A Louisiana woman says a simple trip to Walmart for an oil change has turned into a financial and emotional nightmare.
Molly Jones brought her 2018 Hyundai to the Walmart in New Roads back in February for what should have been a quick, routine service.
A Walmart customer said the retailer left her with thousands of dollars in repairs after a simple oil change[/caption]
But the very next day, she claims she could feel something was wrong as soon as she hit the road.
“So, I kept going forward. I noticed that the car started slowing down,” Jones told CBS local affiliate WAFB.
She says she quickly pulled over after noticing smoke billowing from under the hood.
By then, the car had overheated and wouldn’t go anywhere.
Roadside assistance arrived to investigate, and Jones says the issue was clear as day.
“So after they checked the gauge, no oil on the stick,” she explained.
Her lawsuit alleges that Walmart’s technicians failed to replace the drain plug after the oil change, which drained her engine dry.
According to Walmart’s own website, motor oil is crucial to lubricating engine parts, preventing corrosion, reducing wear, and helping regulate temperature.
The site also warns that driving without enough oil can cause strange noises, a burning smell, engine lights to pop up, and in severe cases, catastrophic engine damage.
Jones says Walmart sent a tow truck and admitted the plug had been left off — but the damage was already done.
A dealership quoted nearly $10,000 to repair her vehicle.
Jones claims Walmart has only offered around $6,000, leaving her thousands short.
“It makes me feel like they just don’t have any empathy,” Jones told WAFB.
She says the retailer did cover a rental car for two weeks, but then stopped paying, forcing her to borrow a friend’s vehicle.
How often should you change your oil?
Experts say the exact figure depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Age of vehicle. Older vehicles tend to need oil changes sooner than newer cars, as the engine oil used doesn’t last as long as newer oil. Plus, the clearances between moving parts tend to be wider than when the engine was new.
- Type of oil. Synthetic oil tends to last a lot longer between changes compared to synthetic or a synthetic blend.
- Driving conditions. People who live in dusty areas or regions with extreme weather conditions that require a lot of driving or stop-and-go traffic should change their oil sooner than normal to keep moving parts lubricated.
- Cars that bear heavy loads, like regularly towing a trailer, as it puts strain on an engine.
Typically, older cars should have their oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. More modern cars can go between 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes, especially as modern oil contains more efficient lubricants and additives. Some cars that use synthetic oil only need changes every 15,000 miles.
It’s important to read your owner’s manual to determine the exact weight and interval your car needs.
Source: AAA
On top of the car drama, Jones is battling serious health issues, including blood clots, and says the stress is wearing her down.
She has an upcoming appointment that will involve shocking her heart — something she says makes the ongoing fight with Walmart even harder to bear.
“I reach out to them, and they just keep giving me the run around,” Jones told the outlet.
“The case manager keeps giving me the run around, and nothing has been resolved yet.”
Walmart confirmed to WAFB that it is “currently defending the company in this litigation, but are hoping to resolve this matter with our customer.”
For now, Jones says she’s left with endless paperwork, health battles, and a broken car — waiting to see if the retail giant will make things right.
Walmart did not immediately reply to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
