Boardman, OR asked in Consumer Law for California

Q: Valvoline serviced my car, my car is not drivable can I sue?

They were talking amongst themselves and I knew something was not right. Tech and the assistant manager apologized and told me that I would have to give them a moment so that they could discuss what happens with district manager. Mind you it’s after 6pm and they’re technically closed.

While changing the transmission fluid I guess they messed up a seal so my car was spewing out transmission fluid making it unsafe to drive. It was 6:30 and they’re mechanic was closed as was the car rental place.

They offered to take me home and said it could be the seal or the entire aluminum pan. My Hyundai Elantra 2017 he said something like has a different kind of seal that usually isn’t to be removed.

Anyhow I have to go to work in the morning and will hope that I get a rental to get there. I’m a lead at work and I’m not supposed to be late or miss.

And this is annoying. What should I do? Allow them to take my car to their mechanic? I don’t know if that’s

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Yelena Gurevich
Yelena Gurevich
Answered
  • Consumer Law Lawyer
  • Studio City, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: You should consider giving them the opportunity to fix the issue.

We are lawyers not mechanics and as such we don't know what kind of claim, if any, you may have without additional info, such as an expert (or at least another mechanic shop) inspecting the vehicle and preparing a diagnostic stating what the issue is and what the likely cause was. If Valvoline caused the issue and are willing and able to repair it, then you need to let them. Unfortunately this is not a scenario where you can get compensated for inconvenience (or even loss of work) so the practical advice would be to give them the opportunity to fix the issue before getting lawyers involved and you having to go out of pocket even more.

1 user found this answer helpful

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.