What's Wrong At Jiffy Lube?

[225] Jon in Feasterville, PA  Filter

I went to the Jiffy Lube in Feasterville, PA (which since has a different manager) to get an oil change.  As I was waiting in the waiting room, the manager came in and told me my air filter was pretty dirty and would I like a new one.  He was holding 'my' air filter, and I looked at it.  There was a lot of dusty/dirt type material on it and also some oil spots on the filter material.

I had checked the air filter just the day previous, and I really thought that the filter the manager was showing me had a different color design than the one I had looked at the previous night.   Also, I have no idea how oil could get onto the filter material?  Oil would need to be sucked into the intake section?

I'm not used to situations like this, so I assumed he was being honest, and paid for a new filter.   Afterwards, I re-thought about it, and really beleive that was not the air filter that was in my car.  1. the color pattern was different, I am 90% sure.  2. How can oil get onto the filter material, from normal operation of driving?

[224] James in Stockbridge, GA  Filters

[25 April 2006] today i went to jiffylube in stockbridge,ga. i went to have my fuel filter and air filter replaced, my car was running fine when it got there now it wont so much as crank up

[223] Jesse in Omaha, NE  Employee

This is regarding Jiffy Lube #3196 located in Omaha, Nebraska operated by Heartland Automotive.

Four of my co-workers since the location's opening in early 2006 have taken their vehicles to have their oil changed. They associates will provide free services to us as we are neighbors.

To be fair, the associates at this location performed oil changes on two separate co-worker's vehicles without incident. However, on two other separate, non-related incidents, one did not have the drain plug installed correctly on his car causing oil to drain. More recently, another co-worker  possibly had components of his oil pan stripped when being serviced, causing continuous leaking and need for repair to oil pan components.

While I have not confirmed the oil pan damage being that of Jiffy Lube's doing, I most definitely was able to confirm drain plug mistake. Jiffy Lube did fix the drain plug and no damage was done.

This is concerning as it indicates either poor training or lack of attention to detail. Both of those items can lead to mistakes can cause serious, costly damage. I honestly hope Jiffy Lube either revamps the training or hiring process to improve their overall image.

[222] Christopher in Morrow, GA  Engine

On January 18th, 2006, I had an oil change at Jiffy Lube #1568 in Stockbridge, GA.  This is my "weekend" vehicle, so it doesn't see daily driving.  At the end of February, my engine locked up in the middle of the road.  My car was towed to the closest place that I felt that could handle my problem, a Dodge Dealership.  After inspection, Dodge determined that the oil drain plug was missing from the engine, hence all the oil drained out of it causing the lock up.  Jiffy Lube has been the only company to handle my vehicles for several years.

The person I spoke with at Jiffy Lube's corporate office in NC, Greg, said he sent two managers to inspect my vehicle, a regional and a district manager.  They told Greg they test drove my car and nothing was wrong with it, and so that caused Greg to lie to me.  How was it a lie?  After Dodge said my entire engine would have to be replaced, I wondered how Jiffy Lube could say that it test drove fine.  I went by the Dodge center personally.  My car had the exact same milage on it, as the day the tow truck dropped it off there.  So, two people in Jiffy Lube management positions flat out lied about their duties to inspect my car.  The milage is a documented fact, not here say.  That, combined with the fact that my car's key was in a locked area of the Dodge service center and was never signed out, or otherwise given to anyone.

Well, after I made complaints, Greg sent a mechanical inspector out to examine the engine.  The inspector said that the damage done to my vehicle was not linked to the oil change, and so Jiffy Lube was denying my claim for a new engine.  When I explained to Greg that Jiffy Lube is the only place that has handled my oil changes for several years and no one else has touched the oil drain plug, it makes Jiffy Lube responsible.  Greg's response was that the situation may seem that cut and dry to me, but that isn't the case.

