. They were very understanding and quick to get to my vehicle on such short notice. I would definitely recommend these guys to anyone needing help with transmission issues. Thanks guys!

Abe M.

Called because I clearly have a transmission problem. The specialist on the phone was very rude and arguing the problem is an engine problem. The engine just had a full diagnosis and timing belt inspection at a reputable mechanic, it's not the engine. I'll change my review if by some miracle it is the engine.

Update: I was correct. The transmission was shot. And is currently being rebuilt by a different shop. Good work on losing an easy customer.

Brandon D.

I called and tried to get a quote, I tried to explain I needed to provide 3 written estimates and the guy was kinda rude, cut me off and didn't even fully let me explain what I was trying to say. Why on earth would anyone want to bring business to someone that speaks to you like that. You might be a transmission specialist but sir you are a very poor businessman!

Casey B.

Original review posted on yelp on 11/29/23 (post edited here due to Googles character limits):

Todd didn't seem interested in helping with an issue that I suspect is transmission related. This business was my fourth or fifth call trying to get to the bottom of this. Todd didn't take the time to listen to my issue before cutting me off and suggesting I put a code reader on the vehicle, which I had already done. He questioned the cost of my scan tool. I answer. He responds, "take it to someone competent with a more expensive code reader." Will do, Todd. On their website it says they have computer controlled diagnostics. Not once did he offer help, despite 'bragging' to me about his expensive scan tool and that he finds codes with his that other people don't with theirs. Cool story. That said, maybe I should conclude that they're not competent, since he suggested that I go somewhere where someone is? 

After calling, I quickly understand the bad reviews. The customer service provided to me was garbage and that speaks volumes. I strongly suggest looking elsewhere for transmission/diagnostics help. Based on my experience, Todd recommends the same!

Followup/update posted on yelp on 12/18/23 (again, slightly edited here):

I failed to mention in my original post that Todd, the “transmission specialist”, kept cutting me off telling me that he suspected I had an issue with my fuel filter. I’d already ruled this out, along with a suspicion of the AFM system prior to making my call to them. After more research, my new suspicion was related to the TEHCM. Todd didn’t seem to care to hear any of that, you know, because he's the "specialist". He was quite adamant about how the truck would not behave in the manner I kept attempting to describe if the issue was transmission related. (Todd would not listen and would not stop interrupting). He then proceeded to tell me, with unwavering certainty, how the truck would “act” if I was having an issue with the TEHCM, which was nothing at all close to the symptoms it was experiencing.

Well, I take the truck for a drive with a close, "competent" friend of mine (who is also an owner of a local mechanic shop) with his scan tool and what do you know… 3 different pressure switch codes relating to the TEHCM in the transmission. With my suspicions confirmed, I ordered the part. This part is attached to the valve body in the transmission, if you don’t know. It must come out and be separated from the valve body. I’ve never done this before… prior to now. Guess what!? At least 2 of the membranes on the pressure switches are obviously torn. There is a kit to repair these, but it wouldn’t have addressed our issue of the stalling, hence the reason I opted for a new TEHCM in the first place. While I was at it, I did a fluid/filter change as well (obviously). I had the truck back on the road on 12/15/23 - after the dealer was able to program the TEHCM. It has never shifted better during our ownership - coming up on a year. Not too bad of a diagnosis and repair for an “incompetent” non-“specialist”, IMO. The gentleman at the dealership even told me, "dude, you saved yourself thousands doing this yourself". Keep in mind, that even still, this effort was pushing $1K. And that's only parts and dealer programming. I can't imagine how bad Mr. "Transmission Specialist" would have tried to hose me.

Understand that I’m not suggesting, by any means, that I’m now suddenly an expert or “specialist” myself. But having a self-proclaimed “specialist” imply to me that I’m incompetent is just gross. That’s how you treat a potential new customer, eh Todd? All things considered and at the end of the day, I’m actually glad he did. I’m not so sure he would have correctly diagnosed the issue. But, I'm fairly certain he would have overcharged for it.

Be weary of this business! I would strongly encourage anyone to look elsewhere first! There are a lot of "competent" options!

Taylor P.

I called yesterday because i thought i had a transmission problem, the guy on the phone was very rude but said to bring it in and he’ll test drive it. I brought it in he drove it and it wasn’t a transmission problem. We got back and he was testing something and had one foot on the break and was revving the engine extremely hard in drive and reverse and my break line broke so i couldn’t drive my car away. Today i called about a time frame on when i can pick it up and he said to call back at about 3-4 and so i did and he was very rude once again not telling me anything and treating me like i didn’t deserve to know anything about MY car and said he had to stop people from their jobs to do it like i was inconveniencing him. He called me a little later asking my dads number and saying that the price was going to be more i asked how much and he said $300 for something he broke, so he called my dad and was arguing with him and still charged $160 and wouldn’t finish fixing it, so now we have to bring it to les schwab and have them finish the job. This was very inconvenient and Todd was very rude i definitely don’t recommend this place.

Amber L. P.

They day i called they said I can bring my car in and they’d fix the transmission as soon as they could and it was done within a week! So fast and very friendly staff!

Scott L.

Great Service, Great People. They got my truck in sooner than
expected, and finished sooner than expected. My truck drives like new again. I am very happy with their service.

Read C.

Called 2 weeks ago and spoke to Kevin. Very professional...got the truck on the schedule to diagnose a 4x4 shift transfer issue. Brought it in this morning and Troy was completely rude and seemed totally disinterested in the problem. He stated “we’ll get to it sometime today”. At noon I called to check in. He stated “we ran the codes and couldn’t find the problem”. He further said it could be a number of things wrong. I told him that is not a diagnosis and that I was not satisfied with the broad diagnosis of the issue. He had the truck all day.He became irritated...over the phone and barked at me....”just come get your keys...no charge”. Very unprofessional...will absolutely not go back or recommend this business to others.