Midas review: Wrong size engine oil drain plug

r Midas Customer Service,

I am writing to make a formal complaint regarding service performed on my 2016 Volkswagen Touareg at your 17th Avenue SW location in Calgary.

I have been a Midas customer for many years and, until this situation, I had always been satisfied with the service I received. Unfortunately, my recent experience has been extremely disappointing.

On November 28, 2023, I brought my vehicle to Midas for an oil change. The service is documented under invoice #ST-[protected].

Approximately three weeks after that oil change, the “Add Oil” warning appeared on my vehicle. I returned to the same Midas location on 17th Avenue SW, where some additional oil was simply added. The problem continued, and approximately every four weeks I had to add more oil.

I returned to Midas again and discussed the issue with the manager. I was told that there was likely nothing Midas could do and that the oil was probably being “burned” in the copper pipes, referring to a recall that had occurred several years earlier. I relied on that explanation and, over the following approximately two years, continued purchasing 5W30 synthetic oil and adding it to the vehicle every four to five weeks.

Importantly, there were no visible oil leaks on my garage floor when the vehicle was parked. Based on the explanation I was given by Midas, I reasonably believed that the vehicle was consuming the oil rather than losing it because of an improperly installed or incorrect component.

On August 29, 2026, I took my vehicle to Mr. Lube + Tires for an oil change because it was closer to my home. While the oil was being changed, service technician Hunter Ottenhof and upper technician Marlee Boone brought me the engine oil drain plug removed from my vehicle. They showed me a comparison with the proper-sized plug and explained that the plug installed in my vehicle was the incorrect size.

I was extremely concerned to learn this. I explained to them that the oil had been changed at Midas in November 2023 and that, ever since then, I had experienced ongoing oil loss requiring me to add oil every four to five weeks.

Mr. Lube + Tires recommended replacing the incorrect bolt because it could potentially have contributed to oil leakage or loss. I paid an additional $14.99 for the replacement.

I then took the incorrect oil plug with me and returned to the Midas location on 17th Avenue SW. I explained the situation to the front desk manager and showed him the documentation and the incorrect plug.

Unfortunately, rather than investigating the matter or acknowledging the possibility that the incorrect plug could have been installed during the November 2023 oil change, I was told:

“Everybody can make a mistake. But you cannot prove to me that your oil wasn’t changed within those two years.”

I was also told that I would need to prove that Midas was responsible and that, if I could prove it, he could pay me the approximately $15 cost of the replacement bolt. He suggested that another shop could have installed the incorrect plug during the intervening two years.

I find this response unacceptable.

I understand that mistakes can happen. My concern is not simply the $14.99 cost of the replacement bolt. The issue is that immediately following the Midas oil change in November 2023, my vehicle began requiring regular oil additions, and this continued for approximately two years. I was repeatedly advised by Midas that the issue was likely related to oil consumption and that there was nothing that could be done. I relied on that professional advice.

I also have a binder containing records of my vehicle's visits, including inspections and odometer readings, which I am prepared to provide. I have retained the incorrect oil plug as physical evidence, as well as the documentation from the November 28, 2023 service.

I am not claiming that the incorrect plug definitively caused every instance of oil loss over the past two years. However, there is a clear and reasonable concern that the incorrect plug was installed during the Midas oil change and that it may have contributed to the ongoing loss of engine oil. At minimum, this matter warrants a proper investigation rather than simply dismissing my concern on the basis that I cannot prove what happened inside the vehicle for every day of the subsequent two years.

I would therefore like Midas to reimburse at least 14.99 plus shop supplies as I was so disappointed with the manager's attitude.

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