Fette Ford — Local services in Clifton

I wish there was an option for less than 1 star. I have had a truly nightmare of an experience with Fette Ford. I had leased my car from here and it was a mistake. I had to come in to Fette Ford Service for countless times and various different issues. The main issue was with the car battery.

The car would often stop receiving any power and be unresponsive. I have tried all different steps in order to have the car start up and not lose power. This issue would happen only sometimes. Some days there were no issues while other it would not turn on all day. I was even at work and had to call for a jump in order to get home. I took it in to Fette Ford Service but they said they could not replicate it and found no issues with the battery so I took it home. Then next day it would happen again so I took it back. They said the same thing where they could not replicate the issue and in order for them to fix the issue it had to be replicated in house at Fette Ford. I left the car at Fette Ford Service so they can have more time to replicate the issue in hopes of a solution. I would often call in order to get some update on the situation and after a few calls I would always go to voicemail. I would leave voicemails for a call back but never had gotten any calls back. In order for me to get some information an update I would have to physically show up in person. I have never experienced a lack of respect and such poor communication from a business before.

After some weeks where it was in the Fette Service lot I believed that the issue was not able to be replicated anymore so I hoped that it was just fixed on it own somehow but it was not. I would drive from Fette Ford to my house and once I put it in park and shut the car off it would be unresponsive again and so I had to get it towed to Fette Ford. At this point I had several videos of the car being totally unresponsive and I was desperate for a fix to where I called the Sales Rep who sold me the car to reach out to the Service Manager for more information and help. He reached out to his manager about a buy-back option (since it was in the lot for so long) and after that he stopped responding to my calls/texts as well. Even more desperate for a fix I would come on my off days from work and try to replicate the issue myself in their Service Station just so that they can finally fix the issue (I was able to do it once but the Service Manager had just left for the day).

After nearly a month of it being in service they would tell me the same thing "we cannot fix the issue if we cannot replicate it here and we have not been able to replicate it". I was completely shut off from communication if I did not physically show up to the service station and demand answers/updates. I even asked for copies of the documentation of the times I was in service for this issue but even that they wouldn't do for me. The Service Manager would offer to email them to me but after a few days of no response or answers to my calls I would have to show up in person and ask for physical copies. The Service Manager would tell me "If you are looking for a Lemon Law case then this would not fall under the requirements". Note that I had never mentioned a Lemon Law lawsuit nor is it any of his business why I need a copy of the documents that are rightfully entitled to me. It felt like every bit of basic information or updates I would need to pry it out of them, it was like they wanted to make everything as difficult as possible.

After almost a month I decided to get it towed to Wayne Ford for them to take a look. My experience with them was like a breath of fresh air. They were communicative and were able to diagnose the issue within a week. So what it took Wayne Ford a few days was taking Fette Ford nearly a month with no progress to a fix. I am convinced Fette Ford left my car in their lot for a month with next to no attempt to fix it.

In the end, if you can to go to Wayne Ford then that would be a better option. And if I could give Fette Ford a 0 star...

