Take 5 Oil Change review: Replacing the air filter when removing the housing where the air filter had been replaced. Lack of accountability and customer service

Subject: Complaint Regarding Service at Take 5
Sunday, June 28, 2026, I am very disappointed with the level of service I received from Take 5
I initially brought my car a 2020 Toyota Camry in for a courtesy inspection because I was preparing to leave town. While there, I decided to have the oil changed. The staff also recommended replacing the air filter and performing a radiator flush, which was completed. The total cost of the service was $271.19.
However, immediately after leaving the shop, my vehicle began experiencing serious problems. Within less than two minutes of driving away, multiple warning lights came on, including the check engine light, and the engine shut off completely.
I attempted to contact the shop several times to report the issue, but NO! one answered the phone. As a result, I had to arrange for someone to pick me up and take me back to the shop. I then asked one of the employees to come and look at the vehicle because I believed the problem may have been related to the service that had just been performed, I had just left the shop.
When the employee arrived, the vehicle was stopped in the median and posed a safety hazard. To avoid the risk of being hit by oncoming traffic, my sister and I helped the employee push the vehicle into a nearby Kroger parking lot.
The employee examined the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the problem. He then contacted his manager, Jeremy, at Take 5 Store #66 in Mesquite, Texas. He used the testing device displayed Throttle. He then contacted manager Jeremy he suggested checking the Throttle Actuator Control/Throttle Body system. I have a photo of the diagnostic reading that was displayed on the testing device.
When the employee opened the area where the air filter had been replaced, he discovered a broken piece lodged in the opening. He showed me the broken piece and stated that it was likely causing the issue. After removing the piece and reinstalling the components, the vehicle still would not start. The employee then jump-started the vehicle, and it started was able to run.
I drove the car home, and although it appeared to be operating normally, I remained concerned about its reliability, especially since I was scheduled to travel out of town. Later that same day, while driving to Forney to pick up my daughter, the vehicle experienced the exact same problem. All of the warning lights illuminated, the engine shut off, and the vehicle would not restart.
By that time, it was approximately 10:30 p.m. Since we were scheduled to leave town early the following morning at 4:00 am, we had no choice but to leave the vehicle parked on a residential street in Forney overnight.

On Monday, June 29, I repeatedly called Take 5 to report that the issue had not been resolved; however, once again, my calls went unanswered. My trip was out of town for the entire week and back until Sunday July 5th.
Over the next two days, I was contacted by the homeowner’s association in the neighborhood where the vehicle had been left and was informed that it needed to be moved. As a result, I had no option but to arrange for a tow truck to transport the vehicle to a Toyota dealership for a full inspection and diagnosis.
The Toyota dealership performed a diagnostic inspection, and a video was provided for viewing and determined that the issue was related to the throttle body, which was causing multiple fault codes and preventing the vehicle from starting properly. According to the dealership's findings, the problem was associated with the area where the air filter replacement had been performed by Take 5 employees.
This diagnosis was consistent with what was initially observed by the Take 5 employee, at the scene when he contacted his manager Jeremy and was advised to inspect the Throttle Actuator Control/Throttle Body system., who then found a broken piece in the intake area after opening the housing where the air filter had been replaced, in which I was able to see myself. Given that the vehicle experienced these issues immediately after the service was completed and that the dealership confirmed a throttle body-related problem connected to that work area, the issue resulted from the service performed at Take 5.
After returning to town, I visited Take 5 and spoke directly with the manager, Jeremy. He stated that I should have contacted the shop before taking my vehicle to the dealership. However, I attempted to call multiple times and received no response. Jeremy then confirmed that the shop does not have a working phone available for customer calls.
Given that there was no way to reach the shop by phone, I am unclear how I was expected to contact him beforehand. Jeremy also informed me that no action would be taken regarding my concern because I had not contacted the shop first.
This situation caused significant inconvenience, stress, and concern for the safety and dependability of my vehicle, particularly given that these issues began immediately after the services performed by Take 5.

As a result, I am requesting reimbursement for the expenses I incurred, including the $271.19 paid to Take 5, $180.00 in towing charges, and $228.28 in dealership diagnostic and repair costs, for a total of $679.47. I would appreciate a prompt review of this matter and a fair resolution. This experience has been frustrating and reflects a lack of accountability and customer service. Invoices and video will be provided for your review.

Sincerely,
Maria