ComplaintsforOptima Batteries

• Initial Complaint

  06/18/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Optima Order# CXCL00053733 DOP: 3/17/2024 MN# DH6 SN# ********** (2) batteries were purchased on 3/17/24. The vehicle was not operating correctly so the batteries were both tested by the dealership. One battery came back as a "severely discharged battery." We contacted the customer service department for WEEKS trying to get an response on either a replacement or refund. After waiting so long we were forced to purchase a different brand of battery to get the truck back on the road. It was agreed that if we send the bad battery back they would issue a refund. Once returned, finally, customer service issued a "refund" with a credit receipt attached in an email. After the credit not showing up on the card we contacted customer service again only to find out the credit was cancelled and a new battery was sent out instead without any notification to us. At this time, we are owed $375.37 and can not get a response from Optima customer service. This has been a whole new level of horrible customer service. Attached is the "credit" issued and then cancelled without notification, full email chain, battery test results, and tracking for returned battery.

  Customer response

  06/19/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 

  After finally getting a hold of the person in charge of processing credits they finally issued the credit, again. 

  
  

  Everything has been resolved albeit VERY frustrating. 

  
  

  
  Regards,
  
  ****** Verde

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a Optima ****** Group34 battery from **** two and a half year ago, installed it in my Acura Legend, and all was well for about 9 months. At that point, the original ****** failed to hold any charge whatsoever, so I had it charged at Napa and reinstalled it to try again, dead within 2 days. I went back to Napa, had them swap it out for a new Group 34 ****** with the newest dated one they had (as the old one had a sticker showing it was already 4 years old when I had bought it). All seemed good, for about 6 months, at which point the second battery failed too. Thinking maybe its my car I went down a big and quite expensive rabbit hole trying to have multiple mechanics find a parasitic drain that turned out to be nonexistent, I even went so far as to replace the alternator and have every chassis ground point cleaned. To no luck, the second ****** had a dead cell. Took it back to Napa, and they again, swapped it out for another freshly dated Group 34 ****** (thing was a month off the factory line). Now its 8months later, and I went outside to start my car today only to find out this third battery has also completely gone dead. At this point, Ive had 3 failure on these ****** models within 2 and a half years and am requesting that Optima replace this failed third Group 34 ****** with a Group 34 YellowTop to allow me to isolate the ****** design as the point of failure. Looking forward to hearing back soon.

  Business response

  11/17/2023

  We will work with ******** to understand the issues with his vehicle and battery. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have 4 Optima Blue Top batteries. I have been calling customer service for approximately 40 days now (at least 6 calls) regarding where to bring my batteries for warranty replacement. On the first call they confirmed I was within the 2 year warranty period for ********* batteries based upon the sticker date on the top of the batteries. They have been stating Interstate Battery is their service provider for warranty but they cannot find a location for me to fulfill the batteries. I have been patient but this is ridiculous at this point and no resolution in sight. If Interstate has an agreement with Optima not sure why Optima cannot facilitate this warranty replacement. To me this is a simple process for warranty and it has been completed. My boat should be run to keep every system in check and I have not run the boat since August 13, 2023. These batteries were installed in my new Edgewater boat purchased 12/2021

  Business response

  09/28/2023

  The batteries were purchased through ****** that is distributed by Interstate Batteries. Interstate owns the warranty and is working with the customer to resolve the issue.

• Initial Complaint

  05/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased an Optima OPT8012-021 D34 Yellowtop dual purpose battery from Amazon on 3/07/2022 for $294.41. The order number is: 114-6757350-2758618. It has a 3 year manufacturer warranty from Optima. The battery was in my classic car and was in storage. It is not holding charge and emits a foul chemical smell. I contacted Optima with my complaint. They advised me to contact the seller Amazon to replace the battery because their warranty carry over and supersedes Amazon's 30 day return policy. Amazon said that Optima have to handle this return because their system will not allow any return or replacement after 30 days. As of now, Amazon and Optima have not resolved the issue. I personally feel that Optima being the manufacturer of this product should send me a replacement which is still under their 3 year warranty. Please help in this matter.

