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CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team is delving into consumer complaints about vehicles being rendered inoperable following allegedly faulty oil changes.
To help car owners avoid expensive repairs and stay safe, there are some essential tips to keep in mind.
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Reports are emerging of engines failing and drivers being stranded after experiencing what they describe as “bad oil changes.”
The I-Team is investigating how motorists can safeguard their vehicles against such incidents.
Reverend Willie Tyler recently received a Chevrolet Equinox as a gift from his son. So, why has it become unusable?
“Is the car completely non-functional?” the I-Team inquired.
“Yes sir,” Tyler said.
“All this from an oil change?” the I-Team asked.
“Yes, sir,” he replied. “I don’t know what to think.”
Tyler says the car stopped running shortly after getting an oil change from a Jiffy Lube location in the 2400 of Sullivan Road in Aurora.
“I saw some smoke,” Tyler said. “I didn’t know what it was. So, I thought it was somebody else. I kept going and then I looked up again and looked down at my car, it says oil pressure low.”
He says Jiffy Lube techs discovered the wrong oil filter had been used.
“I just want this fixed,” Tyler said. “I’ve been wanting this fixed.”
Rev. Tyler and his son Timothy Tyler said the Jiffy Lube offered him $3,339 for a used replacement engine, but they said that wasn’t acceptable. Their mechanic said a new engine would run $8,237.
“My parents are elderly,” Timothy Tyler said. “They need a vehicle to get to and from their appointments. I have contacted corporate office and all that’s happening is we are going in a circle… I called you Jason ]Knowles] because I have seen what you have done in the past.”
After the I-Team got involved, Jiffy Lube paid them that $8,237 for a new engine.
“I really appreciate you, Jason, for getting involved,” Timothy Tyler said. “It did help a lot.”
However, they say they still lost thousands on transportation costs.
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Greg Gold says an oil drain plug was left loose in his vehicle after going into a Jiffy Lube in the 6900 block of Cermak Road in Berwyn.
“The minute I left the oil change; the car dumped all of the oil out,” Gold said. “The oil light came on. I pulled over, the engine started knocking, and the engine seized up right there.”
Like Tyler, Gold says Jiffy Lube admitted to the mistake, but that the verbal offer was too low.
“They offered me $2,000,” Gold said. “I said that’s well below what the car sells for.”
He says he told Jiffy Lube that the I-Team was involved.
2 shot 43:50 “JK: they knew you were on the phone with us, what happened? GG:
“That shook them up quite a bit,” Gold said.
Then he says they gave him a $ 5,500 settlement for this new car. The local store said it was committed to investigating and resolving the matter after gold requested more money.
Jiffy Lube International, Inc. told the I-Team that most stores are operated by independent franchisees, which value customer feedback, and that Jiffy Lube is “committed to supporting a consistent and high-quality service experience across its nationwide system of 2,000+ service centers… the respective franchisees worked directly with the customers to address and resolve their concerns. We appreciate the input received and view all feedback, whether submitted directly or through our franchisees, as an opportunity to reinforce operational standards and support continuous improvement.”
So what should drivers know before they get an oil change or maintenance check? Take these shields down and inspect everything.
Frank Guske of Wells Automotive Service says mechanics should raise the vehicle in order to do a comprehensive check of the car you have to be underneath. Verify that the correct manufacturer replacement parts will be used, if needed, and don’t rush.
“When you go into your doctor for your physical, you don’t want him to be done in 10 minutes, you want him to take his time, you want him to look you head to toe to see any problems that you have,” Guske said.
The I-Team also found that two different franchisees that own the local Jiffy Lube locations mentioned in this report have dozens of oil change and repair complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau, from their stores across the nation.
The two businesses noted that they’re committed to making things right with customers, that complaints are a small fraction of their business, and the vast majority customers are happy.
The BBB also says both franchisees have responded to complaints and addressed concerns
