What Is With Auto Repair Shop Backlogs?

My daughter, SIL and family were on a trip to Colorado when the transmission overheated. They went to 4 repair shops before they could find a place to look at the car as 3 said they were backlogged and would not be able to work them in.

Last month another relative had just bought a new Yukon and were driving from Abilene to Dallas when it got a bad shimmy. He turned around and took the 1 week old vehicle back to the dealership who told him it would be 2 weeks before they could get to it. ***I would have blown a gasket!

When I took my truck in for service recently I asked them to look for a rattle it had. They assured me I would have to schedule a separate appointment and the nearest date available was 10 days out. Geez....Really


What is the story. Have y'all experienced this?

Availability of parts and labor.

I took my truck to a the local place I get it worked on to replace all the coils, one went out and at 177K miles with all the originals I decided to swap them all out, it was ready the same day.

Now my buddy in Bulverde had to wait 6 weeks to take his F-150 to get worked on because his local dealership only has 3 loaners. Which that is more on the dealership for being cheap to me than anything else.

No parts from China and no help. Population explosion in my neighborhood from non-Texans. Garage down the road has 3 help wanted signs around it.

That as well as short on help.

It’s not parts so much as everyone’s driving older cars now with the shortage of new ones. It’s going to get much worse as time goes by, my guys almost a month back and he said he’s never seen so many people fixing older car issues as he has this year. When picky owners keep older cars they want them fixed regardless when they typically trade them off.

Yes, it's crazy. I was also told the vehicle had to bed dropped off in advance. My vehicle basically sits for about a week before they can get to it.

I think it's a combination of all things mentioned - a little bit of parts scarcity depending on what, some labor scarcity, people driving vehicles longer - and another important factor is less people are flying - more people are driving. Add in its the summer driving season (always the busiest season) plus about to be back to school time and parents generally get their kids cars tuned up before heading back to college. Lots of factors.

I had mine in the shop 2 times recently for recalls and repairs under warranty. They took over 2 weeks both times I believe. I thought it was a little ridiculous. Dealers dont stock parts for anything anymore it doesnt seem like its a wonder they dont have schedule oil changes out to get filters ordered.

I skipped a couple of recalls over two years ago and had no problems.

Oh yea, they also didn't have any air filters or cabin air filters for my 2020 truck. They said they were back ordered.

This is the problem right here

Parts availability
Labor shortage
12-month supply of car problems from people who stayed at home and didn't go anywhere or get them fixed
People short on money from pandemic having to fix old versus upgrade
New car shortage preventing upgrades

A lot of that is the manufacturers fault too
I can tell you from experience that many of the
management types in all American industries now
just have business school experience, and many know
little about the business they manage or their customer base.
Consequently, there are many PR types in the automotive
industry that fall all over each other to get out a press
release about this or that recall way before the manufacturer
has any parts at the main manufacturing facility or the
parts depots.
Another thing is that many recalls these days require a dealership
shop inspection by the technician, then any parts have to be
ordered by the vehicle VIN and sometimes ordering requires
labor/ trouble codes be supplied when ordering
It's not always cut and dried and a matter of ordering a
supply of parts for whatever
Also, JIT has screwed up the traditional way of doing things

I think common sense says its a combination of all the above.
All I can say from personal experience is my personal mechanic that I have used for 35 years. He scaled his employees way back many years ago and its just him and his son. He told me that they are way busier than they ever have been. He actually hired another guy to help so no labor shortage for him. His reason was that everyone is keeping used cars longer because of the shortage of new ones and the high price of gently used ones. This is the case with me cause I would of gotten something newer this year but havent even looked based on all Im hearing.

im using a mobile repair guy. He did my daughters passenger mirror replacement. i bought the mirror assembly, did the painting. He installed it. About $400 cheaper than the dealer

now. he is going to her apartment tomorrow to replace her rear brake pads and cabin filter. We'll see how this one goes.

but i think, availability of parts and labor may be causing problems

I have been waiting 3 weeks to get parts for a dealership to start working on my sons truck.

I have several recalls on my truck but no way am I going to take it to a dealer and hear them say "sorry but we have to order parts and your truck is broke down in the shop until we get the parts".That is when chit will hit the fan !.

The most valuable courses I took in 4 years of high school and 5 years of college were typing and auto shop. Still perform all the maintenance /repair on the vehicles and type every day at work 30 + years later. I don't know how folks deal with the cost and beating involved with auto repair from 3rd parties. Especially these days when you have scan tools and YouTube and Google to figure out anything wrong with your car and step-by-step instructions how to fix it.

No one in my neighborhood turns wrenches on their cars or homes and only a few mow their yards. We have become so lazy and dependent. Sad.

I guess it's all about priorities. I personally would rather fix fix the damn car and save 500 bucks then go play golf.

I heard it was the extended car warranty companies sabotaging the complete auto chain for all the times people have ignored their advice.

No new cars. Everyone's fixing what they have. Plus a shortage of mechanics willing to work. It's bad out there.

For the most part we don't have a problem getting parts, a big problem we do have is getting the right part or quality part. We use aftermarket as well
as OE and it can be a tossup. We are scheduling 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the job. As said before the availability and price of new cars is making
people get their old ones fixed.

Our traffic died all at once Monday.

What you mentioned has been commonplace for the 28 years I have been in the dealer service business, just depends on the season.

Now as a former dispatcher for a larger Chevrolet dealership in my youth I will tell you a recently sold new OR used vehicle and a traveler alike would both go to the front of the line.

Parts are a large concern right now. I have an $11K job and can't get an engine assembly.

Good technicians have ALWAYS been in short supply but the major cause of backlogs besides finding techs is keeping them. We are paid by the job, not the hour. If a shop over-hires and techs run out of work, they will move elsewhere so they can make hours.

I myself will have my 20th anniversary in the same stalls next month. I started my current job the Monday before 911.

I spend a lot of time on construction sites, had a nail in front right tire. Stopped by Discount Tire for a flat repair. Asked the guy how long it was going to take he said 1 1/2 hours?? I said for a flat repair he said "Yes" because their store is by appointment only. Got in my truck and went to a local tire shop and was back on the road in 30 minutes.

Gasguzzler, good perspective. You and I have connected before. I attended Gainesville high school (1980s location) many years ago. Typing and auto shop per my message just above are the most valuable courses I've ever taken...building blocks learned and practiced (when society was simpler and much saner) that have served me well. Hope all is well, man!

Make more friends!

I dropped my cargo trailer off at Big Tex Trailers in Boerne earlier today to have them look at the brakes. They have exactly one mechanic, for everything, grill guards, tool boxes and service body installations, plus trailer service. Another young man and young woman at the front desk. 3 people total. 'Didn't look like anyone was over 30. They told me they have a $1,500.00 starting bonus and no one is applying.