[nj] Walmart Messed Up My Tire Installation, Denied Responsibility, And Now Wants To Pay Me Because Their Manager “misspoke.” What Would You Do?

Location: New Jersey, USA

About a month ago, I had four tires installed on my 2017 Acura ILX at Walmart. One of the tires ended up being different from the other three, and I started hearing unusual noises from the wheels afterward.

On October 12, I decided to inspect the wheels myself and discovered something terrifying. Two lug nuts on one wheel were so loose I could remove them by hand, while the other three were completely stripped and spinning freely. Some of the wheel studs were also damaged to the point that new lug nuts wouldn’t thread onto them. I’d been driving like this for nearly a month, including on highways.

I went back to Walmart and spoke with two managers who acknowledged the situation and promised to cover the repairs. I have video recordings of those conversations.

When I filed a claim, Walmart initially denied it. Their claims representative said their system showed all four correct tires were scanned, and later claimed he reviewed security footage proving the correct tires were installed.
I asked to see the footage myself, but he refused, saying Walmart couldn’t share it. This is what really frustrates me. They’re demanding proof from me while refusing to show me the evidence they’re using to dispute what I personally saw. How am I supposed to know their interpretation of the footage is accurate?

After I sent him my recording of the managers, he reversed the denial and offered me $750, verbally authorizing up to $1,200 in repairs. But he specifically said they’re only paying because the manager “misspoke” and wasn’t authorized to promise reimbursement, NOT because Walmart did anything wrong.

At first, all I wanted was for Walmart to cover the cost of fixing my car. That’s literally it. But now, what bothers me more is essentially being treated like a liar. I know what I saw when I picked up my car, and I don’t appreciate being told otherwise while being denied the opportunity to review their supposed proof.

I also don’t want the manager getting in trouble for trying to help me. I have nothing against him.
My car is currently unsafe to drive, and I’ve been borrowing my sister’s car. I’m planning to have Acura inspect it, but I don’t even know the full extent of the damage yet.

What would you do in my position? Should I have Acura inspect all four wheels for possible damage? What should I be asking Walmart to cover? What are my rights in New Jersey, and how would you escalate this? Should I involve a lawyer?

I’m not looking for some huge payout. I just want my car properly repaired and Walmart to investigate what actually happened instead of paying me solely because someone made a promise they supposedly shouldn’t have.

TL;DR: Walmart installed four tires on my car about a month ago. I noticed one tire was different and later discovered two dangerously loose lug nuts, three stripped ones, and damaged wheel studs. I’ve been driving like this for nearly a month. Walmart initially denied responsibility, claiming they have video proving the correct tires were installed, but refused to show it to me. After I provided video of their managers promising to cover repairs, they offered $750–$1,200, but ONLY because their manager “misspoke,” not because they acknowledge wrongdoing. All I originally wanted was my car fixed, but now I’m frustrated that they’re essentially calling me a liar while refusing to share their evidence. What would you do? Should I escalate, consult a lawyer, or accept the money? And what should Acura inspect before I agree to anything?