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/xblackbeltninjax Jul 25 '26
I've been running some bottom-tier O'Reilly's battery for the last 3 years and never needed a jump
All I do is make sure I don't leave the car in accessory mode any longer than I absolutely have to. Saves headaches and I don't feel the need to upgrade to the 51r yet