Complaint 2219481

Complaint Summary

WHEELS

Owner Narrative

I am reporting a serious public safety concern involving Walmart Auto Care Center in Waterford, CT, after tire installation on my 2023 Dodge Challenger. Walmart installed four new Michelin tires on 05/12/2026 after Walmart.com order #[XXX]. On [XXX], a missing front passenger-side locking lug nut was discovered. I photographed the missing lug nut area and reported the issue to Walmart. When I returned to the Waterford Walmart Auto Care Center on 06/12/2026, the Tire/Lube department manager stated that Walmart associates do not tighten or torque locking lug nuts because of a prior incident where a locking-lug key broke inside a customer’s wheel. This was never disclosed to me before service and was not posted for consumers. On 06/24/2026, the same department manager confirmed that statement in front of an assistant store manager during a recorded in-person interaction. During that same interaction, after I stated the vehicle has five lug nuts per wheel, the assistant store manager stated words to the effect that I could safely drive with only three lug nuts. My concern is not only reimbursement. This appears to be a serious vehicle safety issue: customers may be leaving a tire service department with missing, unsecured, or untorqued locking lug nuts, without being warned that all lug nuts were not properly secured. Lug nuts secure the wheel to the vehicle. A wheel or tire assembly failure at roadway speeds could endanger the vehicle occupants and the public. I have scheduled an independent inspection with Karns Automotive for 07/06/2026 to evaluate Walmart’s tire work and related wheel-safety concerns. Walmart Ethics/Safety reference: [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.