What clients say about Federal Motors LLC in Old Baltimore (MD)
Nice to move into the area and find a shop that reminds me so much of home. No attempt at pointless upsells or add-ons, and lengthy work completed in less than a few hours. I also was snowed in and had to reschedule numerous times over the course of a week and they were willing to accommodate.
If you have not been here before, save yourself the trouble. I have lived in this neighborhood for four years and have taken my vehicles here multiple times, and almost every visit has resulted in problems. I read all the great reviews before going too so here are 3 separate issues I’ve had with them to give you another perspective.
They replaced a part without my authorization and only called afterward to say the work was done and payment was required. On another visit, they replaced my alternator and claimed my battery was dead and needed to be replaced. I bought my battery from AAA and had them diagnose the issue. The vehicle only needed a jump start.
I typically get my oil changed at AAA in Glen Burnie, but went here last March out of convenience. When I returned to AAA for my next oil change, the drain plug bolt was completely rounded off. When I brought this to FM’s attention, I was told it must have come in that way. The owner stated they do not round bolts and replace them if they do. The drain plug pictured was removed directly from my van, so it should never have been reinstalled in that condition after their service.
This shop either lacks basic accountability or assumes customers will not question poor workmanship. Either way, I would not trust them with my vehicle. But, if you condescending mechanics this is the place for you
They did replace the drain plug when I requested them to do so and will take my vehicle back to AAA
Great experience overall, would highly recommend. Honest and reasonable prices, quickly identified and resolved my car's issues. Will use them as my preferred shop going forward.
When I was looking for a place that could service a Smart Fortwo, this place was the first mentioned in the area. I made an appointment to have it's shocks diagnosed and replaced, and I was very amazed at how they delivered. They completed the repair in just a day. In the past, when I would take the car to its mothership, Mercedes, for service, it would take several days and cost so much! Thank you so much Federal Motors! I will be coming to you for all my future Smart Fortwo services!
This is my go to shop for all car related services. The mechanics know what they’re doing, and have always done right by both myself and my girlfriend.
All pricing is extremely fair, transparent with work only being performed as needed.
Kim at the front desk is also pleasure to work with!
Highly recommended!!
These guys are great. I had squeaky brakes and another shop quoted me at $1100 because they said I needed new brakes, rotors, calipers, piston press etc… I took my car here and they said the brakes were fine they just needed some lubricant and minor adjustments. Haven’t heard any squeaking since and saved around $1000. This shop’s honesty is refreshing in a world where everyone is just trying to squeeze every penny they can out of you. Highly recommend.
If you need terrible service and communication, these are your people right here! Tell you they can’t get you in, tell you then can, and then tell you 1 hour job takes 5 hours! Good luck!
Just went to Federal Motors for the first time for a bad tire, not sure if I would have to get all four replaced. Within 10 minutes a mechanic found the leak, immediately took it back, fixed it and filled up ALL of my tires all for $19. Would recommend Federal Motors to everyone I know!
My husband took his 1999 Nissan maxima in because it was cutting off while driving which as you can imagine is very scary and dangerous! He first took his car to another mechanic he had been using and the mechanic kept
the car for two weeks without being able to find out what was wrong. I convinced my husband to take it to Federal Motors which I have used for my cars for over 10 years and Chris was able to fix his car in two days. Since that time the car has been running smooth as butter! The company is unfailingly trustworthy and excellent at what they do! 10 plus stars!!!
My 26-year old car has now gotten two big jobs done here (tire change/ alignment and timing belt replacement). Both services have gone well, and my car is running in great shape for its age. The mechanics (Chris specifically) were very transparent about the work that needed to go into these jobs and I was impressed by their diligence. Labor duration was also reasonable and the shop's communication under Kimberly for booking, confirming quotes, and completion was very clear over text, email, and the phone. I was recommended Federal Motors' services by referral, and after this start, I will be doing the same for others.
I have used them for years, and continue to use them even after I've moved outside Baltimore city. They are no-nonsense but friendly, honest, professional, and offer reasonable prices and great service. The few times I had an issue problem post-repair, they would make time to bring me in, make everything right without any cost or excuses. They've earned my trust.
My 11-year-old car’s AC stopped working, so I made an appointment to check it at Federal Motors. They quickly diagnosed the issue as a failed pressure sensor, replaced it and recharged the system. The AC is working great now and I am impressed with how quickly and accurately they diagnosed the problem - it’s pretty rare nowadays. Five stars!
Been here a few times, they always do excellent work at a fair price. I watched them use an actual torque wrench to put on my wheels, so they aren't over tightened and impossible to remove if I ever have a flat.
Took my car to Federal Motors for an oil change and transmission fluid flush.
The work was done on time, and the price was fair. They even went out of their way to swap my transmission fluid flush for a transmission fluid change since the current fluid was clean, which saved me at least $50. On top of that, my radio had been locked since I replaced my battery, and they got it unlocked without me even bringing it up.
