Jiffy Lube drained transmission pan and overfilled oil

Jiffy Lube fvked my college girlfriend's beater. Wrong fluid in wrong place or something. Transmission in engine or engine in transmission. She never saved the receipt and they never took responsibility.

Her Dr Daddy simply bought her a nicer used car.

Start keeping notes now when you are not too far into this. Detailed written timeline with paperwork to support. What is done or who you speak to on any given day. What they say, what you do next. If your manager basically admitted they over filled your oil make a note of that conversation. That would be important later if you're having this conversation and he bought that up on his own. It needs to be mentioned up his chain that *he* asked *you* if your oil might have been overfilled.

If one guy says video says they did nothing wrong and another says no video this contradiction needs to be noted. That by itself is also a problem for them.

 

I hope you are recording and documenting absolutely everything. If you haven’t already, you need to start a diary of what happened, when it happened, who, when, and what was discussed. This will make your case much more convincing if it does end up going to court.

 

For your reading pleasure.

11/11/2023 – Had a standard oil change completed at Jiffy Lube in Prescott Valley AZ. 10:15am 143,159 Miles

11/11/2023 – That afternoon, I took the truck to Flagstaff AZ. During that trip, I noticed some issues with the acceleration and shifting of gears in the truck. No warning lights on dash were present. It was almost like the truck’s computer was limiting revs, and gear shifts. The truck seemed to run ok at constant speeds (most of trip to Flagstaff).

11/12/2023 –Drove back to Prescott from Flagstaff. Noticed same symptoms as previous day while trying to accelerate. Again, most of the trip was at mostly constant speeds. As we got closer to home, a check engine light did come on.

2/23/2024 - Truck now with 143,393 Miles. The truck was not driven as I believed I had a transmission issue, and I didn’t really have the time to deal with it. I did a bunch of research and talked to a few mechanics in the area as to what the issue may be and what could be done. It was recommended that I complete a “Drain and Fill” procedure which involves simply draining the transmission pan, and then filling it back. Then getting transmission to certain temp and checking the level. While performing this, with a cold truck, the pan only drained a little less than 1.5 quarts. This was a bit surprising as most people said it would drain between 3 and 4 quarts. Filled the transmission with 2 quarts and did procedure to verify level. It did not check so added another quart with same result. After putting in 6 quarts, the check plug drained a little less then ½ quart indicating that the transmission was over 4 quarts low on fluid.

Trying to figure out why this would be the case as the transmission was not leaking and had not been recently serviced. I traced back anything that had been worked on in the truck and the last thing was the oil change.

2/23/2024 – Called Jiffy Lube and spoke to the manger Jeremy Davidson. I asked him if they could have possibly by accident drained the transmission pan? He indicated that it would be possible on that truck but highly unlikely. I let him know what I had found, and he said that they had cameras in all their bays and that he would pull the footage. It was later in the afternoon, and he said he would try to get to it that evening if not the following day. He also asked me if the engine oil was overfilled. I let him know that I had no idea if it was as I had not checked the engine oil as I believed I was having transmission issues, not engine issues. I let him know I would check it. He said he would get back to me and would even show me the camera footage after he had the opportunity to pull it up.

2/23/2024 - Checked the engine oil level with the dip stick. It shows the oil level twice as far on the dip stick from. See photo.


At this time, I started to put some things together. I have had my truck serviced at Jiffy Lube several times in the past for Oil Changes. The oil pan sits underneath a skid plate on my truck and every time I get my oil changed, there is usually some drippage on the ground for a few days after the oil change from oil that gets on the skid plate. I usually clean it with a rag, but it will still drip a little. After this oil change, and not driving the truck for a time, there were no oil drops and the no oil on the skid plate.


2/24/2024 – I had not heard back from Jeremy at Jiffy Lube so I decided to stop by and see if I could meet with him in person. I soke with a “Sam, manager in training” I can’t remember his name. Very nice guy and indicated that they had not had a chance yet to pull the video up. But they did look into who performed the service on my truck and it was a former assistant manager who had “walked out” on them, and another employee who no longer works there. I showed him the video and photos of the oil level and let him know that I was not comfortable driving the vehicle given that the oil level was so high. He said he would talk with Jeremy, and they would be getting back to me.

