Valvoline Instant Oil Change

Excelente! Very good service, and the guys— Adriel and Alexander do a great job.

On February 28, I brought my 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan to Valvoline for an oil change. At the time of arrival, the vehicle was operational. During the service, Valvoline staff made comments about a noise coming from the vehicle and stated that it sounded like a transmission-related issue, specifically suggesting it may need transmission fluid. Based on that concern, I requested that the fluids be checked. I was informed that they were checked, and the service documentation reflects that the transmission fluid was marked as “OK.” This vehicle has a sealed transmission system, and no explanation has been provided as to how the transmission fluid was properly verified. On March 17, while driving to another shop to have fluids topped off in preparation for an out-of-town trip, the vehicle began bucking. Due to safety concerns, I left the vehicle at the shop overnight and did not continue driving it. Valvoline later acknowledged responsibility for an oil leak related to the prior service. I offered to have the vehicle towed to the mechanic for repair. This option was declined. Valvoline staff stated that the vehicle was safe to drive despite the oil leak because there was still oil in the vehicle. On March 18, they chose to operate the vehicle and drove it approximately 30 miles to the mechanic shop. Following this, the vehicle’s condition worsened significantly. The vehicle is now completely inoperable and presents multiple transmission-related fault codes consistent with pressure loss and internal failure. Valvoline has since refused responsibility for the current damage, stating they were unaware of any transmission issue and has closed my claim. While I acknowledge the possibility of a pre-existing condition, Valvoline identified a potential transmission concern during service, documented the transmission fluid as “OK” without a verifiable method on a sealed system, accepted responsibility for an oil leak, and made the determination that the vehicle was safe to operate. They then chose to drive the vehicle despite the availability of a safer alternative. Valvoline failed to exercise reasonable care in handling the vehicle. The decision to operate the vehicle under these conditions directly preceded and contributed to a significant worsening of its condition.