  Business response

  06/05/2023

  The battery was purchased from Amazon and Amazon owns the full warranty period. Lately they have been incorrectly stating to customers that they need to contact Optima for warranty. In these cases, we gather the customers information and send it to Amazon to get them to process the warranty.       We need the customer to send their information (which was already requested) so we can send this to Amazon and get this taken care of for them.

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased an Optima red top battery 8025-160 25 on 10/28/2019 from Amazon (an authorized Optima dealer). With 3yr full replacement warranty. It arrived in November and was installed in my sports car. I bought this high performance and costly battery because replacing it requires that the fender be removed and its very time consuming. Since car is garaged in winter, I put my battery tender on it to keep it at its peak. The next spring and summer it performed normally and battery tender was used the entire season as well as in 2021. In spring 2022, I took it on an overnight stay (didnt use tender as were at a hotel). The next morning the battery was dead and needed a jump start. When I got home, the next morning. It was dead as well. I called Optima May 2022 and they told me to get a replacement thru amazon. I found out that amazon doesnt wnty items after 30 days and any wnty would be thru mfg. so I called optima back and they told me that was wrong and we could do a conference call if needed. I then called amazon and supervisor and the said no wnty after 30 days. I then wrote optima (**** **) and said proof of failure was needed and they sometimes have sulfication which requires special charger can be reversed. I could take it to Autozone after charging it to 12.65V I did as told, but could only get it charged to 12.6V. The lady who tested it measured 12.4V and saw that it was dropping 0.01V every minute or two and offered to replace it until I told her it was purchased thru Amazon and would not provide any written report. I did the desulfication they suggested to no avail and sent optima a video of the issue. **** ** told me she would submit a wnty request to amazon and another a week later when I asked for update. I have since emailed her again and now being ignored. In my last email to her I said they should not have authorized dealers who wont honor the mfg warranty. I was then I searched 1 star reviews on amazon and found many with this same problem.

  Business response

  11/11/2022

  We are very sorry for the delay in getting you a warranty replacement. We are actively working with Amazon to process your replacement and have been for some time. Amazon is an authorized Optima seller and has an obligation to handle the warranty for the entire warranty period. This is in their contact and in their warranty statement. Unfortunately, there have been issues on Amazon's side which have caused them to tell customers to contact Optima for a warranty. This causes delays in getting customers their replacement battery and can lead to dissatisfaction with Optima. We are actively working with Amazon to get all warranty issues to be resolved by Amazon.

   

  Thank you for your patience. **** ** will still be your point of contact and we will make sure to make this right with Amazon.

  Customer response

  11/11/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  I have heard this same thing several times from Optima and Optima being the manufacturer are ultimately responsible for their 3 year replacement warranty. I have given them plenty of time to get this taken care of. Its been many months of jumping through their hoops to no avail and I need a working battery for my car. 

  I would like this case to remain open until they resolve this and either give me a refund or new replacement (with new 3yr warranty full replacement warranty) as this is what their warranty states.
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************

  Business response

  11/14/2022

  Amazon has finally taken care of ******************. We are very sorry for his troubles and suggest that he purchase his next Optima battery through a different avenue due to his dissatisfaction with Amazon. We have numerous other purchase locations.

