What's Wrong At Jiffy Lube?

HELP US form a critical mass which will encourage Jiffy Lube to make improvements.

1. Add Your Experience.  We may add it to the following Personal Experiences of others. Show others that they are not alone.
    

2. Determine whether remedies suggested by others are appropriate for your situation.  People like yourself have offered various remedies. 
   
   Check-out our newest addition -- Option 11. Go to Small Claims Court.  Jiffy Lube may not show up and you may get a default judgment...
    

3. Tell others about this website.
    

4. Click Here if you want to send an email directly to Jiffy Lube. 
   
   If you also send a copy to us at victim@jiffylubeproblems.com, we will consider adding your experience to our website.
    

5. Tell your legislators about Shell Oil.  If they neglect well documented problems here at Jiffy Lube, then how can they be trusted to do the right thing when they want to explore, transport and refine energy.  Shell may pay more attention if the stakes are higher...

Personal Experiences

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• Add Your Experience

• Indexed by State The higher the identification number, the more recent the unedited and unverified experience.

[800] Tom in Jacksonville, IL  Sue Us!...

[799] Edward  $30/Quart

I had been taking my tow trucks to Jiffy Lube for years. Suddenly, the price was doubled for an oil change from about $30 to $60. I was told that their regular change included 6 quarts of oil but since my truck used 7 quarts, they had to consider it as a commercial truck and that was why there was an added price. I paid the price (which came to $30 for a quart of oil) and left. I wrote to Jiffy Lube and they told me the policy was correct and that I was charged the correct price. Now I take my tow truck, pickup truck, and both of my personal cars to the local Chevrolet dealer who does them for less than $30 per vehicle – a fair price. 

Then one day, a nearby Jiffy Lube called me to remove a Range Rover that an unlicensed employee had driven into the lube pit. I got a good price for my work, Jiffy Lube got to pay for a totaled vehicle.  What goes around, comes around!

[798] Blake in Mill Creek, WA  Fraud

I had my fuel filter "changed" at Jiffy Lube #2598 in Mill Creek Wa.  It had never been changed before and I'd had other Jiffy Lube techs tell me that the didn't change them if they were in the fuel tank.  Well they claimed to have changed it without moving the tank an inch (even though they said they took the tank out).  I verified this by looking at the screws that you have to remove (per the manual) on the fuel filler neck.  Those screws have never been touched and that doesn't include that fact that the bolts holding the bands that hold the fuel tank have never been touched either.  It must have been some sort of special tool that only Jiffy Lube has and knows about that they used to change the filter.  They did manage to spill a little gas on the top of my tank to give the impression that it has been changed though, I'd give them an A+ for fraud.

[797] Jennifer in Everett, WA  Forgot To Replace Oil

I went into Jiffy Lube [store number #2598 in Mill Creek]  to get my transmission fluid changed, and agreed to get my oil changed as well on our 1997 Chevy Blazer.  Not only did I have to wait 2 hours for the service but once I left the station my nightmare began.  I pulled out of the shop and did not make it more than half a block and the car DIED in the middle of a busy road.  I was at the intersection to make a right hand turn and stranded.  I can't even begin to explain the emotional distress of being almost 6 months pregnant, alone and dealing with extremely angry drivers wanting to make a turn at the intersection. After calling the tow truck, getting help from several family members and others we finally got the car out of the road, however the car would still not start!  After several hours of messing with the car and even buying a new battery, we started checking other things.  THERE WAS NO OIL in my car.  I was left with a useless motor.  After towing the car to the mechanic it took less than 10 minutes for them to verify that it was FROZEN because of lack of OIL!  The Jiffy Lube manager was really nice and helpful, but his company is not backing him up.  We were able to get them to agree to replace the motor, however they are getting the replacement from a JUNK YARD.  Our engine has never had problems in the past year and 1/2, and obviously it was really clean inside if it didn't even have enough sludge to make it an entire block, and now we are getting a motor that could be garbage.  This all happened on Wednesday, it's now Saturday and even after requests we still have no rental car, and have yet to be refunded for the Oil change.  And we still have another week before they expect our car to be done.  There are lots of other issues I haven't even mentioned with missing work and everything else and I am just appauled by the Jiffy Lube Corporation. 

