Warranty Legal Advice Ford - Advice desperately needed!!!!

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Straight Playa Breaka
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9:47a, 6/29/25
Forgive the sock, for this topic, but I really need some advice. I'm out of state 1,000 miles from home, working on a project for the summer. I was driving to work on Friday at 5am, when my low oil pressure light came on. I was on a major interstate and only a few miles from an exit with a Walmart and gas stations. Figured I could check the oil level there and buy a quart to top it off as soon as Walmart opened, if needed. But very soon after the light came on, the engine started making noises. So I immediately pull over and called a tow truck to take me to the nearest for dealership. Once they opened, The first question from the ford service guy, without even looking at my vehicle, was if it had been serviced lately. I said, yes a week ago, but it's been driven at least 500 miles since then. So I leave my truck with them and rent a car to use in the meantime. Well, at 33Opm that afternoon I get a call from the local ford guy telling me that the oil plug must not had been put back correctly and that I would need to contact the oil service place, that my warranty would not cover it. This is a 2024 with less than 12000 miles. He said come Monday he should have exactly how much it would cost to replace the engine, but his initial guess is around 15k. So, basically I'm not sure what to do now. They are trying to wash their hands of it as quick as they can it seems. Is the decision that the oil place is at fault made there at the local ford dealership, or would that had been made at corporate? The ford service guy told me he has photos for me to look at. I mean what if I had lied (which is not how I like to handle things) and said, that it hadn't been serviced lately, then what? I feel if it was the oil place's fault then, I would have had failure a lot earlier in the week…not 500 miles later. So basically, I have no idea what to do now. Y'all know damn well, the oil change place is not going to want to take responsibility and neither is ford. So I'm the one left, holding the bag on a new vehicle that's dead now. I feel that ford tried to pass the buck as quickly as they could. Sorry for the rambling post, but its just been a frustrating weekend for me. Any advice on my next steps or how to proceed would certainly be welcomed.

TL;DR - my new truck is dead and I'm screwed left holding the bag.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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10:14a, 6/29/25
AG
So who did the oil change ?

What truck/engine is this?
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10:18a, 6/29/25
AG
You'd be surprised about the oil change place depending on who did it. I changed oil at a Texaco Xpress Lube for two years in highschool and I personally witnessed them replace two engines in that time because our guys didn't replace the plug properly.

Did Ford take pictures of the plug? That could help. I would document what you can from ford and then take it to the oil change facility and demand they pay for it. Get a lawyer involved if you have to.
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Straight Playa Breaka
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10:20a, 6/29/25
It's a chain called Take 5 Oil Change, suburban Chicago.

3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 Ford Ranger Raptor

Yes, ford said they have photos. I know once the tow truck guy arrived, we took a look and could see oil all over the underbelly of the truck.

****added a star to this account. I know rookies can not pm and have a limit on post count.
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Straight Playa Breaka
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10:42a, 6/29/25
Would it be worth contacting ford corporate, or once the local dealership says no, then that's that?
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1agswitchin4lanes
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10:57a, 6/29/25
AG
I'd contact take5 corporate right away.

This is not an issue with Ford motor company or the dealer.

Your issue is with Take 5.

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Straight Playa Breaka
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 11:04a, 6/29/25
1agswitchin4lanes said:
I'd contact take5 corporate right away.

This is not an issue with Ford motor company or the dealer.

Your issue is with Take 5.



Thank you for your input. With your knowledge and experience does 15k sound about right for the engine and truck that I mentioned? And hopefully it will not take all that long to locate an engine. I remember waiting months for parts during Covid.
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lazuras_dc
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11:25a, 6/29/25
AG
I had an Oil changed at take 5 one time and then noticed a leak in the garage. Took it back and they slapped some silicone on there but it kept leaking so took it to a reputable place and they replaced the plug and had to change the oil again. Took a few months but take 5 refunded me. Will never go there again.
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Jason_Roofer
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11:41a, 6/29/25
Just out of curiosity, how do you not "put a plug back in correctly"??? Isn't this a coarse threaded bolt? It's almost impossible to not get that back in. Is that code for "put it in finger tight and it rattled out"?

I was told by my Ford dealer that I should have all services done at the dealer until it's out of warranty. I still do my own but I document everything.
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87IE
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In reply to Jason_Roofer • 12:19p, 6/29/25
AG
Jason_Roofer said:
Just out of curiosity, how do you not "put a plug back in correctly"??? Isn't this a coarse threaded bolt? It's almost impossible to not get that back in. Is that code for "put it in finger tight and it rattled out"?

I was told by my Ford dealer that I should have all services done at the dealer until it's out of warranty. I still do my own but I document everything.



The new drain plugs
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In reply to Jason_Roofer • 12:53p, 6/29/25
AG
Jason_Roofer said:
Just out of curiosity, how do you not "put a plug back in correctly"??? Isn't this a coarse threaded bolt? It's almost impossible to not get that back in. Is that code for "put it in finger tight and it rattled out"?

