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'Not Gonna Charge Her:' Woman Gets Kia’s Tires Balanced at Walmart. When Her Mechanic Spots an Issue, Walmart Won’t Touch It

"Do Not Ever Have Your Tires Serviced At Walmart."

Tires Walmart

Photo by: Unsplash.com

Alexandra Samuels

By: Alexandra Samuels

Aug 20, 2025 at 5:00pm ET

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A tire shop on TikTok is warning drivers to think twice before heading to Walmart for auto service.

Speedy Traction Academy (@stwdirect) posted a story about a young woman who said she had her car serviced at a Walmart Auto Center—only for the problem to get worse. In the clip, a mechanic from the shop claimed that Walmart’s work had left her vehicle unsafe, prompting him to step in and fix it for free.

“Do not go to Walmart to get your tires,” the @stwdirect mechanic said. “Here’s why.” The video has since pulled in more than 79,900 views.

What Happened?

According to the mechanic, the woman showed up complaining of a “bad vibration” after Walmart had serviced her tires. So bad, she told him, it felt like the wheel was about to fall off. He said he checked the torque and found it to be fine, then suggested that the issue was likely with the car’s balance. Since she had already paid Walmart, he told her to go back and have them finish the job.

But when she did, Walmart allegedly turned her away. The mechanic claimed staff at the auto center refused to touch the car, saying that because another mechanic had torqued the wheels, they couldn’t do anything more.

That’s when @stwdirect decided to step in.

“We’re not gonna charge her one dime,” the mechanic said, explaining they removed and re-balanced all four wheels at no cost. “That’s how you do customer service. Do not buy tires from Walmart.”

Does Walmart Have a Bad Reputation?

Walmart Auto Care Centers carry a mixed reputation. The retailer is known for offering competitive tire prices, but many customers complain about service quality—sometimes extending beyond the tires alone. On the tire front, complaints on social media include overtightened or loose lug nuts, poor balancing, and even damage to wheels or sensors.

Still, it’s not fair to say every Walmart Auto Center is bad. Experiences vary widely by location. While some customers report decent service, others describe confusion over what’s covered, echoing the concerns seen in @stwdirect’s viral warning.

According to online reviews, Walmart’s uneven track record has left a mark on many drivers. Some recommend double-checking the work—making sure lug nuts are correctly tightened and tires balanced—or documenting everything with photos and receipts in case problems surface. Others say they skip Walmart entirely for more complex repairs, opting for specialized shops or dealerships where quality control tends to be tighter.

Viewers Share Poor Experiences with Walmart

Many who watched @stwdirect’s video echoed the mechanic’s concerns, saying they wouldn’t trust Walmart with even the simplest of repairs.

“I wouldn’t trust Walmart to check the air in my tires!!” one man quipped.

“Never take a vehicle to Walmart,” another wrote. “They mess everything up.”

“I don’t go to Walmart, period,” added a third.

Still, not every viewer agreed that Walmart Auto Centers are a lost cause. Some said they’ve relied on them for decades without issue.

“I never had a problem with Walmart tires in 25 years,” one commenter said. “I’m still going back.”

“I’ve been going there for years,” added another. “I have never had a problem.”

What do you think?

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“Not every Walmart is the same,” a third viewer argued. “I have 30 years [of] experience and Walmart pays the most.” Regarding the woman in @stwdirect’s story, this commenter suggested she visited a “bad location.”

Motor1 has reached out to Walmart via its online press form and to @stwdirect via a direct message on TikTok.

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