Valvoline Instant Oil Change Consumer Reviews

DICKSON, TENNESSEE -- I stopped in for my regular 3000 mile oil change and of course they did the usually upsale. Normally I try to do one additional thing each time, this time the manager suggested a cabin air filter, so that is what we did. After convincing me of the need for it, they didn't have it in stock, so they ran next door to O'Reilly's which is awesome, but unfortunately they got the wrong size, which of course they put in my car anyway. My car eventually started running rougher so I took it to Beaman Ford, who explained the filter was the wrong size and it had sucked junk in, so 500 dollars later its back to running well. Accidents happen and I get as a manager you can't watch each employee, so I called the customer service line and spoke to Melisa who was awesome, but referred me to a manager, (Brian, no last name given) who called back 2 days later, and explained after I sent him pics of the receipts, filter, etc. Brian reviewed with his manager Candice (who felt it should have broke down soon, if it was from the air filter, ever though the ASE certified mechanics at Beaman specifically stated it was the issue).
I've been going to valvoline in Dickson for years, even though I should have known better, months before that I had the serpentine belt replaced which shredded the next day, but they were kind enough to replace it.
Two visits before that, they went to replace my bulb for my turn signal and and broke the plastic in the trunk, which honestly I probably would have to and I'm sure it was an accident, but that it was hid and not mentioned really showed the character...
So the jest of it is, I learned a valuable lesson and will ensure all of my friends, their friends, and anyone else who will listen knows the quality of service I received from Valvoline in Dickson

HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND -- We took our vehicle in on 8/4/22 for an oil change. Woke up the next morning 8/5/22 to oil everywhere. Contacted them immediately. They had our vehicle towed back to them and then contacted us and told us that the cause was oil housing and not their fault. Our vehicle was not leaking prior to this oil change. Had our vehicle towed to another auto shop for diagnostics. The report findings were that it was caused by overtightening of oil cap filter (Valvoline).

Contacted their corporate office, filed a claim. Corporate in turn said that Valvoline franchise have the last say and can deny a claim (so there is no actual corporate). So, if they have the last say of course "Valvoline" is under no obligation to admit any wrongdoing or acknowledge any fault! Absolute Terrible. This is definitely bad business. I have reported the situation to BBB.

I'm without transportation and the repairs to fix the problem is over a THOUSAND DOLLARS. Then corporate called 8/10/22 to say they needed proof that they were at fault. Just submitted findings from another auto shop on 8/8/22 said that the cracked oil filter came from over-tightening the oil filter cap which Valvoline did on 8/5/22, their defense was they used the standard tool to tighten the filter. My reply was they Valvoline was the last persons to touch the oil filter on 8/4/22 and because they stated they used the standard tool doesn't mean that it couldn't have been over tightened. Company needs to take responsibility for their mistakes rather than saying a machine/tool doesn't make errors! Obvious at Fault! I'm taking my case to BBB and if I have to small claims court.

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA -- I went into Valvoline Instant Oil Change on Snelling Ave in St. Paul MN where I have gone in the past for oil changes. I was told that I needed to put synthetic in my GMC now as the dealership for GMC, Cadillac and Buick now requires this and they no longer could put the blend for my car. I asked why and was told that probably something happened to one of the makers vehicles like it overheated or something and now they are requiring that synthetic be put in.

I told them to just put in the blend as it has always run fine on that in the past. I was told that they would not guarantee it - I said fine - but still put it in - I did not want to pay the additional $20 for the upgrade. Then the guy came back and said, "Oh sorry we no longer have the blend. We have to use the synthetic." They put it in and gave me $15 off of the price.

When I got home I called the GMC dealership and was told that was not the case - they were not requiring I put in synthetic, but now that I had synthetic they advised not going back to a blend. I felt I was totally ripped off. I called Customer Service at Valvoline and after some time on the phone was given a $44.00 credit which was half of what I paid. I said I felt I should get the price of the blend in the future because they now determined I had to use synthetic after putting it in my vehicle. They said they could not do that and the next day had another person call and put me on the phone with the manager at the Valvoline I was at. Needless to say, nothing was resolved - they just apologized and now I need to use synthetic due to their error.

INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI -- I did not have a good experience at Valvoline (located just east to Noland & 40 Hwy, Independence, MO). I went in for a routine oil change for my car. No big deal. Right? Well, $200 and 4 days later it was a big deal. After changing my oil they started up the car and it started raining oil (like a waterfall) from my car. Their tech stated that there was a problem in a part that they could not fix and because the oil was leaking so much I couldn't drive the car to a repair shop so I called CarMax where I bought the car 6 years ago and had the car towed to them.

CarMax stated that they “Found a leak coming from the oil filter adapter housing, which was loose. The housing also had an old filter seal stuck to the housing. The seal was left on from previous repairs and the housing was loose”.

