If you own a Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, or Nissan in Southern Indiana, you may have noticed your repair costs creeping upward. It’s not your imagination. Due to rising tariffs on imported car parts, especially those from Asia, drivers are feeling the impact in their wallets.
Worried about how rising tariffs might affect your repair bills and want to keep your vehicle reliable without breaking the bank? We’ve got answers.
This article breaks down what’s behind these higher costs, how regular preventative maintenance can reduce your risk of expensive repairs, and why choosing a knowledgeable, local repair shop is more important than ever.
At Schindler’s Garage, we’ve been helping Southern Indiana families maintain their vehicles for over 50 years. Our team combines small-town values with cutting-edge training to make sure your car gets the care it needs, the right way, the first time. Here’s how we’re helping local drivers stay ahead of the curve as repair costs change.
Why Asian Car Owners Are Seeing Higher Repair Bills
If you drive a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru, or Kia, you’ve probably noticed repairs aren’t as affordable as they used to be. One of the biggest reasons? Tariffs.
As of 2025, the U.S. has a 25% tariff in place on many imported auto parts—especially those coming from countries like Japan, South Korea, and China. These taxes raise the cost of everything from sensors to transmissions, and unfortunately, that trickles down to your repair bill.
Add in continued supply chain hiccups and high demand for parts, and it’s a perfect storm for higher costs and longer wait times. While we always do our best to source quality parts at fair prices, these global issues are out of our hands.
While the price hike may not always show up on your invoice in black and white, it’s there. Here’s how:
- Higher part costs: Import fees mean repair shops are paying more for components sourced from overseas. From alternators to oxygen sensors, prices are up across the board.
- Longer lead times: Global shipping delays make it harder to get parts on time, which can extend your repair timeline.
- Less flexibility: With fewer affordable aftermarket options, OEM parts are often the only choice, and they come at a premium.
This is especially frustrating for owners who bought their vehicles for reliability and value. But that reliability is only possible when the vehicle is properly maintained, which brings us to the best defense against rising prices.
How Preventative Maintenance Can Save You Money
Preventative maintenance isn’t just good practice—it’s a smart move right now.
With tariffs driving up the cost of imported parts, the bills for major repairs are hitting harder than ever. Staying on top of routine maintenance helps you avoid those big, unexpected repairs that come with high parts prices and complex labor. It’s one of the best ways to protect both your vehicle—and your wallet.
Here’s how proactive maintenance helps reduce your long-term repair costs:
- Avoiding compounding damage: What starts as a minor issue, like a worn timing belt on a Honda or Toyota, can quickly escalate into a major engine failure if ignored. Catching it early through routine inspections allows for a much less expensive fix, avoiding the need for a complete rebuild or engine replacement.
- Maintaining performance: Dirty air filters, degraded spark plugs, or old engine fluids may seem like small concerns, but they force your engine to work harder. Over time, this additional strain can cause premature wear on more expensive components like oxygen sensors, fuel injectors, or even the transmission.
- Sticking to factory schedules: Every make and model has a unique maintenance schedule designed to optimize performance and prevent costly failures. We tailor our care to match those manufacturer guidelines, whether that’s Toyota’s regular 5,000-mile oil services or Hyundai’s crucial 60,000-mile transmission flush. Staying on schedule helps you avoid the bigger issues that often come with neglect.
By investing in routine checkups, you minimize the chance of being hit with the full force of tariff-inflated repairs.
The Hidden Costs of Delaying Repairs on Asian Cars
Let’s be honest, it’s tempting to push off non-urgent repairs. Life gets busy. Kids need to get to practice, and the check engine light doesn’t always feel like a priority.
But for owners of Asian imports, delays can be costly. Here’s why:
- Parts are more expensive than ever: That small exhaust leak on your Subaru may require a sensor or catalytic converter that now costs 30% more than it did a few years ago.
- Labor increases with complexity: Waiting to repair an oil leak could result in a damaged timing system, especially in a Honda or Nissan with a compact engine bay.
- Availability is shrinking: With longer lead times for imported parts, delaying repairs can leave you without a vehicle for days or even weeks once failure occurs.