2/24/2024 – As I was leaving Jiffy Lube, I turned on my radio and there was a Auto Time talk show on the Local KYCA AM station. I called in and discussed my situation with them and inquired about what I should do. I made no mention of where my service was done. The panel of “experts” on the show recommended that I have the transmission and engine looked at as running the truck with transmission fluid that low and oil fluid that high most likely caused some damage to the Transmission and Engine.

2/26/2024 11:18am – Called Jiffy Lube to speak with Jeremey. Manager in Training (Sam) came on the phone and let me know that Jeremy was on the phone with corporate and he would call me in about 30 min.

2/26/2024 1:06pm – Called for Jeremy. Sam answered the phone and I was told that Jeremy had just gone to the bank. I let Sam know that Jeremy never called me back and he said he would remind him when he got back from the bank.

2/26/2024 4:29pm – Called JL again for Jeremy. This time was able to speak to him. He said that he spoke with his district manager and said that (Eric) who said he looked at the video and that no fluid was taken from the transmission. Also that “if it was 4 qts low, it would not have made it out of their shop.” Also, “if the oil was overfilled 6-8 quarts, that it would have been smoking right away” I asked for Eric’s phone number and Jeremey said he could not give me his direct number, rather I would need to call corporate to get a hold of him.

2/26/2024 4:40pm - Called corporate office in NM. Left a message for the “operator” to give me a call.

2/27/2024 9:30 am – Have not heard anything back from the corporate phone number given. Submitted feedback complaint on Jiffylube.com

2/27/2024 – Jeremy called me and said he spoke with his manager and that he wanted to come by and look at the truck.

2/27/2024 1:25pm – Jeremy and Sam came to my house. They checked the did stick and said that the engine was a quart to a quart and a half overfull. Based on the dipstick level. Jeremy then called Eric (Regional Manager) and Eric says that they did nothing wrong. “How does he know that I put the transmission fluid in” I asked about the video, and Eric said that he had not seen the footage and that he doesn’t believe its available as too much time has passed. (Even though Jeremy told me yesterday that Eric had reviewed the footage and that it didn’t show anything being done to the transmission.

 

Also Get an email address from a manager and memorialize every phone conversation by summarizing it in a follow up email. They may blow off email only communication. And also be very careful about recording phone calls, laws about that can vary by state.

 

Did Goofy Lube service your truck the prior oil change? If so, they're really going to have a hard time talking their way out of this one.

 

Yes, they have serviced it before. And when they had in the past, the oil would always spill onto the skid plate and drip for a few days. This time it did not do that.

 

I suppose the three months passing between the oil change and the discovery could lead to some dissension. But it’s great that you are memorializing all discussions. If i could give some advice, use exact quotes of conversations to the extent possible and as someone else suggested, get the email of the person with whom you speak to. Send them your recap of the conversation; start with:

Dear Eric,
Thanks for the conversation today. I wanted to memorialize our conversation and have done so below. Please let me know if you have any questions. (And include the entire conversation and events.

This IS admissible in a case ; lack of response could be interpreted as dismissive and if they would like to rebut any of the recap that can do so. It’s always a good idea to document with as much detail as possible (but do NOT record the conversations unless legally allowable).

 

Thanks Shawn. At this point I only have the stores phone number. I have a case open with "corporate" in which they provided me an email. I sent them a follow up email after I talked with Eric and the Manager. Also, just got off the phone with the franchise back office support people who are going to try to get me in touch with someone.

 

man I hate this for you and hope it all works out easily and in your favor. Be persistent. Most of all good luck and I am sorry this is happening to you

 

Thanks Man. I appreciate everyone supporting me on this. What a pain. Pisses me off when the regional manager basically is calling me a Lier! and that they (Jiffy Lube) did nothing wrong.

