‘PLS Help Me Out:’ Man Buys Starter at Advance Auto Parts. He Says He’s Out $400 and a Tow Truck Bill

A man says his attempt to use the lifetime warranty on the starter he purchased at Advance Auto Parts turned into a $400 tow truck bill and three-week delay in his car repair. And he wants the retailer to make things right.

TikTok user Loudski777 (@loudskioftiktok) posted a video with his complaint on July 3 and it has since amassed over 25,000 views.

“Advance Auto Parts. How can I reach corporate?” he writes in the video’s text overlay.

Man’s Advance Auto Parts Warranty Swap Goes Wrong

“I have been working on this thing for three weeks, dog,” he says. “For a freaking starter.”

He explains that he took an old starter from his vehicle to Advance Auto Parts for a warranty exchange. He obtained what he describes as a “premium” replacement starter, but once he got it home he realized that it wasn’t the right size. “[I] put it on there and it didn’t grab my flywheel,” he says.

The TikToker went back to the store where he says he made the purchase and asked for the right size or even just the old one back. “I’m doing all this back and forth stuff,” he says. “I’m having to explain to them, ‘This isn’t the starter I brought you. Can I please just get the starter I brought you?’”

Loudski777 suggests that the starter he brought in under warranty was already out of stock by that time. He says it would take another two weeks for the store to get him the correct starter. He finally has it, but he says the mix-up cost him more than $400, including a tow truck bill. He wants Advance Auto Parts to help him cover the loss.

In the caption, Loudski writes, “Not bashing your company, but a mistake was made and it cost me $400 plus. Please help me out and let me know if there is anything that can be done for the mishap.”

What Is Advance Auto Parts’ Lifetime Warranty Policy?

At Advance Auto Parts, the Carquest Premium Starter comes with a limited lifetime replacement warranty. According to the policy, the warranty covers defective parts so long as the original purchaser still owns the vehicle on which the part was installed. Other parts carry shorter warranty periods, often of three months or a year.

To qualify, customers must provide the original sales receipt, and the part can’t have failed due to normal wear and tear or improper installation. And the warranty is only good for the life of the part—you can only use the warranty once. It’s not a free starter for life coupon, as some Reddit users might’ve expected.

Viewers React to the Advance Auto Parts Starter Saga

In the comments, viewers offered their own stories of warranty swaps gone wrong.

“One time I went and got a starter from AutoZone and it didn’t work,” wrote one person. “I put a mark on it and took it back. The second one didn’t work either so they brought me another box. When I opened it to check, it was the first tone I took back!”

“Always make them check it before you leave the store,” suggested a second user.

Motor1 contacted Loudski777 via TikTok comment and direct message and email for comment. We also contacted Advance Auto Parts via email for comment. We’ll update this if either responds.