I own a 2015 Ford Mustang and I admit; this car gets treated like an automotive princess. Since I'm new to the Las Vegas/Henderson, NV area, I don't have a trustworthy auto mechanic to lean on for service and repairs. So when I discovered a minor engine oil leak, I decided to put my trust in the local Ford dealership, Ford Country in Henderson, NV. Unfortunately, my trust in Ford Country proved to be misplaced. I recommend anyone dealing with their service department to keep your scam-detecting radar on the high setting.
This review is not a complaint about inflated dealership service pricing. We all know that's the state of affairs. Keep reading to see why it seems like the repair of a simple oil leak ended seeming like just another attempted scam on an elder American.
I made an appointment and brought the car in (strictly) for diagnosis of the leak. The Service Writer, Sarah B. quoted me $200 for the diagnostic service. That seemed high but I didn't have viable alternatives.
I discussed with Sarah the specific parameters needing to be present for the oil leak to take place; the car had to be facing downhill, shut-off, etc. I additionally noted that the oil leak, which was no more than 1-2 tablespoons of oil for a 24-hour period, definitely had a specific location within the engine area from which it was seemingly emanating. Although not an expert, I suggested a loose oil filter or perhaps a leaky gasket at the oil pressure sensor were potential causes of the oil leak.
I handed over the car keys and with that, I left my beloved Mustang in Ford Country's hands.
After a couple days, I received a call from Sarah B. She coolly told me the water pump was the cause of the oil leak and the installation of a new water pump would be $2,300. I was shocked; the cause made little sense and the price of the repair seemed comically exorbitant. I advised Sarah to not proceed with the repairs and I would pick-up my car. Oddly, she stated she would "need some time" to make my car available for pick-up. I complied, mostly because I was in shock regarding the estimated repair cost.
So, in the meantime, I did some research...and some math:
According to official Ford documents, a water pump removal and replacement for a 2015 Mustang should take 3-4 hours. Presuming a shop rate of between $120-150 per hour, the technician's time should cost absolutely no more than $600. (Even if the rate is a New York, Los Angeles or Bay Area $200 per hour, my total labor charge should not exceed $800.) Additionally, replacement water pumps for a 2015 Ford Mustang have a retail price of approximately $100. Throw in $300-400 of dealer mark-ups and miscellaneous parts at the job and its maximum charge should be absolutely no more than +/- $1,200.
And here's where things got interesting!
I went to dealership and paid my $199 diagnostic fee. And to say I was surprised would be an understatement: according to the invoice I was given, the technician's exact comments regarding his/her diagnosis were, "INSPECTED AND FOUND AFTER MARKET OIL FILTER TO BE LEAKING..." Wait, what?!?! The technician also noted the water pump showed "seepage" and recommended it be replaced. However, unquestionably, the oil leak I wanted diagnosed was being caused by a loose oil filter.
Moreover, even if Sarah believed the water pump needed to be replaced to somehow fix an oil leak, how did she get to a $2,300 repair bill? It wasn't based on the actual cause of the oil leak, it wasn't based on the technician's diagnosis and it wasn't based on official Ford documents to estimate repair costs for water pump replacements.
I can't help but feel I was marked as the "dumb old man," and targeted for unnecessary repair costs to line someone's pockets. I placed my trust in Ford Country and this was clearly a bad decision. I will not return to Ford Country, for service, parts or auto purchases and I recommend you avoid them, as well.
Here's some info I collected along the way from Kelley Blue Book regarding the estimated cost of a water pump replacement:
From https://www.kbb.com/ford/mustang/2015/water-pump-replacement/ :
"Dealer" refers to service centers that specialize in one or two makes and sell those vehicles. As a franchise dealer: * They use top-quality manufacturer-recommended or "official" parts * Parts usually come with a manufacturer's warranty - ask the dealer about this as details may vary * They have the highest level of training and knowledge, and their labor rates may reflect this:
Total Estimate: Parts - $347 - $391 / Labor - $526 - $582
March 20, 2025 UPDATE: I brought my car to an independent mechanic. He found the oil filter was still loose; apparently the courtesy of spinning the filter on snugly was beyond Ford Country personnel. And, of course, the water pump "seepage?" Totally non-existent. The independent mechanic's quote, "We removed the skid plate and checked everything. Your car is CLEAN!" read more