I was not happy and I asked Greg for a contact phone number for someone higher on the corporate chain than himself.  I wanted a number to contact the CEO himself.  Greg told me that he can't give out the CEO's phone number.  I argued that the CEO doesn't have time to talk to his company's customers that have issues?  Greg said I was putting words in his mouth.  Well, if you won't give me a phone number, isn't that what you are saying?  I told Greg that I was going to pursue this furthur without his help and that this wouldn't be the last time he hears of this matter.  He sarcastically said that he wished me luck and that this conversation was over...

So, management staff that flat out lie, extremely rude corporate customer service, and my car still sitting in a parking lot.  I am trying to contact higher chains of command on my own.  If they help me, I will gladly update this issue with a positive note.  Otherwise, Jiffy Lube has lost a faithful customer.

[221] Helen in Skokie, IL  Warranty

[220] Dissatisfied Customer  Rear End

Wow I new I wasn't alone!

My last experience was with my 89 Chevy Astro.  A couple of days after the oil change and (fluid check?)  my (the van's) rear end began to whine. I found out that Jiffy (boob) never really checked the rear end oil as when I took the rear end apart the oil filler nut was nearly frozen.  So, I replaced the parts and contacted Jiffy.... no responsibility!  I was shocked as they are supposed to check that level at each change and it was apparently never opened.  Motto: do it yourself and you won't run the risk of these teenagers screwing up your vehicle.

[219]  Jonathan in Logan, UT  Attitude

[218] Jim in Tulsa, OK  Pricing

My daughter just had an oil/filter change on Harvard in Tulsa, OK . They pushed her into a  air filter she didn’t need. The total was $48.24. I’m upset with this rip off.

[217] Lori in Canoga Park, CA   Attitude

Wow, after reading so many pages of problems, I have found everything that Jiffy Lube has done to me and my family, too.  All the tinkering and breaking "service engine soon" lights, air filter problems, transmission fluid problems, brake problems and ruining my wiper blades, is not an isolated event. 

It's almost as if they've trained their people to such things, they occur on such a regular basis.  Yes, I've stopped going to Jiffy Lube, but for a different reason.  I am a woman.  I am very car savvy.  I will not stand for the belittling atitude they give me as a woman.  Their bullying and condescention are appalling!  Especially since I know more about cars than most of their un-trained technicians. 

I now spend a few more bucks and it takes a little more time, but I take my car to my personal mechanic for my oil changes. 

They need to get out of the "sales" business and back in to the "service" business that they started out to be.  Everyone deserves to make a living, but making a killing at the consumer's expense is not good business sense.  If it were, there would not be a site such as this one. 

Too bad for JL.  If they're a public company, and you have stock, dump it now!

[216] Bryan in Tempe, AZ  Transmission

On Friday April 7^th, 2006, I brought my Honda Accord EX into Jiffy Lube at their shop on Rural and Apache in Tempe. They completed their Signature Service Oil Change which includes checking and filling up all other fluids in the car. On the Jiffy Lube sheet it states the my Transmission Fluid Level is FULL.  I drove home and did not drive my car the rest of the evening.

The next morning, April 8^th, I was leaving to California and stopped on Dysart Road off of the I-10 to get food. My car started slipping out of gear and was not able to be driven. I was lucky enough to be near a Budget rental car place and picked up a car and was able to complete my business trip.

I arrived back on Sunday, April 9^th,  and had my car towed over to Greulich’s Auto Service on Alma School and Guadalupe. On Monday, April 10^th,  Greulich’s inspected the Honda and they stated on their work sheet: “CHECK TRANSMISSION, GEARS DON’T CHANGE, SHIFTS BACK TO NEUTRAL????---FOUND---TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOT SHOWING ON DIP STICK ??? NO LEAKS VISIBLE ???  CHECK OUT AND TOP OFF TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDED 2 QUARTS and ROAD TESTED…   it worked for the rest of the day.

