Federal Automotive Service and Towing

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  kano R
7 months ago
During my emissions test was quick, been doing few years already and vehicle repair with towing service past years. Today couldn't find parking their truck occupied the space I saw others trying to. Really need to organize the outside better as needed.

  Scott Wakeman
4 months ago
Rude staff, horrible customer service. Opened a towing request through my insurance provider. I'm told an estimate of 60-90 minutes. Ok, fine. Car is safely in my driveway, so not a big deal. I only wanted to make sure it made it to the dealer by mid afternoon. Fed Towing was assigned and later called, left voicemails on my mobile. I was working at the time, didn't see the calls come in (I had been watching for text messages). I called them back as soon as I saw the missed calls (about an hour after I opened the tow request). Guy that answered immediately had a chip on his shoulder. First because I apparently had the nerve to not call back right away, and two because of the type of car that needed towing. Instead of *kindly* asking what was going on and any pertinent details about my car, he went on to suggest I must've modified the car (it's not) and that's why it's not running. I told him no, it's not modified at all. And even it was modified, that's not his responsibility. If all he wanted to know was if the car was lowered or might otherwise be difficult to get on the flatbed, he could have just asked. Ended the call after he said he would dispatch a different driver to my location. Not five minutes after I ended the call, he cancelled my tow request. Called my insurance to advise what happened, and to complain. They were not happy to hear a service provider they dispatched on my behalf had canceled without any given reason. Who ever owns this company should have a word with their employees about being friendly and courteous to ALL customers. Ended up going with Envy Towing. They WERE kind and courteous when they called!

  Mr. Jack
a month ago
I got my car emissions tested here and passed.When I tried to re-register my car it wouldn't let me because it claims i didn't get emissions test done. I called DMV to try and clear this up, they told me to call the emissions place, so I call them and they told me to call DMV BECAUSE ITS ALL AUTOMATED AND THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!

  Christina Santucci
3 weeks ago
Good experience! Friendly staff. Locked my keys in my car and Petey was there within 20 minutes.

  jimkelly02 214389
9 months ago
Onstar set up Federal Road Towing for a lock out service. They arrived super fast (and traffic was crazy today), we re super kind, friendly, and professional. The young man had the car opened in 30 seconds!! Any time I use this company their 5 star service!I forgot to ask the guys name to shout him out for his good work.

  Alex Felder
2 months ago
They keep you running and safe on the road. Great Mechanics and great service

  Rebecca Kolko
4 months ago
My brakes were never fixed. There's a strange noise coming from around the tires. This place should not be in business

  Matt Crean
5 months ago
Mike was awesome! He got my van out of a tough spot onto the truck in no time.

  Eva Henneberg
a year ago
This was my 2nd time going to Federal Automotive Service & Towing. Both times it was for the dreaded EMISSIONS EXAM our state mandates. These are not pleasant tasks to have done but we've gotta do what we've gotta do.Both times the whole process was relatively painless. No appointment is necessary. They work quickly and efficiently. They're also very pleasant. I intend to continue going there in the future.

  David Pakus
7 months ago
Went in for an emissions test that I later found out wasn't necessary with the specific size of vehicle I had with me. The place told us no one else in Danbury could do diesel emissions...we later found out that wasn't true as well. When they tried to pull the vehicle in to their shop the guy driving it stalled it out multiple times (6 speed transmission) and it caused a check engine light to come on. The tech then tested the vehicle and told us it failed.$20 and a headache later I find out from the state of CT DMV and a different shop that this vehicle does not require emissions testing as it's over the weight limit. I understand I should've done more research but was surprised when the next place I went to immediately told me "This vehicle doesn't need or require emissions testing, only a VIN verification and that's already completed."Will not recommend or return to Federal Auto.

  Ann Murray
6 months ago
Excellent service, done quickly. Very accommodating and reasonably price. Thanks!

  Kevin Keohan
3 years ago
Lazy and sketchy. Don t know anything else but I used to be a towing manager and this is just lazy. I don t care if you re just driving a mile down the road. Tough on winch and pretty sure that rear transit point isn t up to the task.

