This is like a nightmare that I had in the "happens to other people" category. On Dec 27, I had oil changed at Walmart in my 2007 Camry 4cyl. No oil light or anything until Jan 1, it just dies and won't restart. Tow to dealer and they say engine is gone.

I'm wondering first, what kind of compensation I can expect from Walmart, and second - whether Toyota might do anything since I have heard of other cases of the light not providing any warning.

The car has 82k. The dealer quoted 6100 for a used engine with 80k installed. Another shop quoted 4500 for a used engine with only 50k. Reasonable?

 

get your records together, showing oil change at Walmart, dealer statement on workorder
showing condition of car and drain cap missing vs. problem; cost to fix problem.

Take to your Walmart store manager; but better would be for dealer service manager
to have these records in front of him and for him to call local Walmart on your car's behalf.
Keep copy for yourself. Luck

 

Update: I have all the records. I talked to my lawyer who said to call walmart myself. I called the service manager who said he would have to talk to the store manager. He called back and said they have a "group" that handles that and they would call me within 24 hrs, should be today.

The estimate went up to 4500 but that is for an engine with only 50k miles. It seems to me that walmart should pay every cent of that but I don't know what to expect. They really don't have a defense that is plausible.

 

Might check posts on Google about WalMart screwing up on oil changes such as not adding oil after a change or the drain plug not being tight and falling out.

WalMart appears to resist efforts from vehicle owners to recoup damages from their employees actions.

Keep us posted as to your results.

 

Another update: I have a written statement from the dealer now that the car came in with no drain plug, no oil, and oil sprayed all over the undercarriage to the rear. I also found the location where it died on me and sure enough there is a huge oilspill there. I couldn't find the drain plug, but took pictures of the oil. I'm hoping they find this clear cut enough to just eat it. I don't blame them for investigating and suspecting a scam, but this is pretty clear cut. But, I have the lawyer on hold in case.

 

Please keep us posted.

 

I still haven't heard from walmart but here is a question. I heard a possible argument walmart might make - that because after the first time the car stalled, I restarted it and drove a very short distance before it stalled again, it's my fault for having done that. Of course I wasn't thinking, "Oh the car stalled, I guess walmart left a loose drain plug and the oil is gone." I thought it was something electrical because that's exactly what it felt like.

PS I just talked to my lawyer. He said the above argument might well be made but isn't reasonable. They were the last ones to touch the car and precipitated all that happened after. Still, I will probably take a hit because walmart will claim I contributed to the problem and only cover some (?) part.