2012 EX-L Navi Battery Issue

[gsm026]

I have a big problem with the battery dying in my wife's 2012. 5 months old and 4,500 miles. It has stranded us and had to be jumped at least 3 times in the last month. Dealer did every test they know of - battery capacity is excellent, on the high side. Residual power draw is 9mA, spec is <50mA. Running load test is good. They acknowledge that the battery was low when I brought in the vehicle, but they say we must have done something (listening to the radio or leaving the dome light on with the engine off). I told them that we have done none of those things. Just driven and parked in the garage. They appologized but said there is nothing they can do because all the tests show good and Honda won't pay for a new battery.

This is really frustrating ... my wife is about ready to get rid of the car (she has a fear of being stranded). I see other posts with similar issues, but the battery tested bad and was replaced. They say our battery is great.

Has anyone had the same experience, or any suggestion on what it might be and how to deal with Honda on this??

Thanks for the help,
Greg

[RavenManiac]

Greg,

I recently had a similar problem with my 2012 CR-V. I was installing an aftermarket parking system and left the ignition in the accessory position (with the overhead lights off) for what seemed like a relative short period of time. I ended up draining the battery to the point that the lights would come on but the car wouldn't start. It would have taken a DieHard battery hours before that would have happened. To me, it seems like the Honda OEM battery is very weak. Clearly not on par with batteries like the DieHard brand.

My advice is that you ask to speak with your Honda Factory Rep or call Honda customer service directly (1-800-999-1009), explain your situation and the fact that you've been left stranded three times, which is a potential safety issue. My experience is that Honda stands behind they're products. I'm sure they'll hep you as well.

Good luck.

[jim256]

Ask the dealer if they have done a load test. I had a brand new Mercedes, would not start and the battery checked out fine until they did load test outside the car, and the battery had a short under load. Batteries have manufacturing defects, too.

[gsm026]

They have data for the battery under load and no load, the alternator under load and no load, starter draw, residual draw with everything off for 30 minutes. As best I can tell, the battery actually slowly drains when the car is driven, instead of coming up to full charge. I'm wondering if it could be excessive draw from the electric power steering - something like that?

[genep]

Your car is almost new and cost about $28K. What is the cost of a battery? Your dealer won't help you. You will loose more money if you trade it in than the cost of a battery. Before you sell it, buy a good battery from Advance or Autozone or wherever you get your batteries from and replace the one that is in it now. If your problems go away, you're good, if not, then at least you can go to the dealer and say that you've narrowed the problem down to something other than the battery. If replacing the battery fixes the problem, send a copy of the receipt and a letter explaining how the dealer would not help you to Honda and ask for reimbursement.

[SeaR-V]

do your headlights set to automatic?
i have seen a post or two commenting they can drain the battery.

just passing this on

[rocks]

I've always felt the battery is underpowered maybe because of it's size.Cold weather starting sounds pretty weak and has since day one on our '11.Dealer said it's normal.None of my vehicles I own now or have owned in the past have that type of weak start up without a battery issue.

[rickhow]

I had the EXACT same problem yesterday on my 2012, and I too have 4500 miles. I just made a post about it...and the dealer was totally useless. I went immediately to sams club and bought a Stanley battery jump-starter (you recharge it at home once a month, keep it in trunk, if battery dies on the road, just clamp to battery and your car will restart)..was on sale for $28.91. Gives me a feeling of security. My next step is NOT to sell the car at a large loss..but to buy a new NON HONDA battery.

[gsm026]

Of course we won't actually sell the car ... we are just frustrated at having this problem on a new car. I agree with rocks that the battery is small & weak in general. But for some reason it is not fully charging while driving, and that shouldn't have anything to do with the size of the battery ... just how many amps are left over from charge rate vs. drain. Headlights are in manual. My wife says that she never uses the auto feature.

I think that I will give the dealer one more shot at it ... and if that doesn't work, I'll do what rickhow suggested and buy a larger aftermarket battery.

Greg

[RavenManiac]

I went immediately to sams club and bought a Stanley battery jump-starter (you recharge it at home once a month, keep it in trunk, if battery dies on the road, just clamp to battery and your car will restart)..was on sale for $28.91. Gives me a feeling of security.

That sounds like a great item to have. May I ask which brand and model number you purchased?