Dependable Auto has done prior repairs to my vehicle. I was not a new customer.
Sept. 15, 2023, I put my foot on the brake pedal, and it went to the floor. Sept.18, 2023 I called Dependable Auto and spoke to Greg as to the brake situation with my vehicle. I carefully drove my vehicle to the shop, waiting in the lobby to receive a preliminary diagnosis and estimate. An employee came to me advising me that the vehicle had a bad master cylinder and brake booster. I gave them the OK to order the needed parts. Then I was advised that Dependable Auto would not be able to start the repairs until Sept. 26th. I was not pleased with the time frame being a return customer. I could not be without a vehicle while it just sat in their possession for 8 days. Josh (owner of Dependable Automobile LLC) did offer and provided me a loaner vehicle. The loaner back seat was not safe for anyone to occupy. The seat latch was broken so I could not allow any rear seat passengers for their safety. The door mirror control also did not adjust/move the mirrors. Sept. 27th, I received a call stating my vehicle repairs had been completed. I replaced the gas in the loaner and paid $965.29 for the brake repairs. I was also advised and received an estimate for the necessary replacement of a Rack and Pinion Assembly of $1,137.04. I did not agree to the pinion repairs and drove home. I was not pleased with the brake pedal. Sept. 28th, I returned to Dependable Automobile questioning the brake repairs. Greg and one other employee took my vehicle for a test drive. Came back and advised me that the master cylinder was faulty, and they would need to replace. Asked if the vehicle was test driven prior to returning? Dependable Auto kept my vehicle providing be the same loaner vehicle. The second after market master cylinder installed was also faulty so Josh advised he was going to obtain the part from Ford. Oct. 9th, I had not heard anything about my vehicle, so I drove to the shop. Josh advised they were still having intermitting failure. Oct. 10th, I received a call from Josh saying my vehicle was ready to be picked up. Still did not feel comfortable with the brake pedal questioned if I had to stop suddenly would the vehicle stop. Oct. 11th noticed two wet spots under my vehicle on the garage floor. Emailed and forwarded picture to Dependable Automobile.
Oct. 16th paid for a second opinion from an independent shop. Was advised that the master cylinder was not working properly. Was educated just because the casing shows Ford it still could have aftermarket inter parts. There was no problem with the Rack and Pinion Assembly and no replacement is needed.
Oct. 19th my spouse and myself had a meeting with Josh and another employee. Josh explained that the wet spots were from the overflow of fluid that was not cleaned from underneath. I agreed to allow Josh to take an extended test drive of my vehicle and return to the shop to clean the underneath. Josh told me that the brakes are working properly. The only braking system part that could still be replaced was the ABS. I advised Josh that the ABS dashboard light has never lit up.
Nov. 6th my spouse emailed Josh at Dependable Auto asking for the FORD part number documentation on the master cylinder that was installed in my vehicle. Dependable Auto only would warranty for only year or 1,200 miles. Ford has no warranty time limit on a Ford made master cylinder. Mr. Underwood also stated in correspondence sent to the Attorney General office that there was a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) from Ford addressing the specific issue with the year and model of my vehicle. I requested the TSB number or contents so I could research. Josh Underwood ignored my requests for the needed documentation, so I contacted the Department of the Missouri Attorney General. After a lot of correspondence between me and the Attorney General's Office and the Attorney General's office and Dependable Auto some clarification was received.
March 21, 2024, I received a copy of the documentation that Dependable Auto forwarded to the Attorney General clarifying the TBS. I read and had a shop owner mechanic review the TSB. If Mr. Underwood was a respectable business owner, he should have referred me to a Ford Service Center. The TSB he referred to addressing the specific issue with my vehicle stated Ford would replace/repair at no charge as long as within requirements. read more