7 On Your Side: Bay Ridge Ford service garage leaves cars unfixed for weeks

BROOKLYN, New York (WABC) -- Customers' anger bubbled over when a Brooklyn Ford dealership's service department didn't fix cars for weeks, but 7 On Your Side got some action.

The service department of Bay Ridge Ford is open but eerily empty -- even on what would normally be a busy weekday.

In early June, Peter San Filippo said he brought his car in after his check engine light went on.

"I couldn't get a hold of them on the phone for days," San Filippo said.

He said his car sat idle for a month. So he shot video documenting the dark dealership.

7 On Your Side went to investigate, roaming the dark dealership looking for answers. We eventually found the service manager.

Reporter: "What's going on around here?

Service manager: "There's new ownership coming in. Ford was supposed to contact them (customers)."

But customers said that never happened. That's when we asked the manager to pay to tow the vehicles to another dealership for servicing. After tempers flared, we spoke privately to the service manager, asking for help. He promised to have Sam Vuong's Ford Focus fixed quickly.

San Filippo's truck was flat-bedded to his own dealer for repairs. The service manager apologized.

"Bay Ridge Ford will be fully operational under new ownership and new management and we will correct all issues that they have," the service manager said.

7 On Your Side also asked Ford Corporate to pay for a loaner rental car so San Filippo could get to work, which they did.

"Thank you. If it wasn't for you guys we've been stuck in the corner and no one was helping us out," San Filippo said.

Late Wednesday, Sam Vuong learned his car would be towed to another dealership and he'd get a rental while it was fixed. Ford will pay for both.

Ford Motor Company issued this statement:

"Ford Motor Company has been made aware of the temporary closure that took place at Bay Ridge Ford of Brooklyn in mid-June. We understand the dealership is now open. However, if any Bay Ridge Ford customers have any concerns related to the operation of this dealership, they are encouraged to contact the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-800-392-3673."

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