I was told by my Ford dealer that I should have all services done at the dealer until it's out of warranty. I still do my own but I document everything.



These places do 25-200 oil changes a day depending on the location and they get bonuses for certain volume so they rush in and rush out. Take 5 is pretty good IMO.

If I don't do my own oil I make sure and watch the techs and just tell them I'm anal about it. Biggest mistake is threading the bolt in and never putting a wrench on it.
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Rexter
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1:26p, 6/29/25
Cross-threaded drain plug...double gasket on the filter.

A co-worker had a shop do his oil change. New kid did it and didn't check to see if the old filter gasket was stuck on the block. Right at 500 miles down the road, he got the low pressure light but no knocking. Shop ended up putting in new bearings just in case. 1.6 Ecoboost.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to Straight Playa Breaka • 1:26p, 6/29/25
AG
Just a sock said:
1agswitchin4lanes said:
I'd contact take5 corporate right away.

This is not an issue with Ford motor company or the dealer.

Your issue is with Take 5.



Thank you for your input. With your knowledge and experience does 15k sound about right for the engine and truck that I mentioned? And hopefully it will not take all that long to locate an engine. I remember waiting months for parts during Covid.


Take 5 claims dept should replace with a fully reman 3.0L at their cost.

15K sounds right at the dealer.

Call Monday morning.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to 87IE • 1:27p, 6/29/25
AG
87IE said:
Jason_Roofer said:
Just out of curiosity, how do you not "put a plug back in correctly"??? Isn't this a coarse threaded bolt? It's almost impossible to not get that back in. Is that code for "put it in finger tight and it rattled out"?

I was told by my Ford dealer that I should have all services done at the dealer until it's out of warranty. I still do my own but I document everything.



The new drain plugs


I replaced mine with the Ronin plug. Made it a lot cleaner and easier to drain.
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91AggieLawyer
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8:35p, 6/29/25
AG
You might give a call to your insurance company. They might cover this and then go after Take 5 themselves. I have handled similar cases in the past but don't recall all the particulars.
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Stat Monitor Repairman
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In reply to 87IE • 9:18p, 6/29/25
87IE said:
Jason_Roofer said:
Just out of curiosity, how do you not "put a plug back in correctly"??? Isn't this a coarse threaded bolt? It's almost impossible to not get that back in. Is that code for "put it in finger tight and it rattled out"?

I was told by my Ford dealer that I should have all services done at the dealer until it's out of warranty. I still do my own but I document everything.



The new drain plugs
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RogerFurlong
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11:07a, 6/30/25
I had one of our company mechanics forget to put the oil cap on the motor one time. It was completely empty by the time I made it home (about 75 miles). They'll go surprisingly long without oil. I had lost power and heard a funny noise, but it only had about 10,000 miles on it so I limped it home and figured warranty would cover it. I wouldn't do that with a personal vehicle. That truck (ecoboost) is still running on the original engine with over 300,000 rough miles on it.
Have they filled it with oil and seen how it would run?
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TecRecAg
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In reply to 91AggieLawyer • 11:43a, 6/30/25
AG
91AggieLawyer said:
You might give a call to your insurance company. They might cover this and then go after Take 5 themselves. I have handled similar cases in the past but don't recall all the particulars.
Was going to say this. Use your insurance's lawyers if you can.

BIL had bad diesel that ruined his 6.7 fuel system. He contacted his insurance, they had it fixed right away and went after the gas station. Only headache for him was just waiting to get his truck back from the shop.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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6:51p, 7/1/25
TSW2012
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9:06p, 7/1/25
AG
I had the dealer to the "first oil change free" and they didn't tighten the filter all the way. Leaked oil on my brand new driveway. I tightened it myself another full turn by hand was 1/4 qt low. Dealer sent techs 100miles to my house with a Home Depot rented pressure washer to clean the oil spot. Unfortunately that dealer has been absorbed by a conglomerate I don't like.

I feel like I'm the only person that puts a new crush washer on when I change oil anymore. They are like $0.75 it's a no brainer. Cheaper if you order in bulk but that's even buying the GM branded washer.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to TSW2012 • 10:15p, 7/1/25
AG
TSW2012 said:
I had the dealer to the "first oil change free" and they didn't tighten the filter all the way. Leaked oil on my brand new driveway. I tightened it myself another full turn by hand was 1/4 qt low. Dealer sent techs 100miles to my house with a Home Depot rented pressure washer to clean the oil spot. Unfortunately that dealer has been absorbed by a conglomerate I don't like.

I feel like I'm the only person that puts a new crush washer on when I change oil anymore. They are like $0.75 it's a no brainer. Cheaper if you order in bulk but that's even buying the GM branded washer.


