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    Gator Ford

    2.0 (64 reviews)
    Open 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Services - Gator Ford

    Check engine light

    Engine oil light diagnosis

    Auto general diagnosis

    18 More Services

    Auto noise diagnosis

    Tire Pressure Monitoring System diagnosis

    Auto no-start diagnosis

    Auto vibration diagnosis

    Auto diagnosis or inspection

    Auto pre-purchase inspection

    Auto maintenance

    Oil changes

    Auto repairs

    Auto battery or electrical system repair

    Auto brake repair

    Auto engine repair

    Auto HVAC repair

    Auto light repair

    Auto transmission repair

    Auto wheel and tire repair

    Routine automotive maintenance

    Transmission leak inspection

    Gator Ford Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Gator Ford

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    Reviews With Photos

    November 2024 Email from our service advisor Nick telling us the recommendations were for 100,000 miles
    Ann Margaret K.

    Service Advisor: Nick Rowe Technician in November 2024: Hunter I originally had my car in to be serviced November 2024 for a noise coming from the right rear wheel. It was recommended first to have the right rear wheel assembly replaced, so they could then pinpoint if/where other noises were coming from. While figuring out the issue a part was broken because the technician could not disassemble it. Which meant repair was impossible and we had to fully replace it, not at any discount to us. When the car was eventually returned after all of that work was done and we drove the car home it started making a sound even more horrific than before, which we recorded and sent to our service advisor, Nick. When we brought it back in Nick informed us that they forgot to put the "dust cover" back on, and that was what was causing the noise. The noise sounded like metal on metal. Once got our car back for the second time Nick was very eager to close out the ticket with our warranty company. When we pressed him earlier in the process about the issues we were having he warned us that if anything else needed to be brought to the attention of Fidelity, my warranty company, they would have to send someone out to make an inspection of the work since so many issues had been presented and he had to submit requests to them for coverage more than once. While that wasn't a red flag then it certainly is now. In November I received a video from our technician Hunter and in that video he said my tires had plenty of life on them. July 2025 I brought my car in again because my back tires were wearing EXTREMELY unevenly. On the same wheel that they repaired the tire is almost completely stripped. Sunday 7/27 I had it inspected by another dealership before I brought it to Gator Ford, where I was told that the damage was extreme and not naturally occurring. It was their belief that the extreme and immature wear was due to the faulty services provided to me back in November/December 2024 at Gator Ford. We gave Gator Ford the opportunity to make the situation right to which our service tech Nick has thrown every excuse to make the responsibility ours. He said that it is possible the damage was caused by them BUT it was recommended to us to do the alignment. A note on the recommendations, after initial diagnostics we were given 8 pages of recommendations amounting to nearly $5k in services and fees. Our service advisor Nick told us that it is just recommended and not to get overwhelmed and we can decline. Nick also presented it to us as "recommendations due at 100,000 miles," in no way were these recommendations tied into the repairs we needed. When you present the consumer with an overwhelming amount of recommendations varying in urgency and importance it's overshadows what actually is recommended. At no point was it made clear to us that an alignment would be recommended at that time DUE TO THE SERVICES BEING PROVIDED. Additionally, ethically I don't see how a dealership could hold the consumer or a warranty company financially responsible for repair of damages that were caused as a result of the work they provided. While I understand all of these things are components to a healthy operating vehicle the components that are necessary for the work at hand are completely getting lost within 8 pages of items. These recommendations were also made prior to 2 mistakes made by the service department. Why should the consumer be held responsible for damage potentially caused by the technician? Business practices like this are not only not in good faith, but not ethical either. It's no wonder that Fidelity was getting worried about the work and practices and would've needed to come inspect the vehicle. It's impractical to have the consumer pay for 2 new tires and an alignment when you can't tell me it won't happen again in 6 months. When we found Gator we felt like we were in good hands and that is not longer the feeling at all. I highly recommend, avoiding going there even for the simplest of repairs.

    Recommended fuel system frequency and costs...

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    1 year ago

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    Michelle W.

