I wanted to read the really lame excuse. At least they righted their wrong, eventually.

That's pretty bad stripping the transmission fluid plug . It's not like an oil pan plug where many do 2-3 oil changes per year . Too bad : many of these places do things without incident .

They probably tried tighting it with an air gun . You have to be carefull with plugs by tighting with a wrench and not an air gun . It's starts spinning so fast you don't realize the plug has already messed up the threads .

But Jiffy Lube lived up to it's reputation : did things in a jiff and lubed - the customer .

I stopped going to those trained monkeys years ago because besides being incompetent, they are also thieves. 2 times I saw that they never changed my car's oil filter when I went to them and still charged me for one. Complaining to the manager was worthless. I hope you're reading this JL.

I would never take my car (my second largest investment) to a place like this or worse walmart auto.... The dealerships these days are competitive in pricing and offer superior parts and trained service professionals. Lesson learned the hard way after having to replace an engine.

I'm glad the OP got satisfaction using the EECB. Too bad that the shop manager wouldn't take responsibility. I'm also wondering what the lame excuse was.

I've had both good and bad experiences with Jiffy Lube, but I wouldn't risk using them again. The two bad experiences were having the oil so overfilled that it was leaking out from under the car (wasn't the plug, I checked the dipstick and it was very overfilled, took it back and got a bunch of attitude but they redid it), and having a tech and his manager at a different location insist that my automatic transmission fluid needed replacing, with dire consequences if I didn't, until I showed them that the car had a manual transmission and asked them to show me where the bad automatic transmission fluid was.

Wish there had a been a Consumerist back then!

I have mentioned on Consumerist about an incident I had with a local Jiffy Lube who tried to rip me off. I would never trust those idiots again.

In addition to posting about the incident here I have told MANY people about what happened to me. I truly hope that I am at least partially responsible for the location, that tried to rip me off, being closed down.

As albear said, I hope you're reading this JL.

I truly had very little trouble with Jiffy Lube, but aware they can be pure evil and need to be watched. I only use them because I want my oil changed every 3,000 miles and they are next to my office.

However, you MUST make sure to always have a coupon in your pocket off the oil change (easy to get) and NEVER let them do anything except change your oil. NEVER.

The couple times they forgot something small like washing windows as they are supposed to, I quick e-mail to corporate got me a few oil change.

Jiffy Lube knows it is being watched by consumer groups so they are fast to make nice nice when they get caught.

@PLATTWORX: I don't sweat the details with them (like the windows and vacuuming). I just keep my fingers crossed, check my oil level and filter when I get home, and count my blessings that they didn't appear to screw anything up.

Usually I change my own oil or have my normal mechanic do it with another job. But, when in a real pinch, I'll use JL. But I too never let them touch anything else.

The first oil change I ever got (at age 16 I didn't know any better or what an oil change should cost) was from Jiffy Lube. They chared me over $70 for it. My father was so pissed off that they did that to me he went in there and raised holy hell. I didn't get any money back, but I haven't used their "services" since.

Transmission flushes are not always a good idea esp when you consider mileage. That being said, too many of these franchises prosper on people's ignorance about cars, you need to know the basics of what makes your car run to avoid being screwed over on the regular.

I never go to places like Jiffy Lube or Valvoline because their associates are trained in sales, not automotive maintenance. The $200+ transmission flush is something they ALWAYS tell people they need, even when it's just been performed by a real mechanic. Other things they try to push are new oil and air filters, regardless of their true condition.

I'm glad you got your refund plus some, but I recommend finding a local mechanic you can trust and taking your car to them for all future oil changes.

I love how in these stories about a company's response to a total f-up, they throw in some coupons to entice you to come back for more. Way to go!

My husband worked as a mechanic before he went to college and here are some basic tips about transmissions for the OP.

You can check your transmission fluid yourself quite easily. Check it when the engine is warm; cycling through the gears on an automatic transmission before you check it doesn't hurt either.

The fluid should be pink in color and not smell burnt.

If the fluid looks brown, have the transmission serviced at a reputable shop IMMEDIATELY.

Check your fluid every 6 months or so to make sure your system isn't leaking slightly. Leaks can cause MAJOR damage if the fluid level gets too low. New or even rebuilt transmissions aren't cheap.

Most importantly, for the non-mechanically inclined: follow the manufacturer's service guidelines to the letter to keep all of your car's systems in check.