Unprofessional Experience During F-150 Lightning 2023 Purchase I’m writing to share my disappointing experience with salesperson Alexander Ocasio and his manager Troy during my attempted purchase of the F-150 Lightning 2023. Their actions left me feeling misled and dissatisfied. Evaluation Process: From the start, I needed help getting a clear evaluation of my 2019 F-150 with 43K miles. Alexander Ocasio never answered despite checking its value on reputable sites like Edmunds, NADA, and KBB, which consistently valued my truck at $24,400 due to its mint condition. Even after sending multiple pictures of my vehicle, I didn’t receive an appraisal. Other dealers offered me close to $23,000 based on the same images, so I was puzzled by the lack of response. Deal Negotiations: I told Alexander I was ready to contribute $2,000 to the deal, believing I had equity in my truck since I still owed $18,740. We agreed that I would drive my truck from Rochester, NY, to Clifton, NJ, to finalize the deal. I rearranged my schedule to meet on Thursday, 8/15 but was informed that Alexander would be off that day and that his manager would meet me instead. I confirmed the details with a gentleman named Troy on my way there. Unprofessional Conduct at the Dealership: Upon arrival, I was told that the manager had to leave for an “emergency,” another individual had met me instead. This person placed me in a chair while he inspected my truck, but no one was available to answer my questions or explain why the people I had been dealing with were absent. Everyone seemed too busy to address my concerns, which I found highly unprofessional. The person who met me at the door would occasionally reappear to collect information or show me the new truck, which, notably, didn’t have a charging cable. If I hadn’t noticed this, I would have been left without a cable for my 380-mile return journey to Rochester, NY. This individual then took me to the office to review the paperwork before disappearing again. During this time, I had to remove my personal belongings from my old truck and place them on the floor in the middle of the dealership, as no one was around to unlock the new truck. Final Transaction and Misleading Information: When I asked the finance person about my truck’s appraisal, I was shocked to learn it was only valued at $21,500. This was far below my expectations and caused me great distress. I made a $4,500 down payment, contrary to the $2,000 I initially agreed upon with Alexander, believing I had more equity in my truck. Lack of Customer Support: After finalizing the transaction, I was sent home without any explanation of locating charging stations, instructions on how the truck works, or guidance on what to look for during the 380-mile return journey. I only received assistance from another gentleman who paired my phone with the truck and provided some basic information. Communication with Management: I emailed General Manager Christopher Ciresi to address my concerns, but unfortunately, I never received a response. This lack of communication only added to my frustration. After my email, Alexander Ocasio suddenly provided explanations that contradicted our previous discussions and seemed conveniently crafted to justify their actions. His excuses were weak and did nothing to address my concerns. Follow-Up and Poor Communication: I later contacted Alexander to express my disappointment and requested a refund for the truck. Instead of acknowledging his mistakes, he provided a series of excuses, claiming that the dealership lost money on the deal and that I somehow benefited from the situation. His emails were filled with explanations that contradicted our previous discussions and were so weak that they would be laughable under different...

UPDATED Review I see Fette Ford now has Mobile Service. So I decided to try it out for my basic service appointment. They were on time & made several phone calls to make sure I was aware of them arriving. 2 Professional Service techs. not just 1 guy... 2 Guys. Very friendly. they told me about how long the visit would be, they did the Basic Service on the spot. took care of my needs at my location. A+ all around here. No issues, & like always gave me a readout & list of what they see I will soon need & or should address. This is the service you want from a dealer. I was impressed. & I'll be sure to try to do this Mobile service again. Thanks Guys -

*6 Months Ago Review - (A Service Review of my most recent visit to Fette Ford ) Such a sad experience for such a long standing dealership. First, No one calls you back after you leave messages just simply looking for updates. No matter if it's the service advisor or the Service Manager. They had my car 2 weeks, to do warranty work - torque converter, front camera sensor & front breaks. Waited a week for the torque converter for my 2019 Edge. I was told they do not provide any loaner cars anymore. however, I was also told they were waiting on the camera, then after that was installed, they said that the bracket was broken & that the warranty would not approve of the bracket so they replaced the bracket. I was then told the bracket was $88 & that I'd have to pay that. I DID NOT approve of the replacement of this bracket. after telling them I would not be paying for this. I said I'd kindly split the cost with them. They agreed, as I drive off... I soon realize that my car seemed to make a sound after a complete stop. I return the Edge on Monday first thing in the morning before work, I was called back saying it was a loose bolt, it was fixed! However... I drive off yet again.. still making the same noise. I waited for 15-20 mins to have a service manager take a test drive with me so they can hear the sound. only after this.. did they realize that it needed motor mounts. 3 Weeks Total they had my Edge. a Ford Edge at 57K miles needing motor mounts?

NOW READY FOR THE BEST PART of this Review...

I was alerted on my Ford App that my car was no longer located at Fette Ford after closing hours. It was 12 miles away in Wayne NJ. I tracked it down to it's location. By morning it was tracked back at Fette Ford. After mentioning this.. I was told that this was not the case & no one drives customers vehicles home. I was told that I must of read it wrong & my tracking must of been off, because they "Checked The Cameras" & it did not leave the dealership. Soooo, from the last time I drove my car to the time I drove off the lot... My Edge now had 33 NEW miles on it. NO ONE TEST DRIVES A VEHICLE a total of 33 Miles!!!! I was Lied to. I trusted they would take care of me & my vehicle. I will NO LONGER be leaving my vehicle at Fette Ford/Kia/Infiniti over night. I no longer can trust a word they tell me. Be aware If you deal with Fette Ford's Service Department. They have a great Sales Manager in Chris... who took care of me when I purchased.. & who I called when I was looking for a call back after 10 Days. Such a bad...