What Is Causing Your Car Battery Problems?

An automobile is a complex machine made up of thousands of parts designed to get its driver from point A to point B, and all points beyond, safely. The battery is the power supply that brings that machine to life.

When it malfunctions, loses strength or dies, the entire vehicle can be rendered inoperable, which can cause anything from an inconvenience to a safety hazard for the driver.

What Are Common Car Battery Problems?

Car battery problems are consistently among the most common reported by drivers who call AAA for roadside assistance, the national automotive club says. It regularly ranks among the top eight reasons drivers call for help and AAA frequently advises drivers to check, maintain and replace their vehicle’s battery when needed to ensure their safety on the road.

What Is the Typical Car Battery Lifespan?

The average car battery can be expected to last about three years, according to the consumer automotive website Cars.com. Several factors can affect the lifespan of a car battery, chief among them the number of accessories – electronics a driver plugs in to their car – that draw power from the battery in addition to the engine.

What Are Weak Car Battery Symptoms?

The most obvious signs of car battery problems are a total lack of power and inability to start the engine. Those are hard to mistake. But before things get to that point, there can be other indications that a vehicle’s battery is going downhill.

Before starting the vehicle, a driver might notice none of the interior lights, dashboard indicators, gauges or other electrical items appear to come on, or if they do come on, they flicker. Or the battery might give out after a short time sitting with the engine off and the radio or other accessories running, the automotive website AxleAddict says.

Other clues a battery isn’t functioning properly can be found during startup. If the engine turns over a few times before starting, if the interior lights and indicators dim or flicker during startup or if it seems to take longer for the engine to turn over than normal, the battery might be in trouble.

Once the car is started, battery problems might cause the vehicle to idle a little rough. A failing battery might also cause the radio or other accessories to turn off intermittently, or cause lights to dim or flicker. And, according to AxleAddict, a bad battery can result in squealing accessory belts.

Finally, a physical inspection can reveal signs of car battery problems. If the battery’s casing is bulging or warped, or if it smells like rotten eggs, that can be an indication some of the battery’s sulfuric acid has been discharged, the Pep Boys auto care webpage says.

What Could Be Causing Your Car Battery Problems?

The things that can cause a car battery to fail before the end of its expected lifespan generally fall into one of three categories: a problem with the battery itself, a problem with the electrical system connected to the battery and operator error.

Operator error is a general way of saying the driver made a mistake, usually by accidentally leaving some electrical component of the car on for an extended period of time while the engine was turned off – leaving the lights or the radio on, for example.

A “glitch or wiring error” in a vehicle can cause electrical components to stay on and drain the battery without the driver being aware, according to the JD Power NADA automotive information website. They are referred to as a “parasitic drain.”  A faulty alternator – which gives a charge to the battery when the engine is running – might also contribute to car battery problems.

Finally, a flaw or malfunction in the battery itself can result in a loss of power.

Could Your Car Battery Problems Be a Safety Hazard?

Since an automobile’s battery supplies power to key safety features like the car’s headlights, taillights and hazard lights, as well as the dashboard indicator lamps that signal various engine and systems problems, the battery is integral to driver safety. A malfunctioning battery can put a driver’s safety at risk.

In some cases, car battery defects can even create a dangerous electrical fire hazard.

Can You File a Car Defect Lawsuit?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration considers problems with motor vehicle equipment that pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety to be safety defects.

If you believe your vehicle may be defective, you can check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to determine if there has been a recall issued. If not, it is important to report the issue. You can report vehicle safety defects to the NHTSA through their website. The NHTSA has recalled more than 390 million vehicles—as well as tens of millions of tires, car seats, and more—due to these kinds of safety defects. However, recalls are not always announced before people end up injured or killed by a defect.

Consumers who think the car battery problems they are experiencing are safety defects might have grounds for legal action.

A growing number of drivers are coming forward with allegations of serious vehicle defects—not just with car batteries, but also with acceleration/deceleration, airbags, wheels, seat belts, windshields, and more. Even seemingly minor vehicle defects can cause safety issues if it creates a sudden distraction on the road.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially while dealing with an injury, so Top Class Actions has mad the process easier for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney experienced in safety defect cases is one way to find out if a consumer has a valid claim to file a class action lawsuit. An attorney can also help you navigate the complexities of litigation and maximize your potential compensation.

Join a Free Vehicle Safety Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you own a vehicle that you believe has a safety defect and you are outside of the warranty period or you believe the defect should be covered by the warranty and it’s not, or you or a family member have been injured by a safety related defect, you may qualify to join this vehicle safety defect class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.