Wichita Man Finds Racial Slur on Oil-Change Sticker After Ford Service — Dealership Fires Employee

Larry Martin of Wichita says he discovered a racial slur printed on an oil-change sticker that had been placed on his windshield after a routine service at Rusty Eck Ford.

Martin told WBRC and Kake.com that he brought his pickup truck in for an oil change about two months ago. He said the service initially appeared to be ordinary: 'I got the oil changed. I paid for it. I went about my business.' He later received a call from the dealership asking him to check his vehicle.

When Martin inspected the windshield, he says he found an oil-change sticker that contained the n-word. 'I looked at it, I said, "This can't be real,"' he recalled. 'It felt humiliating. I felt embarrassed that someone would say that and put it on my truck.'

Dealership Response and Investigation

Rusty Eck Ford told local outlets that it became aware of alleged inappropriate conduct and launched an internal investigation. In a statement shared with WBRC and Kake.com, the dealership said it 'does not tolerate racial, hateful, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate conduct in the workplace.'

Rusty Eck Ford in Wichita, Kan.Credit: Google Maps

Based on the investigation, the company said it terminated one employee and met with the Martin family to address their concerns. The business added that the matter remains under internal review.

Family Reaction and Ongoing Impact

Martin's daughter, Kelsey, said she was stunned because her father has been a longtime customer: 'I was completely shocked. It's Rusty Eck Ford. He has a great relationship with them.' She described the conduct as 'inappropriate,' 'inexcusable' and 'disgusting behavior.'

Larry Martin said the episode continues to affect him: 'It carries a lot of weight. Every time I get in my truck ... It doesn't go away. I feel belittled, and I just want to know why.' The family says an apology alone is insufficient to address the harm they experienced.

Rusty Eck Ford did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE. Local outlets WBRC and Kake.com first reported the story.

Note: The original reports used the explicit slur; to avoid repeating it, this article refers to the term as the 'n-word' while preserving the facts of the incident.