UPDATE 15 Oct 07: We got the motor changed however there were 2 oil leaks, and neither Jiffy Lube or their Mechanic will fix them.  Also the motor was not installed well and vibrates excessively and again no one will fix it.  We were supposed to get a 6 month warranty on the engine, obviously that's a lie just as much as the fact that they said this motor would be "the same, or better" than the exsisting motor.  When I asked for a refund the manager at the Jiffy Lube offered me a free oil change instead.  I won't go back even if it is free!

[796] Bill in NJ  Coupon Problems

[795] Advisor  Advise

I am in no way defending jiffy lube or its employees but I can offer some information to the public that may help. 1 all cars need service weather or not you take it to jiffy lube or the dealer your not going to get a super hero working on your car. 2 are the dealers not aggressive for the work as well? Most of the time at 2 times the cost, 3 lube centers and quick tune facilities can offer the same service at half the time and price as and dealer or private shop with tech’s that are just as well trained if not better in some circumstances . 4 I see complaints about pricing , I can go to Lowe’s and buy a electrical socket for 1.50 but if I call a electrician to come install it its $150 . 5  I see people talking about jiffy tech’s trying to meet there numbers, well , go work for any company in America that serves the public, everyone has to meet their numbers , Mcdonalds wants speed in the drive through , Sears wants you to sell credit cards , circuit city wants to sell service packages when their already covered by man. Warranty , the point of all this is that the corporate money machine know as America is not fair but its our job as consumers to pick someone that we trust and stick with them.

[794] Christine in Chicago, IL  Bait & Switch

[793] Dan in Canon City, CO  Unfulfilled Services

[792] Victim  in Port Jefferson, NY  Lying & Cheating

[791] Nilson in Ventura, CA  Predatory Services

I have a corporate account with my company that pays for services rendered to my car.  I recently received a brand new Chevrolet SUV for business purposes that I drive on the highway only.  After about 4 thousand miles, I took it to the Jiffy Lube in Ventura, CA.  They tried to bill my company for 80 dollars- they wanted to charge me for a new air filter and some other parts that don't need to be replaced after 4K miles.  They figured that I wouldn't really care because it was my company picking up the tab!  When I complained that what they were doing was dishonest, the manager would not come out and deal with me, instead he used the little girl working the front counter to relay messages to me.  I would love to kick his ass.

[790] Bill  Lying

[789] Robin in Aurora, CO  Voided Check

I must say what I have read and heard the $19.99 issue is causing some major issues.

I would like to join the suit listed on the website regarding Jiffy Lube:  (1) The company pushes "mechanics" to make sales that in turn causes the "mechanics" to place undue pressure on consumers and often causes the "mechanics" to recommend services and products that are unnecessary.

Nature of my complaint in detail:  I went to Jiffy Lube on 9/21/07 Friday around 430ish pm.  I pulled in and requested a Basic Oil change the management special for $19.99 the gentlemen told me okay.  Well at check out time the clerk advised that my total was $37.54.  I said I only requested the $19.99 special and he told me that they no longer have that special.  I asked why didn’t the gentlemen tell me and he said I don’t know I asked him to call the gentlemen in that advised that they can give me that special price, he refused and said that he do not want to embarrass him since he just started 2 days ago.  I advised I don’t want you to embarrass him just confirm that I requested the $19.99 and he told me okay, thinking at least he can give me half off since I was not intending my total to be $37.54.  He refused to so I went ahead and wrote a check for the total of $37.54 on Friday 9/21/07 for Jiffy Lube.  Left and that was that at least I thought.

