I Just Had My First 2025 Tundra Oil Change, They Charged Me $130, Then I Checked, and The Toyota Dealer Never Changed My Oil and Filter

My daughter-in-law purchased a new 2023 Mazda CX-50 from our local Mazda dealership. Fast forward to last month when the car threw an engine light associated to Major Evap Leak in fuel system. She takes the car to the dealership as its under warranty to get the issue addressed. They run the simple diagnostic test and tell her a more extensive test is required and they need a full day, fine we leave the car. Next day they send their assessment and resolution path which is to replace the entire gas tank with the reason of, "she over filled the car and damaged the gas tank." When pressed on what damage occurred the Mazda Master Technician was unable to elaborate. Only that this is a consumer error and not covered by manufacturer warranty and the cost would be $3300.00 to replace the tank or if not addressed she would "eventually not be able to put gas in the tank." ....sooo dad-in-law calls BS on this and takes it to a reputable, local mechanic. Their assessment? Loose gas cap, ECM threw the code once and has not seen the issue since. STEALERSHIP FAIL.

Opened a case with Mazda Corp, Service Writer & Master Tech better be checking the want ads.

And like the article above indicates, if we had signed for the repair, no way in Hades they were going to replace that full tank, they were going to clear the code, print the bill & take the money with no services rendered.

Had the same thing happen to me at Toyota of West Plains MO. Took my tundra for the free oil change that was part of the toyota care thing. I had suspected they were dishonest from earlier encounters. I marked the bolts with yellow paint that had to be removed to do the change. The day before I contacted toyota in Texas to tell them I was doing this. After they said it was done none of the paint had a scuff on it from removal. Told toyota and offered before and after pictures. They said that's ok we don't need them. Nothing was done because dealers are not under controll of the dealerships. This is on Toyota.

I would be skeptical next time. Because usually when you buy a new car the oil doesn't get that dark if you don't change it out. So the dealer just checking the dipstick wouldn't prove anything. So unless the couple went past the recommendation for their oil change for a long time the dealer was lying.

Update: if it's diesel maybe but unlikely.

The owner should have demanded a refund, an oil change witnessed by him & the $200 credit for PARTS purchases. Report the dealership's service dept. to Toyota corporate for investigation & used the $200 for parts only purchases to purchase oil & filters. Then commit to doing his own oil changes & never again allow that service dept. to touch their vehicle.

This is why I won't let anyone service my vehicle without having an “interview” with me first & me feeling like they deserve the privilege of collecting my money for their services. If I get a bad vibe then I move on & find a service provider willing to satisfy my insistence on only the most careful & proper service to my expensive vehicle.

This sounds fishy to me. Toyota offers ToyotaCare with their new vehicles. Free scheduled oil changes, tire rotation, etc. for the 1st 2 years of ownership. Why are they paying for an oil change on their Tundra when it should be covered for free?

Nothing mentioned about the $130 that was paid for the service that should have been free. That means the generous $200 credit was only worth $70. I would not trust this dealer to touch my car again.

What's with another article trashing Toyota? Every brand has bad service (and sales) departments. It's gotten worse since the dealerships are uñdependent.

This isn't a story about Toyota, it's a story about a dealership. Happens all the time across all brands, including Subaru. Bad reporting.

This happened to me once at a Toyota dealership in Louisiana. I always used the dealership thinking it was better for my Camry. I had an oil change done and right away noticed that glove box was open. (This is where the cabin air filter was). I drove down the road and a service light popped on that indicated hood was open, so I pulled off and shut the hood, but didn’t think anything about it. Fast forward to next oil change. Service man came in where I was waiting and said my car had no filter in it. So I had been driving around with no filter!! I asked to speak to the manager and same thing happened to me. Manager made it good but what damage could have been done to my car. I started going to “stay in you car” oil change places!

They should have refunded the $130 either in cash or credit card credit. Then because of the snafu given them a gift certificate either for services or to use if and when they purchase another vehicle.

I always mark my oil filter using a pocket knife and put an X or asterisk on the oil filter. I then take a picture and get an oil change at the dealership. I always check after if they replace my filter and changes my oil. Can’t trust these dealers unless you personally know them.

We had a 2020 Rav 4 brand new in 2020 and went for its first FREE service oil change and tire rotation. Somehow it made it home safely. Then I took it down the street to the gas station. About 400 feet out of my driveway the back right rear tire started rattling and ultimately flew off leaving the car on its disc brake. The tech never tightened the lugs or do a check afterwards which is the process for safety. If we were going highway speeds it could have been deadly. They apologized big time and sent a tech to the side of the road and took it back to Toyota. I demanded new breaks amd full check of the suspension. As the disc took a huge hit.

That's just one story. I mark my tires discreetly before going and 4 out of 5 times the tires have not been rotated. Also check your fluids before leaving on most occasions 1 fluid will not be touched. Like wiper fluid.

They just turn and burn service to take on the workload that is overwhelming.

This is Toyota Tallahassee.

After all that mess over the years with 3 Toyotas in my driveway I dont pay much for service to keep my mouth shut. Love Toyotas hate the service department.

Even when my under full warranty 21 4x4 sport had the emergency break literally break and lock up my truck they wanted $600 to fix it. They said it's not covered under warranty because there was dirt under my 4x4 off road vehicle. The tech even said I should have power washed the under carriage before coming in. I was extremely angry. Told the manager to explain why my off road vehicle is not covered under warranty for a little dirt. As I do not off road very much at all. I got really upset in fron of all their potential customers and they quickly stopped me and fixed it under warranty.

Long story short great vehicles with crap service. They just want money and have no regard for safety or longevity so you will buy another when your engine seizes or you get into a wreck.

/rant

I would reccomend every vehicle owner check their oil before taking it to the dealer . Use a clean paper towel wipe the lipstick. Write on the paper towel the date/time checked. Then when you return home from the dealer do a recheck. You should be able to see if the oil and filter were changed.

So, these folks went mudding, and then took a filthy truck to the dealer for an oil change?

I perform my own oil changes on my cars but I know several people who this has been done too and they have lost their cars due to no oil being put back in the car. If possible always mark your oil filter before getting your oil changed. Wait until you get ready to pay and then ask for your old filter. This will tell the story.

And stuff like this is why I never go to the dealership for service (except for a warranty item).