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A class action lawsuit against the makers of Duracell batteries say they’re fraudulently selling their Optimum line of products.
Plaintiff Robert Ferguson of New York says the company not only marks up the premium Duracell batteries with a higher price, but creates them using a potentially toxic blend of chemistry that can leak out.
The Optimum AA and AAA batteries are marketed as a product that gives devices “extra life” and “extra power,” Ferguson says in the complaint, pointing to the advertisements on the Duracell batteries.
Ferguson continues his point in the class action lawsuit by sharing the tagline on the ads: “Duracell’s highest energy disposable AA battery engineered to provide the Extra Life or Extra Power your devices need.”
The use of the terms “‘extra life’ and ‘extra power’ causes consumers to expect the Optimum batteries will last longer and provide more power than the Coppertop batteries and those of other brands,” he said.
In fact, the class action lawsuit claims the opposite is true.
Instead, the Optimum-branded Duracell batteries have a tiny disclaimer printed in hard-to-read font that they “deliver extra life or extra power” than the company’s standard batteries. Ferguson says this disclaimer means the Optimum batteries are only beneficial in a “small” set of devices.
These “disclaimers are insufficient in size and clarity to correct the net impression of consumers,” Ferguson said in the class action lawsuit. “Product may have a longer life or provide extra power — but not both — only compared to” other Duracell batteries.
Consumers, Ferguson contends, are more likely to opt for batteries that last the longest. The Optimum Duracell batteries, according to his class action lawsuit, actually die from non-use faster than others.
“The Optimum batteries use a different chemistry than Coppertop, which is touted as a benefit through these differences cause the Optimum batteries to degrade more rapidly than the Coppertop batteries and other brands,” he says in the complaint.
Even worse than a dead battery, is a dangerous one, the class action lawsuit states.
The complaint refers to “one of the largest battery recalls from stores in modern times” stemming from issues of seeping alkaline electrolytes from certain AA batteries.
Leaky Duracell batteries were the focus of a 2014 class action lawsuit when defendants took action against claims on their “Duralock” line.
Ferguson argues the chemical composition on the Optimum Duracell batteries results in “leakage rates among the highest ever.” He adds that while this formula can deliver more power to a small range of devices, it means the storage life decreases faster over time.
Ferguson is looking to form a Class of New Yorkers who’ve bought Optimum Duracell batteries.
The class action lawsuit accuses Duracell’s U.S. operations of violating New York’s General Business Law and the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act’s Express Warranty provision.
The plaintiff is also accusing the defendant of fraud and unjust enrichment, and is seeking monetary damages as well as injunctive relief.
Have you purchased Optimum Duracell batteries? Let us know in the comments below.
Counsel representing the plaintiffs in this class action lawsuit is Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC.
The Duracell Batteries Class Action Lawsuit is Ferguson v. Duracell U.S. Operations Inc., Case No. 7:20-cv-10734, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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1,124 thoughts onOptimum Duracell Batteries Can Leak and Don’t Last, Class Action Lawsuit Says
I have had several Duracell AAA batteries ruin remote, flash lights and even a child’s Book that I recorded me reading to her as a baby.
I will NEVER buy Duracell again. I even have pictures of them. Expiration is 2025 – leaking Trash
Bought a bulk Pak of Duracell Optimum Double A’s from Costco. The entire package of batteries has leaked and rendered unusable.
I have purchased 32 pack AAA batteries. Expiration date is MARCH 2007.
I have 26 batteries unused in original packaging. It appears all of the batteries are starting to leak.
What options do I have for a refund or replacement from Duracell?
I bought a package of 18 AA from CVS and they all leak and or no good. I was searching to call customer service when I found this site and that it is a common problem with optimum batteries. I thought they might be counterfeit because they are not labeled like their other batteries.
duracell oem aaa size battery blew up, remote was on my chest and went off like a firework, leaked acid and blew back of remote battery cover off manufacture date 01-2021 warranty date 01-2028 blew up on 04/21/22, less than 5 months after manufacturer
product info 10004256 1.5v LR03 made in china not for retail trade
1004256
I purchased the 4 pack AA’s for my tv remote a few weeks back. A few days later while watching tv I went to grab the remote and literally burned my fingers. I threw the remote. If I hadn’t have picked it up in time I swear my sofa would have burned. Once the batteries cooled off we looked and one of them was actually melted.
I purchased a bulk pack from Sam’s Club a while back. Pulled them out of the drawer today to use and every battery was leaking. I took several pictures, what a waste of money!!
I bought a bulk pack of AA batteries from BJs 6 months ago. They have leaked in my electronics, as well as, in the sealed package. Absolute junk.
3 months ago I purchased a package of AA8 Optimum. I had 4 left I a package. Two of them are totally corroded on the negative end of the battery. Now I am wondering what item I installed the other 4. I would like to remove them before they ruin something because of the acid.
We have two packages of Duracell batteries that leaked both in the device and in the package.