On Monday 9/24/07 around 6ish pm the police came to my door and advised that Jiffy Lube called them and filed a theft report on me stating I wrote a check for the amount $37.54 and wrote void on it on Monday 9/24/07.  I advised the policeman that I was not there on today (Monday 9/24/07) however; I did go on Friday I have my duplicate check and can show them.  They asked me to go get the check copy; I showed it to them clearly there was no word VOID on it.  Needless to say I contacted the owner Jim the next day at JL and he said he will look into the situation and he or Randy the store manager will call me back. 

In the meantime, I went to the police station to get a copy of the report and they would not give it to me since I was the suspect.  I wanted to see if they had continued to lie on me in the report so I can have that when I go to court but they said it is still open and I cannot purchase a copy of the alleged comments against me from JL. 

The store manager Randy called me back and he was rude and said I need to come in and pay.  Now I have $37.54 to pay and will be paying to 9/25/07 Tuesday when I get off work.  However, I did not write VOID on my check and was not there when they said I was in addition, they charged me something and did work that I did not ask for and the clerk refused to ask the guy who told me that I would get the work requested for $19.99. 

This may not seem big however, I have a little one and she seen how the police were talking and treated me and that they said I stole.  I did file formal complaints on them and I have copies of that and now for JL something does need to be done about how they say you asked for something and you didn’t.  I would like to have a handwriting expert look at the check to see who wrote VOID on my GOOD check so I can press charges against JL for forging and saying I did it and filing a report for theft against me.

What Jiffy has done to me?  Wrote VOID on my check saying I did it, charge me for service that I did not ask for and placing a false police report on me calling it theft.

This is Jiffy Lube in Aurora, Colorado on Havana store # 964.  Jim the owner or at least one of them number is 303-766-4205.

[788] Paul in Wichita, KS  Midnight Call

[787] Dianne in Woodinville, WA  Computer Problems

[786] Ex-Manager  Rip Off Schemes

[785] Josh in Bellevue, WA  Oil Plug Fell Out

Last November, I took my car to Jiffy Lube #2592 for a routine oil change that resulted in them buying me a new turbo.
 
Long story short:  Technician didn't tighten drain plug, it fell out the next day, oil drained out while I was driving.  Turbo started screaming after I started it up with new oil in, took it to my mechanic, he certified the issue was a result of the oil drainage, faxed his statement + estimate to manager @ Jiffy Lube, they wrote me a check for the repairs.  The manager (named Daryl - don't know his last name as he no longer works there) then tells me that he wants me to bring my car back in for it's next oil change so he can take an oil sample to determine if any damage was done to the engine.  I thank him, and agree to do so.
 
THEN, in March, my car begins occasionally spitting white smoke out the tailpipe.  It gradually becomes more frequent and longer lasting.  Hold that thought.
 
In June, I take my car back for it's next oil change (car wasn't driven for nearly 3 months) and oil sample.  Manager has the nerve to charge me full price for the oil change.  I argue that the only reason I'm there is because of the problem they caused.  He gives me a discount.
 
Time goes by.  No word about the oil sample and/or resulting information about further damage to my car.  White smoke from the tailpipe increases in frequency and duration.
 
Last week I took my car to All Wheel Drive Auto (a Subaru specialist shop) for a coolant service + oil change, and asked if they wouldn't mind checking out the white smoke issue.  When I come back to pick up my car and find out some answers, they ask me, "Has your car been run without oil at some point?"  To which I respond, "Gee, yes - just once."
 
Bottom line, my engine is on the way out - oil is getting into the combustion chamber, head gasket might be shot, etc.  This is a direct result of the friction incurred during the short period my car was running without oil in it.  Time for another chat with Jiffy Lube.
 
I call them up Friday, the 14th, speak to the new manager, Willy (the previous one I dealt with no longer works there...), and explain the situation.  He tells me he'll call his supervisors.  Yesterday, I call him again (he was supposed to call me back later Friday), he tells me they are DENYING MY CLAIM BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET AN OIL CHANGE WITH THEM FOR 6 MONTHS.
 
My car was sitting waiting for parts, repairs, etc (plus I was out of town on a business related trip for a while), so I didn't drive my car for nearly 3 months.  Plus, after speaking to two different mechanics, the argument that 6 months without an oil change would damage my fairly low-mileage engine is laughable, ESPECIALLY considering that 3 of those months it wasn't driven.
 