On Tuesday April 11^th, the Honda started displaying the same problems as it was before. I took it back to Greulich’s and they recommended to get the car into a transmission specialist to fix the problem. I dropped the car off with Biltmore Transmission Service where their transmission Specialist has worked on, installed and repaired transmissions for over 30 years. The owner of the shop and the transmission specialists at both Biltmore Services and Greulich’s both agreed that it was the fault of Jiffy Lube.

Jiffy Lube started scramlbing for excuses and ways out of this so they asked me for past records of maintenance on the Honda. I sent them records stating that the car is properly maintained. Then, shortly after that scramble where they couldn’t get out of, they sent an inspector.

On Thursday April 13^th,  their inspector at the shop agreed with Biltmore Services that it cleary was Jiffy Lube’s fault but  when I received a call from Jiffy Lube she read a completely different report from the inspector for their company stating that it was my fault that the car had no fluid after Jiffy Lube just looked at it on Friday.

This is a VERY SIMPLE and well documented case. This is a perfect example of how customer service should not be performed.

I am a fair and just person. All I asked them to do was replace what was damaged by the lack of their worker’s skills and for a rental car until the work is completed. Jiffy Lube is being a slimy, weasely company and trying to sneak away.  I am now contacting news stations and attorneys and now I have to pursue this farther.

[215] Marc in Pleasantville, NJ  Overcharging

I WENT TO JIFFY LUBE IN PLEASANTVILLE NJ . I WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TRANS FLUILD CHANGE ..OK GOT THAT. THEN HERE COMES THE SALES PITCH WHILE YOUR AT IT YOU SHOULD GO HEAD AND HAVE YOUR ENGINE FLUSHED WHILE YOUR HERE TO GET ALL THAT SLUGE OUT OF YOUR ENGINE.THEN THEY TRIED TO SELL ME A RADATOR FLUSH. I ASKED HIM IS'NT THAT THE  SAME THING AS MOTOR FLUSH?.HE SAID NO < MAYBE I 'M WRONG BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS>ANYWAY I SAID GO HEAD AND DO IT..SO I GO OUT SIDE TO GET A SMOKE 5MINS  AN THEN GO BACK IN AND SIT DOWN ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER HE COMES IN AND TELL ME ITS DONE .I KNOW THAT THEY COULDN'T GET THAT DONE IN 20 MINUTES OR SO. SO I DON'T THINK THEY DID IT AND CHARGE ME FOR ALL THE SERVICES I ASKED FOR I ASK TO SEE THE FLUSH BOTTLES AND THE OLD ANTIFREEZE .WE DON'T USE BOTTLES OF FLUSH ITS IN A BIG TANK AND ABOUT THE ANTIFREEZE IT GO'S IN TO INGROUND TANKS ... ANYWAY I DON'T THINK THEY DID IT AT ALL AND CHARGE ME $245.79 FOR IT ALL .......NEVER AGAIN WILL I GO TO ANY JIFFY LUBES  PEOPLE WACTH OUT FOR WHAT THEY SAY THEY DO ????????

[214] Customer in Madison, WI  Attitude

I went to Jiffy Lube #3138 in Madison WI for Oil change as I have for the past 1.5yrs.

When I declined to listen to manufacturer recommendations, which I always do, I was yelled at by the manager while in the waiting room.  He would not accept that I simply wanted an oil change and no other services, which is my customer right.  He was very rude and belittling to me regarding my decision to decline manufacturer recommendations.  After changing the oil in my car, which is all I requested, he recommended that I not come back to Jiffy Lube, but rather go to Walmart or someplace else that only does oil changes.  I will take his advice and not bring my business back to Jiffy Lube again.

[213] Barry in Sandy, UT  Transmission

[212] Customer in San Luis Obispo, CA  Attitude

The women that work at this particular Jiffy lube are Amazing! They should make a calendar. Last time I was there I thought I saw double but it was actually twins!  No Joke! I'm a customer for life!

