William Lipovsky
Short Answer
You can return a car battery to AutoZone within 90 days of purchase as long as it hasn’t been installed and you have the receipt and a valid ID. Some AutoZone locations will allow an exchange after a battery has been installed, but only if the store manager gives approval. Defective items can be returned within the warranty period. You may be eligible for a free battery replacement or a credit toward purchasing a new battery, depending on the terms of the warranty.
AutoZone Battery Warranty & Return Policies
AutoZone allows the return of car batteries, including its own Duralast batteries, within 90 days of purchase provided that the battery has not yet been installed and you show the receipt and a valid ID.
You should return the battery in its original packaging. In general, if the battery has been installed, requests for a refund will be denied, according to AutoZone’s official return policy, but you may be able to exchange the battery at the store manager’s discretion.
We confirmed this policy with store associates at AutoZone locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia; some associates said once the battery is installed, it cannot be returned, while others said the store would offer to exchange the product with a manager’s approval.
You can, however, return a defective item within the warranty period, according to AutoZone’s return policy.
Specifically, AutoZone’s battery limited warranty states,
“If the battery is found defective during the free replacement period on your receipt, bring the battery to any AutoZone store and you will receive a free replacement. If a battery is found defective after the free replacement period but before the end of the warranty period on your receipt, a credit towards the purchase of a new battery shall be made upon its return to any AutoZone store.”
Note that different battery brands and types, including various Duralast batteries like the Duralast Heavy Duty and Duralast Gold, have their own warranty periods ranging from 90 days to four years.
Don’t have the receipt? See our related research on AutoZone’s receipt lookup policy.
We also cover whether AutoZone installs batteries and compare NAPA with AutoZone.
