Travis Jones faced a harrowing highway ordeal following an ordinary oil change at Canadian Tire, where a crucial car part was secured with plastic zip ties. This incident kickstarted a two-year quest for clarity. Immediately after leaving the Clarenville, N.L., store in May 2023, Jones sensed trouble with his 2017 Honda Civic. The vehicle shook violently, emitted a loud noise, and struggled to achieve highway speeds, prompting Jones to return to the store.
Upon inspection, it was discovered that several bolts were absent from the engine splash shield, a protective plate commonly removed during oil changes. Jones’s shield, made of metal, seemed to have been dragging beneath the car. Rather than replacing the missing bolts, the Canadian Tire staff opted to use plastic zip ties to secure the shield without disclosing this to Jones upfront.
Canadian Tire’s corporate office stated that each store is independently operated, and their response is based solely on information provided by the local dealer. When questioned about the missing bolts, Canadian Tire explained that the metal shield detached after the bolts “failed,” a consequence of repeated removal during routine maintenance. Due to a lack of suitable replacement bolts at the location, a temporary fix with zip ties was utilized.
Jones, unaware of the temporary nature of the fix, experienced a subsequent incident where the zip ties failed at high speeds, causing part of the shield to detach and leading to a dangerous highway mishap. Auto safety experts criticized the improper repair, emphasizing the risks such actions pose to road users.
Following months of communication, Canadian Tire eventually agreed to cover the cost of bolt replacement at a Honda dealership, albeit with an upfront payment requirement from Jones. Dissatisfied with the offer and the lack of reimbursement for the initial oil change, Jones declined. A subsequent incident in November 2023 saw more zip ties snap, resulting in another hazardous situation.
An investigation by Transport Canada attributed the responsibility to Canadian Tire, highlighting concerns about repair standards and personnel qualifications. The use of zip ties for critical components, as in Jones’s case, was deemed inappropriate by experts. The incident also shed light on the minimal qualifications required for automotive service installers at Canadian Tire locations, raising questions about the industry’s practices.
Despite ongoing efforts to seek answers and resolution, Jones remains disillusioned with Canadian Tire, opting to remove the compromised shield until proper repairs are made or the cost is covered by the retailer. The incident has eroded his trust in the brand, leaving him physically and emotionally drained.