[211] ED in Wall, NJ  Employee

I used to work at the Jiffy Lube in Wall, NJ up until last year. I have been reading through the stories on this website and its amazing how true this stuff is. It is true that the employees working on the cars have little or no training. Tire rotations were the worst because the employees in the store I worked in broke lug nuts on at least 50% of the cars that rotations were done on. Many times the customers weren't even informed of the problem in hopes that they wouldn't notice. We even had one customer whose tire fell off while he was driving on the parkway, luckily he wasn't injured. Also the cokehead manager used to con people into to buying things that they didn't need done on. On the rare occassion when the service was needed it would usually be done half assed or not done completely if at all. For instance customers were charged $60 for fuel system cleanings when there was no accessable air intake to administer the cleaning so they paid $6 0 for a fuel additive in the gas tank that they could have bought for $5 at K-Mart. I could go on but my fingers are getting tired. I will write again with more stories of immoral things done by the Jiffy Lube in Wall, NJ. Store #264 E.F.D.

[210] Chris in Mooresville, NC  Employee

I work at Jiffy Lube store #3149 in Mooresville N.C. Obviously none of your posters have been to my store. Also we have MANY repeat customers who come back to us for service regularly, some of the complaints on here seem to be from people who went into the store with a bad attitude. If all you want is an oil change, just say that! It's our customer service associates job to inform the customer of recommended manufacturer services and offer other services that may be useful to the customer. There is no need to be rude or to get upset because you think we are selling you on something! If your car has 175,000 miles you probably could benefit from our Fuel Injection service, I've used it on over 100 vehicles and never has anyone complained that the service wasn't beneficial. If you want a great customer service experience come see us at #3149!

[209] Employee in Chicago, IL

I am a current employee of Heartland Jiffy Lube, and everything that was said about Heartland Jiffy Lube is true. The stories from Tom and Traci are correct and i for one am ashamed. Don't get me wrong  i love my job but i hate the employer. Heartland is driving the name Jiffy Lube to the ground and other owners of Jiffy Lubes know it and want the problem (Heartland ) TO DISAPPEAR.Not all of the managers of heartland agree on whats going on , but to feed your family and keep your job, you do what you are told.I should not say that , Curt R. does not tell you to lie to customers but believe me he knows whats going on and does not try to stop it . I party with Curt a lot and believe me when i tell you he lives by the quote By Any Means Necessary. Don't be DISCOURAGED  by what you read not all Jiffy Lubes are bad just always ask who owns this Jiffy Lube and if they say Heartland Beware.  

[208] Randy in Thornton, CO  Brakes

In December of 2005 I took my 2002 Dodge caravan to a Jiffy Lube in Thornton Colorado. Roughly three months later my brakes failed completely while my wife was driving my son to school.  I took it in to a brake shop and was told that someone had put a petroleum base substance into my brakes system which eats all the rubber seals hoses and boots.  I contacted jiffy lube and told them what had happened, at which time the denied any and all responsibility. I then was put in contact with the stores regional manager and was told the same thing. After telling them I had no choice but to contact an attorney they agreed to visit the Brake store. The next day I received a call from the regional manager who had just left the store he told me I should get a second opinion, because he believed my master cylinder had simply failed. So at my expense I had my vehicle towed to another brake shop and was told the same thing, my brakes were contaminated.  Jiffy lube collected a sample and sent it off to a lab days ago, and I am still waiting for the test results.

[207] Jackie in Tulsa, OK  Attitude

I want you to tell the Jiffy Lube @ 11^th & Garnett in Tulsa that we have had two very pleasant experiences at their shop.  The employees were friendly, knowledgeable, and quick.  Most places today do not go the least bit out of their way to provide “service”.  Jiffy Lube does and we appreciate you.