 

As much as this sucks and jiffy should be held accountable, I just don’t see that possible. 3 months passed before you even checked the oil level. I check weekly on my truck and wife’s van regardless of when oil change was done. I’m sorry l, OP. Use this as a growing pain

 

I know it's been three months, but only 230 miles. Those Miles were driven right after oil change (Same Day). Why would I check the oil? Didn't know JL was involved until transmission was found to be 4 qts low. I am just glad it gave me some trouble so that I didn't keep driving it. What if I had been driving it for the last 3 months with no issues until now? Would you still feel the same?

 

LOL, Yeah, the Jiffy Lube manager who came to the house said there was only 1 - 1.5 qts to much in there. I agree with everything else. Sad that even simple oil changes need that much attention.

 

You should have checked the dipstick before leaving, yes. Im not blaming you but it’s our responsibility to always minimize the risk.
Your doctor gives you instructions for metoprolol 5mg BID and pharmacy Messes up and fills a script for 25mg BID. If you don’t verify your doctors orders to your prescription you very well could wind up in a casket…

 

Yes, I could. And that pharmacy would have a much higher insurance primum next year. That's call malpractice. Exactly like what they did to my truck!!!

 

That’s not the point.. the situation sucks but if you don’t have the time or capability to do an oil change, verify that it was done before you leave. You would have noticed it was overfilled. Maybe would have led yo someone getting under the truck and noticing the drain plug for tranny was wet and it would have been towed to the dealer. no this is not your fault but we do have a degree of responsibility

 

Litigation is expensive. It sure sounds like JL did something wrong, but may be best to move on with life if you can. Does the truck operate correctly with proper fluid levels at this point? I’ve corrected this exact situation for other cars with no ill effects that I ever heard about (new DIYers messing up their first oil change in both cases…education came free with the fix).

 

This might be the way to go if you can’t get anywhere with jiffy lube corporate. The upside is that you have only put 250 miles or so on it before it was discovered and maybe there was t permanent damage to the transmission. The cost of a lawyer and the litigation process could prove more expensive than the fix and take many months if not years. These corporations have a lot more money and means than we do unfortunately

 

I wonder if you got a mechanic to write up how they screwed up your truck and the cost to fix it. And you went to the sidewalk in front of the business and walked around with a big sign saying what happened, how long untill they give in and own up?

 

they stripped my front dif plug and never went back after. Bunch of crooks don’t call em don’t complain waste of time.

 

Never, and laugh at you.

 

Subd. Never again. We've all been there.

 

You may want to contact one of the consumer affairs division at a local news station. No business likes cameras showing up.

 

One of my friends had the same issue with Jiffy Lube where they fucked his transmission in his F150. Jiffy Lube never took responsibility but lucky the extended warranty picked up the $7000 tab

Moral of the story? Don't take your precious truck / car to amateurs.

 

There's not much I can add here. All the good advice has already been given. But following up and keeping records of everything is in your best interest @JoshAZ4x4

The person who promoted emailing is IMHO the best way to communicate. When insurance companies and corporations want to drag their feet, having records of details in email is super helpful if and when you have to go to court. And you can find a lawyer who will take your case without money upfront. I wish you the best. This situation is just awful.

 

Geeze, I didn’t initially realize it had been three months since the OP realized the issue. Will definitely make things much harder, but hoping things work out.

 

Yeah, That is kind of a shitty thing I agree, but I thought it was my transmission. Didn't think it had anything to do with the oil change I had done. Didn't want to deal with a transmission issue and as I did not at the time have an immediate need to use the truck, I waited until it was convenient for me to diagnose the transmission issue. It's not like I drove 1500 miles on it either.

 

UPDATE:

I had my mechanic drain the engine oil and there was 14 quarts of oil in the truck. Jiffy Lube rep said based on the dipstick reading, it was only a quart to quart and a half overfull. Mechanic also said it looked like the filter was old too. He has it all on video and will be sending to me later today!!

 

Oh damn