I personally base my transmission service decisions on the condition of the fluid and how the transmission is behaving but that's only because I know what to look for.

My husband is actually in our driveway overhauling the steering system on my 1992 Pontiac Bonneville as I write this. Total cost for new tie rods, steering unit (rack and pinion) and new power steering fluid: $155.67.

Jiffy Lube techs would probably be quite confused with what my husband found while he was working on my car; the GM factory installed lug nuts MELTED into the wheel studs! Note to GM: bad idea to use brass lug nuts on steel studs. This is the main reason why I refuse to buy a new domestic product. I'd rather dump a few hundred bucks a year into my old but reliable car than take my chances with what I could afford new.

I could imagine Jiffy Lube trying to put the lugs back on with the damaged threads, now THAT would be a disaster!

A good way to avoid this is to learn to perform your own oil changes. I live in Madison WI and I can tell you that the city has several free oil drop-off sites for used oil and filters. Most auto stores (any that sell oil, actually) have to reclaim used oil.

That said, I also avoid the quick-change places because they try to force on additional services that aren't necessary. A tranny flush should be done in accordance with your owners manual. Not once have I seen an employee look at the manual to see the history - they just see mileage and dollar signs.

I've had them tell me my coolant needed to be changed about 6,000 miles after a flush, my tranny fluid was "dirty red" which is perfectly normal after 10,000 miles since the last change (so long as it isn't brown or burnt smelling), and that I "needed" a new air filter, despite the fact that it was a K&N filter (reusable).

So I get the supplies (about $20 give or take with regular oil, a little higher for synthetic), an hour on a Saturday afternoon, and do it myself. It's easy. If you can change a lightbulb while lying on your back you can do your own oil changes.

Tranny stuff always goes to a reputable mechanic. I'm not that skilled on them so I play it safe.

@Megan Squier: I cannot agree more on servicing tranmissions/changing fluids based on color and behavior. I'm trying to convince someone that running rough when cold or quickly accelerate with BROWN tranny fluid is NOT a tune up problem . The driver admits it seems likes it's not going into gear . But his mechanic sold him a $225 tune AFTER I pulled the plugs for him to show him they weren't the problem .

100K + miles with NO transmissions service - it's about time !

AGHHH- the very words "Jiffy Lube" burns my ears.

I'm glad this story had a solid, positive ending.

In the years I used them, they managed to clown around on every oil change.

The final straw was when they were topping off fluids and managed to top off the radiator. With engine oil.

Very, very bad. I saw it happen- a cluster of frowny faces circled my car. Their verdict?

"Uh, nothing, no problem here ma'am, uh, here, uh, everything's good to go."

And indeed it was good to go until days later I noticed the gauge on the car panel was registering one very hot engine.

Never, ever again will I use them. The bill was phenomenal and my recourse limited, in my ignorant pre-Consumerist days.

we had an early 90s work chevy S-10 serviced by jiffy lube once. it died less than 5 miles from jiffy lube due to a siezed engine from lack of oil. the oil drain plug had fallen out. Jiffy lube corporate sent a rep out to examine the truck, and talk to the store... and heres the amazing part... actually paid to repair the engine! more than $1500! Everyone involved was polite, and never tried to blow me off or call me a liar. they owned up to what they did, and made it right without a big fuss.

I still take all my vehicles there today!

@citking: heya fellow madisonian!

@u1itn0w2day: No way that's a tune up issue. They need to get that system serviced ASAP! I'd have that car TOWED to the service center.

I've got 110K on my car and usually have to change the fluid every 20K. Once 20K passes and even if the fluid is relatively pink I change it anyway because 20K usually equals two years of mountain driving, including several 900 mile trips through the Appalachians. It only costs me $40 in fluid and a filter so I figure why not do it while I'm thinking about it.

OP's need to learn that knowledge is power when it comes to cars. Its very easy to get conned over when it comes to car repairs.

@TheDude06: You need to tell us what location DOSEN'T suck so we can take our cars there when we are feeling lazy!

I prefer those drive through type little quick change places. You get to stand around and watch them pgysically do the work, so it's harder for them to get away with the poor work that is normaly associated with JL.