  Princess Butterfly
2 years ago
I went to them for second inspection after Firestone failed the inspection and broke something in my car (they have a history of doing that). Although my car could not pass inspection at that time, the people at Federal were nice and did not add more problems to my vehicle. They explained things well.

  Carol Culver
9 months ago
I was very pleased with the work they did - oil change, spark plugs, and belt. I appreciate their recommendations for other work that should be done.

  Carl & Lisa Navarro
7 years ago
After visiting my dealership for a routine oil change and being told I needed a whole host of things that made no sense, I went to Federal Auto. They checked out the car and confirmed only one of the items might make sense to replace. They then quickly made the repair and had my car ready the next day as promised! Courteous, Fair, Helpful... where else can you go for a customer service experience like that!!!

  Tori P
7 years ago
Quick and effective fix, good customer service. Our car broke down after dark on New Years weekend on our way back from a road trip. Federal was quick to arrive and pleasant to deal with. They were able to fix our car early the next morning and have us back on the road before 10 AM.

  Melissa Fox
3 years ago
Have used Federal Automotive a few times over the years. Every time I go there, they are consistently professional, friendly, fair and most importantly, honest. They are a pleasure to do business with and will continue to use them and recommend them.Services: Exhaust, Auto engine diagnosticServices: Exhaust, Auto engine diagnostic

  Candace Maccomb
5 years ago
came in for a simple emissions check, everything was fast, straightforward, and friendly. this place gets a lot of business and the customers look like people that don't deal with BS and know where to take their cars. My receipt included a coupon for $5 off an oil change and every 3rd oil change free! I'll be back.

  eddy dee
2 years ago
had an accident on my 2008 scion, they towed it less than 2 miles to their shop. when i called next day they charged me 423 dollars to take the car out, and they first tried to charge me $618. some one complain about price and since i heard the complain they also lower my fee. (still extremely overcharge). i couldnt go to get my stuff out my car till i paid the overcharge fee. when im taking my stuff out the car. they stole my makita drill set worth about $500. and my ray bans sunglasses worth like $250. and asked them about it and they played it off and stole and kept my items. shady mf. consumer affairs and law enforcement should do something about this business and their workers.

  Mark Meyer
11 years ago
I've been a customer of Federal Towing for about 10 years. They are terrific! Most of the guys are friendly and very knowledgeable. I started using them after my old mechanic couldn't figure out why my truck kept hesitating. After a short ride with a Federal Towing mechanic I was told what the problem was. They fixed it and I have been a customer ever since. I noticed some of the other comments suggested FT are expensive parts changers. The last time I took my truck in, they charged me about $17 for whatever was wrong with it. Imagine that? I think that speaks to their integrity.The guys keep telling me to get a new truck. I keep telling them that as long as they keep maintaining and fixing it, I'm saving too much money vs. getting a new car/truck. You ought to give these guys a try.

  Robert Jacques
4 years ago
Not a great experience. Work seems competently done. Told it d be done well before 2 in the afternoon on a certain day. Made sure to mention multiple times to the shop that I had to move out of my dorm by six that same day. Not ready at three. Arrived at four thirty. Waited in shop for an hour and a half for car to be ready. Wait was partially due to the shop s unforeseen door maintenance but was prolonged because the car they were currently working on was blocking the exit of my car. Blocking it for an hour with apparently no possible way for them to get it out. Bit irritated now but nothing I could do. More irritated later on because of something I noticed on the bill after the fact. Most if not all mechanics I ve used in the past will charge for a diagnostic service to find out what problem really is. All shops I ve been to (and this is generally the industry standard. If they tell you otherwise, they re lying) have waived the diagnostic fee if you buy the repair from them. Federal, however, decided to keep the $115 diagnostic fee attached to my bill, despite the already $1000 they charged for the service. To top it off when I was originally quoted the cost, it was roughly the same as the service without the diagnostic fee. Will not be going back unless it s to get that charge reversed. Besides, Meineke on Main Street is cheaper and faster.

