Complaint categories
The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) mediates consumer complaints involving automotive repair transactions. During the mediation process, BAR assigns each complaint to a complaint category. This category is based on the type of repair or service involved in the transaction.
BAR reviews complaint categories and allegation trends to monitor licensee compliance. For licensees, this information identifies common transactions that lead to consumer complaints. It also helps identify areas for enhanced education to avoid future complaints.
Complaint and enforcement statistics reports are shared at BAR Advisory Group meetings. You can also search BAR enforcement actions by action type and/or license type to get additional details. Find additional enforcement statistics on the Department of Consumer Affairs Open Data Portal.
January - June 2026
| Complaint category | Total received | % |
|---|---|---|
| Engine repair and performance | 3,545 | 35% |
| General repair and maintenance | 1,767 | 17% |
| Auto body | 1,541 | 15% |
| Vehicle purchase complaints | 727 | 7% |
| Transmission | 680 | 7% |
| Used car transactions | 643 | 6% |
| Smog | 442 | 4% |
| Uncategorized | 416 | 4% |
| Towing and storage | 319 | 3% |
| Unlicensed activity | 159 | 2% |