@skizsrodt: physically*

@albear: Happened to me too. I had a car the leaked power steering fluid and oil [so I was well acquainted with the under the hood looks of my car].
Took it in for an oil change drove away to the whine of it STILL being low on PS fluid, after they say they "check and fill all fluids".
Sure enough, I opened the hood and saw the same bright orange oil filter that was there when I took it in. Drove back and raised hell with the manager.
Never went back to Jiffy Lube again.

@PLATTWORX: Its kind of sad that a company are only fast to make nice when they get caught.
I'd rather go out of my way than ever let Jiffy Lube touch another one of my cars.

I wish I had known of the EECB 8 years ago...Jiffy Lube did the EXACT same thing to me and my transmission blew in the middle of nowhere on New Year's Day during a snowstorm. I didn't have a cell phone yet, so had to walk a mile to get to a phone, and thank goodness my brother hadn't left for his friend's party yet, or I'd still be stranded! Nevermind the $1200 it cost to replace the dang transmission, I nearly died, and all Jiffy Lube said was it wasn't their fault, and didn't offer anything - not even an apology.

One of my students just had this happen to her, too. I'll suggest the EECB now that we know they're responsive...

@skizsrodt: Yeah, we have a place here in Joplin, MO that I always take my vehicles to. It's Barney's Quick Lube and they're great. Takes me little more than 15 minutes, in and out, and costs me a little bit more, but they do a great job, and everyone is great that works there.

Plus, it probably helps that my dad knows the owners there, and they always tell me to tell him Hi...

@u1itn0w2day: Toyota and Honda (and various others manufacturers ) use a special crush washer on their automatic transmission drain pans that needs to be replaced each time the transmission is serviced, designed to crush(duh) when torques to a pre-determined value. This provides a leak-free-seal and secures the plug without stripping the case. Maybe they didn't have the proper washer on hand or reused the old? With a 15-year old rust belt car with no previous transmission service, it's possible they stripped the plug/pan loosening it; aluminum and steel like to corrode -read weld- together, especially when exposed to road salt.

Yes, J.L. employs some questionable "techs," but I've never seen a pneumatic or cordless power tool in use at any Jiffy Lube.

Regardless, I'm glad they made good on it, and now go find a good independent mechanic!

@skizsrodt: I would have thought that description fit Jiffy Lube. What's the difference, and how do you know which you're looking at beforehand?

After what happened, I don't think I would trust them to do something as simple as change oil, even if it was free.

@burnedout: Thank goodness for your brother! Eight years is a long time to be stranded.

Oooh, I hate Jiffy Lube. I took for an oil change once, and they broke something while attempting to deal with my Chapman lock system. The car wouldn't work. They made it sound like the lock system failed and it wasn't their fault. Well the lock system failed because the idiots who work there didn't listen when I said it has the Chapman lock system and you must unlock it to work on the car. I got it towed to my mechanic and he just disabled the system to make the car work again. The Jiffy Lube manager slipped me a twenty (big money, I know!) to bribe me (I didn't realize this until later, as I was stressed and scrambling to get a tow) which in hindsight I realized is an admission of guilt. Ah, to be young and naive... Well the repairs cost like $300 that I didn't have as a poor student.

FYI this was the Jiffy Lube on Brighton-Henrietta Townline Rd in Henrietta, NY.

Some of us can't do our own oil changes because we do not have our own driveways or garages. Also some of us can't be bothered. At least I know when my local Midas is upselling and they don't dick around with me anymore.

Not surprised. My buddy had a very similar thing happen to him. He got his transmission flushed before a road trip. While driving down I-5 his car broke down. Turns out Jiffy Lube did not properly tighten the nut that was keeping all of the fluid in the transmission. His transmission was ruined, not to mention his road trip. He contacted the Jiffy Lube where the work was done and they told him he was SOL. Then he had an attorney send them a demand letter and guess who shaped up...

They never broke my car, but they always upsold me. Every single time with them it was something. Didn't matter what location I went to. I was naive and didn't know they were ripping me off -- until I found a reputable independent mechanic and was SHOCKED when an oil change only cost $25 and didn't turn into an expensive odyssey of "replacing the air filter, oh both your taillights are out, we need to flush and replace all your fluids…"

Seriously, find a reputable independent mechanic. Jiffy Lube banks on you going there because you don't know where else to go. (Midas does the same thing in my experience.) Get recommendations from people you know and trust, and go check them out with some basic maintenance to see how they treat you.

