Fraud. Deceit..incompetence. This is why America is failing. The failure of company managers and insurance exdecutives to do the right thing when a mistake has been made.
My fiance learned the hard way not to take her Land Rover to a supply chain store to have the oil changed. When she did, unknown to us, the filter gasket was leaking oil.
On October 24th we had the oil changed and less than 1,500 miles later, one month, the car ran out of oil. We were on a trip to VA when the oil pressure warning lamp came on and the car deccelerated dramatically. We immediately pulled over and let the car sit, but the damage was done. The engine started to knock before we could get to a safe place to pull over. I inspected the vehicle and there was oil still leaking onto the ground from under the engine. Oil had coated the under carraige of the car. I checked the oil and none showed up on the dipstick so we called AAA to have the car towed back to our house (not wanting to leave the car unattended for any length of time at Walmart). While on the trip back the tow truck driver pulled off to get fuel and I inspected the vehicle further. I also took a few pictures with my phone trying to find the source of the leak.
The next day I filled the car with oil and rechecked the dipstick. After filling it with 5 qts the dipstick showed 1/2 over capacity so I drained some oil out of the oil pan, being careful not to wipe any other spot. The oil drain plug was so tight, it took a 1/2" breaker bar to break the but loose.
I started the car for no more than 4 to 5 seconds to see if the oil pressure would build back up and to assess the damage caused by the loss of oil. It immediately started to knock and the oil pressure never came back up. I called the manager of the store to tow it back and we could inspect it together, the source seemed to be leaking from the oil filter with no damage present.
Two mechanics arrived with oil and a new filter. I told them it was full of oil and the pump was seized due to lack of oil pressure. The manager wanted to change the oil filter. I told him that wouldn't make any difference, the issue was a loss of pressure and the engine would not be able to be pumped with fresh oil and the bearings and rings were likely already scarred. He agreed we would tow the car to Walmart and inspect it together. I told him I wouldn't touch the car and he agreed I would be able to view the inspection once at the Walmart location.
Once there, it was rolled out of a lift bay and into a pit bay. He said that I could not inspect what his mechanics were doing but that he would keep me updated. I advised him that is not what was agreed upon and it was unfair of him to do. Just as we spoke of this he showed me a Fram Oil filter from the car, filled with oil, with no gasket. He had the gasket in his other hand showing me where it usually goes. I asked the tech (TaSaun and his manager) if that is where the leak came from, and he said yes. He then bagged it up and asked me to follow him to the manager's office. The bag, filter, and the manager disappeared into an adjacent office only to return 20 minutes later with the bag tied. I spoke to the manager, Raul, about what was to be done. At this point we had already been out of a vehicle for about a week. He said his manager would be in touch.
A week later, here we are, the claims department has denied a claim. This after the shop manager, Joseph, service tech TaSaun, and Rual all agreed that the issue was the oil filter leaked out the oil and caused the engine damage. To be sure they sent our Land Rover to a dealer to confirm, and they did, that this was the issue. The cost to repair. $ 23,000 and change. Astounding since a like new Land Rover goes for ohhh. Ten grand. Seems Fraud runs rampant through any car dealership business.
I think we were rather patient through this exercise in futility... Always being respectful, establishing proper time frames, offering assistance as needed, and ever compliant with their demands... Even dealing with out a vehicle for nearly three weeks, not one angry call came from us as we understand mistakes happen. When they do, at least in our family, we own up to the responsibility and further own the solution to the problem.
I've had four technicians verify the fault of Walmart. So the legal action is in its infancy to correct a massive misstep by Walmart's insurance handler.
We wanted to do the right thing to other honest citizens and let them know that since I've communicated this to other friends and neighbors, it seems we weren't the first to have this done. Take your automobile elsewhere for any service, someone you trust. They've definitely lost our business for life.
John / Former Land Rover Passenger
Lnd rover 03
Apex, North Carolina
U.S.A.
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