Valvoline Instant Oil Change Reviews 324

I normally don’t leave reviews, but this situation has been extremely serious and ongoing, and I feel obligated to warn others about my experience with Valvoline in Medina, Ohio (Route 18 location).

I brought my 2016 Mini Cooper Countryman S in for a routine oil change. At the time, the vehicle was fully drivable. Immediately after leaving the shop, my car began experiencing severe issues — extreme RPM fluctuations, shaking, and near stalling — and broke down shortly after.

The vehicle had to be towed and inspected by an independent repair shop. Their diagnosis indicated that something was improperly handled during the oil change, with evidence suggesting foreign material or an error related to the oil filter system that caused catastrophic damage to the turbo and engine. The repair estimate is approximately $13,000.

What is most concerning is not just the damage, but how this situation has been handled. I filed a claim with Valvoline and was initially told they wanted to “make it right.” However, once the cost of repairs became clear, the claim was denied without any clear or consistent explanation.

Since then, my family and I have made multiple attempts to get answers. We’ve received conflicting statements from management, no formal written reason for denial, and no accountability. When we went in person simply asking for clarification, the interaction became dismissive and unhelpful.

At this point, my vehicle has been unusable for over a month, and we are left dealing with the financial and logistical consequences of what appears to be a preventable error.

I strongly urge anyone considering service here to proceed with caution, especially if you have a vehicle that requires specific care or expertise. This experience has been incredibly frustrating, expensive, and disappointing.

The service was speedy and the technicians were friendly. I went on a Monday around 11:30 am, and I didn't have to wait in line.

We are about to get legal advise, but bottom line the improper insertion of oil plug , stripped drain hole. Thus , a slow leak occurred , and after about a month of being parked, oil leaked out; and not knowing we tried to start engine and it locked up and broke engine. We filed a claim and it was denied. This adds to their many errors listed on other reviews. We will see how honest legal experts come out.

The worst place for oil change….. I never go back… here are my reasons:

They told me they top off my fluids..they never did… I check under my hood when i got home… my windshield fluid was empty…

I asked for email receipt..they never send me… but told me they did…

They check my cabin and air filters…they were fairly ok but they failed to air clean it and just put it back

I paid cash… they never gave me my change back… I had to go back and even then they argued with me

I honestly think they don't even change my oil filter…I just don't trust these people

They failed to put the cabin filter cover back. I found it on my floor mat.. had to go back

I have heard their oil quality is not up to mfg specifications … big issue on engine life

Will never ever ever ever go back to this place and you should not either but if you do, please watch them like hawk

I will have someone check my oil filter to see if they change it or not…If they did not.. I will contact their management

After 15 years the new employees treated me like Crap....very unprofessional manager and Bone Headed staff....NEVER GOING BACK!

I came in on Friday. Had my oil change done and a transmission flush. Saturday on the way home from Durham NC. Truck transmission started slipping, so brought it back in and all the transmission fluid had came out of engine. So they put more fluid in and said it should be fine. Well here we are again at valvoline in Indian land for the same reason. Now I've missed afishing tournament and have to wait at this location until 9 or when they get a new plug. After paying 400$ they offer me a free oil change.Nothing to clean my truck from transmission fluid that has coated my wheels, back bumper, tailgate. MY SUGGESTION STAY AWAY FROM VALVOLINE IN INDIAN LAND OFF OF DOBYNS ROAD UNLESS YOU WANTTO SPEND YOUR WEEKEND RUNNING BACK AND FORTH.

This is the second time I have had an issue with Valvoline.
This time, I went in for a standard oil change, didn't need anything else but they offered the filter replacement. I got home and noticed a strange smell but thought my neighbor may have been burning something. I told my spouse about it and they checked beneath the car that night when they got home. There was an oil spot. Valvoline was closed and we live about 30 miles away. That morning, spouse checked my oil and it was completely dry and was saturated under the car. I immediately called and reported it to Valvoline.
I have a full time job and kids and needed a car that was functioning so we had to get a local mechanic to look at it. He pulled the oil filter that Valvoline had put it in and it was busted/cracked. The air filter box screws were stripped and forced in so he took it off to check the air filter. It was tore up and bent as well. The undercarriage of my car was absolutely covered in oil.
Multiple days later, I finally got a call back from Valvoline. I sent them all the pictures and mechanic reports. They decided they would not reimburse for the oil change, the mechanic cost to get my car back running, etc.

Minorly - the time before this, I noticed a plastic piece hanging down from the bottom of my car. Told my spouse. He opened the hood and was able to fish it out. It was a filter grabbing/tightening tool. I asked Valvoline if it was theirs, they proudly said they used them during oil filter changes, I told them they left it in my engine.

Very very upset at the cost of this mistake and how they are refusing to take responsibility and make it right. Very poor customer care.

As always the Best! Would recommend to anyone. Go see Robert and the team!

I brought my own diesel fuel filter and air filter to the Valvoline shop on 4th Steet in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I asked the guy if they could install them for me. He replied "sure." He then went over the service items I desired and gave me the prices for the various services, with no mention of the fuel filter and air filter. When he asked for payment I discovered that they charged me $99 to install the fuel filter that I brought (a 5 minute job). His manager refused to waive the charge. After I complained, he dropped the charge to $60. I'll never take any of my 3 vehicles back to this shop.

