I think the battery in my Camry has gone navel up. Thing is, it's supposed to be a 2-year unit. There's only 20 months on it.

It's still under warranty, but what a hassle.

What's the shortest lifespan you've ever experienced on a car battery?

The factory battery on my Cherokee had a bad cell and failed around 15 months. Chrysler replaced it as a “goodwill” gesture.

AGM battery cells can go bad like that, apparently.

Funny enough, every one I have bought myself (one) since then has lasted several years, as expected.

-Rob

I had a series of batteries replaced in my brand new Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor from about two months out from delivery...I think I got a lemon from the get go....after four or five replacement batteries the city lot just threw in a Optima gel battery....

I finally went and bought a Solar powered battery tender...threw it on the dash when I was off. I imagine the factory, knowing it was gonna be a cop car, put some,ind of better wiring harness in it. Mine had a short somewhere and it would t keep a charge...when I retired I gave the new guy the charger and left him a note to keep it plugged in.

I’ve had two batteries die within the first 16 months on new cars. It seems like if I make it past that they last 100k miles.

My ‘16 4Runner is still on the original battery.

If it was a bad alternator or volt regulator, would it necessarily show up as a warning light on the dashboard?

I would say on a vehicle without using a trickle charger attached, probable 24 months was the shortest. I have had some batteries last longer on my truck.

Now on my motorcycle I use a trickle charger and connect it the second I park the bike at home. It is a 2002 Honda Goldwing and I finally had to replace the battery 3 months ago so basically it lasted close to 18 years being held at a full charge with a charger.

If you can use a trickle charger then do it, it will make your battery last so much longer.

Three years exactly on a Subaru.

My experience with OEM Subaru batteries is that they are utter junk. For a vehicle marketed as an outdoor adventure vehicle, the OEM units do not hold up well to even modestly cold temperatures. A common complaint on many Subaru forums. Even brand new, my 2017 3.6L battery would struggle to crank the engine in winter. Replaced it with an Odyssey unit. Expensive, but it turns the engine over as fast in sub-freezing temperatures as it does in the summer.

Just got 47 months on the OEM battery in my taco. It had been starting sluggish for about a week so when it finally died, It’s a manual so I push started it, drove home and went and bought a new one at auto zone. Not gonna even fool around with trying to charge it or whatever.

With the heat in South Texas I average three years on a battery.

On some new cars, with so many electronic draws, if the car is not started every 2-4 weeks, the batteries can crap out in very short order.

2015 Genesis with 92,000 miles still on original battery. Daily driver in CT.

The truck (2012 F250) will last 5 years or so.
The Harley gets a battery nearly every year. Vibration is it’s main enemy, I think.
The Honda gets one every two to three. Doesn’t take much to turn it over.
The dirt bike is on its second, but that’s mainly from the kids leaving the key “on”.
The four wheeler gets one every three years or so. Luckily it still has a pull cord.

Now, tractors and other “equipment”?
It’s a crap shoot. Older equipment just seems to leak electricity after 15-20 years.

As I’ve said before, tires and batteries is what’s gonna eventually break me.

I had a red top Optima on an old Bronco II for nearly 4 years. When I sold it, I put that battery on my 99 suburban for 3-4 more years. I sold it two years ago, it may still have that red top Optima on it.

2.5 years, OEM battery, 2017 Honda CR-V.

My wifes Lexus has been great, except for the factory battery. Two were replaced under warranty and the MSRP on them showing on the reciept was something like $700.
When the the third one went bad I just replaced it myself with a 5 year Interstate and have had no trouble since.
Great cars, terrible battery.

Had one go dead in Wifes new Edge, It was under a year old, dealer put a new one in under warranty, figure it was a defective battery...

I guess I've been very lucky. I've never had a battery last less than 4+ years.

I bought a battery in Texas, and about 16 months later got moved to Alaska. It didn't make it through the winter even though it spent nights in a heated garage. That is when I learned most battery manufacturers made a southern version for high heat and a northern version for low temps.

My 4 year old Nissan is on its 3rd battery. Thankfully, all have been warranty items but I still have to take the time to go to the stealership where their appointment system apparently isn't tied to their mechanics' schedules. First battery made it about 28 months and second battery made it about 20 months.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
With the heat in South Texas I average three years on a battery.

That seems about the same for me and we are near neighbors.