AutoNation Ford Bradenton

Reviews 3

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Yesenia Toribio

What started as an air bag light on became quite the headache for me. I spent a whole day trying to get someone to speak to me about my concerns. I was the only one doing the communicating as I ended up having to call back to speak to someone. Once I was able to speak to someone we set an appointment for their earliest available which was in a couple days. My concerns were the safety of driving my vehicle as there is recall on the airbags. Once I took my vehicle everyone I encountered in person was nice. My car was diagnosed and the problem was relayed to me. The part needed to fix the problem was not available and needed to be ordered. I gave the go ahead to order the part and made yet another appointment to have the problem resolved. I left my vehicle early in the morning and was shuttled to work. Prior to leaving I informed the advisor helping me of the time I would be leaving work so we could Arrange my pick up. At that time I was told that my vehicle would probably done prior to that time and to be expecting a phone call. Eight and a half hours went by and no word about my vehicle. I called to arrange my pick up from work 30 minutes prior to my scheduled time to leave. At that time I was advised that my vehicle was not ready and the wrong part had been received and it was unknown what time my vehicle would be ready. No one felt that this would be important to relay this information to me. I was told that someone would be calling me back soon. I waited and my scheduled time to leave work came and went yet still no communication from anyone. It was only when I called again and asked to speak to a manager that I was able to speak to someone. He told me that the part had arrived and my vehicle would be done by time I arrived to their place. I was picked up from work 50 minutes after my scheduled time. Once I was at ford I still had to wait. At this point I was beyond frustrated and over my whole experience. It was my first time at this location and I am skeptical of ever returning. My original advisor had an emergency and was not in to help me. I am fairly confident that this wouldnt have happened if he was there to take care of me.His back up and the rest of his team failed him miserably and dropped the ball. Andy did take care of me prior to leaving listening to my frustration. There is a huge lack of communication. I was almost curious to know if the phones only worked to receive calls and not make outgoing as I was the only one calling. Since my whole experience I have received a couple follow up emails and phone calls as well. This is almost like adding salt to the wound as my biggest issue was lack of communication. Now that my service has been completed its as if its damage control. I refrained from writing my review while mad so that I wouldnt be clouded by emotions. I cannot give a gushing review as I didnt get the excellent customer service mentioned in other reviews. Do I think the customer service can be excellent most certainly it just wasnt for me. Unfortunately 1st impressions only happen once. This of course is my experience and I hope that no one else has to feel like I did.

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Charles Bedford

Nice people, but my visit was a complete failure. I traveled To Sarasota from new Mexico in my 2004 Excursion (with a 6.0 diesel) and along the way, just East of Dallas, I lost all my turbo boost after hearing a bang. I limped all the way to Sarasota. Needing to get back to New Mexico, I searched for qualified diesel mechanics and came across Autonation in Bradenton. I explained the situation that it just sounds different, the turbo is spinning but no power and a lot of black exhaust and they began troubleshooting. The problem started when they were determined the MAF had to be replaced. The part itself would be just under $400 and they could not get the part until the next day. I called Autozone in Sarasota and found the dealer recommended part for $125 in Stock I could go get right away. I called and challenged Autonation where they were buying the part from, but was not provided that information. It was explained that they would talk to the parts department. Ultimately the management did make it good by reducing the price of the parts to an arms-reach cost at $170. But that did not solve the problem. I thought the problem was in the turbo charger because of the bang I heard, but I am not a diesel mechanic and know very little about how the turbo charger works. I ended up leaving my excursion with them for 4 working days, but they seemed to have higher priorities and it sat there 2 of the 4 days. All they did is check and replace 2 sensors. The cost is now at just over $600 and still had no idea what the problem was. They told me I have zero turbo boost. Then quoted me $149/hour to check the turbo itself and it would take 5 hours, plus whatever parts would be needed. It would cost $750 more in labor plus parts, and it was going to take 2 days so. I refused to have them continue, since we also were on a time restriction, as we stated in the beginning. I called Autozone in Sarasota and they could have the exact same entire turbo charger for $880 the next morning. I installed it myself by watching YouTube videos. That didnt fix the problem! The folks at Autozone are determined I had a leak in the turbo system somewhere and suggested I coat the entire air system with soapy water and watch for bubbles. While following the air system, I found the intercooler was completely blown out on the hot side. Very obvious! After watching one YouTube video, it became clear this was relatively common with the 2004, 6.0 liter. I ordered a new Intercooler for $400 plus overnight shipping, and my 15-year old daughter and I replaced it ourselves. If YouTube has such a vast library of knowledge on this apparently common problem, why did Autonation competely miss it? It was so obvious once I learned how the system works. On a positive note, the people at Autonation were kind and tried to make good by reducing the inflated costs for the two sensors, but let a customer leave the business stranded and desperate for solutions.

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Tara Giles

Stay away if you are buying used!!!! Why are people giving these guys 4 stars? Really? Lies, Lies, Lies. I asked about an issue in my test drive, was told by my salesman that there was nothing wrong with the car. I purchased the car. I am keeping this short and simple: Brought car back twice, was lied to about pricing on having it fixed. Lied to about why it was taking so long to have it fixed. Then when I brought it home the problem wasnt fixed. I left several messages for Troy the GM to call me back. I finally put a stop payment on the check. I was duped! Only THEN did Mr. Niles phone back was "concerned" about my vehicle. His tone was that they did me a favor by REPLACEING A DEFECTIVE TIRE..and charging me (At first $850.00.."A Deal" for ball joints, then when I gave proof of the price I was originally quoted, his $850.00 quickly went down to $650.00" Really?? Bottom line: My car is at another garage, and I am stuck with a a $500.00 bill, and need an alignment, which autonation said they would do, but did not. No one ever returns calls, EVER!!! Unless its about money in their pocket! Zero customer service if there is a problem. The tech told me I only needed one set of ball joints, not two, but he put two on and charged me anyway for one set that I did not need! Who does that?? As I write this my car is going in another shop to have the steering issue fixed, Auto Nation did not resolve steering column issue. Mr Niles. your tone today on the phone pushed me over the edge- after all I have been through. I really feel I have to warn people about dealing with all you "snake oil salesmen". I asked you a direct question today, and you never gave me an answer. You only called me because I put a stop payment on the check. I left a long detailed message about my car not being fixed A WEEK AGO- you said you never got the message. LIES! If I can help one person stay away I feel I have done my job.