I am now in the process of communicating to higher-ups at JL Corporate, and looking into small-claims court and other options.

[784] Mary  in Bradenton, FL  Wrong Brake Fluid

[783] Lisa in Wilsonville, OR  Drained Wrong Fluid

Today [15 Sep] I took my car in for a signature service oil change. I also purchased an air filter and windshield wipers.  On my way home from work, as I was merging on the highway, I realized something was very wrong with my car -- it would not accelerate properly, and the engine was revving at 5 - 6 when it never goes past 3.  This was a very scary thing for me, because I was in the middle of rush hour traffic and I had a lot of difficulty getting onto the highway.  I had to drive a few miles before I could get off at the next exit and drive back to the store.  I took my car back to Jiffy Lube, and several people nervously worked on my car.  It turned out that, during my oil change, my transmission fluid had been completely drained by one of the technicians, but never refilled.   I was left with no transmission fluid in my car at all. I did not authorize draining my transmission fluid and that is nowhere on my invoice; in fact, the invoice says it was full.  But either way, my transmission could have been (and may still be) destroyed by this error, and I could have been killed.  The technicians refilled the fluid and apologized, telling me that this happens once in a while when new people are hired on.  No one offered me a refund of my money.  In fact, one technician told me that he was out of VIP cards, and instead wrote "VIP 15% Off" on a crumpled piece of paper and handed it to me as a replacement.  I told him that I would never be coming back to Jiffy Lube and handed it back to him.

[782] Ed  Coupon Run Around

after being a loyal customer of Jiffy Lube in June I was offered a buy one get one free oil change and told I would get the coupon in 4-8 weeks.  9 weeks go by and no coupon so I go talk to the local manager who basicly said " call Shell here's the number "  I asked for the regional managers number he gives it to me and tells me " they are going to tell you the same thing "  I call the parent company explaining to customer service I did not have the time to chase the coupon down and though since they offered it they should find it.
 
Basicly I was blown off and told how this customer service agent did not like making the calls to find the coupons either and that it was a problem with shell and it was not them, and she would gladly give me the number to Shell so I could find my coupon.
 
here we are September 14,2007 and no coupon that expires sept 30th anyway.   I filed a complaint with the BBB, and the parent company which I'm sure will be ignored

[781] Den in Orland Park, IL  A $194.89 Oil Change

[780] Katja in Folsom, CA  Skidplate

I own a 2003 VW Passat Station Wagon, which due to my occupation am driving a lot.

Last year in July I brought it in for an oil change in the Folsom-Bidwell , CA location. Driving shortly thereafter on the freeway at 65miles the skit plate fell out from underneath my car. As it was attached now only by its hinges it dragged along the ground until I got to halt on the emergency lane. I found myself underneath the car discovering that Jiffy Lube had failed to put the screws back in. I couldn’t get the back undone, so I had to “MacGyver”  it with some wire back to the bumper of my car. Back to Jiffy Lube to get it fixed. The Skit Plate was slightly damaged. The Bidwell Store referred me to the Cameron Park (#2804) location for repair. They did the best they could with the plate. I swore I would never go back to a Jiffy Lube again.

On 9.04.07 I returned to the Jiffy Lube # 2404, as I needed an oil change, and did not have time for an appointment at my local dealership. I should have known better!!!!

The SAME BLOODY SITUATION!! The skit plate was not fastened and fell out as I was driving along Highway 49. I will spare you the ordeal I had to endure to be able to get back on the road and back to the Jiffy Lube store.

Now the skit plate is heavily damaged, and I have been getting the run around in that store as to the repair/replacement of the skit plate.

