Shopping for a good brand of tires can be difficult, especially if you’re doing the research on your own. Digging through endless websites is exhausting, but you don’t want to get stuck with the tire brand with the lowest customer satisfaction rating. The same goes for the retailer you bought those tires from, so you might want to think twice before choosing Walmart Auto Center.
According to Consumer Reports member survey results, Walmart ranks lowest in overall customer satisfaction. This is based on the time required to complete the installation and the quality of service provided during the installation. Securing an appointment on time is also problematic, and getting the required tire model is also a problem. It may also include tires from the best-selling brands at Walmart. The company’s sales aren’t as impressive as other tire retailers, and sales support is rated below the competition.
JD Power also ranks Walmart last in customer satisfaction, using many of the same metrics as Consumer Reports. In addition to ease of scheduling, service completion time and other factors, Walmart underperforms its competitors on the quality of its service facilities. Service advisor courtesy level is also rated below other tire retailers.
Read more: 21 leading tire brands of 2025 ranked
How to choose the best tire retailer
Car wheel service in auto repair garage with lifted vehicle and tires – Parilov/Shutterstock
Walmart may be the lowest-rated tire retailer, but many other national chains are below average as well. Pep Boys, Mavis Discount Tire and Tire Plus are the lowest performing companies in terms of overall customer satisfaction. Among top-tier tire retailers for tire installation, service, and other key metrics that define a satisfactory customer experience, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Midas, and Jiffy Lube are the top choices.
When trying to choose the best tire retailer, wait until you really need the tires. You will feel the pressure to get the set as soon as possible. This can make you miss out on key features like rotation and balancing, which some retailers offer free for the life of the tire. Also, make sure you understand the store’s warranty and the protection it offers beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. Read customer reviews, and when it comes to price, don’t be afraid to ask for a good deal.
If you’re looking to get your tires online, there are a few things you should know beforehand. Make sure the company has a secure payment setup with clearly displayed contact information. Review the return policy to understand how it works. Some retailers can ship your tires to a local garage, so find out if there are any fees associated with that arrangement. Get the total price upfront and compare with local retailers to make a more informed decision.
How we came to the conclusion
Car tires, winter wheels isolated on red background – Valio84sl/Getty Images
We used Consumer Reports’ list of the most and least satisfactory tire retailers published in 2025. CR members ranked 32 national tire retailers based on data from CR members who reported their tire buying experiences during a one-year period beginning in the fall of 2023. These members may not represent the general US population. We also used JD Power’s Aftermarket Service Index study, which was also released in 2025. The study ranks 16 national tire retailers based on feedback collected from consumer surveys. That response was then weighted and benchmarked over time.
We have not included ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or reviews from any tire retailer’s website. BBB complaints do not provide reliable metrics, as consumer complaints are reported and managed by location, not by company. Online reviews also do not aggregate information effectively and may vary from one store to another. Consequently, these reviews are random, inconsistent and often biased.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
