AutoZone Brake Pad Warranty: How to Ensure You’re Covered

AutoZone brake pad warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship but not wear and tear or installation issues. Warranty length varies by brand, with some offering a lifetime warranty.

Key components in a vehicle, such as brake pads, need careful consideration when selecting replacement parts. Aside from quality, warranties are major factors, and many vehicle owners find AutoZone brake pads warranties helpful. The AutoZone brake pads warranty gives you the option to replace or receive a refund if the brake pads you purchased become defective or have other issues.

This article will discuss coverage, claims, time periods, and the importance of limit claims. Additionally, we will cover a common warranty voiding brake pad selection error.

What Is Covered Under the AutoZone Brake Pad Warranty?

Peace of mind is important to AutoZone as it is to you. AutoZone brake pads warranty covers defective brake pad issues, but there are a few things you should know about the warranty itself and the coverage limitations.

1. Problems with Material and Workmanship

With AutoZone, the biggest advantage for the brake pad warranty is the coverage on material and workmanship issues. If there is a problem with the manufacturing process, and your brake pads fail, you will get a replacement or refund.

Some examples of covered defects are:

• Brake pads that wear unevenly.
• Break pads that break, chip or crack too soon.
• Pads that underperform due to poor bonding of the friction material to the metal backing plate.

2. Warranty Coverage

One thing to keep in mind for the AutoZone brake pad warranty is that it won’t cover normal wear and tear. During regular use of the car, and especially in heavy, hilly or mountainous areas where the brakes are used often, the brake pads will wear down. If over time the brake pads wear down, that is not a manufacturing defect and so the warranty will not cover it.

Some examples of issues the warranty will cover are:

• Old worn brake pads after normal use.
• Pads used in extreme conditions like hilly or mountainous areas with heavy braking.
• Pads that are damaged during the setup or the person in charge of the setup.

3. Improper Installation or Usage

Most warranties will not cover brake pads if warranty brake pads are defective due to the brake pads being misinstalled or misused. If the brake pads were not installed correctly, or if wrong brake fluid or wrong parts were used, then the warranty will not apply. AutoZone recommends getting your brake pads installed by a professional mechanic, so that it is ensured that the brake pads are installed correctly.

If there is an issue with the brake pads, and you installed them, you should know that the warranty will most likely not apply.

4. Restriction by Brand

With respect to brand, there is warranty coverage disparity with respect to the type of brake pads available at AutoZone. Different brands of brake pads available at AutoZone have different coverage spans, with respect to warranty coverage, and of warranty coverage.

Varieties of Brake Pads at AutoZone and Their Warranty

With respect to the type of brake pads bought, the warranty will also vary at AutoZone. There are various brake pads at AutoZone, with respect to different varying warranty coverage. Different brands available at AutoZone have different warranties. Next, we will look at the popular brands at AutoZone and the details on the warranty.

1. Duralast Brake Pads

Duralast is an AutoZone’s house brand. The Duralast brake pads are known for their dependability and performance at a low cost.

Warranties: Duralast pads always come with a lifetime warranty. If a Duralast brake pad is worn prematurely and is returned to AutoZone for a warranty inspection, the defective pad (of poor materials and or craftsmanship) will be replaced at no cost.

Features: Duralast brake pads are made to last and create as little noise as possible. Also, the Duralast pads are made to create a smooth braking process, and come with a technology that will create as little brake pad noise as possible.

2. Duralast Gold Brake Pads

Duralast Gold is Duralast’s top-of-the-line pads. If someone has a high-performance vehicle or requires greater durability and braking performance, these are the pads to buy.

Warranties: The Duralast Gold brake pads come with a limited lifetime warranty. This is an upgraded warranty that is offered because the materials are expected to last longer than the standard Duralast pads. This will also be the case if the vehicle is operated in the same manner as the standard Duralast warranty stipulates.

Features: If a driver requires high-quality brake pads for an excessive period, Duralast Gold brake pads will be their best option. These pads will also be made from ceramic, or in some instances semi-metallic materials, and will result in superior performance, as well as longer brake pad life.

3. Akebono Brake Pads

Another top seller at AutoZone is Akebono. Their brake pads have great braking effects, and very low amounts of brake pads dust. Because of that, they have become popular with many consumers.

Warranty: Akebono brake pads come with a 1 year limited warranty that does not cover normal wear and tear.

Features: Akebono brake pads have high brake dust performance and reduced noise. They provide the driver with a very smooth experience.

4. Bendix Brake Pads

Bendix is an established name in the automotive brake world. Bendix brake pads have become popular for all classes of cars since they provide good value for money.

Warranty: Bendix brake pads have a warranty of 1 year, which is a lot shorter than the lifetime warranty given to parellel pads by Duralast. However, the 1 year warranty is a lot shorter than the lifetime warranty given to Duralast pads.

Features: Bendix has strong reputation as the brake pads manufacturer to go for to get the best pick at an economic cost. They have specific pads crafted for normal drivers as well as extensive commercial vehicles.

How to File a Claim on the AutoZone Brake Pad Warranty

Filing a claim on your brake pads warranty AutoZone has is a simple process. However, a few steps must be followed to ensure your claim is processed correctly.

1. Keep the receipt and the packaging

When you make a purchase at AutoZone and buy the brake pads, keep the receipt and the packaging. These two pieces of information are your proof of purchase and the product details, respectively.

2. Check the brake pads

Before you return your brake pads to AutoZone, you must check to see if the brakes are defective due to bad material or workmanship. AutoZone may require that the pads be examined to see if they are eligible for a warranty claim. If the reason is due to poor installation or poor usage, the warranty claim may be denied.

