I Took My 2025 Toyota Tundra to the Dealer For the 10K Service and I’ll Never Leave the Lot Before Checking, There Was Oil All Over the Engine Bay, and A Puddle Under the Truck

Tim Lunsford's routine 10k service for his brand new 2025 Toyota Tundra nearly became an engine disaster, all because he trusted the dealership's mechanics—until he didn't.

Imagine the sigh of relief you let out as you pull into the dealership, your 2025 Toyota Tundra finally ready for its 10,000-mile service. You've read the warnings on the Facebook page—the cautionary tales of service mishaps—so you're resolved: you won't be one of those stories. 

The keys are back in your hand, and instead of pulling onto the street, you pop the hood right there in the parking lot—a knot forms in your stomach. Streaks of fresh, clean oil are everywhere, slicking the pristine engine bay. You feel a surge of frustration, but also vindication. 

You march back inside, a photo on your phone proving the mess, and the service bay door swallows your truck again. They wipe it clean, but you're not fooled. You wait, watch, and when they pull it out again, a fresh, incriminating puddle forms beneath. 

The diagnosis—a cross-threaded, loose oil filter—confirms your suspicion: a simple, preventable error that could have led to a catastrophic engine failure down the road. 

You drive away finally, not just with a serviced truck, but with the quiet satisfaction of a disaster averted, all because you took five extra minutes to check.

What would your first move have been after seeing the oil leak? 

Tundra Dealer Service Failure: Why You Must Check for Leaks Before Leaving the Lot

I saw a post recently that absolutely validated every ounce of skepticism I have about auto service quality, even at the dealership level. When you pull away from a routine oil change, you should be leaving with peace of mind, not a time bomb ticking under the hood.

Here is the situation, shared by Tim Lunsford on the 2023-2026 Toyota Tundra Owners Facebook page:

"I took my 2025 Tundra in for the Toyota dealer's 10k service. After so many posts here, I'll never leave the parking lot without checking and looking over the truck first."

"I checked under the hood before I left the parking lot, and there was oil all over the engine bay. I went back and showed the service advisor. They immediately took it back to check it out. If you look at the photo, you can tell they did wipe it down. But, it continued to leak after the wipe down." 

"There were more oil streaks after wiping, and there was a small puddle of oil where they parked it. It turned out the oil filter wasn't 'on right' (it was cross-threaded, or loose). So, they had to fix it before it became a major problem. I drove it home, and it's showing no leaks now."

The Danger of a Simple Cross-Threaded Oil Filter

This isn't just a simple case of a messy oil change; it was a near-miss catastrophe caused by a serious mistake during a 2023-2026 Toyota Tundra oil change. When a technician cross-threaded the oil filter on the Toyota Tundra housing, they created an immediate, high-risk failure point.

Why is this so dangerous, especially on the Tundra's complex i-FORCE MAX engine?

• Instant Oil Pressure Loss: The filter housing is the final stop before the oil is pressurized and sent to lubricate vital components, particularly the twin-turbochargers. A loose or cross-threaded filter means the engine is effectively bleeding oil pressure.
• Engine Destruction in Minutes: The new Tundra's V6 relies heavily on precise oiling. If Tim had driven down the freeway for 10-15 minutes, his oil pressure light would have certainly come on, signaling severe oil starvation. The result? Total engine failure. This is why addressing and preventing Tundra engine oil leaks after maintenance is paramount.

This failure points directly to a lack of attention to detail and, frankly, a failure of basic mechanic training. The Tundra uses a cartridge-style filter, which relies on O-rings and a specific, low torque specification for the plastic housing. Cross-threading means the housing wasn't seated correctly—a mistake that should be impossible for a certified Toyota technician. It highlights deep Toyota Tundra 10k service quality concerns systemically plaguing some dealerships.

How to Guard Your Investment

You are the final line of defense for your truck. Tim Lunsford demonstrated the gold standard of ownership, and you should adopt it immediately. Here is my expert advice on how to check dealership service quality on the new Tundra before you ever pull out of the lot:

The Engine Bay Spot-Check: Before settling the bill, pop the hood. Visually inspect the oil filter housing (it's a plastic cap on the front driver's side of the engine block). Look for wetness or oil streaks. In Tim's case, the mess was a dead giveaway.

The Ground Check: Ask the technician to pull the truck out of the bay and let it idle for two minutes, where you can see the ground. Look directly underneath the truck. Even a small, fresh drip can indicate that the O-ring wasn't seated, or worse, that the drain plug wasn't tightened with a new crush washer.

The Documentation Rule: If you discover a leak, as Tim did, demand that the repair details be documented on your receipt. You need a paper trail showing the dealership made a mistake, as this protects you in the unlikely event the issue caused long-term damage (like premature wear from low pressure).

If you drive away and later notice a leak, the immediate action is clear: you need to know what to do about oil leaks after Toyota dealer service. Do not drive the truck. Check the oil level immediately, call the dealership, and demand they send a flatbed tow truck to pick it up and repair the issue at their expense.

What the Community is Saying

Tim's experience of finding common maintenance issues on the 2025 Toyota Tundra has become a rallying cry in the Tundra community. The consensus is that owners can't trust that basic service procedures are being handled correctly. 

Cire Nosnorb - "Yeah, I don’t have a lot of faith in dealerships anymore, they didn’t do the first oil change like I asked them to do (they said I didn’t need it, even though I wanted it) and the second oil change they kept my skid plate, didn’t notice for about 3 months during the winter time, until I went to do my own oil change."

Daniel Morales - "This happened to me with my 2021 went in for and oil change heard some weird noises didn’t think much of it until got home I saw my car smoking I checked under the hood and they forgot to place the oil fill cap back on oil spilled all over my engine bay lucky I didn’t drive far or at high speeds."

The rise of complex i-FORCE MAX engines, which also face issues like the potential transmission failure I reported on here, has outpaced the skills of some service departments. 

We are also seeing widespread questions about whether recommended services are even necessary, like the discussion on the high cost of fluid changes: 2024 Toyota Highlander Owner Says, "The Dealer Just Hit Me With a $480 Diff Fluid Change At My 30K Service", He Asks, "Is This For Real or a Dealer Scam?"

This collective vigilance by Tundra owners is vital, especially given the history of early model year issues, including the engine replacement saga I documented in my story: My 2024 Tundra Lost Oil Pressure and Started Knocking 54K In, and It's Over a Month to Find Out What's Wrong, Toyota's Quality is Seriously Disappointing

Final Word

The bottom line is that Tim Lunsford's diligence saved his truck's engine. A loose, leaking oil filter on a modern twin-turbo engine is just as dangerous as ignoring a low oil light. It's unacceptable, but it's real. Until dealer quality control tightens up, the responsibility falls to you, the owner, to verify the work.

The Takeaway: Trust but verify. Always.

Your Turn: 

Have you found any issues or discrepancies after picking up your 2023-2026 Tundra from a dealer service appointment? Share your story in the red Add New Comment link below.

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role for every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles—equipping me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Tim Lunsford