Best in Hood
Menu
CitiesGuidesSubmit your businessReviews processAboutContact

5 Best Muffler Shops in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Talise Sterling
By Talise Sterling, Goods and Shopping · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

A rattling exhaust or a stolen catalytic converter is the kind of car problem that gets worse, and louder, the longer you wait on it. The muffler shops in Chicago on this page have logged 3,065 reviews between them, and the gap from top to bottom is barely two-tenths of a star, 4.7 up to 4.9, which is about as tight a cluster as this list gets.

Short answer: Payless Mufflers & Brakes leads at 4.9 from 1,040 reviews, a family-owned shop on Western Avenue with more than 40 years in business. Teloloapan Auto Repair, Mufflers & Brake II and Factory Muffler & Complete Auto Repair are right behind, also at 4.9, with Garcia Mufflers and Delgado's Auto Service both close at 4.7.
Jump to a business

Chicago muffler shops, side by side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Payless Mufflers & Brakes 4.9 ★ 1,040 Overall / exhaust and brake work View ›
2 Teloloapan Auto Repair, Mufflers, & Brake II, Inc.-Emissions, Brakes , and Diagnostic Services in Chicago 4.9 ★ 747 Emissions and exhaust specialists View ›
3 GARCIA MUFFLERS 4.7 ★ 473 Fast, walk-in exhaust work View ›
4 Delgado's Auto Service 4.7 ★ 466 Broader repair alongside exhaust View ›
5 Factory Muffler & Complete Auto Repair 4.9 ★ 339 Honest diagnosis on brakes and exhaust View ›
5 Best Muffler Shops in Chicago (2026)

Who to book with, and why

Payless Mufflers & Brakes logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Payless Mufflers & Brakes

4.91,040 Google reviews

Payless Mufflers & Brakes, on South Western Avenue, has been family-owned for more than 40 years and combines muffler and exhaust work with general auto repair and brake service. Google lists it under auto repair, brake shop, and muffler shop categories, reflecting the broad range of work reviewers describe.

What people praise

  • One reviewer got a competing quote of $1,200 for exhaust work elsewhere, then had the same job done here for $260
  • Reviewers repeatedly call the technicians knowledgeable and the shop trustworthy after decades in the neighborhood
  • Described as fast, with one exhaust-tip repair finished in about 20 minutes
  • Praised for showing customers the diagnostic findings on the device before starting work
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume1,040 · 92th
Confidencevery high
Recency7 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown96% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed and highest-rated name on this page, and the pricing gap one reviewer found against a competitor is the kind of concrete detail that's hard to fake.

Website+1773-869-9900 Directions

2219 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Teloloapan Auto Repair, Mufflers, & Brake II, Inc.-Emissions, Brakes , and Diagnostic Services in Chicago logo
#2🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Teloloapan Auto Repair, Mufflers, & Brake II, Inc.-Emissions, Brakes , and Diagnostic Services in Chicago

4.9747 Google reviews

Teloloapan Auto Repair, Mufflers & Brake II, on South Ashland Avenue, specializes in emissions-related repairs and has served the Chicagoland area for more than 20 years as a family and locally owned shop. The company's own site says it guarantees a car will pass the Illinois emissions test after their repair.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe the owner and family staff by name as honest and willing to explain exactly what's wrong before fixing it
  • One reviewer specifically praised the shop for driving their car to the emissions testing station as part of the service
  • Described as fast and efficient, with same-day turnarounds mentioned more than once

Worth knowing

  • Worth knowing: one reviewer described a repeat issue after a warranty repair, though the shop's public response disputes having any record of that visit
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume747 · 87th
Confidencevery high
Recency6 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown94% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Nearly tied for the top spot, and its specific focus on Illinois emissions repair makes it the practical pick if a failed emissions test is what brought you in.

Website+1312-243-9090 Directions

2100 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

GARCIA MUFFLERS logo
#3🕑 Open 6 days/wk

GARCIA MUFFLERS

4.7473 Google reviews

Garcia Mufflers, on West Lawrence Avenue, focuses on muffler and exhaust repair alongside brakes, oil changes, tires, and transmission work, positioning itself as ASE-certified with digital inspections and detailed estimates. Reviewers describe walking in without an appointment and getting exhaust work done same-day.

What people praise

  • One reviewer had a full muffler replacement done in 35 minutes as a walk-in
  • Reviewers repeatedly call the pricing fair and the work high quality
  • Praised for catalytic converter replacement after a theft, completed quickly
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume473 · 76th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown91% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Slightly lower review volume than the top two, but the walk-in speed reviewers describe makes it a strong option if you need exhaust work done the same day.

