EZLube, EZ Lube caused over $4000 of damage on my car! Don't go there for any reason. Los Angeles California

I never complain about anything on the internet. But this incident is so bad I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

Our 2004 Subaru has always been in perfect condition, never gave us any trouble. We've always done regular maintenance on it and pampered the car. In December 2007, all I went into EZ lube for was an oil change. But in addition to the oil change, they suggested that I replace the power steering belts. And they showed me how there's a crack in mine. So I thought that sounds reasonable, and approved the work.

Immediately after they change the belts, I could tell something was wrong with the power steering. I asked to speak to the manager and he sent me to some auto repair shop in the neighborhood and said they'll take care of it. When I went to the repair shop, they said they can't help us. We went back to EZ lube and asked us to fill out a form. Then we took the car to Subaru dealership to have the power steering looked at.

Subaru said the belts were over-tightened and therefor overloaded and burnt the power-steering motor. Bill came out to $1300. After going to EZLube personally several times and calling them several times, spoke to managers and district supervisor (not to mention an incredibly rude supervisor), we got nothing. So we contacted the district attorney's office and found out they had a hot line and fund set up especially for EZ lube complains. So we filed a complain.

After less than 3 months of the oil change, the engine blew for no reason. We had to call a tow truck to tow it to the repair shop. Turns out, one of the rods broke and we needed a complete engine rebuilt that costed close to $4000. The repair shop found very low oil level in the engine, and no leaks. The low oil level was the cause of the engine failure. There has been less the 3000 miles driven and less than 3 months since the oil change was supposedly performed at EZLube. So we suspect EZLube never performed the oil change.

We filed another complain with the district attorney's office. 6 months later, the DA office wrote back that since the fund is really for "EZLube services that they claim to perform but never did", all they can do is refund the service fees and half the cost of the power steering repair. And suggested that we file a complain with the Bureau of Autmotive repair (or something like that). We are still waiting to hear from them.

The DA's office has been wonderful and did more than their job. But we are still out thousands of dollars while we wait. Now we just got a letter that EZLube has filed for bankruptcy.

So please, do yourself a favor, whatever you do, don't take your car to EZLube for anything. Not even something as simple as an oil change. Because they will ruin your car and cost you thousands to fix it.

Lisa
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.