Sunshine Ford

Visited Sunshine Ford on Saturday, 6th December to look at both used and new cars. The used section didn’t offer much for us, so we moved on to view the new Everest range. We were introduced to Nicholas M, who came across as friendly but also somewhat standoffish. I explained we were interested in an Everest Sport, had a budget of $70–80k, with a… Read more

trade-in. He took down my details and went to inspect our trade-in vehicle. While he checked and then took the car around the corner, we waited outside in the sun for about 10–15 minutes. A simple suggestion from him to head back into the air-conditioned showroom would have made this far more comfortable. Once back inside, Nicholas reviewed the trade-in with someone else. With our two kids starting to get restless, we were relieved when he said he’d call us later with the trade-in value and pricing on a new Everest. Unfortunately, that call never came. Now four days later (10th Dec), we still haven’t received any communication at all. As an experienced salesperson myself, communication is everything, and this was a major letdown. We left the dealership expecting a follow-up, but instead it felt like we were dismissed as “tyre kickers,” despite being genuine buyers who knew exactly what we wanted ( we just didnt let on! ) . The right questions simply weren’t asked, and the opportunity to help us find the right vehicle within our budget was missed. My advice to management is additional training is needed here, particularly around communication, customer care, and qualifying genuine buyers. Due to the lack of follow-up, we contacted another dealership—where we received excellent service—and have since purchased a new Everest that is now awaiting delivery. A disappointing experience at Sunshine Ford, and unfortunately a lost sale for them and commission for him!.

After a long and painful wait of over 2.5 years, I finally took delivery of a limited-run Dark Horse. The car's arrival was further delayed by over two months at the dealership due to a software update, so I decided to take delivery right after the update and have a few noticeable issues rectified afterward rather than wait even longer. The sales… Read more

team and Dealer principal were excellent throughout the process, but my experience with the Service and Warranty Department has been a major disappointment.

I waited for months to hear from the service department but received no call. After patiently waiting for months, I actively began calling (almost daily for over a week), and it took me over a week to finally speak to the Service Manager, as Peter was on holidays at the time. When I brought the car in, the manager immediately tried to dismiss my concerns, stating, "It's not a BMW or Mercedes, it's a mass-produced car." He tried to deny issues with the panels and scratches on the brake calipers. After months of back-and-forth, the only items replaced were two badly scratched key fobs and some interior trim.

It is sad to see how Ford advertises and markets this vehicle as a special vehicle among the Mustang Enthusiasts across the globe and this service Manager completely negates it by treating it as a mass-produced average Ford car which costs you almost double the price of the previous GT model.

I am sure by doing this he is not only damaging the reputation of Ford brand itself but also negates all the efforts of the sales team, who work hard to achieve the sales targets and meet customer's expectations during the sales process and leaves a bad taste in customer's mouth while looking at overall experience.

His unprofessional behavior escalated when he vigorously slammed the boot of my car multiple times. The boot, which has paint protection, appears to have an alignment issue (right from beginning) and touches the rear bumper when it closes, which has created indents in the bumper. This was noticed by the paint protection guys. But this became worse by his actions and have now resulted in chipped paint at that spot.

The contrast between the staff's behavior was stark. Service Advisor Shaq has been an absolute pleasure to deal with, offering excellent customer service and empathy, which you expect from Manager as well. However, the Service Manager has been extremely difficult and not interested in listening or addressing the issues. This reflected in his choice of disrespectful words, body language, and dismissive attitude toward a limited-run car which is unacceptable and dis heartening for a customer who has waited for a long time to take possession of a special Edition, limited run car. He even hinted that the marks on the calipers could be due to usage, a claim he quickly retracted when I pointed out that the car has barely been driven for this exact reason. He still flatly told me that this will not be covered under warranty, while these marks could have only happened at Factory or dealership because in the bulletin during the delivery hold, while I was in touch with sales team and Ford Representative, I was told that vehicle wheels will be rotated while they are in storage.

It has now been seven months since I took delivery, and I'm deeply disappointed that I haven't been able to enjoy my car due to these unresolved warranty issues. This isn't the first car I've purchased from this dealership, and to be treated this way raises serious concerns. I am sharing this experience because a customer should not have to face this kind of response from a service manager, especially when their new vehicle has issues that were raised months ago.

I didn't want to go this path but its over 7 months now and my issues are still unresolved. Eventually I decided enough is enough, I have patiently waited long enough before leaving this review and not an impulsive response. It appears all 1 Star reviews are consistently against Service Department.