[206] Peg in Jacksonville, FL  Engine Light

My husband and I have been loyal customers of Jiffy Lube for over 5 years.  We have both of our vehicles as well as our motor home serviced regularly with Jiffy Lube.  Today on my way home from work, my "service engine soon" light came on and I immediately drove to the Jiffy Lube to have the problem looked into.  Upon arriving, I explained to the employee that my truck was not due for an oil change, but that my service light had come on.  When I asked if he could run a diagnostic check on it, I was told that Jiffy Lube now charges $19.95 for this service.

I am disappointed in the fact that this company has not made any formal announcement to this affect, nor have they considered offering this service complimentary to valued, established customers.  As stated above, my husband and I spend a fair amont of money every three months to maintain all three vehicles, and have done so though Jiffy Lube.  We have always been very satisfied with the product and service that we have received.  However, in light of this new policy, we feel that we may need to reevaluate where we choose to take our wehciles in the future.

I hope that the administration of Jiffy Lube will reevaluate their policy to reatin valuable, establilshed customers like ourselves.

[205] Victim in Park Ridge, IL  Engine Light

Today I went to a Jiffy Lube in Park Ridge, Illinois for an oil change.  When I was there they suggested that I change the air filter.  When I pulled out I noticed that the “service engine soon” light came on in my car.  I immediately went back to Jiffy Lube and they took and electronic device and plugged it into my dashboard.  They lifted up the hood to my car and they guy said they forgot to plug the air filter back into the engine.  He then re-plugged the air filter back into the system and took the electronic device and reset the service engine soon light.  I thought to myself, why is Jiffy Lube playing with computers on cars?????  I then drove out and then noticed that the “Traction Control and Anti-lock brake lights came on and the car felt like to emergency brake was on.  I then drove back again and they said they didn’t know what was wrong with it.  I called the Jiffy Lube headquarters and spoke to Philip and explained what happened.  He then told me to take the car to a repairman and have the repairman contact Don Tanner to see it it’s Jiffy Lube’s fault.  He told me that if it was Jiffy Lube’s fault they would pay for it!  Of course it’s Jiffy Lubes fault, they have no business plugging anything into the computer of my car.  They are strictly there to change the oil.  They are not mechanics; if they were they would be working for Cadillac at a lot more money an hour than Jiffy Lube.  I think it’s absolutely OUTRAGEOUS that someone that only changes oil on cars should be able to use any electronic device that plugs directly into a cars computer!

And for another story, today when I came home from Jiffy Lube I was telling my son what happened.  It seems that he was also at a Jiffy Lube last week, and his car (which is actually my husbands car), is doing the same thing!  This Jiffy Lube was in Franklin Park on Mannheim Road.  Coincidence!  I will be contacting tomorrow about my husbands car also.

Hopefully, Jiffy Lube will do the right thing, or I will take this to the Federal Trade Commission and small claims court.

[204] Jessica in Summerville, SC  Service

Today [15 March 2006] I went to a Jiffy Lube. A south Lubes in Summerville, SC. I told them that I wanted the service where they vacuum the car also because it was full of cracker crumbs.

So a few minutes later they tell me that everything is done. They give me a sheet saying they vacuumed washed the windows and that the oil was a quart low. So I get a block away. I noticed that the windows were still dirty covered with bug splats and the windows have this pollen grime on them. Then I stopped my car and look in the backseat and there are crumbs all over the place in the same places, so it was not just their vacuum not working. So I pull up the oil dispstick and it looks rather dark, more than it should for a supposed oil change.  Before I left I said hey did you push the oil gauge reset button? They asked the service guy who said yes. Well guess what as soon as I turned the car back on, the  change oil light soon came back on so it was not reset.

I then went to a recommended repair shop and said I just took this to a place to have my oil changed but since they didn't do anything else I asked them to I wonder if they really did anything at all. So they checked the oil and said it was a little dirty and it was a quart low.

So anyway I had them change it ..... And now I am livid.