I am beyond disappointed in the service of Jiffy Lube.  My next step will be the BBB as well as my lawyer.  
[779] Jeff in La Crescenta, CA  No Visible Fluids

My son took his 2000 Honda Accord into your location #1855, Invoice #07091101853239.  He purchased your package for oil/oil filter change and level checks on all fluids.  Subsequent to your service his car overheated with the heat gauge going into the red approximately 10 miles from your location.  He waited for the vehicle to cool down, and then drove it back to your service facility.  The technicians stated that there must have been a bubble in a radiator hose causing the vehicle to overheat.  When he returned home since he experienced this problems I opened his hood to visually verify what could have possibly caused the overheat.  To our dismay, we found that all the visible fluids that were to have been checked were ALL void 20 to 75 percent of fluids.  The coolant reserve and windshield washer fluid were both so empty that any layman would have been able to view this if it had been properly checked.  Both the power steering and brake fluid levels needed to be topped off and were also visibly low on their perspective fluids.

We are now asking for a return of the $31.50 charge from your Company, as it is quite clear that your Companies technicians did NOT service your checklist as listed on our sales receipt.

[778] Jeffrey in Jewell, OR  Stop Ignoring Me

Well it is 6:16 on Wednesday, September 12, 2007.  On Friday, September 7, 2007 I had a problem with my Toyota Tacoma Pickup.  It was about noon and my check engine light came on and there was a clicking sound coming from the front of my vehicle.  I called Beaverton Toyota and then took my vehicle to them.  Later that day they called and told me that someone had stripped out the stock plug in my transfer case and then replaced it with a larger one that had no washer.  This in turn caused a leak which slowly drained the fluid out of my transfer case then causing my transfer cause to fail.  Now with that said I had just had a full service oil change done at Jiffy Lube on August 27,2007.   And now only that but Jiffy Lube has done all my oil changes since I have owned the vehicle.  I bought the vehicle new and there has not been another owner.  So I called Jiffy Lube on Friday and they said someone would be in touch with me.  Then I called again on Monday and they assured me that someone would be in touch with.  So on Tuesday I called again and they said they had the wrong number, which is hard to believe since they had my records and I gave them my number and then confirmed my number twice.  So now it is Wednesday and yes I called again only to be put on hold for about 1 hour and 20 minutes during which time i was cut off several times and could not leave a message because the mail box was full.  So now it is Wednesday night and still no word from you.  My vehicle has been in the shop since Friday I had to rent a car to get home and I am now still renting a car.  My vehicle is not drivable and the cost to repair the damage was estimated at $3,500.00.  Not only that but I live in Seaside and work in Tualatin which is a commute of about 120 miles a day.  the cost are starting to add up and I have had zero response form Jiffy Lube.  My records show that I have been getting my oil changed at Jiffy Lube since 1999.  I am very disappointed and would like to have my vehicle fixed.  It is what I use for work and the impact of this problem is getting bigger everyday.  I have all my call, oil change, & estimate records.  Please stop ignoring me.

[777] Merle in Shelton, WA  Blown Engine

[776] Bryan  Parking Brake

I am writing to you today because of a problem I encountered with the above-mentioned Jiffy Lube location.    I went in for a simple oil change and in regards to that, I have no issues.  However, when I got into my vehicle after the oil change was completed, the parking brake had been set so hard, that I had a difficult time pressing on the button hard enough to release it.  I didn't think any issue would arise from this, but unfortunately my parking brake is now stuck and I cannot drive my car.  When I parked my car upon arriving home after the oil change, it made a weird "click," but again, I did not think it was an issue.  I have not driven it since the oil change earlier today and when I went to my car 5 minutes ago to go pick up my wife, the parking brake would not release--no matter how hard I pressed the release button.

I called and spoke with the manager of the Jiffy Lube I visited today and he informed me that his technicians are not responsible for the damage done to my car.  I beg to differ.  It is not a coincidence that my parking break is stuck after a Jiffy Lube technician yanked on it.

I now have to take my car into a repair shop and pay for any repairs myself.  This will not only take money, it will take time and inconvenience my family greatly, as this is our only car.

I'm very frustrated with your company's unwillingness to assume liability in this issue and I ask for your cooperation in paying for the repairs to my vehicle.