Russ Darrow Honda, Service

I firmly believe that Wisconsinites are nice folks. They just seem so much friendlier and accommodating than most people from Illinois. And this certainly holds true for the staff at the Russ Darrow Honda service department.
I have been bringing my Honda here since 2008, when I first bought it. (from a dealer in Michigan, but that is a whole different story)
They have consistently treated myself, and my car, with care and respect.
Whether it is a recall, oil change, or any other service issue, I have always been pleased with their work and prices. They also drive me to work after I drop my car off; so convenient!
I live in Chicago, but often work in Milwaukee. I purposely put off car needs until I am in Milwaukee, so I can give my business to Russ Darrow Honda. I appreciate them that much!

Friendly staff, expedited service! This location is clean and quick. Only odd thing is that their car wash doesn’t dry — odd to come out to a dripping wet vehicle…

I have been going here for my oil changes, since the workers at Valvoline Instant Oil Change near Mayfair were showing a high level of incompetence. Very happy with the service at Russ Darrow, and they wash your car for free. My service advisor Lindsay Webb was top notch. They check over the rest of your car too (brakes, tires). It is nice to have peach of mind and know these things, since Civics can go quite a while between oil changes. About twenty bucks for all this. I went first thing on a Friday around 7:15am and service was quick and professional.

Service is nothing special, but beware of their recent sales tactic where they leave you a voice message about «very important information regarding your last service visit.» When you call back, they try to upsell you on a rebate program. Between my wife and I, our last four cars were Nissans, and neither of us will be taking our cars here again due to these tactics.

Stopped there for an oil and filter change because I had a coupon. Work was done quickly and correctly without any pressure for additional services.
The problem was their persistent follow up. During the checkout process I was informed that I might get a survey about my experience there and was informed matter of factly that they will do whatever it takes to get the best score possible and I mean anything. Received repeated calls assuring me of this after I left. They didn’t need to do this, I would have given them a good score for their work.
Now that I am in their computer system am getting tons of junk mail from the Russ Darrow Auto Group trying to sell me a car or for service.

THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN CHANGED! (07.19.13)
(If u need auto repair go see Chalo at Jaznari Auto Repair in the Third Ward
)
Sadly (well not sadly) this place is complete garbage nowadays. None of the people below work there anymore, high turn-​over of employees. But here’s what really pissed me off: (read below)
Most recently I took my 2004 Honda Pilot in to have a recall checked out. While on the phone, before driving 30 minutes, I asked if they could recheck work they had done previously on a separate recall for the headlights. The lady said no problem. When I arrived I explained they had done the work on the headlight recall and it checked out fine then, but now my headlight… BOTH headlights… had gone out, but the hi-​beams work. This is exactly what the recall was issued for, I even pulled it up on my phone and showed SHOP MANAGER KEVIN. He said sorry, but they wern’t gonna check their work. If I wanted that inspection done it would cost… a lot.
Honestly this is absurd, do the check… you did the work. So now I have been advised by my lawyer friend to contact Honda directly and explain the situation… considering this could be a potential law suit for Honda. We will see if SHOP MANAGER KEVIN changes his mind after Honda speaks to him… such typical lousy MKE bullshit service!
JUST DO THE JOB RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!! AVOID THIS PLACE… go see Chalo at Jaznari Auto Repair in the Third Ward… thats where I am taking all my cars now.
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I had never been to Russ Darrow Honda on Brown Deere Rd, but needed to have a 2004 Honda Pilot (not from their dealership) checked out before purchasing the vehicle. I had read the reviews online and was a little skeptical, but most or all the reviews were about the sales team, which I did not come in contact with.
The service department was friendly and helpful, they checked out the Pilot, took me under the car, pointed out a few minor issues and had some suggestions, but nothing pushy. I loved the fact I could look at the car’s underside and see what they were talking about, not just read it on paper. Terry the mechanic was very informative and genuinely loves Hondas, which I really liked to see. Janice the service manager was also very informative.
I will definitely return for general service in the future, even though it is a bit of a drive from Shorewood, I feel I can trust and am comfortable with the people working on my car.

They installed a used battery in my car and charged me with the new battery price. A month later when the battery died I had to get my car towed and replaced at their shop since I was told that I had a warranty on the battery that I bought from them. But the same person that sold me the battery told me that I purchased the battery without a warranty. Fortunately they honor the warranty eventually after some long disputes with the manager.