5 and a half weeks awaiting repair of my Ford Ranger and have not had an update. Multiple calls a day to the dealer and no one is ever free to take a call, reception escalates for a call back which never happens. Show details

Disappointed customer – I’m extremely disappointed with my experience with Ford Australia regarding my 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak. After just six years of regular use and servicing strictly according to Ford’s recommendations, the U3000 Present ACM part failed, which affects not just the audio system but also critical safety alert sounds. The repair cost is $2,500, and… Read more

despite multiple attempts to seek assistance, Ford has refused to acknowledge any responsibility.

Under Australian Consumer Law, a vehicle should be of acceptable quality and last a reasonable period. A premium vehicle like the Ranger should not develop such an expensive and critical fault within six years. Yet Ford’s response has been dismissive, refusing to provide any goodwill assistance.

I expected much better from a brand that markets itself on durability and reliability. If you’re considering buying a Ford, be aware that warranty coverage is limited and customer support may not stand by their vehicles when defects arise.

I have been trying to resolve this issue since August 2024 (6 months)

We never complain and this is the worst experience we have ever had – Worst experience we have ever had. (From someone who never lodges complaints) Took our car in to Ford for shuddering, they did a transmission software update (car was dropped in/booked early morning and not ready until late afternoon). When completed they advised us to leave it about a couple of weeks as it should slowly get better and if it kept… Read more

shuddering after a couple of weeks to call them back. Around 1 week later experienced multiple system errors but shudder was a little better, called ford to advise and they said a technician would call us back, no one did. Around 2 weeks after we initially brought it in, the car wouldn’t move at all (would turn on but wouldn’t move). Ford told us to get it towed to them and they would have a look at it for us. After two weeks of it sitting there and several calls with no answers and multiple times no one calling us back, they said they had already pulled the whole transmission out and the torque converter came loose and the whole transmission needed replacing for $9000. At this point no one had told us what was wrong or what they planned on doing we just had the car dropped off by the tow truck driver and next thing are being told we need to pay $9000 without even being consulted. To which we said we are not paying for and to get someone to call us to discuss what was even happening. Another a handful of calls , still no one called us back. In the end (long story) we ended up speaking with Brad the service manager (today) and from the very beginning he was rude and arrogant and didn’t take any accountability for the fact that they never even checked if the Torque converter (part of transmission) was secure or not at the first mention on issues with transmission. He demanded that we “tell them a time we are coming and picking up the car or they were going to push it out onto the street”. We couldn’t tell him an exact time anyway but after the call have found a tow truck driver to pick it up tomorrow. We have lodged a complaint with ford Australia in the hope that they will hold sunshine ford responsible for their actions and the way they treat customers. THIS ISN’T ABOUT MONEY - which Brad was implying. This is disgusting that we brought a car we bought from the same place in for an issue and a Band-Aid fix was applied without checking a major ‘known’ issue for shudders.

1 star because we had to, but wanted to mention that the front of house staff that we dealt with when taking it in initially were all kind and respectful. If issues come up that the staff over the phone can’t help with, do not expect to have it resolved or to even get a call back, truly.

Other details: ford ranger 2016 turbo diesel purchased new from sunshine ford. Regularly log book serviced. We were advised by Ford that the welds on the torque converter were known to fail - all it took at our initial booking was for someone to check the inspection plate hole if this was a ‘known issue’. Now the whole transmission needs replacing (apparently) which could have been avoided with a 10min inspection.

Terrible lack of service continues for years – Having been frightened away from the only local Ford dealer a few years back, when the last Ford we still run developed a rough running engine problem I though "o-oh". The amber warning light started flashing on and off continuously. A look in the Manual says proceed immediately to the closest dealer. (Yuk I thought.) They were hopeless last… Read more

time but maybe with new owners, a major renovation and a few passed years, things might have improved. Of course, my optimism was dented once their on-line web booking system couldn't accept my troubles so I phoned and waited for a human only to have my hopes dashed. A chap came on and he offered the first available "diagnostic booking" 7 weeks away. Yep 7 weeks! When I described the problem in more detail he rambled on about how they're having so many recalls and warranty problems with Rangers they're "snowed-under" so maybe try somewhere in Brisbane. "Somewhere?" I repeated/asked. Yes he replied. There are other Ford dealers and we don't recommend anywhere other than Ford. So... I looked at a couple of on-line forums and identified a local place (Ultra Tune, Brendan Drive, Nerang), telephoned them, described the problem and was offered and accepted a booking THE NEXT MORNING. I dropped the car off, and hey presto, less than 3 hours later the guy rang me and described it was simply a quick diagnose, replacement of a failed ignition coil and system reset. $220. Great attention great service and no nonsense. Sunshine Ford might have become part of some giant auto group but their service - or unwillingness to manage delivering any - is just as rubbish as the last time I needed to be there customer. People really need to have think about an equivalent (and arguably more reliable) BT50 or Isuzu or Amarok before putting their hard-earned down on a Ranger 'cause the after-sales service from Sunshine Ford is just woefully unacceptable. And absolutely no-one in the organisation seems to give a rat's if it hasn't improved for years.