Preventative car maintenance for Indiana drivers isn’t just about peace of mind, it’s about protecting your wallet. That’s why we encourage customers to bring their vehicles in before things break.
Why Southern Indiana Trusts Schindler’s Garage for Asian Auto Repair
When you’re looking for a trusted local auto repair shop that knows Asian cars, experience matters, and so does training.
At Schindler’s Garage, we’ve built our reputation on both. We’ve been family-owned and operated since 1972, and today we continue to raise the bar for service, especially for popular imports.
Here’s why families from New Albany to Jeffersonville trust us with their Toyotas, Hondas, and more:
- Certified Expertise: Our ASE Master Technician is trained to service complex import systems and uses advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint issues quickly.
- Required Continuing Education: Every technician is required to complete 40 hours of training per year to keep up with evolving systems in modern Asian vehicles.
- Honest, Transparent Inspections: With Shopware DVIs (Digital Vehicle Inspections), you’ll see photos and videos of what’s going on with your vehicle, sent directly to your phone or inbox.
- Bullseye Leak Detection: We’re the only shop in the area using this specialized A/C leak detection system, ideal for newer R-1234yf refrigerants used in many Asian vehicles.
- Nationwide Warranty: We back our repairs with a 36-month, 36,000-mile warranty, giving you peace of mind long after you leave the lot.
- Flexible Financing Options: We make it easier to afford necessary repairs or maintenance through Napa Easy Pay, Synchrony Credit, Karan, and Affirm, helping you manage costs without delay.
Whether it’s a Toyota brake job, Hyundai A/C repair, or Subaru diagnostics, our team is ready to help.
Real Maintenance Tips for Toyota, Honda, and More
Preventative maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated. At Schindler’s Garage, we work on Asian vehicles every day and know the small steps that make a big difference. Here are some brand-specific tips to keep your vehicle reliable and costs down.
Toyota
- Check oil regularly: Especially on 2.5L and 3.5L engines, which are known to consume oil over time. Keeping levels topped off helps avoid internal engine damage.
- Replace cabin air filters often: Indiana humidity and pollen clog filters fast. Fresh filters protect HVAC performance and cabin air quality.
- Inspect brakes every 15,000 miles: Toyotas wear brake components slowly, but rust from sitting can cause issues, especially on daily drivers that get less winter use.
Honda
- Follow maintenance minder alerts: These built-in reminders are accurate and tailored to your driving habits—don’t ignore them.
- Check battery health before year 3: Hondas can show battery wear early. Testing and replacing prevent surprise no-starts.
- Fix rattling heat shields: A common, inexpensive fix that eliminates annoying noises before they worsen or loosen further.
Nissan
- Stay on top of CVT fluid checks: CVTs are sensitive to fluid condition. Timely servicing prevents costly transmission repairs.
- Inspect timing chains after 100K miles: Especially on V6s, stretching or tensioner wear can lead to major engine damage if ignored.
Hyundai & Kia
- Watch cooling system components: These brands are prone to early water pump or thermostat issues. Catching them early helps avoid overheating.
- Change spark plugs around 60K miles: Helps prevent misfires and protects critical components like your catalytic converter.
Subaru
- Monitor for head gasket issues: Especially in older models. Watch for coolant or oil leaks, and have them checked during service visits.
- Rotate tires regularly: Subaru’s AWD system depends on evenly worn tires. Uneven wear can lead to drivetrain problems.
Don’t Let Tariffs Derail Your Repair Budget. Call Schindler’s Garage Today!
Rising tariffs on Asian car parts are real, and they’re not going away anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean you have to overpay for repairs or risk long downtimes.
By partnering with Schindler’s Garage, you’re choosing a shop that knows how to maintain Asian cars the right way. We provide transparent service, advanced diagnostic tools, and a commitment to doing things right the first time, just like we’ve done for over 50 years.
Call us today at 812-944-5727 to schedule your preventative maintenance service or learn more about how we can help you stay ahead of rising repair costs.
We’re located at 3518 Paoli Pike, Floyds Knobs, IN 47119, and we’re proud to serve families across Southern Indiana with trusted, high-quality service for Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan vehicles.