[203] Jim in St. Paul, MN  Fuel Filter

No problems with Jiffy Lube (Penn Avenue, Bloomington, MN) for over ten years, changing oil of our truck and car.  New managers and workers appeared each time I bought a vehicle in.  I had an oil change in Feb and also a replacement of the fuel filter.  A day after, the car wouldn't start, so had it towed to the local repair shop I have used for everything but oil changes.  They found the fuel line crimped, blocking fuel to the filer and engine.  They uncrimped the line and the built-up fuel pressure broke the line.  This turned the car into a potentially flammable object.  The shop patched the fuel line and charged $122, most of it for labor.

Jiffy Lube would only refund their initial charge for the fuel filter, $60, and not the repair, because we had not contacted them first before having it repaired.  I will be having all service at the local repair shop from now on.

[202] Bob in Tucson, AZ  Pricing

I CALLED AHEAD TO YOUR JIFFY LUBE BUSINESS AT 7443 E. BROADWAY, TUCSON, AZ ON MARCH 9TH, 2006 FOR THE COST OF AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE IN MY CLASS A MOTOR HOME AND WAS GIVEN A $30.00 COST PLUS TAX, BUT WHEN I ARRIVED THERE AND THEY HAD STARTED ON IT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE THE USUAL COST OF SERVICING A MOTOR HOME SOMETHING LIKE $81.00.  I TOLD THEM OF THE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION AND STILL IT WAS GOING TO BE SUCH.  I SAID LET ME GET OUT OF HERE THAT'S MY LAST TRIP FOR YOUR SERVICES AND I HAD BEEN COMING REGULARY FOR FOR FULL SERVICES IN THE PAST. FINALLY VIC M. DECIDED TO GIVE ME IT AT THE QUOTED PRICE.  HE ALSO TRIED TO GIVE ME SOMEMORE SERVICES BUT I KEPT TELLING HIM I JUST WANTED AND OIL AND FILTER CHANGE AS I HAD BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE THE LAST SERVICE AND IT HAD BEEN SITTING MOST OF THAT TIME SO I DIDN'T NEED A LUBE AS I ONLY HAD A LITTLE OVER 1,000 MILES ON IT SINCE THE LAST SERVICE.  ANYHOW WHEN THIS SERVICE WAS COMPLETE THEY BILLED ME SOME $43.00 FOR SOME OTHER JUNCK I DIDN'T ASK FOR.  THAT'S 13 DOLLARS OVER THE 30 DOLLARS.  13 DOLLARS IS A LOT TAX IF THAT'S WHAT IT WAS FOR.  ANYHOW YOUR COMPANY IS A SCAM IN MY BOOK NOW.  I DID IN THE PAST HAVE GREAT RELATIONS WITH JIFFY LUBE BUT NO MORE.  I TALKED WITH THE DISTRICT MANAGER TELLING HIM HE'LL BE LOOSING BUSINESS DOING THIS KIND OF BUSINESS AND HE SAID NO PROBLEM THERE ARE OTHE CARS.  YOU WON'T GET MY BUSINESS ANYMORE THAT'S FOR SURE AND THE WORD WILL GO OUT FOR OTHERS TO NOT LET YOU DO IT TO THEM TOO!

Update July 31, 2006:
GUESS WHAT, AFTER MAKING A COMPLAINT TO THE BETT ER BUSINESS AND AFTER SOME TWO OR THREE MONTHS JIFFY LUBE LOCAL MANAGER SENT ME A LETTER STATING THEY WOULD DO A COMPLETE LUBE AND OIL CHANGE FREE AND ALSO THEY SENT BACK THE MONEY I SPENT FOR THE FIRST LUBE. BUT REALLY I CAN'T TRUST THEM ANYMORE AGAIN. I LET THEM DO THE LUBE AND WATCHED THEM THOUGH BUT THAT'S GOT TO BE MY LAST TIME WITH THEM. THE LETTER GAVE A BIG APPOLOGY TOO TO ME! THEY WERE VERY NICE TO ME AFTERALL.

[201] Linda in Mulberry, FL  Radio