NAPA Complaints

There is no incident, however I would like to report a manufacturer problem. Many manufacturers put vehicles on the market with front headlights that are too bright and not aimed properly. See [XXX] There are regulations for the lumens of headlights and system of reflectors, but I assume manufacturers are not be watched for violations. Where I live, in Sarasota, FL, I am blinded by all the vehicle lights at night because lights appear to be on bright when they aren't. Something is very wrong. I don't think everyone is having aftermarket LED lights installed. I think they are coming from the manufacturers that way. Can you help? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Ball joint purchased from Napa Auto Parts #260-1791was defective. Nut supplied with ball joint was too small. This caused the ball joint to separate from the steering knuckle. After driving a very short distance the front end of the car collapsed, causing the front axle to break. The car fell on the front fender damaging it. This is the same problem reported in 2011. [XXX] This is a serious safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

This tow hitch mount was purchased in Incline Village, NV and the local NAPA auto parts and it is their in house brand. The part has two labels, with one stating 6000lbs. Max. The other label states 6000lbs. Max Load, 600lbs Max Tongue weight. When the ratings label was removed the part is factory stamped 500lbs tongue and 5000lbs. Online it’s listing confirms the lower rating for this part number. I am concerned this is currently available in retail locations with a 20% overstated load rating.

The contact owns a 1999 Toyota Corolla equipped with NAPA NightVision Xenon Light Bulbs, Part Number: LMPBPH3NVX2N. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low-beam headlights were not working as needed however, the hi-beams worked as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic replaced the headlight bulbs with the original headlight bulbs that were previously installed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONCE. AN INDEPENDENT PARTS SUPPLIER (NAPA) SHIPPED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER (PART NO. M3812) TO THE REPAIR FACILITY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE PART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE SUPPLIER (NAPA) INDICATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT FAULTY AND THAT THE INSTALLATION FROM THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MAY HAVE CAUSED A FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE IN WRITING FROM NAPA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INVOLVED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT OEM. THE VIN, SERIAL NUMBER, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

WATER PUMP FAILURE ON 2009, TOYOTA, CAMRY, XLE, ODOMETER 17939. HAD TO HAVE REPLACED, COST $614.94.

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 TRUCK, AND HAD A NEW SET OF TIRES (OEM SIZE), A NEW NAPA HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY AND A NEW NAPA INNER TIE ROD. THIS WORK WAS PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED ASE MECHANIC AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ON JULY 3, 2013. THE TIE ROD FAILED ON JULY 29, 2013. THE HUB BEARING AND THE INNER TIE ROD WERE REPLACED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR. THANKFULLY - THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT LAST WEEKEND DOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN MY TRUCK. FAILURE OF THIS PART ON THE HIGHWAY COULD HAVE COST ME MY LIFE, MY FAMILY'S LIVES AND THE LIVES OF EVERYONE ELSE IN MY UNINTENDED PATH. VEHICLE WAS "REPAIRED" BY THE LOCAL SHOP IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THEY SHOWED UP WITH A REPLACEMENT NAPA INNER TIE ROD. I SEE ON THE BOX THAT THIS PART IS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA. I DID NOT WANT THAT PART ON MY VEHICLE AND TOLD THEM THEY COULD INSTALL IT FOR A ONE-TIME TRIP TO THE SHOP BUT THEN I WANT IT CHANGED TO ANOTHER BRAND. THEY OBLIGED AND FOUND ANOTHER MANUFACTURER. THE NAPA PART IS ES3478 - INNER TIE ROD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 3500 WITH NAPA AFTERMARKET STEERING COMPONENTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIE ROD END FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HAD THE TIE ROD END REPLACED WITH A NAPA AFTERMARKET TIE ROD. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIE ROD, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BEGUN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIE ROD END PARTS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED IN SIZE AND DID NOT FIT PROPERLY ON THE STEERING KNUCKLE. THE AFTERMARKET PARTS WERE: THE STEERING STABILIZER (SC2964 AND 2695553) INNER TIE ROD (269177), OUTER TIE ROD (2693257), INNER TIE ROD (2691123), STEERING PART (2696102), INNER TIE ROD (2693256), OUTER TIE ROD (2696103), OUTER TIE ROD (2695553), AND OUTER TIE ROD (2693177). THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

AT AROUND 51,000 MILES MY PONTIAC G6 (2007) BEGAN VEERING TO THE LEFT AND LOCKING UP. I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CLUNK STARTED OFF SOMEWHAT QUIET AND THEN GOT LOUDER AND CAUSE IT TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN I WOULD BRAKE THE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN LEFT AND RIGHT RAPIDLY ON IT'S OWN. I HAD ALL MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I HAD THE STEERING RACK REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR 3 MONTHS AND THEN RETURNED. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN LOCKING AGAIN MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO RECOVER FROM A NORMAL TURN. I HAD THE STEERING RACK REPLACED AGAIN. NOW 6 WEEKS LATER THE CLUNKING AND SHAKING AND STEERING PROBLEMS ARE BACK. COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I HAVE HAD THIS STEERING RACK REPLACED 2 TIMES AND NOW IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN. ALL THESE REPLACEMENTS HAVE HAPPENED OVER A 9 MONTH PERIOD. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.- *TR

NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND NAPA CERAMIX PADS WERE INSTALLED ON FRONT AXLE. FOR APPROXIMATELY 4000 MILES, VEHICLE DROVE AND BRAKED NORMALLY, BUT WHEN ON STEEP INCLINES THE BRAKES WOULD GRIND, SMOKE, AND REQUIRE INCREASED PEDAL EFFORT TO STOP. SIMILAR PERFORMANCE DURING PANIC STOPS. REPLACED FRONT PADS ONLY WITH ANOTHER PAIR OF NAPA CERAMIX PADS, IDENTICAL PERFORMANCE WITH THIS SECOND SET OF PADS. PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED BY CHANGING FRONT PADS ONLY TO AUTOZONE DURALAST GOLD.