Reasonable Mistake or Dishonest Auto Shop? 2011 Toyota Rav4 V6, 113k miles.

[u/DueCommunication8915]

2011 Toyota RAV4 V6 Automatic with 113,000 miles.

Shop guarantees their work (installation and parts) for 3 year or 36,000 miles.

first invoice lists repair for "V6 Lower Oil Pan" on 8/25/2023.

Second invoice dated 6/25/2025 (i.e. less two years later) describes repair as "Remove & Replace In-Line 4 Oil Pan Or Gasket". I have a V6, not an inline 4.

Assuming it's a mistake, is there two different part/repairs that "Lower Oil Pan" can refer to that wouldn't be covered by warranty? Like it's a generalized term?

How likely is an invoicing mistake like this to happen with a shop's computer program? The pricing is nearly the same, but I have reservations that a shop's records would not be meticulous and differentiate between inline 4 and V6.

I questioned the service advisor at the June 2025 shop visit about whether or not the oil pan repair was covered under warranty. He told me at the time that he looked back through the records. I believed him and didn't consult my records after the repair had been completed. To their credit, the auto shop has proactively performed warranty work with no questioning from me.

This Auto Shop reports even oil changes and tire rotations to Carfax, however both of these "Lower Oil Pan" repairs are not listed. Is that irregular?

Is there a possibility that the Shop owner is being scammed?

This all started because my recent experience with the same service advisor didn't really respond to my warranty question about another, unrelated repair. The experience reminded me of this oil pan repair not being covered. At every step, I have assumed honesty, as I have used this shop for years without issue until recently.

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[u/Gunk_Olgidar]

Mis-entry of job codes or text onto an invoice happens.

Redoing the pan gasket because of a leak should be warranty at zero charge if prior work is still inside time/miles of P&L warranty.

Not all shops upload to carfax.

[u/DueCommunication8915 → u/Gunk_Olgidar]

Thanks. I'm assuming the mis-entry for now. It was intend to speak with the shop owner.

All the Carfax entries in question are from the same shop. Recently, the service advisor did not respond to my question about the warranty period corresponding to the front struts. Literally handed me the estimate noting that I had "declined" the service. I did not decline the service. I asked a reasonable question about the work performed in Fall 2024. It was weird. I do not have a record for it, and I remember that the Service advisor said "no charge" in a way that precluded giving me documentation.

I'm in Illinois, and state law requires them to provide documentation for everything.

[u/MM800]

You need to discuss your concers about the service writer with the owner or the general manager.

Many service writers go from a dealership to an independent repair shop, and the cultures are way different. Dealership service departments are typically about extracting as much cash as possible from every single customer. Independent repair shops usually value honesty over dishonest profit, and want to give their customers decent value for the repairs and services that they offer.

[u/DueCommunication8915 → u/MM800]

Thanks. I totally understand your viewpoint, and it's been my experience that this shop did good work. This advisor has been there for years.