Dealer Oil Change- didn't put in an oil filter! What can I do?

[RuRunner]

'24 4Runner TRD Pro with 18K miles. First oil change was done by me at around 4K. 2nd oil change at 12K by dealer. I just did 3rd oil change myself at 18K and found out that the dealer didn't put in a oil filter when they did the last oil change at 12k miles. So 6K miles of driving without the oil filter. The oil filter cap was on, so no oil leaked. Just no internal filter.

Do you think I have any damage due to dirty oil? What should I have the dealer do?

I was planning on keeping this truck for 400K miles and was going to take great care of it. Now I'm concerned that this damage will show up long term? Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Hungryhawk]

You could pull a sample of oil ( read up on ideas of how) and send to lab for analysis. Good posts on both runner sites about a couple good labs.
Assessment of oil may reveal future problem potential.
Probably no damage to engine as the chunks and gunk were removed by the earlier filters. Especially your own first change.
You should ask our runner community on best way to involve Toyota Corporate. At minimum you will need written proof of missing filter.
You might get a free extended Service Agreement to 100,000 miles (example: Platinum 7 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper)

 

[RuRunner]

You could pull a sample of oil ( read up on ideas of how) and send to lab for analysis. Good posts on both runner sites about a couple good labs.
Assessment of oil may reveal future problem potential.
Probably no damage to engine as the chunks and gunk were removed by the earlier filters. Especially your own first change.
You should ask our runner community on best way to involve Toyota Corporate. At minimum you will need written proof of missing filter.
You might get a free extended Service Agreement to 100,000 miles (example: Platinum 7 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper)

Great ideas thanks [MENTION=172151]Hungryhawk[/MENTION].

I don't know how I can get written proof that the filter was missing as I did the oil change today myself. Now it's just my word against theirs. What I do have proof of is that whoever did the service last time was not at the top of their game. I didn't mention this in my OP, but they also rotated the tires and only tightened ONE lugnut per wheel. The others were barely on the wheel, not even hand tightened. I drove 15 miles on the highway going 80+ mph and I'm lucky none of the wheels came off and killed me. When I stopped in a parking lot I heard something when I turned and checked the wheels. Each wheel only had 2-3 lug nuts per wheel left. I called and told them and they gave me replacement lugnuts and an apology.

When I changed the oil today, I also found that the plate covering the drain plug had both bolts very loose. They also lost one of the clamps that kept the spacers on the front skid plate on.

 

[Hungryhawk]

I presume you did not purchase an extended warranty ( called Service Agreement)?
See if the age of your vehicle will still allow a Toyota Platinum, Silver or Gold warranty. Could prove useful if engine problems arise.
I used my Platinum warranty when my Toyota basic Powertrain warranty had expired.
I got a new tranny paid by Toyota, dealer charged Toyota $8,000 for torque converter and tranny replacements to repair shudder/chatter @ 48,000 miles.

 

[02SE]

Likely it will be okay. After the first oil change, there's not much material being shed by the engine during break-in. You had another filter which you installed at 4k that would've caught any residual metal debris. Yes, the tech who did your oil change was incompetent, likely a lube-tech with little experience.

You could tell the dealer, but I would be surprised if they'll do anything. Just one of the reasons why I left the consumer car repair business, as I needed to be able to look myself in the mirror...

My advice is to do your own oil changes going forward.

 

[RuRunner]

Thanks @02SE. Agreed, I will only be doing my own oil changes going forward. I still have one more free one, but no thanks.

 

[Nick B]

I imagine that this happens a lot at dealerships with their labor pool oil change “technicians”. Unless you change your own oil or can stand there and watch it done you’ll never know .

 

[ArthurKotb]

For my 2004, in the first 36K miles of ownership, they removed the rubber cover for the drain plug area and stripped all 4 of the bolts holding the skid plate on. They threw away the rubber covers in the fender wells. When I bought a set of tires from them the tires were already 6 years old, according to the stamp on the tires. I've had the dealership forget to tighten the fan belt after service and throwing away the rubber cover over the distributor on my '89, then accuse me of doing it. I had a dealership return a new '91 Camry after service with grease on the steering wheel and floor mat.

No more dealership service for me since about 2006. I found a Toyota certified, local award winning shop in my city; excellent shop. I do as much as I can myself before even going to them.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Do you have any proof or pictures? So there was no filter media in the oil filter cartridge?

 

[RuRunner]

Do you have any proof or pictures? So there was no filter media in the oil filter cartridge?

No proof as it's just my word, as I changed my oil this time. I do have record with them that the service tech did forget to tighten all but one of my lug nuts on all 4 wheels, so there's proof of an incompetent service tech.

I did speak to the service manager yesterday and he did seem sincerely apologetic and wants to know what I want to make up for this. I told him that I'm at a loss and there's not much that I can think of to truly make up for it. No one really knows what damage was caused. He was the first to say that he didn't think there was any damage, but no one could gaurantee that. And any damage probably won't be noticed anytime soon, but perhaps the longevity of the engine is what will be impacted.

He initially offered a 10 yr powertrain warranty, but I really don't think that makes up for this mistake. Even the 10 yr/ 125K miles Platinum service package doesn't make up for it as I will most likely never need anything until after that maintenance plan is done.

As of now, that's the only thing I can think of which will make up for this that they might be willing to do. They are running a business and I'm realistic about what they will/ will not do. It's not like they are going to give me a new car and I sure a hell don't want the new 4R. I bought the last 5th gen for a reason.

Anyone have any ideas of what to ask for as compensation for what they did? I paid a premium for the TRD Pro in '24 and I feel like this situation has reduced the value of my vehicle. Thanks again for reading.

 

[Humble Leader]

OP sorry to hear about your troubles. there is a right way and a wrong way to go about getting a fair result to you as part of this dealer negligence. First, share the dealer location so others are aware

the path forward here would be to go in person and POLITELY discuss the situation with the general manager or dealer manager. this is a game of chess and you need to make your moves carefully. A dealer has a duty to compensate you for damages as a result of their negligence. absolutely you are entitled to that.

You already have the evidence of the loose lug nuts and dealer admitting fault. this is you best card to play. not only are they required to give you new lugs but they are liable for all the damages that have occurred because of those lugs. I would take the vehicle to another service centre for a brake/wheel inspection. if nothing comes of it great, this issue is resolved

For the missing oil filter it is he said she said. BUT you already have this massive negligence that has occurred on the lugs AND the stripped bolts. it's now more believable that something like this would occur. I would mention you are doing an oil analysis and that you would like an extended powertrain warranty for say 10 years 200k miles (regardless of result!)

If they agree to this then I would get it in writing and proceed. if they do not agree to this then this can be an escalation to toyota or consumer protection agencies.

the happiest path here is you get the 12k service charges reversed and any service charges that came along with that lug nut situation. use that $ for an oil analysis and have another shop check the wheels. the dealership also gives you the powertrain warranty regardless of the oil analysis. if the oil analysis is bad, engine replacement is warranted (contact corporate and consumer protection). if the oil analysis is fine you still dont know for sure if damage has been done, which is why you want that powertrain warranty

please update so we can assist. depending on the cards the dealer plays and the oil analysis results we can shift tactics.

 

[RuRunner]

Great advice [MENTION=654389]Humble Leader[/MENTION]. Thank you.

 

[Humble Leader]

Great advice [MENTION=654389]Humble Leader[/MENTION]. Thank you.

I saw your post sorry I posted then saw it, they offered 10 years 125k, good that's the starting point. ask for lifetime or negotiate to 300k 15 years. realistically if any major damage was done it would PROBABLY show up by 200k and for sure 300k