  Customer response

  11/16/2022

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************
  

• Initial Complaint

  07/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  It is shocking how similar my experience is with the last one filed. I had a H*4*7*7*8*9*6*2*9*6H Red Top H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H that was still under warrantee and stopped holding charge. I took the car to my mechanic* he tested the H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H and said it is a bad H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H. I contacted H*4*7*7*8*9*6*2*9*6H to start the warrantee process. Same person as in the prior complain* **** Jo * asked a lot of question* which I answered* after which she said I need to take it to AutoZone so they can test the H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H as they are the official dealer for H*2***4*7*7*4*9*6*8*5H in my region. I took the H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H to AutoZone* they tested it and gave me a printout saying the H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H cannot be charged enough to be tested. I sent that to **** Jo* but it was not enough. She send me instructions on how to charge the H*4*7*7*8*9*6*2*9*6H H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H using another 12V H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H* because we all have extra H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H just laying around* right ??!!?? In any case* I have nice neighbors and one of them let me borrow their car H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H * that gets connected to the charger and to the H*4*7*7*8*9*6*2*9*6H H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H and you let it charge. So the H*4*7*7*8*9*6*2*9*6H H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H got charged* but by the morning the charge was gone and I again could not start the car. Now with * tests and * proves the H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H is bad* you would think that is enough ?? Well* you will be wrong. I was told I have to mail the H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H to H*4*7*7*8*9*6*2*9*6H so they can test it themselves. So I did. I had to get a replacement H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H because I need to use my car. It took H*4*7*7*8*9*6*2*9*6H 2 weeks and they finally sent me an email saying they confirm it is a bad H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H and they will send me a replacement. I asked **** Jo * times to give me a phone number to a supervisor so I can see if they can refund me the money instead* because I do not need another H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H * but she completely ignored me* just keep sending me canned responses saying arrangements have been made for the H*2*6***6*9*9*4*0*2*8H to be send to me. Hands down the worst H*8*6*4*9***6*4*1*0H H*1*4***7*5*4*6*1*1*7H and the worst experience I ever had with warrantee claims.

  Business response

  08/05/2022

  We are working with the customer to process their refund.

• Initial Complaint

  07/20/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased an Optima red top battery from Amazon on May 9th 2020 which began failing to maintain a charge not long after the purchase. Optima claims to warranty the battery for years longer than I began complaining about the faulty unit in a number of emails that I have exchanged with their customer service during all this time.I first called Amazon about the problem, but they told me that I needed to deal directly with Optima. During my email communications with Optima's customer service representitive **** *** she demaned that I go through specific charging procedures including keeping it on a battery tender. During several months of following her procedures, which included purchasing more charging equipment. I'm now being told that I need to go to an Optima dealer for more diagnostics. They are still refusing to replace the faulty battery I received.Even after twice sending them what they have ask for (twice sending them copies of my purchase invoice) and buying more charging equipment to comply with their demands, they just keep asking me to do more. Their warranty seems to be a joke. i should have been send a replacement battery long ago.

  Business response

  07/26/2022

  **************** purchased the battery from Amazon and they are responsible for the warranty of ******************** battery. That said, Amazon incorrectly told the customer to contact the manufacturer for warranty. When the customer contacts us, we collect the necessary information and submit this to Amazon in order to help the customer get their warranty. Unfortunately in ******************** case, we requested the name and email address on the Amazon account multiple times so that we could send it to Amazon, however we never received it. This information was included in the BBB customer information section and we sent this information off to Amazon to request that they support the warranty for this customer. Here is the response from Liam * at Amazon: "Confirming we've received your warranty replacement request, however this item has already been refunded as of February 22, 2022."

  Therefore, we can not support any further requests for warranty from this customer as they have already received a refund and are trying to get a free battery.

• Initial Complaint

  06/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Why has Optima Batteries quality dropped for some of the highest priced batteries? I always have purchased Optima even though the cost was higher (owned 20 plus my business truck). Our car club and retailer are all saying the batteries no longer make it to warranty, the last two for me ( different cars and battery model, one a daily driver and other weekend sports car failed at 8 months and 2 years respectively. When they used to surpass their warranty by a year or two prior. Same I'm hearing elsewhere, something in mfg has changed, cost cutting? Ridiculous! Both tested bad at the retailer too. If it wasn't replaced under warranty, I never would have taken the new one, it's become that bad... please have mgmt fix it, the secret sauce no longer is a viable option.

