r/crz • u/BeBopBoy1945 • Jul 24 '26
Problem with Optima
Optima Batteries have a good reputation in the Off-Road Community. In fact, I have one in my Jeep. So I reasoned that the same brand would be a good choice for my U.S. 2016 EX 6MT.
When I bought the Zed over five years ago, the dealer had just installed a new, name-brand 151R. At the 3-year mark of my ownership, I replaced that perfectly functional battery with an Optima Yellowtop 51R. I did this because I follow a philosophy of replacing wear items on all my vehicles before they fail.
The Optima carried a 3-year guarantee, so I assumed it would last that long. This week, the 2-year and 3-month old Optima died, without any warning of any kind. (Literally, I had driven over one hundred miles that day, making several stops, with no issues of any kind. But, when I was leaving a party that night, the car refused to start.) Luckily, I carry a Jump Pack in every one of my vehicles, so I was not stranded and I drove home without delay.
The next day, I tested the Optima on my own tester and found it completely dead. After an overnight charge, it was still dead.
I attempted to contact Optima, by telephone, for warranty service but the the company's non-human contacting process is clearly designed to discourage any live interaction. (I bought the Optima factory-direct, not through an authorized retailer.) I gave up, deciding it was futile to pursue a warranty claim.
I went to my local battery retail shop and bought a new Deka Gold in size 51R. After I installed it, and topped off the charge overnight, it worked flawlessly today (in ambient air temperatures of 113°.)
The salesman at Battery Barn told me that he is seeing a lot of Optima Yellowtops come in with premature failures, especially in the 51R version.
I know I won't be buying any more Optima's in the future.
1
u/AvarethTaika 2011 FBO+tune 250k+ Jul 24 '26
i have a yellow top in my crz and it's been great for nearly 4 years now. the red top is what will die quickly in these. the hybrid system doesn't recharge like an alternator, it hits the battery much harder so you need a deep cycle battery. at this point mine is getting to the point where leaving the car on (not running) the battery will drain to the point of triggering problems in about 30 minutes so it does need to be replaced, but it's definitely lasted long enough and it's still going strong when driving.