Jiffy Lube screwed up my car, too. I had a Jetta with a VR6 engine, which takes more oil than 4 cylinder cars, a total 5.9 quarts to be exact. JL put 6.5 quarts in the engine which overflowed and fouled out some emissions parts. When I complained the district manager said it had nothing to do with too much oil (even though my receipt said they put in 6.5 quarts) but that I didn't have them change the air filter 2 oil changes ago.

It took a complaint with the state Bureau of Automotive Repair for them to pay for the damages to the car and the rental car while it was being fixed. Coincedentally, which I was on the Enterprise shuttle to pick up the rental one of the people in the van was someone who used to do PR contracting with Heartland and she said I was in for an uphill battle getting them to pay up. Eventually they did dut it did take about 2 months.

@citking:

That's great if you can do it but some people who live in apartments aren't allowed to do that in the parking lot.

I can (I own a house) but I don't anymore because it's more effort than I want to put out. Besides, my ex has my ramps. :P

I heard a good idea somewhere - put a mark with a Sharpie on your oil filter so you can tell if they changed it or not.

@RandaPanda:

Springfield and I always go to Meineke. I've been going there for a while and they do most of the maintenance on my car. They're familiar with me.

Heh, Dad Power. It's the best. It's why I only have a $50 car payment. :)

@albear: Trained?

Jiffy Lube always tries to get me to buy a service I don't need. I've been going to Brake Check for all my oil changes the past couple of years. Never once have they tried to sell me anything else. In fact, I was there 4 days ago for an oil change and I asked them to check the power steering fluid. They told me it was a little low. They never asked if I wanted them to fill it or anything; just told me what I wanted to know.

They rock. At least the one I use does!

I always went to Jiffy Lube until the day my water pump died because I had no coolant.

Guess where I had just come from.

@Megan Squier: Do NOT change transmission fluid merely because it is brown! The dye used in ATF breaks down quickly due to normal operation. Smell is a good indicator, but not color.

SirWired

@Shoelace: They probably have some worthless disclaimer stashed away somewhere "By doing business with us, you agree that we hold no responsibility..."

@scoosdad: Unfortunately, most people are easily enticed by free stuff. We must learn to stand by our beliefs. Return the coupons, ripped up, with a note saying "I will not return to your establishment under any circumstances."

Fuck Jiffy Lube. Not only do they over charge their customers, but they also rape unassuming women while their kids are waiting for them.

[cbs2.com]

@sirwired: It's not the dye, but the worn components like rings/clutch packs/etc. that contribute to the discoloration.

At the minimum, do it per the manufacturer's scheduled maintenance. If you want to be safe, then do it every 30k or less [u]at a reputable shop[/u]. Fluid is cheap; transmission rebuilds are not.

The last time I had Jiffy Lube change my oil was almost 7 years ago now, when I was in college. Was in and out without incident (or so I thought) and ONLY with an oil change. Found out about a day later that my car was leaking oil, and badly. Brought the car to my mechanic; he puts it up on the lift and immediately diagnosed the problem: "your oil pan is cracked." Turns out that the Oil-Monkey at Jiffy Lube had used an air wrench to put the cap back on (with predictable results, like using a jackhammer to put the cap back on a jug of milk). I was able to prove that the Lube had broken it; my mechanic fixed my oil pan, and per the manager at Jiffy Lube's direction, we sent the bill directly to JL's corporate office.

It was a bozo move by them in the first place, but I was impressed with how quickly they agreed to fix it, and all I had to do was pick up the car from my mechanic. The manager at JL was very helpful. Still, I have since learned to change my own oil (hooray), and will never, EVER go to the Lube again.

I love hating Jiffy Lube for what they did to us. It's a real shame it was 1995 and not 2009. EECB was not a real concept.

This happened with Jiffy Lube #855 back in 1995. Talked me into a fuel injection cleaning. The mechanic took my car for a joy ride and wrapped it around a telephone pole.

End of story is that they took my car off the property without my permission, lied to the police claiming that the pedal was stuck, then lawyered up and drained my mom of money to avoid accountability. In the end they paid market value for a 3 month old car (30% depreciation they claimed) and made my mom cry...WAY TO GO JIFFY JERKS!

If you take your car to Jiffy Lube, you are making a poor choice. You paid thousands of dollars, why would you let a poorly trained hack muck with it? If they had talent, would they be working at Jiffy Lube?