Essential Ford of Stuart

BUYER BEWARE! !! I am not one to write negative reviews because I do believe most people are honest and have good intentions. However, I believe my experience with !! I am not one to write negative reviews because I do believe most people are honest and have good intentions. However, I believe my experience with Essential Ford warranted one. TL;DR Essential Ford's negligence has costed me hours of driving, three days leaving work, and a $160 part that doesn't fit my vehicle and I cannot install without dealer programming. There lack of knowledge on their own policy almost costed me even more. After speaking with Ford Parts and Ford Customer Relations, they were unable to offer me a refund or exchange but suggested that I "find a different dealership". I used my Ford pass points to pay for an accessory through Fords parts website. On the website, it said the part fit my VIN and I called the Essential Ford to make sure. The person I spoke to didn't really seem like they knew for sure but said it probably does. As soon as the part came in, I scheduled an appointment for install. Upon arrival, they informed me that they didn't mention that I need both keys for the install and they couldn't do it that day without messing with the trucks computer. They told me once I had both keys, they could knock it out in 30 minutes so I didn't need an appointment. The next time I came in, I walked in around 3 (a few hours before service closed) and told me they couldn't do it because they don't have any available techs that late in the day. Lol, I thought this was a super easy thing that could be knocked out quickly. I come back again a few days later with both keys and earlier in the day. It took them about 30 minutes... to tell me that my part was incompatible and they couldn't exchange it because it is now outside the return window for Ford Parts, so I'd have to call them. They also told me they don't honor Ford Parts online pricing for service and it would be $160 for labor, which I already paid for. I later confirmed this is incorrect and Essential Ford is actually contractually required to honor it, according to Ford Parts. After contacting Ford Parts and Customer Relations, they all ultimately they end up pointing fingers at the dealer and I now have a part that I have no use for. Awesome. More

The sales manager was rude, he wasn't going to P do anything to assist in correcting the issues they created. I had ordered a 2023 F450 limited edition. It's been a year since the order was placed. anything to assist in correcting the issues they created. I had ordered a 2023 F450 limited edition. It's been a year since the order was placed. When the 2024 model year was introduced, all they had to do was file for a year switch. They neglected to and whats worse he had no clue he had to do it. When i requested the paperwork be completed. He was very short unhelpful and rude.. so I lost the vehicle.. now i have to startall over. Not with Essential Ford of course.. i am a loyal Ford owner. From the ranger 30 plus years ago all the way through the F series pick up trucks. Currently i own a F350. I am in need of the 450 size and power.. it is a shame that they would treat a loyal Ford owner like this.. very disappointed.. More

My visit to Essential Ford was an exercise in frustration and disappointment. Despite arranging an appointment, I was subjected to an absurd wait time of almost three hours for a simple oil change. It's inco and disappointment. Despite arranging an appointment, I was subjected to an absurd wait time of almost three hours for a simple oil change. It's incomprehensible how a dealership can disregard a customer's time so blatantly. To add insult to injury, they had the audacity to charge an exorbitant $122.93 for an oil change on an F-150, which is highway robbery. The apparent disregard for both my time and finances was staggering, and I would urge potential customers to consider whether this is the level of service they would want to endure. I highly recommend supporting your local, independent shops where your business is valued, and service is both timely and fairly priced. More

I will say that while my negotiation skills are not great, this dealership could not be bothered to give me a decent value for my trade in (a 2022 Kia K5 with scratches on my front bumper, and 14700 mi great, this dealership could not be bothered to give me a decent value for my trade in (a 2022 Kia K5 with scratches on my front bumper, and 14700 miles in 18 months of ownership serviced twice with fairly new tires--4000 miles). Their "Essential Package" is a rip off that I had to ask the first dealer contact (Justin Price was great for the ordering process, but is no longer working there) to remove, but not their ETCH and "paint protection" --a "bronze level ceramic coating" that had no verifiable cost value (even after I requested evidence of this "service"). I was offered $1000 less than the lowest KBB trade-in value for my Kia (factoring in the bumper damage) and was told to just sell it privately, since I could get more that way. I had already gotten a cashiers check from a 3rd party bank; it was clear that no money would be coming their way from financing with them, and so I was given the ETCH and paint protection as is, along with their trade in offer. My new car was spec ordered, so I assume they were hoping I'd walk away since they could get a better profit from the next buyer with their "Essential Package" add on. These folks will not get a penny more from me; I'll take my maintenance services elsewhere. The guy who actually sold me my car was nice enough (Simon Price, not listed on their website) and took the time to familiarize me with the car; I was asked to rate them, but due to their other sales person (a higher up I cannot identify on their website, nor the person who evaluated my trade in, nor the actual manager who I saw giving instructions to them; some pictures appear blank at this time so I had to make a guess on this review) treated me like I was wasting their time. The finance guy, Brandon, was fine, no complaints with him since I already had my bank's check. I do not recommend this dealership. More