Doesn't the GM plug have an integrated rubber gasket?
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BrazosDog02
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In reply to TSW2012 • 12:39a, 7/2/25
AG
Everyone says you need to replace that. I have the factory installed crush washer and she's about to turn 480,000 miles. How tight are people crushing these washers?!
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fixer
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 5:07a, 7/2/25
on my '24 suburban it sure does have the integrated gasket on the threaded drain plug.
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Whoop Delecto
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6:15a, 7/2/25
AG
I buy a new plastic OEM plug for every 3rd oil change. My original plug developed a drip and soaked the underbody diaper on my F150. Had to replace diaper and plug, lucky it showed oil on my garage floor before catastrophic results.
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TSW2012
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 8:04a, 7/2/25
AG
1agswitchin4lanes said:
TSW2012 said:
I had the dealer to the "first oil change free" and they didn't tighten the filter all the way. Leaked oil on my brand new driveway. I tightened it myself another full turn by hand was 1/4 qt low. Dealer sent techs 100miles to my house with a Home Depot rented pressure washer to clean the oil spot. Unfortunately that dealer has been absorbed by a conglomerate I don't like.

I feel like I'm the only person that puts a new crush washer on when I change oil anymore. They are like $0.75 it's a no brainer. Cheaper if you order in bulk but that's even buying the GM branded washer.


Doesn't the GM plug have an integrated rubber gasket?


It may be a rubber gasket, but it's replaceable and cheap. It's not a very supple rubber so I just change it. At least on my 6.6 gas.
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Canyon99
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In reply to Whoop Delecto • 8:14a, 7/2/25
AG
My newest vehicle is a 2020 so I'm not up to speed with newer vehicles. Auto makers are seriously using plastic drain plugs these days?
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Whoop Delecto
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In reply to Canyon99 • 9:02a, 7/2/25
AG
Grok says

Ford began using plastic oil drain plugs in the F-150 around the 2015 model year, particularly with the introduction of plastic oil pans in certain EcoBoost engines (e.g., 2.7L and 3.5L). This change was noted in vehicles with composite oil pans, which required plastic drain plugs to avoid damaging the pan. However, not all F-150s from 2015 onward have plastic plugs, as some models, especially those with metal oil pans, retained traditional metal drain plugs. For example, some 2018 and later 3.5L EcoBoost models reverted to aluminum pans with metal plugs, and certain 2024 5.0L models are reported to have steel pans and plugs. The use of plastic plugs is often tied to specific engine types and model years, with the yellow plastic plug (e.g., part numbers BC3Z-6730-A, FT4Z-6730-A) being a common indicator. Always verify the oil pan and plug type for your specific vehicle, as Ford's implementation varied.
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agracer
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12:23p, 7/2/25
AG
The real question no one has asked is are you sure you need a new engine?

Just because the dealer says you do, doesn't mean it's been damaged beyond repair. You said the light came on, and then a few miles later you shut it down.

Take5 is going to likely ask for there own review before they'll just agree to pay $15k for a new engine.
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Straight Playa Breaka
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In reply to 91AggieLawyer • 5:06p, 7/2/25
91AggieLawyer said:
You might give a call to your insurance company. They might cover this and then go after Take 5 themselves. I have handled similar cases in the past but don't recall all the particulars.


Username definitely checks out. This is exactly what I did. My insurance is covering everything after my deductible. Thank you everyone for all of the great advice.
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aTm2004
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In reply to TSW2012 • 12:59p, 7/3/25
AG
TSW2012 said:
I feel like I'm the only person that puts a new crush washer on when I change oil anymore. They are like $0.75 it's a no brainer. Cheaper if you order in bulk but that's even buying the GM branded washer.
For those of you with Hondas...if you buy the 3 pack OEM filter off of Amazon, they come with 3 crush washers.
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MouthBQ98
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1:12p, 7/3/25
AG
Been doing this for decades. Never had a drain plug problem. Never replaced a copper alloy crush washer either. In fact, most of my vehicles have a soft metal ring integrated into the back side of the flange of the drain plug. That and proper torque seem to prevent leaks or damage.
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big ben
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1:31p, 7/3/25
AG
Fumoto drain valve, one and done.
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txyaloo
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In reply to aTm2004 • 6:21p, 7/3/25
AG
aTm2004 said:
TSW2012 said:
I feel like I'm the only person that puts a new crush washer on when I change oil anymore. They are like $0.75 it's a no brainer. Cheaper if you order in bulk but that's even buying the GM branded washer.
For those of you with Hondas...if you buy the 3 pack OEM filter off of Amazon, they come with 3 crush washers.
You're brave ordering "OEM" parts on Amazon. The risk is extremely high to end up with a counterfeit part for a few dollars in savings.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to Straight Playa Breaka • 9:29p, 7/3/25
AG
Just a sock said:
91AggieLawyer said:
You might give a call to your insurance company. They might cover this and then go after Take 5 themselves. I have handled similar cases in the past but don't recall all the particulars.


Username definitely checks out. This is exactly what I did. My insurance is covering everything after my deductible. Thank you everyone for all of the great advice.


Unfortunately this goes against your policy…..
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Straight Playa Breaka
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 11:08p, 7/4/25
How? I called my insurance corporate office and told them exactly what happened. I have receipts from take 5 and everything. Shouldn't the corporate office know what is and isn't against their policy? Subrogation insurance I think is what they called it.
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