Dealership used wrong oil filter, how bad is this?

Dealership changed my oil even though I specifically said not to and only wanted my tires balanced and aligned. This was about 500 miles ago and I decided to change the oil again myself at 25k miles because I assumed based on the fact that they stripped my skid plate mounting threads (the exact reason I specifically avoid dealership oil changes and do it myself) that they probably did a lot of other things wrong. Well turns out I was right and they used the wrong oil filter. It’s about an inch too short. How bad is this? Any advice on course of action with the dealership?

New filter on the right, old on the left. Thank god I only went 500 miles on it and trusted my gut.

 

Not a huge deal. You're still getting filtration. For that few miles, it shouldn't be a problem. I would verify correct P/N as 04152-YZZA5 on the new filter. See if you can get a P/N off of their installed filter, take it to them, throw it on the service desk and tell them this is why you'll never bring it back to them. And, why in the world did you take it to a dealer ship for tire balancing and alignment? You do realize they hire monkeys for those jobs, right?

 

It’s likely that no damage occurred to your young engine at 25k miles running Toyota’s version of Mobil 1. It doesn’t look like any part of the element came off (ie entered your engine). But the bigger question in my mind is how often are the guys in that service department at that dealership making stupid mistakes like this? Stripping threads, wrong filter, disregarding specific instructions from customers… Wow…

At the very least, this needs to be reported to Toyota HQ and the sooner the better IMHO.

 

You are ok for few miles.. I would not worry about it.
For tires rotation, next time take it to a tire shop, even if you pay.
If you buy new tires from discount tires, you can get unlimited rotations....

 

Both my vehicles have never been to the dealership for any type of maintenance...learn to do some of the basics yourself or find a good independent shop.

 

Verified I have the correct part number on the oil filter I just installed.

I brought it to them because they previously balanced my tires about 2 years ago when nobody could get it right. Was fighting a steering wheel shake like so many of us do and the dealership I bought it from balanced them perfectly the first try whereas discount tire tried 3 times to no avail. You’re right though, I thought this was an exception but know better now.

 

Thanks for the sympathy. I spent the last hour on the phone venting to a very kind lady in Toyota Corporate and have a case opened. Best case they give me some kind of extended warranty (unlikely) and worst case at least the dealership will face some sort of consequence (at least in theory).

 

Just to be clear, it was not a rotation I wanted. It was road force balance with the correct adapter plate to balance the wheels so my steering wheel doesn’t shake on the highway. This dealership did a phenomenal job balancing my tires a few years ago when nobody else could which is why I took it to them.

 

I’m mechanically inclined and do all my own maintenance. I have a lot of experience working on vehicles but unfortunately I do not have a $10k balancing machine that is capable of road force balancing or an alignment rack in my garage which is why I took it to the dealer. They balanced my tires perfectly a few years ago when nobody else could so figured they were a good first option to try when I got new tires and discount tire was unable to balance them.

 

The sad thing is These dealerships are privately owned...
Most likely nothing will happen......
No one gives a SH*** any more..

 

Got you....

I am always surprised that discount tire do not do road force balancing...
They really should...

Do not get me wrong.. I usually check anyone's work including discount tires..
I found loose lug nuts multiple times..

it always depends on who is doing the job.

 

Discount tire does have a road force balancer. It took 4 trips and ultimately had to follow my specific requests for using a lug adapter. They eventually got it right but not until they slowed down and did it correctly.

Just a shame that it feels like you never get the service you pay for anymore.

 

Although when I changed my 4Runner OEM Yokohama tires at discount with Michelin LTX/MS, they did a good job of balancing.... No shakes or shimmy what so ever..

I know the 4Runner is fussy about tire balancing. Also it depends on what tires you get....

 

And what idiot at discount tire does your balance, they had my one wheel weight off by 4 ounces!

 

A1 filter used in the 2GR is significantly more common than the A5 (Tacoma, Camry, Highlander, Sienna...). The lube tech does 15 filter changes a day. After a while they all look the same. Meanwhile the lube tech curses you because he isn't paid extra to dick around with skid plate bolts.

Moral of the story is just to avoid the dealer.

 

So does some of the tire stores.

 

Here at the law offices of Borracho & Borracho we represent disgruntle 4Runner owners who had their beloved trucks touched by mouth-breathing technicians who work at Toyota Dealerships. We will fight to get the compensation that you deserve!

We're currently forming a class-action suit for:

1) Stripped bolts on skid plates.
2) Wrong air/fuel filters.
3) Lug nuts not properly fastened.
4) Leaving the oil cap off the engine after changing the oil.

Please call our main office line now to speak with an attorney: 867-5309

 

I hear so many stories about bad service depts at dealerships(never named). I don't mean to be an iconoclast, but I have been taking my Toyotas (2005 Land Cruiser, 2015 Tacoma, 2022 RAV4, and now a new 4R) to my local dealer
Roseville Toyota (CA) for many years. I have never had a negative experience with them and never had any problems/issues with my Toyotas so not all are bad/dishonest/incompetent. Just my 2 cents.

 

Jenny, Jenny, who can I turn to?

 

There are bad dealerships and there are the other ones.
Mine is considered, one of the other ones.

 

Wow man that sucks, the Toyota Nut mechanic guy on YouTube said it’s a pretty common issue at dealers because of the part number only has a single digit off in the parts number I think.

 

I took my 2013 Tacoma I bought new to the dealer I bought it from for 6 years. The experience started going downhill in the later years. Scratched wheels from tire rotations, washed my truck even though I specifically asked them not to, oil fill cap left on fender in the engine compartment, which I didn't discover for several months (that's on me). I finally said enough is enough.

I bought my 4R from the other Toyota dealership in town, and took it in for one Toyota care visit, which was fluid checks and tire rotation. Next time I went in, I waited 45 minutes to talk to a person, then left without help. I've never been back. It's great you have a dealer you can go to with confidence.