  Susan Travis
4 years ago
We had our Jeep Wrangler break down on the Merritt in CT and Federal, specifically RYAN, did an awesome job taking us back to Pennsylvania the same evening. It was really late and he was helpful, personable, and a pleasure to ride with for the three plus hours to get us home and safe. He was professional and made sure we were ok at every point of the trip!Highly recommend!

  John Chopourian
8 years ago
I have been bringing my cars to Federal Automotive Service & Towing since they were called Federal Towing and Car Care. I wouldn't go anywhere else. Phenomenal service, thorough explanations and old-fashioned honesty are the order of the day at this establishment. Years ago I brought one of my cars there and after looking at it the owner came out and told me that the part I needed may still be under warranty and that before he did anything he wanted me to check with the dealership where I brought the car. Sure enough, it was a free repair at the dealership. You don't get that kind of service at your average automobile repair shop. As I said, I wouldn't go anywhere else.

  LaRon Staples
5 years ago
Federal and towing was wonderful. Jerry was extremely knowledgeable in the repairs that needed to be done on my vehicle. He provided me a ride home while they worked on my car. He called me to give me several options on what needed to be done with repairs. He also provided a ride to pick me up from my home once repairs were done. Jerry is awesome and a true asset to the federal and towing staff. I have referred several of my friends to them and they have only positive feedback. Thanks federal and towing!!!

  Richard Pendergrass
5 years ago
The towing service is great. The desk help leave quite a bit to be desired, however. No smile, no "Good morning". Last time I was there I was greeted with a blank look and "What do you want?". Used to be the friendliest staff in town. Now it's like you're an imposition. They usually do good work though.

  Nick Turelli
a year ago
Says you re open 8-1 on saturday for your hours. Been coming to get my emissions done here for years. Person asks me as if I ve ruined their day, can I help you? I respond, yes I m here for emissions testing. Him, yeah we re closed . But it says 1pm you close. Yeah we re closed. Talk about uselessService: Auto emissions testingService: Auto emissions testing

  James Baldwin
8 years ago
I have had both of my cars serviced at Federal Towing for the past several years and I have never had a problem. If I needed a jump for a poor battery they always came to me in the time stated. I find their staff to be very professional and helpful. I would highly recommend them to all my friends and family.

  Geyce DaSilva
5 years ago
On Christmas Day at about 5 pm I got two flat tires. We called AAA and after waiting about an hour someone finally came. Due to the two flat tires being a result of a massive pot hole, we called the police to get a police report. The tow truck and 911 arrived at the same time and the tow truck driver (license plate number 10906) said if I have to move my truck I m leaving and also expressed that he s not waiting a minute longer. After some back and forth with the officer the tow truck driver LEFT US STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE on a backroad with no street lights and drove away. We weren t asking this driver to go above and beyond. We were asking him to wait 5 minutes so the officer could finish the report. In the time that it would ve taken him to load the car, the officer would ve been done. This company and AAA should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for employing such a disgraceful human being. To leave people stranded on Christmas Day for no good reason is a level of evil I can barely put into words. I ll be reporting this company, the driver, & anyone else involved to any and every agency imaginable. Absolutely disgusting treatment.

  Nic Ylaya
7 years ago
I just had the battery of my car checked and the technician from FAST named Rom who helped me was very thorough and explained to me clearly and honestly what the real status of my battery is. He also showed me my options if I were to change my battery and how the prorating works with AAA. Federal Towing you have one great employee. An example of exceptional service.

  Anthony H
2 years ago
First off happy 4th of July. I happen to be driving by and saw the tow truck driver and decided to ask him is he knew anyone staying open late as it s the holiday, i just needed a plug in my tire cause of a nail. He told me to pull in and show him where it was he then proceeded to help me by taking the nail out and plugging it. Great Guy helped save my 4th highly recommend these professional and out going workers.Service: General repairs & maintenance