Now I don't know if Valvoline is capable of tighten the housing, but if there were 2 seals, and Valvoline was the last place to touch the oil filter it would seem to me that they should have seen the seal when changing the oil and should have taken the old seal off before putting on the new filter. I believe the WHOLE problem could have been avoided if Valvoline noticed the extra seal, removed the seal, replaced the new filter and sent me on my way. If there was a leak, in time I would have noticed the problem and had the needed repairs done.

The tow service and extra oil change should not have been necessary if Valvoline had done the service correctly. Valvoline has agreed to reimburse me the charge for the oil change they performed, but they will not accept responsibility for the 2 seals or tow charge. The leak started with Valvoline, they should reimburse me for the unnecessary expenses that I incurred as a result.

HENDERSON, NEVADA -- In short...$85 for an oil and filter change on a 2007 Lexus 350RX with 107K miles on it! They used Valvoline 5W30 MaxLife Oil and a VO84 filter. I can buy 5 quarts of the exact oil for $19.97 at Wal-mart and 1 more single quart for $4.97 and the filter for $8.89. With tax that's about $36...so they charged around $50 for labor! Never again, I called Wal-mart and they'll do it for $30 + tax or $40 + tax with synthetic oil (they used a blend). Not only that, they said the oil in the rear differential and transfer case were "Checked - OK" - - a little hard to do when it's a front wheel only drive car!

GLENDALE, WISCONSIN -- We had our truck serviced at Valvoline in Glendale, Wisconsin for an oil change on July 28, 2018. On Aug 16th, our truck stopped due to the engine ceasing. My mechanic states the engine stopped due to no oil in the reservoir due to a missing oil plug.
The oil change was done sloppily & incorrectly. We have pictures of oil all over the engine & on the ground after the service was performed. The Valvoline attendant stated that the extra oil will just burn off.
We contacted Valvoline customer service to relay our experience and after days of waiting for a response and being told that the representative handling our case is not in, we were ultimately told that upon review of the video taken during the servicing of our vehicle, the service was found to be performed correctly. In essence, we were told that oil spilled all over the engine & leaking onto the ground is normal for an oil change. The oil plug disappearing, allowing all oil to leak from the reservoir, thus leading to my trucks' engine ceasing is our fault.
We are now going through the court process. The company is claiming no fault & now we have lost our primary vehicle & now will also spend countless hours of time, effort, dollars & resources going to court.

I do not recommend this company as they are not owning up to errors made by their facility & staff that ended up in my family's loss of our long-time, primary vehicle.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE -- I have a 2015 2500 Ram Tradesman 4x4. It currently has 156,000 miles. Every oil change the truck has had was performed by Valvoline. On my last visit, (which will be my "last visit"). I told them to change the oil and put new wipers on the truck. What they didn't do was perform was all of the other routine checks such as topping off the wiper fluid, putting correct pressure in my tires, etc. The last visit cost me $196. Which was substantially more than the prior visits. Guess I am going to just start changing my own oil.

WALKER, MICHIGAN -- I took my car into the Alpine Ave location in Grand Rapids Michigan for an oil change and deep fuel system clean, I left after they competed the service and drove my car less than 400 feet and the motor locked up. This company has done everything they can to avoid taking responsibility for the damage to my car. Their customer care line would not return my emails or phone calls. I had to file a legal action against them before they would even contact me! Horrible, immoral company! Avoid at all cost! You can go to your local car dealership, Ford, Chevrolet, etc... and find a far better deal!

WALKER, MICHIGAN -- I took my car into the Alpine Ave location in Grand Rapids Michigan for an oil change and deep fuel system clean, I left after they competed the service and drove my car less than 400 feet and the motor locked up. This company has done everything they can to avoid taking responsibility for the damage to my car. Horrible, immoral company! Have to file legal action against them just to get them to reply to my email and call me! Avoid at all cost! You can go to your local car dealership, Ford, Chevrolet, etc... and find a far better deal!

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK -- My boyfriend recently got his oil changed at the Valvoline on Dolsen Ave. in Middletown, NY. After driving 2.5 miles down the road, his motor blew up. We called Valvoline corporate office and started a claim and the technicians from Middletown came out to look at the car the next day. They took pictures of the car and encouraged us to have the motor looked at by a full service garage. We took it to First Class in Middletown, NY and the report came back stating the motor blew up because it did not have enough oil in the car.

After giving this report to Valvoline, we were informed that Valvoline is not taking any responsibility. I am absolutely outraged by this lack of responsibility for the company's action, as well as the lack of respect this company has for their customers. As of now, we are in the process of taking this company to court. I am disgusted by this situation and I wanted to share my story so potential customers can be aware of the type of company their are deciding to use for an oil change.