2025 Corolla SE 2.0L oil leaks: I had it barely two months and I already have doubts about the life of this car

If you pay near $ 30,000 or more for a brand new Toyota, there are certain expectations that owners are granted. But what if you are unhappy enough to get the wrong one from the assembly line and to work the wrong mechanics on how this new Corolla owner, as reported in a discussion of Reddit R/Toyota Forum reported in a discussion?

2025 Corolla SE Oil Covering First 500 miles

According to the discussion of Reddit R/Toyota Forum entitled “2025 Corolla SE 2.0L oilleck”, the OP wanted to hit the appropriate precaution to change the engine oil of its vehicle. The first 500 miles to replace oil in which metal bits by nature float from the initial slump in the engine.

A careful examination during the DIY oil change resulted in an oil -blank problem that led to this slightly summarized repair saga reported by the operation:

“I bought this car on May 14, 2025 Brand new and it had 15 miles. It drove well and enjoyed it up to about 526 miles. Then I wanted to do the first oil change.

When I got under the car, I noticed that oil dripped between the engine/gearbox area and a little out of the oil pan and brought it to the car dealership the following Monday. “

(Travel No. 1) The service consultant told me that they hadn't thought it was enough and suggested driving it for another week and then coming back.

After I got home, I got underneath to check whether it escaped again, and I found that they had only seen the leak from the oil pan, not the bigger leak between the engine and the transmission. So I took it back the next day.

(Travel No. 2) They saw the bigger leak, but couldn't say where it came from. So they added the motor oil UV dye and told me I should come back in a week.

(Travel No. 3) A thousand twenty miles on the kilometer counter, and they said they still couldn't say where it came from and told me that I should drive another 2k-3K miles.

The OP Toyota contacted dissatisfied with documentation of the leaks, including images/videos. At this point, Toyota asked the operation to return it to the dealer so that he replaces the small block section of the engine to fix a problem of the crank alignment that is responsible for the leak.

(Travel No. 4) The repair was completed; With the then the engine, however, the operation found obvious repair work.

I recently got the car back and crawled under the work to inspect her work and found this sloppy chaos. Am I just picked or would that be considered a lemon? I hardly had 2 months and already have doubts about the life of this car. ~ Op

Is the OR entitled to apply a lemon law for another new model?

The operation is rightly upset about this repair saga.

Not only because of the oil leaks that were discovered during the first 500 miles on the mileage, but also what it took to get the service department to do the right repair … and then make a bad job out of it.

The excessive amount of sealing, which is applied to both the half-fall and the oil pan, is a red flag that either does not understand the person it has done how to properly use the sealant. Or it was simply not about it and it was struck and thought that an excessive amount would no longer guarantee an oil.

In fact, excessive sealant is never the right answer. If you check the repair manuals for make and model, you will find specific instructions depending on the part whether a thin pearl of 1/16 inch, 1/8 inch, 1/4 inch, etc. is to be used. In some cases, only a thin smear via the sealing material is sufficient to ensure a good seal. Excessive sealant can lead to leaks.

If you use RTV like this, I bet that you have not taken care of turning something to specify. I would watch the car like a falcon. Document everything, but man is a terrible job. It could also be worth talking about Toyota about it. —Atchz

Other comments indicate that the sloppy sealing application is not a problem and indicate that it is normal to leak or infiltration.

They replaced half the case. I don't like your application of RTV, but there are no fine oil passages that are influenced by the amount used. Your work is not the cleanest, and I would think that the technology needs to speak, but the problem is fixed, so good luck with making a lemon replacement case.

Oil leaks pass. There are bulletins about recycling certain oil pans. I carried out several half cases on 2G for seepage under guarantee. It is unfortunate, but it is also the nature of production. »Thatmanitobaguy

What would I do if it were my crown?

Both comments are a good point. My concern is whether excessive sealing agents in the engine are out of bad work. That and what a mechanic of the red flag seems to be. Would I be worried about whether the right torque was done? She Betcha, I would among other things. So I would argue for a new replacement vehicle.

Is that a lemon law?

The lemon laws vary in the United States according to the state, but most parts of common conditions that have to hit a new car to qualify as a lemon. Include typical requirements:

1. The vehicle must be new (or recently bought/rented)

2. The defect must be significant»It must affect the use, value or safety of the vehicle, such as: B. with:

• Motor or gear failure
• Braking or steering problems
• Persistent fluid leaks
• Malfunctions of the electrical system

3 .. Appropriate repair attempts must be made»The manufacturer or authorized dealer must receive a reasonable number of experiments to fix the problem, usually:

• Three to four attempts at repair for the same problem.
• The car is no longer put into operation for 30 or more days (cumulative) within the first 12 to 24 months.

4 .. The problem must have occurred within the lemon period– Most lemon laws apply during:

• The first 12 to 24 months after delivery or the first 12,000 to 24,000 miles

5. The defect must be covered by the manufacturer's guarantee»The problem must fall under the factory guarantee. Problems caused by accidents, neglect or changes to the aftermarket generally do not qualify.

6. You have to notify the manufacturer»In some states, you have to officially notify the manufacturer and give it a final repair renovation before submitting a claim.

The requirements for lemon law vary from the state. However, if your vehicle is qualified, you may be entitled to:

1. A replacement vehicle
2. A complete reimbursement (minus a kilometer offset)

What would you do if it were your crown? Please share your thoughts about the situation of the operation in the comment area below. If you and your new car were, would you like a replacement vehicle or a complete reimbursement? Or does the situation not earn the protection of the operation?

For additional failures from Toyota, there are two for their consideration:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati, who currently researches older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance and is working on it. He also reports on modern cars (including EVS) with a focus on DIY mechanics, purchase and use of tools and other current automotive repair messages. Follow Tim on Twitter @Timboyerwrites as well as on Facebook and its automotive blog “Zen and the Art of Diy Car Repair” for useful daily news and topics in connection with new and used cars and trucks.

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