10/10 would reccomend and will return!
Driving in from out of town and hit one of Baltimore's famous potholes which took out 2 of my tires! My parents told me to have it towed to Federal Motors because they trust them. I appreciate Kim and the mechanics getting it fixed quickly and at a great price!
Amazing experience with Kim, Chris, and team! They really know what they are doing. Not only that, but their customer relation is out of this world, with many people coming back year after year. I am writing this review after Kim told me my windshield wipers were due for a change. I did not even think of it, but realized I have, for months, been hearing a bad sound when using the windshield wipers.
Honest business, honest people, honest prices, and overall a great experience. Will be coming back next year and hopefully years to come. :)
Such a good mechanic! I've taken my car there twice, and both times they didn't try to upsell me, they just fixed what needed fixing, communicated with me, and gave me good advice. Conveniently in the neighborhood, but I would travel to see this caring office if I had to.
Nightmare! They seem to have lost thier good mechanics.
My car is barely drivable after taking it here! It failed after driving it for 10 miles.
They knowingly tried to give it back with an engine fault light on that it did not have when it went in.
They refuse to take the car back. After having it for three months for what they said would take a week to replace a clutch and timing belt.
They told me to take it to a Ford dealer on my own dime, after giving them almost $4000.
The fault light is back on which will make it hard to sell so now I have no car.
I brought my car to this shop twice, the first seemingly fixed the issue, the same issue arose less than a week later, and then happening again after bringing my car back in for the second time. I went to this shop under the impression they’d be good because the reviews were positive on Google, only to have my car not fixed and shorted $2,000. Nightmare of an experience, would not recommend.
Zero ⭐️, but it is not possible.
We had a nail in our tire while driving from NJ to Baltimore and someone recommended these mechanics to us. We drove up because we were leaking air, the girl behind the desk didn't even want to send a mechanic to see if it could be fixed or if we needed a new tire (the tires were 8 months old), we had to come on Friday (we were there on Tuesday). Terrible service, we don't recommend it to anyone.
We went to the mechanic on Hanover Street and before I finished talking, the mechanic was already lifting the car with a jack and within 5 minutes there was a plug in the tire.
What a wonderful group of people! I didn’t have an appointment or any idea how to resolve the issue with my Xterra, but the worked me in and got me taken care of the same day! Very reasonably priced and great communication on what was going on. They’ll definitely be my go to shop from now on!
I always say that finding a great mechanic is one of the keys to happiness in life. After trying a couple of other highly rated but ultimately disappointing local options, I took my car to Federal today for new tires and some other work.
They are friendly, honest, professional and very reasonable. I could not recommend them more highly. Bonus tip: Order new tires on Tire Rack and have them shipped to Federal for installation. This gives you the ability to fully shop your tires by prices and ratings so that you make the best choice for you.
Federal motors was an amazing experience. I had my vehicle towed there, not knowing what the problem was. Chris looked it over and called to report the problem. He was very knowledgeable and got the problem fixed quickly. Kimberly was very pleasant and helpful. I would definitely recommend them and will always take my vehicles to them.
Ordered a tire from Tire Rack on Monday morning and had it sent here for installation. It arrived Tuesday and they were able to squeeze me in first thing Thursday morning. Fast, friendly, and professional staff. No issues with my service. Will definitely be back for service in the future.
I went to Fed Hill Motors for the first time this week for a noise in my car. They fit me into their schedule quickly on what appeared to be a busy day. The whole experience was positive. I dropped my car at 9am, and it was finished by 11. I got a nice call from the mechanic who explained the problem. It was fixed. The bill was very reasonable. They run a well organized business, are kind, honest, and efficient. I’m happy I found them and will use them again for future mechanical needs.
I have been a customer of this business since 2020 and I cannot recommend them enough. They have taken care of me through two different Subys and I know I can always trust what they say. They don’t price gouge and they are very friendly and willing to explain things to me even when I’m embarrassed to admit I don’t know jack about cars? Not to mention they are SUPER convenient to my home/work so I can just drop my car at 9 and pick it up in the afternoon/whenever it’s ready. Please consider using this business, especially if you live in the South Baltimore area!
This is the most HONEST shop around!! I had a flat tire, went to another shop, and they claimed the puncture was too big to patch, and wanted me to buy all four new tires due to my vehicle’s size. I'm relieved I came to this place for a second opinion, and they confirmed the puncture was indeed patchable and fit me in same day with no appointment. Will definitely come back in the future!
They have great service. Chris is the man and takes the time to explain things and understand the issue. They saved me thousands of dollars because some other place said I needed new struts. He checked them, made some adjustment and explained to me that they were in good shape. Also, I saved big on new tires. He went out of his way to tell me my old tires still had some good tread but I let him know my concerns. I have been going to them for 5 years or so and they have always done great work and very competitive prices. Thanks Fed Motors and Chris.
Update 10/42022 Still going here and they still rock. Thank you.
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