DO NOT TRUST THE SALES DEPARTMENT - ASK QUESTIONS and VERIFY EVERYTHING Vehicle sales practices border on Fraud. Was told my vehicle was cover on the "FORD Gold Plan" later while signing paperwork fo VERIFY EVERYTHING Vehicle sales practices border on Fraud. Was told my vehicle was cover on the "FORD Gold Plan" later while signing paperwork found it was only covered by "FORD Blue Plan" .Started to walk out of the dealership and was stopped by the door . (2) days later found that Essential Ford does not fully participate in the "FORD Blue plan", specifically the 14 day customer satisfaction guarantee as stated on the FORD web site and paperwork reviewed at the time of the sale. Should have followed my first instinct and continued out the door, Would have saved myself over 3 thousand dollars if I went to another FORD dealer. WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THEM. and will be sending a letter to the State Attorney General Office about their misleading sales practices. More

Unprofessional, rude, deceitful, even asked direct questions they will not provide you with the truth. The manager Brian operates like an old school slimy salesman. Worst Ford Dealer I have ever dealt questions they will not provide you with the truth. The manager Brian operates like an old school slimy salesman. Worst Ford Dealer I have ever dealt with. More

This dealership has had the worst customer service that I have ever seen. I had an issue with my truck that was caused by work not being done correctly when I had my torque converter changed out of warranty. have ever seen. I had an issue with my truck that was caused by work not being done correctly when I had my torque converter changed out of warranty. My truck started leaking fluid months later and was low on fluid to begin with. I had to have it towed to another shop because they were unable to take my truck in for about a month and a half. The other shop I took it to reported that the trasmission lines were left unsecure and parts of the labor was done incorrectly. Fast forward to me calling ford about this. I called a service advisor "John" who told me he cannot help me and I would need to contact the Service manager. I had to call the service manager "David" every day about 5 times a day to finally get an answer from him. He told me that he would have to talk to the shop foreman and technician and he would call me first thing in the morning. He never called me in the morning and i had called the dealership about 10 times that day and no answer and no call back. I am still waiting on a call back from David the service manager. The dealership has treated me horribly. More

I will start with a summary just to confirm the other reviews, these guys try to take advantage of hardworking people and when they get caught, they hide and try to find the next victim!!! I took my 2 reviews, these guys try to take advantage of hardworking people and when they get caught, they hide and try to find the next victim!!! I took my 2020 Ford with 18000 miles in for an oil and filter change. I was told my the service adviser that my brake rotors were shot and needed to be changed! With only 18000 miles I challenged them and was told that the "humidity" might cause that. I insisted on a second inspection in my presence by a senior mechanic who confirmed that my rotors were as good as new!! I was given a card for a complementary service as an apology but when I tried to schedule my service, I was told that David (the Service Manager) placed a note in my folder not to schedule me. So here you have it, guys who try to take advantage of customers and when they are caught red handed - they will crawl back in the hole they crawled out of. Be Careful of those guys!!!!!! The good news, is there are plenty of other Ford Dealers in the area who would love to have the business. More

This dealership is horrible. They documented and agreed to a “we owe customer” at time of sale to repair or replace the windshield. The salesman promised the windshield would be They documented and agreed to a “we owe customer” at time of sale to repair or replace the windshield. The salesman promised the windshield would be replaced if it couldn’t be repaired. A week later they attempted to repair but the windshield is no better. Now that they have my money they refuse to live up to their promises. RUN FROM THIS PLACE AS FAST AS YOU CAN!! More

I WOULD NEVER VISIT THE DEALER AGAIN. I scheduled an appointment 6 weeks for a computer updated. I called and was told it would take up to 3 days. The service rep said if I don’t like it I scheduled an appointment 6 weeks for a computer updated. I called and was told it would take up to 3 days. The service rep said if I don’t like it go elsewhere. I immediately picked up my truck and scheduled an appointment with Sunrise Ford the next week. It took less than an hour to complete the fix. Sunrise was great. More