Zip Ties Used in Oil Change Lead to Highway Scare

What was supposed to be a routine oil change turned into a terrifying experience for a Newfoundland man, raising serious questions about auto repair safety and service standards.

Travis Jones from Clarenville, N.L., said his 2017 Honda Civic began shaking violently and making a roaring sound shortly after an oil change in May 2023. “It felt like the car was being dragged backward,” he recalled. “I was terrified. I nearly lost control with a transport truck right behind me.”

Jones immediately returned to the service center, where staff found several bolts missing from the engine splash shield — a metal plate that protects parts underneath the car. Instead of replacing the missing bolts, workers used plastic zip ties to hold the shield in place. Jones said he only learned about it after asking directly.

“I was speechless. They told me it was fixed but never mentioned they used zip ties,” he said.

The company later said the bolts had “failed” from wear during regular maintenance and claimed the zip ties were a “temporary solution.” But Jones said no one informed him the fix was temporary or unsafe.

Months later, disaster struck again. While driving on the highway in November 2023, some zip ties broke, causing part of the metal plate to drag on the road. Jones lost control and crashed into a ditch, suffering minor injuries. “I was bleeding and in pain. It could have been fatal,” he said.

After several calls and emails, the company offered to reimburse him for repairs at a Honda dealership, but only if he paid upfront. Jones refused, saying the company should have paid the repair shop directly. “I already paid for my oil change. I shouldn’t have to pay again for their mistake,” he said.

A federal safety review later determined the issue was due to improper service, not a manufacturing defect.

Automotive experts said the repair was completely unsafe. “You should never use zip ties to secure a critical car part,” said one certified mechanic. “That repair was wrong from the start.”

Consumer advocates warned that many auto shops rely on workers with minimal training for routine maintenance. Job listings show that service installers performing oil changes and tire work often don’t need formal mechanical qualifications — just a driver’s licence and physical strength to lift equipment.

Jones said after two years of struggle, he’s still waiting for a proper resolution. For now, he has removed the damaged shield himself until he can afford to replace it correctly.

“Trust is gone,” Jones said. “I’ll never take my car there again after what happened.”