A class action lawsuit has been filed against Valvoline because its Instant Oil Change facilities do not use the correct oil specification recommended by vehicle manufacturers.
Carcomplaints.com reported that Robert Campbell, an Indiana plaintiff and owner of a 2025 Kia Sorento, serviced his vehicle at an Indiana Valvoline Instant Oil Change location in October 2025.
However, he later found out that the oil replaced in his vehicle was not the same specification as advised by Kia. Valvoline filled his vehicle with the 5W-30 oil, a stark contrast to Kia’s recommendation to only use the 0W-30 oil.
The lawsuit alleges that the wrong type of oil can lead to engine damage, a drop in the vehicle’s performance, and the voiding of the manufacturer’s warranty. It states:
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“All individual owners of vehicles serviced at a Valvoline Instant Oil Change location operated by Valvoline Inc. and whose vehicle engine oil was replaced with oil that did not conform to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.”
The plaintiff got the oil replaced on his Sorento for $102.99, only to realize after several days that the Valvoline Instant Oil Change facility failed to use the correct oil, prompting him to ask for a refund.
Instead of the refund, though, Valvoline reportedly gave him a different oil. However, even that failed to meet Kia’s specifications. This caused the plaintiff to have the oil changed at a different outlet, where he ended up paying again, but the oil was in accordance with Kia’s specifications.
This didn’t stop the plaintiff from bringing the matter to Valvoline’s notice as he called the brand’s customer service to report the problem. Strangely, Valvoline told him that they did not sell the oil he needed for his Kia. The lawsuit read:
“Valvoline service centers do not carry the oil with the same specifications required by Kia as no such oil is manufactured by Valvoline.”
This point strengthened the plaintiff’s case, as it confirmed that the wrong type of oil added to his vehicle was not a rare incident, since Valvoline does not sell the oil recommended for his vehicle.
The lawsuit also claims that Valvoline’s website incorrectly states 5W-30 oil as the correct oil type for the 2025 Kia Sorento 2.5-liter turbo engines.
The alleged error by Valvoline could mean that several customers who use services at Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations could be driving around with the wrong type of oil in their vehicles.
The plaintiff is claiming in the lawsuit that the wrong type of oil has caused him damage, such as the expenses incurred to drain and replace the incorrect oil with Kia’s specified oil, diagnostic and mitigation expenses, an increased risk of engine damage, diminished value of his 2025 Kia Sorento, and the likely loss of warranty cover on his vehicle.