  Business response

  06/29/2022

  All OPTIMA Batteries are made with *****% pure virgin lead in our own production facility in *********, ****** and they are the only batteries produced there. We never re-brand or re-spec our batteries for any of our retail partners. OPTIMA Batteries are made from only the finest materials, using a level of precision, consistency and process only found in one place in the world. Take a virtual tour of the OPTIMA Batteries production facility.. https://www.optimabatteries.com/tour-the-optima-batteries-plant

  While the quality of Optima has not changed, the vehicles have. Modern vehicles are far more abusive to batteries than cars from even 10 years ago. Batteries in older vehicles basically start the engine and then are maintained near 100% SOC. A battery in a modern vehicle will start the engine and then powering hundreds of components while operating at a partial state of charge. The battery may never see 100% SOC and if the vehicle is not used every day, these modern vehicles can drain a battery within a few days or a week. While an Optima is designed to operate in this partial state of charge window, it will hinder the ability to last 5+ years like the well maintained Optima that is used in an older vehicle.

• Initial Complaint

  03/28/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased an Optima Red Top battery on September 13, 2020 through Amazon. The battery has failed and will not hold a charge over 9 volts and will not start the vehicle it is installed in anymore. This failure occurred around March 2, 2022 which is well within the three year warranty period. Amazon will not honor the warranty, they have stated it is Optima who is responsible for the replacement under warranty. I contacted Optima customer service and was told to: Remove the battery from the vehicle, take it to a local retailer(who did not sell me the battery), have it charged and tested, then send the "results" back to Optima customer service, then they will expedite a replacement through Amazon. I have already charged and tested the battery with my own shop repair equipment. The battery fails a load test quite easily. Who has time to take it out to a local retailer and make them help with a replacement when they did not sell it to begin with? As well as purchase another battery while I wait for the original to be replaced under warranty so I can drive the vehicle for work? Absolutely ridiculous service and lack of warranty support on a faulty product. I would appreciate Amazon or Optima replace the battery.Order Placed: September 13, 2020 Amazon.com order number: 111-6245091-7381869 Order Total: $214.99 Optima Batteries 8022-091 75/25 RedTop Starting Battery Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC

  Business response

  03/31/2022

  Amazon has refunded the customer.

  Customer response

  04/01/2022

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Thankfully I have already purchased a replacement battery. I would like it notated that only after filing a complaint was any action to remedy the battery failure taken by Amazon and Optima. Other buyers should realize that there is no warranty coverage if you buy from Amazon.
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/17/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchase 2 blue top batteries 04/2019 from ******* and they are bad. I havent misused them I have maintain a good charge on them. I took them to AutoZone and they charged them over night i went in and they showed me the charger its stated the batteries were bad. The volts are **** charged but they constantly drop over night. I need them replaced ******* said the warranty was through optima directly. I purchased directly through ******* not the marketplace. I have the original receipt in my email when the order was replaced and the delivery date. I just need (2) new batteries thats it. Order was placed 04/06/19 for both batteries they were delivered 4/12/19 ******* advised they dont sell them j store to do a warranty exchange its done by optima. I just need 2 new batteries for my car I notice its a problem getting them swapped out unless you deal with a part store this isnt fair to customers who have $600 tied up in batteries. After calling interstate batteries in another city I was told to contact optima directly and I was given the number. ******* never stated contact optima that who warranty the batteries they just states they know sell ever start. I received a email from 4/15/21 **** ** at optima stating her manger needed prove the battlers were bad. I took both batteries to *************************** they test them again & I took a picture of the machine and sent the details to **** ***. Now on 12/17/21 **** *** stated by email her manager need proof that i went to ******* trying to replace the barriers back in April several times. I have called ******* automotive department on 4/17/21 at 4:15pm central time asking for a written letter I was advised they dont do that nor do they seller the batteries to give me anything. I was told that even tho I purchased them from *******.com itself that still was a 3rd party transaction because the batteries came from optima. This has been a complete nightmare being told different things everytime.

  Business response

  01/06/2022

  Replacement batteries have been sent per request.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