Website+1773-283-2765 Directions

4529 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

Delgado's Auto Service logo
#4🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Delgado's Auto Service

4.7466 Google reviews

Delgado's Auto Service, on North Western Avenue, has operated since 1999 and covers general auto repair, brakes, and exhaust work with same-day estimates and a written guarantee on completed work. Reviewers describe both routine maintenance visits and larger repairs like engine and transmission work.

What people praise

  • One reviewer's detailed account describes a major engine repair completed a day ahead of schedule, under the original estimate, with a 12,000-mile warranty included
  • Reviewers praise clear communication about what needs fixing now versus what can wait
  • Same-day service repeatedly mentioned for both diagnostics and repairs

Worth knowing

  • Worth knowing: one reviewer disputed a brake and tire assessment as overstated, though the shop's public response cites the specific inspection percentages on record
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume466 · 71th
Confidencehigh
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown89% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A broader general-repair shop than a pure muffler specialist, and the detailed positive reviews on major repairs suggest it's a solid choice if your car needs more than just exhaust work.

Website+1773-235-5400 Directions

1831 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Factory Muffler & Complete Auto Repair logo
#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Factory Muffler & Complete Auto Repair

4.9339 Google reviews

Factory Muffler & Complete Auto Repair, on West Devon Avenue, is a father-and-son operation with more than 30 years in business, running a second location in Skokie in addition to its Chicago shop. Services span oil changes, brakes, transmission, and exhaust work alongside the muffler specialty in its name.

What people praise

  • Multiple reviewers praise the shop for telling them when a repair wasn't actually needed, including one who was quoted for only one rear brake instead of both
  • One reviewer's catalytic converter theft was handled quickly enough that the insurance claim went smoothly
  • Long-time customers describe using the shop for their whole family's cars over many years
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume339 · 66th
Confidencehigh
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown95% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Tied for the top rating on this page, and the reviews specifically praising honest quoting when work wasn't needed are a strong signal for trust.

Website+1773-262-6699 Directions

3055 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659

6

Your business here

Get listed on this page, in front of local customers already searching for you.

Claim this spot ›

How we score

Rating is the live Google average, and review volume shows how many customers actually rated the business, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence blends the two, since a strong score built on a few hundred reviews carries less certainty than the same score built on a thousand. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much does muffler repair cost in Chicago? (2026)

None of the shops on this page publish fixed exhaust pricing, and cost swings widely depending on the specific part (muffler, catalytic converter, full exhaust system) and your vehicle. One customer at Payless Mufflers & Brakes reported a quote of $1,200 elsewhere for a job this shop completed for $260, a reminder that a second opinion can matter more than the sticker price at any one shop.

Serving all of Chicago

These shops cluster along Western Avenue, Ashland Avenue, Lawrence Avenue, and Devon Avenue, spanning the South, West, and North sides of the city. Wherever you’re driving in from, a muffler shop near you in Chicago is on this list.

What to ask before you hire a muffler shop

  • Is the quote for OEM parts, aftermarket, or a mix, and how does that affect the price?
  • Do you offer a warranty on parts and labor, and for how long?
  • Can you show me the specific damaged part before starting work?
  • How long will the repair actually take, and can I wait on-site?
  • If my catalytic converter was stolen, can you help with the insurance claim process?
  • Will you give me a written estimate before any work begins?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge plus top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these muffler shops?

We pulled real, currently active Google Business listings for muffler and exhaust repair in Chicago, then ranked them by a mix of rating, review volume, and how recently people are still leaving reviews.

How often is this page updated?

We refresh the data behind this page periodically. It was last verified in July 2026.

Which shop is fastest for a same-day muffler repair?

Garcia Mufflers has a reviewer account of a full muffler replacement completed in 35 minutes as a walk-in, and Payless Mufflers & Brakes has similar fast-turnaround reviews.

Can any of these shops help if my catalytic converter was stolen?

Garcia Mufflers, Factory Muffler & Complete Auto Repair, and Delgado’s Auto Service all have reviewer accounts describing quick catalytic converter replacement after theft.

The bottom line

Payless Mufflers & Brakes is the safe default: the most reviews, the top rating, and four decades in the neighborhood behind it. If emissions repair specifically is your issue, Teloloapan’s specialty makes it worth the call instead. Get a second quote before any major exhaust job, the price gap one reviewer found is proof it’s worth the extra call.

Own one of these businesses, or want to be here?

Claim your spot on this page: Basic listing $50, Premium $100 with a dofollow link to your site.

Get listed See pricing