I Just Had My First 2024 Tacoma 10K Oil Change Done at the Toyota Dealer, Now I Have a Massive Oil Spill on My Garage Floor

"I took my new Tacoma to the dealer for its first oil change. When I got home, I saw oil all over my garage floor. What is going on?" 

That's what happened to Andy Flynn after he took his 2024 Toyota Tacoma to the Toyota dealer to get his first oil change. You can imagine his shock at seeing a large oil puddle under his new pickup.

He says on the Toyota Tacoma Owners Facebook page, "I had my first 10,000-mile oil change done on my 2024 Toyota Tacoma at the Toyota dealership yesterday. I just noticed a large oil puddle in the garage. I crawled under the truck but couldn't get the best pictures because I had to slide under from the side to avoid the massive oil spill. It appears to be leaking from the drain. Is there a problem with my new truck?"

Imagine buying a new 2024 Toyota Tacoma and wanting to keep it in good running condition. The salesperson told you to bring your truck in for its first service at 10,000 miles, so that's what you do.

The service advisor informs you that they will be changing the oil and oil filter, checking the brakes, and rotating the tires. They will also inspect the wiper blades, check the cabin air filter, and top off any necessary fluids as needed. The service will take about an hour, so you wait in the service area lounge.

The advisor tells you your truck is ready, and all goes as planned. Your Tacoma comes with the ToyotaCare maintenance plan, which covers oil changes, tire rotations, and multi-point inspections. So, they hand you the keys, drop off your pickup on the service drive, and you drive away. 

You are thinking, "That was easy, and I didn't have to pay anything out of pocket. Just like the salesperson told me when I bought the truck. Toyota is taking care of me. That was a good experience." 

What happened next leaves Andy wondering.

Andy parks his truck in his garage and goes inside the house. However, when he goes out to get his phone, which he left in the pickup, he sees a large puddle of oil under his truck. Now he's wondering what's going on. Is there a problem with his new pickup?

He even crawls underneath to take a look. He posts the pictures on the Tacoma owners' Facebook page, which he joined, to ask if anyone else knows what's going on. He's seeking the advice and support of his fellow Tacoma owners. 

Andy says, "Looks like it's leaking from the drain. Is there anything else I should be looking for?"

Does the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Have An Oil Leak Problem?

While some Tacoma owners have reported oil leaks in their pickups, these leaks are typically associated with the timing chain cover. However, Andy's problem does not appear to be coming from the front of the engine but from the oil drain plug. 

Here are the likely culprits for Andy's puddle of oil underneath his new Tacoma. 

The most likely culprits are a loose drain plug, a misaligned or overtightened oil filter, or a damaged seal or gasket. Andy inspected the area where the oil was leaking, but was unable to determine precisely where it was coming from. Now, he'll need to take it back to the Toyota dealer. 

Here's a more detailed look at potential causes:

• Loose Drain Plug: The drain plug is a common point of leaks. Ensure it's properly tightened, and if it's damaged, a new washer or gasket may be needed.
• Oil Filter: An improperly installed or overtightened oil filter can cause leaks. Make sure the filter is seated correctly and not over-tightened.
• Damaged Seals/Gaskets: Over time, seals and gaskets can deteriorate, resulting in leaks. Look for leaks around the oil pan, valve cover, or other engine components. Andy's Tacoma is new, so this is not the problem. 

What are other Tacoma owners saying?

Most comments agree on one point: the Toyota technician likely didn't replace the oil plug gasket. 

Conclusion

Should the plug gasket be replaced with every oil change? 

While some Toyota dealerships may replace the oil drain plug gasket with each oil change, it's not a universally mandated practice. Some dealerships might replace it, while others might reuse the gasket if it's in good condition. 

In Andy's case, when the Toyota technician changed the oil, he was in a hurry and either failed to install a new oil plug gasket, over-tightened the oil filter, or didn't properly tighten the oil drain plug.  

The Toyota technician was probably in a hurry. While all Toyota technicians are trained through Toyota's programs and certifications, not all technicians are conscientious and produce quality work. 

Some Toyota dealerships even offer a bonus or incentive structure to encourage technicians to perform work efficiently and effectively, potentially leading to higher overall compensation, which can help prevent problems like Andy's oil leak from occurring.

Andy probably had a technician who was preoccupied and did a sloppy job on his new Tacoma oil change. Now, he has to take extra time and have the Toyota dealer fix the problem.

How About You?

Have you had inferior work done at a Toyota dealer? Your feedback is valuable. If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Toyota Tacoma story: I Brought In My Toyota Tacoma After Suffering a Botched Repair On the Worst Feature Ever, This Is Why Dealers Get a Bad Name

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Andy Flynn