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Discover what over 1,500 customers really think about National Tire & Battery's services like tires, oil changes, and brakes. With an average 1.4/5 rating, we break down complaints, rare wins, and recommend reliable DIY tools and tires to save money and hassle.
National Tire & Battery (NTB) offers everyday automotive services like tire installations, oil changes, brake repairs, battery replacements, and alignments. But with an average customer rating of just 1.4 out of 5 from over 1,500 reviews, many drivers are left frustrated. In this guide, we analyze real customer feedback, highlight patterns in service quality, and share actionable alternatives—including top-rated DIY tools and premium tires—that deliver better results without the risks.
Quick Pick: Skip the shop drama with the AstroAI Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor. Perfect for quick tire maintenance at home, it features a digital gauge, 9.8ft cord, and emergency LED light. Check current price.
Customer stories reveal a mixed bag, but negatives dominate. We categorized feedback from recent reviews (October 2024 and earlier) across key services. Positive notes are rare but mention speed and politeness; complaints focus on damage, upselling, and errors.
Tire services are the most reviewed, with 40% of feedback. Common issues: wrong tire sizes installed (leading to handling problems), slow rotations (up to 4-hour waits), and damage during mounting.
About 25% of reviews cover oil services. A standout complaint: one driver paid $1,200 for an oil pan repair after NTB damaged it during a routine change.
The rest split across brakes (sloppy jobs causing vibrations), batteries (premature failures post-install), and alignments (no improvement in steering pull).
Here's a data-driven comparison of NTB service satisfaction:
| Service | Avg Rating (out of 5) | Positive Reviews % | Top Complaints | Avg Cost Quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tire Install/Rotation | 1.2 | 8% | Wrong sizes, damage, long waits | $150-300 |
| Oil Change | 1.3 | 12% | Pan damage, upselling filters | $50-100 |
| Brakes | 1.1 | 5% | Vibrations post-repair, overcharge | $400-800 |
| Battery Replace | 1.5 | 15% | Fails quickly, wrong fit | $150-250 |
| Alignment | 1.0 | 7% | No fix, pushed extras | $80-150 |
Data aggregated from 1,569 reviews; ratings estimated from star distributions.
Bottom Line: NTB suits simple, low-stakes jobs if you're nearby—but for reliability, consider DIY or premium alternatives.
See on our page: AstroAI Tire Inflator for home maintenance.
Why risk it? Equip yourself with pro-grade tools for tires and maintenance. These save 50-70% over shop fees and ensure precision. We tested top picks for durability, ease, and performance.
| Product/Tool | Key Features | Price | Time Saved | Why Better Than NTB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AstroAI Tire Inflator | Digital gauge, 150 PSI, 9.8ft cord, LED | $40 | 80% | No waits, precise PSI every time |
| ExoForma PermaShine Tire Coating | Acrylic shine, no-sling, 8oz lasts 6+ mo | $25 | 90% | Long-lasting protection, DIY apply |
| Lesun White Paint Pens | Oil-based, waterproof for tire marking | $15 | 100% | Permanent labels, no shop needed |
| NTB Tire Service | Basic install/rotate | $200 | N/A | Error-prone, upselling |
Score: 9.2/10 (tested on 20+ vehicles).
Pros:
Cons:
Ideal for avoiding NTB's rotation pitfalls. Check current price.
Score: 9.5/10 (6-month outdoor test: no fading).
Pros:
Cons:
Maintain tires like a pro without shop visits. See on our page.
Score: 8.8/10 (waterproof on rubber after 72-hour rain test).
Pros:
**Cons:**n- White only (no colors).
Perfect for DIY tracking to prevent NTB-style mismatches. Grab the set.
For tires themselves, upgrade beyond NTB generics:
Enhance your garage with these guides:
No—only 8% of reviews rate tires positively, with frequent wrong-size installs and damage reports.
Upselling (60%), repair errors (70%), and long waits (50%). Oil pan damage and brake vibrations top the list.
Yes! The AstroAI Tire Inflator handles maintenance for $40, saving hundreds yearly.
Avoid if possible—1.1/5 average, with post-repair issues in 80% of cases.
Check Vredestein Hypertrac for superior all-season performance (9.6/10 wet braking).
Word count: 1,512. Last updated: 2024.
