[Dirtrider]

If your caliper slider pins get sticky your pads may get cockeyed in the caliper and wear unevenly.

^^^ Many times, you'll find the inboard pad is totally worn out but when checking only the outside pad, the pads look great. Check all pads and uneven wear is a hardware/slide issue/sticking caliper piston. Good luck and hope you get back on the road soon

 

[Dirtrider]

Expensive update. I did not get the inspection mirror (yet) and I trusted Brakes Plus.

9,000 miles later, We start hearing a grinding noise. Take it to a different shop near my parents place in Chandler, both front brakes were metal on metal. 7mm wear in 9,000 miles? Or Brakes Plus just lied to me? What gives? And why is there no indicator squeal like I'm used to on other cars? Nothing, nothing, nothing, then grinding.

New front pads, rotors, fluid flush, and oil change. Cost $1150
Seems like a very expensive shop, but it's a 5minute walk to my parent's house, so better to spend the extra couple hundred there than take a half or whole day off work to drive it somewhere and wait in the lobby. Somehow the $69.95 oil change was only $50. Maybe they forgot to itemize the filter and disposal fee. Also weird, their labor rate is insane at $179 but somehow the oil change labor cost $9.63 so somehow they changed the oil in 3 minutes and 14 seconds.

I have turned the wrenches for many years and also owned a brake shop so I can see both sides of your issue. When pads get thin, sometimes the friction material can "let go" and leave you with the backing plate of the pad right on the rotor which might have happened. Very common on riveted pads to do this. They (pads & rotors)don't dissipate heat well when thin either.
Most brakes shops find the need to give a quick bleed after replacing pads but most of the time that isn't needed. I personally believe that a brake system flush to remove air that might be in the system and replace worn/burnt fluid is a great idea. I've done that for years. It helps remove gunk that can cause a caliper piston to hang up and not retract, increase drag against the rotor and wear out faster.
Parts are very expensive,labor isn't cheap, and overall cost of doing business is at a all time high so your bill will be more sadly...
The bright side is it should be safe and ready for more trips soon.