Image Credit: WSB-TV/YouTube.Regina Lee says an oil change turned into a dispute that has left her without a vehicle and without answers. The Georgia woman claims the service visit ended with the destruction of the engine in her 2022 BMW X3.The case was brought to public attention through an investigation by WSB-TV in Atlanta, whose report examined both Lee's experience and concerns raised by other customers. The station's coverage aired in mid-June 2026 and has since drawn attention online.Lee used the BMW as part of her private car rental business. The SUV represented both transportation and a source of income tied to her day-to-day operations.AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to WSB-TV, Take 5 Oil Change acknowledged that oil leaked from the vehicle after service. The disagreement now centers on whether the company's proposed resolution is enough to cover the losses Lee says she has suffered.The Oil Change That Ended in TrafficImage Credit: WSB-TV/YouTube.The incident traces back to March 2026, when Lee brought her 2022 BMW X3 to a Take 5 Oil Change location in Lithia Springs in Douglas County, Georgia. After the service was completed, Lee drove away from the shop. According to the account shared with WSB-TV, only minutes passed before the vehicle began showing signs of trouble.Lee said she had traveled about 11 miles from the location when the oil pressure warning light illuminated. Within moments, the BMW lost power in a busy intersection near the Douglasville area. The engine seized while she sat in traffic. The SUV had to be towed from the scene.For Lee, the consequences stretched beyond the loss of transportation. Because the BMW was used in her rental business, the breakdown also meant the loss of income tied to bookings and customer use.Inspection Findings Point to Oil LossThe report states that Take 5 conducted its own inspection following the incident. According to the findings discussed in the WSB-TV investigation, the oil drain plug had leaked. That leak allowed the fresh oil added during the service appointment to escape from the engine.AdvertisementAdvertisementWithout lubrication, engine components can grind against one another, generating heat and friction that can lead to seizure. In Lee's case, the damage proved extensive. BMW estimated that replacing the engine would cost about $20,000.Lee told WSB-TV that Take 5 offered to pay roughly half of that amount and proposed installing a used engine instead of a new replacement. She rejected the offer, arguing that it failed to address the full cost of the damage and the business losses connected to the vehicle being out of service. As of the station's report, the dispute remained unresolved.A Pattern of Complaints Beyond GeorgiaWSB-TV also explored whether Lee's case reflected broader concerns involving the company. Consumer complaints tied to Take 5 Oil Change locations have surfaced in multiple states over several years. Customers have alleged problems ranging from oil leaks and incorrect fluid levels to engines that failed soon after maintenance visits.A review conducted by the Jacksonville Inspector General covering July 2021 through August 2023 documented 45 complaints from sheriff's office personnel linking vehicle problems to work performed at Take 5 locations.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe company has also faced hundreds of complaints through the Better Business Bureau and has held an "F" rating during periods covered by public records. Lawsuits filed by customers have alleged failures that resulted in engine damage after oil service.Reports from 2024 and 2025 in states including Arizona and North Carolina described incidents involving seized engines and oil-related failures after visits to Take 5 shops.An Unfinished DisputeNo public records indicate a recall, regulatory action, or settlement tied specifically to Lee's case following the WSB-TV investigation. The dispute remains a consumer complaint involving competing views over compensation and responsibility.For Lee, the outcome could determine whether she recovers the value of a vehicle she relied upon for business purposes. For viewers following the story, the WSB-TV report has added another case to an ongoing discussion about accountability in the oil change industry and the costs consumers face when maintenance work goes wrong.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