Normally I will do my own oil changes, but it was extremely cold, so I took my 2011 Ford Edge Sport to my local Valvoline Rapid Oil Change to have them do it.
For some reason they used a vac system to suck out the oil from where I would fill the oil. This was a new process to me, and I asked what and why they were doing it that way and they said they do this to about 50% of vehicles that come in. I figured it was ok, so I went along with it.
One day after, the oil pressure warning started coming on sporadically, so I took it back to have them check everything. Oil filter was good, oil level was good, etc.
About a week later my vehicle started leaking oil. Enough where I was putting in about a quart a week. It was leaving puddles on my driveway. Needless to say, my vehicle is now with my mechanic and getting the oil pressure sensor replaced because that's where the leak is coming from. Of course, we all know how VROC is notorious for denying any claims that their techs did anything wrong so I'm putting this out there as a warning to anyone thinking about using VROC or at the very least allowing them to use the vac from the top method. Really, how could they know how much oil is in the drain pan after using the vac method? Did I pay to have the full amount of oil put in when there was probably a quart of old, used oil in the drain pan?
My mechanic said they most likely over filled the oil and the oil pressure is what caused the sensor to leak.

Starting to run out of locations to go to. Went to Coppell location for many years till I ran into two rude managers moved to Irving Valley Ranch location. Today I pulled up about five minutes passes that all the lanes to my right started filling up then after about 15 minutes they finished up a couple of oil changes and those cars that just got there pulled right on in and I’m sitting in the first lane and still not a soul come out to greet me. I noticed the other day when I drove by there, one of the managers I left the other store for must be there now so I decided to leave and I’m not sure why I gave it a chance today. Horrible management.

Went in for a routine oil change, car was fine before. Few hours later—tire pressure light. Seriously? I go there to AVOID problems, not end up with new ones. Makes you wonder what else they screwed up. Unbelievable.

I took my car to the 1711 West League City Parkway, League City, TX location nine weeks ago for an oil change and ever since, my car has been leaking oil. I took it back the first time within two weeks and they had to add several liters of oil because it had lost so much. I've taken it back up there twice total and I had to file a claim to which the area manager, Cameron flat out lied and said that this was being taken care of and he had spoken to me. I had never heard his name until the customer service rep told me when I had to call because no one had reached out to me in over eight days after I filed the claim. I then find out 2/20/26 that the manager of the League City location, Billy, declined my claim saying my car was leaking when I took it in for the original oil change ~ so if that is the case, why did they agree to try to fix it twice after the original oil change? Because IT WAS NOT LEAKING PRIOR. I went up there on 2/20 to get my money back and when I left, I told Billy this would not be the end of this and I would be contacting the corporate office to which he replied "good luck with that". This place has to be held accountable when they cause damage to people's car during an oil change. I want my car fixed and I'm having to get my attorney involved which will cost Valvoline a whole lot more than fixing what they broke. The manager wasn't even there the second time I took my car back because he was at someone's house fixing their car!!!! They declined my claim clearly because they don't know how to fix what they did. Stay away from Valvoline altogether. Just getting your money back is an act of God and getting your car fixed is impossible.

DO NOT TRUST THEM WITH YOUR CAR! I had the recommended rear differential change at around 30,000 miles. They left my car nearly empty of rear differential fluid. After just over a year, my car was undriveable with a breakdown of the bearings according to the service technician at my dealership. We were left with a $2000 bill and the Valvoline manager claiming no responsibility for what was clearly his technician's error.

Almost everything was just perfect. I could go on and on about how well it went but I do want to point out what went wrong. I found out that whatever oil you purchase now, your next oil change is recommended in 3K miles (or 4 months). I got the same oil today that I've gotten in the past (full synthetic) and the recommendation then was 7,500 miles. Why the mislead? There's a lot of people who wouldn't catch this. I'm glad I caught it.

I used to use Valvoline for many many years. The past few years every time I went there was always goof ups made a big mess under my truck and most of the time never greased my chassis they told me we don't even own a grease gun how can you lubricate a chassis without a grease gun. After calling customer service they suggested that I find a new place to get oil changes

These people are unethical spammers. I have asked them to stop on 3 occasions - they just keep sending more of their rubbish.

After calling (yesterday) to get a price, I went to the location today (9246 Goodman Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654). They guided me inside and I ordered the $50.99 oil + filter change. To be told "it's not available", not telling me if it was the service, or the oil itself, or the filter? I then asked when it will be available... no answer. This is a scam they run to make you buy a more expensive service. UNACCEPTABLE

It usually costs me around $40 to get my oil changed. With a $20 coupon, VIOC cost me around $90. How does this happen? They just so happen to not ever have regular non-synthetic oil in stock. And they way overcharge for their synthetic.

I live in Westerville Ohio and have gone through the Valvoline here twice. The first time seemed fine but I was in there a few weeks ago for an oil change and tire rotation. I paid nearly $200 and not only did they not put air in all of my tires but they couldn't even refill or top off the fluids. A week after I was in there my tire pressure light came on and then another couple weeks later I was out of windshield wiper fluid. The kids at this location do not care to take care of the customer. For as much money as I paid I deserve to get every service they offer that is included and what I am paying for. I will never go back there again.