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    5 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Drove all the way to this dealership from st pete just to be told they only do service from Monday through Friday.

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Michelle W.

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    5 years ago

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    Michelle W.

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    5 years ago

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    Michelle W.

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    3 years ago

    They are only there to make money off you. Car salesman at their finest. If you want to pay more.

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    Michelle W.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Dealer fees are ridiculous. They even add a extra fee if you don't finance with them. This will more than likely give you negative equity.

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    Michelle W.

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Michelle W.

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    4 years ago

    Slow, unresponsive, and didn't communicate costs. Surprise bill with extras added after weeks to diagnose.

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

    I had an excellent experience with Bryan, I couldn't make an appointment with anyone else and Bryan helped me out to make a service change.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Gator Ford

    Review Highlights - Gator Ford

    We met with Richard on the financing, and he was an absolute joy to work with.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Sammy's Auto - Sammy's brother Jose

    Sammy's Auto

    (17 reviews)

    I brought my SUV to Sammy's, at 815 Hillsborough Ave in Tampa, for a small repair of a hose. Two…read moredays later, it breaks. I'm stranded in traffic. I take it back to them and 3 more things need to be fixed. They kept my car for 3 weeks. The day after I got it back, there were more complications than the original problem. I've taken my car back about 10x now. Each time they say they can't find the issue or can't hear the massive noises it makes. I drove with them and, like magic, the noises appeared. I brought my car to them Friday, They were supposed to call me at 2 or 3pm. No calls and when I try to contact them, they NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE! Today I went to their shop with a male neighbor of mine. The owners brother raised his voice at me in an attempt to intimidate me and was using profanity to deflect from their horrible work. He even stated how his brother commented that I just want to come and complain. I don't know anyone who decides to wadte the time in their lives to sit for hours in a filthy auto shop, just to complain. He also LIED about the parts they were supposed to replace. They should have fixed a head gasket, radiator hoses, and the timing chain. Sammy's brother, Jose, said they replaced my raidiator. WHAT FOR, WHY?!!! Long story longer, my car is still not fixed, I'm out $1,600, I have no money left to fix my car. The engine is about to die. I'm now about to take them to court. NEVER TAKE YOUR CAR TO SAMMY'S...EVER!!!

    I really want to thank Sammy, Pablo, Jessica, and crew for the outstanding service! Pablo promised…read moreme "Rockstar service" and that is exactly what I received. I had issues with my AC unit not blowing cold air. They diagnosed where the AC system leak was and fixed it fast at a very fair price. I'm very happy I took my care to Sammy's! I highly recommend them! Thanks so very much once again!

    Butch's - New logo on work van

    Butch's

    (10 reviews)

    I reached out for help fixing my side mirror that was knocked off. He came out to look at it asap…read moreand ordered a replacement. Took no time to install and I was on my way and it was much cheaper than going to the dealership. Fast forward a few days and my cars displayed an alert that my blind side detector was not working and I needed to see the dealer. Reached back out to Butch and he came out to diagnosis. We both figured it was due to the after market mirror I told him to go with and not one directly from the dealer. We were right. He ordered a new one that would fix the issue and was back out to install within days. Even though I should've gone with the dealer mirror initially, it was still much cheaper. His prices, service, warranty and kindness are unmatched. Highly recommend!

    I called Butch to diagnose and repair my classic 87 Buick Grand National with an HVAC system that…read morehadn't worked since I purchased the car in 2018. Butch handled the diagnosis with precision and expertise, taking the time to thoroughly inspect the system instead of just guessing at the issue. Butch explained the problems in clear, simple terms, from worn components to tricky wiring that comes with age. What impressed me most was his respect for the originality of my vintage GM car. The A/C now runs ice-cold and the airflow feels just like it did when the car was new. It's rare to find technicians who understand the unique challenges of vintage GM HVAC systems, but Butch absolutely delivered. Honest, knowledgeable, and passionate about their craft--if you own a classic GM, this is the man to trust

    Gator Ford - car_dealers - Updated May 2026

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