3. Take the Brake Pads back to AutoZone

Once you have confirmed the failure was due to a defect, you can proceed to your nearest AutoZone. You will need to have the brake pads, the receipt, and the packaging. The staff will evaluate the brake pads to claim the warranty.

If the warranty covers the brake pads, you will be given a refund, replacement, or store credit, depending on the warranty terms.

4. Claims Should Not Violate the Return Policy

When AutoZone warranty claim is involved, a brake pads return policy must be followed. Your claim is likely to be nullified because AutoZone only allows returns or exchanges within a certain timeframe (less than or equal to 90 days or 1 year) after your original purchase.

What is the Time Frame for AutoZone Brake Pad Warranty Claims?

Depending on the brand and type of brake pads you purchase the AutoZone brake pads warranty period will vary. Different brands will have the duration of warranty listed below:

• Duralast Brake Pads: Comes with a lifetime warranty.
• Duralast Gold Brake Pads: Comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
• Akebono Brake Pads: Usually have a Limited warranty lasting one to three years.
• Bendix Brake Pads: Generally have a one year warranty.

Every warranty is different from others so make sure to read them before your purchase.

How to Keep AutoZone Brake Pad Warranty Valid

These steps are needed to help keep warranty valid:

Installation: Ensure that the pads were installed properly or use the AutoZone methods for installation as they could result in the warranty being void.

Documentation: Warranty cards, receipts, and sample brake pad maintenance will be needed to validate the warranty.

Intended Use: Make sure that the AutoZone brake pads were used in the correct purposeful manner that the specific vehicle type and your style of driving permit as example aggressive driving or carrying loads over the needed weight would keep the warranty valid.

Inspection and Maintenance Explained: Taking time to check and inspect your braking systems is necessary. Ensure that your braking systems and brake pads are working. With good maintenance of your brake pads, and with proper alignment, you can avoid premature wear that would void your warranty.

What You Can Do If Your Brake Pads Wear Out Sooner Than Expected

Your brake pads are designed to last a certain number of miles. Sometimes, brake pads wear down before the number of miles has been reached. If you see that your braked wear down before the average amount of number of miles, time to do something!

1. Check the Cause of Sag Charging

There can be a certain number of reasons that can be the cause of brake pads wearing down cause of brake pads changing. One of the most common reasons for change is the nature of driving. Frequent hard braking, bump and go traffic, or aggressive driving can lead to the rapid wearing down of brake pads. You must inspect every inch of the brake pad system to see if the reason is because of your driving pattern, brake pads, or the system as a whole.

2. Check For Wear Defects

Your brake pads may wear down due to defects found within the materials that are used to manufacture the brake pads. If this case is true, check to see if you have a warranty and if you can file a claim. Bring the brake pads to AutoZone for inspection, and check to see whether the warranty covers defects.

3. Change Your Driving Style

Your driving style may be the reason your brake pads are wearing away quickly. If this is the case, you may need to change your driving style. Instead of slamming your breaks, you can coast to a stop. Also, changing your driving style so that you have a smoother acceleration is the way to go. In addition to the life of your brake pads, your driving style can possibly increase the life expectancy of your vehicle.

Evaluating AutoZone’s Brake Pads

You need to evaluate the brake pads you are going to buy from AutoZone. You have to evaluate if the driving conditions, your vehicle, and your needs satisfy the performance of that brake pad. AutoZone has a variety of brake pads that are suitable for a variety of driving conditions. You should consider the following when evaluating your choices of brake pads:

1. Types of Brake Pad Materials

There are several types of materials that can be used in the construction of brake pads. Picking the right material for your vehicle is crucial to get the best performance and longevity.

• Ceramic Brake Pads: A common type of brake pad. These pads are a good choice for daily driving and driving on the road regularly. They last a long time and are also good because the pads are quiet, create low amounts of dust and last a long time.
• Semi-Metallic Brake Pads: Due to their ability to withstand temperatures typical of high performance vehicles, high durability, and high temperatures, high performance, and because of their construction of various metals and materials, these pads tend to be more expensive than their competitors.
• Organic Brake Pads: These pads are comprised of organic materials such as rubber, carbon, and Kevlar, and tend to be quieter than their competitors, but tend to be used in light-duty vehicles and are prone to more wear than their counterparts.

2. Performance Needs

Personal choice and the environment in which the vehicle will be used will affect the choice of the brake pads. For example:

• For Heavy-duty or Towing Vehicles: Semi-metallic or ceramic pads are used for vehicles used for towing.
• For High-Performance Vehicles: High-end pads made of carbon or Kevlar are essential in providing quality braking in case of racing or driving of sport vehicles.

3. Budget Considerations

It is better to consider the vehicle pad’s performance and price. For example, premium vehicle pads made of quality materials will be expensive than their competitors. From the various products presented in Autozone, you can choose Duralast as the cheapest and Duralast Gold as the most expensive.

Conclusion

As part of your vehicle brake pad replacement plan, the AutoZone brake pads warranty serves as an excellent brake pad warranty as they guarantee pads against manufacturer defect claims. Premium Duralast Gold and basic Duralast pads are the two options available. Know the warranty covered and not covered defects to optimize your warranty, as the Duralast warranty covers defects, but not maintenance, misuse, or install defects.

In warranty claims, be diligent about defect claims of the brake pads warranty, and the warranty covered specifics, as they will require to be evidenced, along with the receipt. The warranty covered specifics, however, are minimal, and with a warranty, quality brake pads, and routine brake pads maintenance, the warranty claims should be limited, and the brake pads to require maintenance, should break pads to require maintenance, the pads to brake to require maintenance, the pads to brake should limit the warranty.