Great customer service from Sunshine Ford – Purchased a Ranger from Ford in August 2024. Despite delays (from a third Party supplier) the representative has remained calm and professional, with good lines of communication.

Terrible service – Terrible service centre.. have in the past asked them to do a wheel alignment when servicing the car at my cost they told me it was done still felt weird so to it to another tyre place and found it was out by nearly 10mm refused to refund. Just now have had a fuel tank implosion issue that they have blamed on a tray being fitted 8 month earlier… Read more

and have had no issues since it has been on. When I refused to pay them $3500 to replace it they gave the car back to me in limp mode with no fuel in it so I'm now sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck less than 1km from there service centre

Unorganised and unprofessional. Poor customer service. No regard for your valuable time – Just like the other reviews on here, I wish there was a ZERO option. As the saying goes, "there are some good dealers, some bad". Sunshine Ford Southport are most definitely the worst I have ever come across. I feel the need to get this lengthy review out before they scam others. It all started when I needed to bring the car in for a warranty… Read more

claim on the head unit / air conditioning system. They had the car all day, provided zero updates, and when I showed up for pickup late in the afternoon they tell me the problem was not fixed. Then they mentioned I need to bring it back to fix a recall part, which they didn't have time to do...yeah makes perfect sense when you have the car ALL day! Then comes the following up with call after call to ensure they have the part before I book the car in. One person says they have it, other person says they don't, another one says car isn't common therefore not sure...what a joke. This went on for a couple of months. Finally got one bloke to commit to having the recall part, and I thought to myself I may as well get a service whilst here ( even though I could have hung on for another few thousand kilometers). Anyway, all booked now, dropped off early, got the usual up-sale call a couple of hours later about the throttle body clean.. I thought why not, full throttle body clean as described over the phone wouldn't hurt. Turned out to be a scam, not a full clean, and they supposedly just ran additives (about $30 max.) thought the system and charged me $130...smooth. Anyway, zero updates about service or recall part...which was the only reason I was going in. I get there late in the day, and surprise, they have not done the recall part. Had no option but the keep the car there overnight for this fix, this is our family car too, and we all know the joys with kids and no transportation. Cost me plenty of money in Ubers back and forth, cost me plenty of time...which they have no regard for. Just a bad joke this place. Just do not take your car there. They do a large volume of cars per day and have zero care. They are unorganised and don't care about the customer. Be very careful of the scam, that is, getting a phone call regarding break fluid flush, throttle body clean, power steering flush, oil system flush. Chances are you don't need this every 10000km.

Poor after sale service – Have left 2 email messages and 1 voice message requesting call back for warranty issues zero returned calls Show details

Never again – One star is being nice . These people lie never deliver and as they always ask when a bad review is done they wish for you to take this off line by emailing marketing. Well won't happen and if I have to email marketing and they do not know what we have been though as a customer clearly the whole company has no idea what the customer has to endure… Read more

with these people. Customer service is not there major focus it is there bottom line . Most companies are concerned for this but this company will not budge even when there incompetent staff mess up . I brought a Ford Ranger Raptor paid over 110k for this vehicle and had nothingbut promlems with it. It has been a disaster from beginning to end ... Within the first two weeks the car was off the road for three months and the problems just kept comming . The list of issues I had both with Ford Australia and the car would not fit into this review. I have now asked them to take the car and give me you best price for it .Yep they won they finally wore me down enough I just want to get rid of it at any price I was promised this would take 2 days .. Not sure why 2 days as most places can give you a cost on the spot. When I asked for the quote after 2days the responce was sorry do we still have your car. Which my response I hope so cause I don't have it. Do yourself a favour don't buy a Ford Raptor mine was the last of the original model you think they could get it right .God forbid what the new model is like for the money there are much better cars out there and much more reliable.As I have already stated your standard responce to these type of reviews I will not be doing don't be so don't be lazy just go and ask your fellow staff members I sure they will know and can fill you in on the history of the one big LEMON

new car enquiry – Contacted Sunshine by email Mon 3rd Oct they aknowledged receipt of email rang Wed 5th as no contacted had been made reception was very negative finally put thru to sales asked why no reply to email once again very negative told some one would make contact over next few hours here its Friday 7th no contact made I had wished to purchase 3 new… Read more

Ranger Wildtraks for my business and being local thought I would deal with a local company This is digusting the way a business can treat people yet still trade you have lost me dealing local businesses and 1star is too much