battery bad after 2 years

[BANANA2387]

Has anyone else had battery problems? We have about 14k miles after 2 years and the other day it wouldn't crank - no accessories, dim lights/displays. We jumped it and drove about 1/2 hour. After 3 hours sitting, it had the same problem. AutoClub came out and did a diagnostic. Said one of the cells was bad, and that after awhile they would most likely go bad. Battery is unfortunately not covered under warranty - is that right? Anyways, we got a new battery.

Anyone else have problems with the Panasonic factory battery after a few (less than 3) years? Thanks.

 

[beldecca]

It can happen with any battery. I had one on my last car (non-Mazda, German) that went bad in about 3 years - cell broke open. Anything manufactured can have a few bad ones. Sorry for your luck, though.

 

[AIMWO4]

Actually, Mazda would have replaced it. Mine died after less than 3 years, and they offered to give me a new one. I chose to go with a "real" battery out of my own pocket. FWIW, I have had this issue with just about every new Non-US built car I have had.

 

[MD5]

My OEM Panasonic lasted 43 months and almost 90k miles.

 

[delsherif]

The "NEW" battery installed in my 2008 GT was very weak after only 9 months. Several times the dome light was left on overnight which must have really killed it.
Instead of messing around with the dealer and the warranty for another cheapo mazda battery, we decided to put in a Costo Kirlkland Group 35 (same size) battery. So far so good after 2 weeks.

 

[thaxman]

FWIW, our 5 is batt#3, after 46 months of service, 2nd owner. The PO replaced the Panasonic with an Duralast that was both smaller, and more powerful - that one lost a cell over the Autumn & finally gave out 2 mos ago.

 

[BANANA2387]

Thanks for all the responses. Maybe it was the OEM battery after all. My experience with vehicles is that I'm lucky to get 4-5 years before replacement. Seems the factory one isn't all that great. Probably would have been lucky to get a few bucks from the dealer because they prorate them anyways.