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Oil Change Nightmare: Engine Destroyed After Service
30 Jun
Summary
- Routine oil change led to severe engine damage and an undriveable car.
- A piece of a towel was reportedly found inside the damaged engine.
- This is the second reported incident at the same service location this month.
A Douglas County woman experienced severe damage to her 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee after a routine oil change at a Take 5 location. The car was left undriveable, with its engine requiring backseat transport due to extensive damage, which mechanics identified as potentially caused by a poorly replaced oil pan. A piece of a towel was reportedly found within the engine.
This incident is the second reported at the same Thornton Road Take 5 facility this month. Another customer's 2023 BMW X3 suffered destroyed engine components after oil drain plugs were not properly reinstalled during an oil change. The franchise owner's vice president acknowledged responsibility but expressed frustration with customers seeking media attention.
Consumer advisor Clark Howard advises that customers dealing with such issues are typically negotiating with individual franchise owners. He suggests that quick-service chains may not offer the same recourse as building a relationship with a local mechanic for car maintenance.
