[edvard]

I have a 2011 Volt with about 100,000 miles. So far its been fine but the other day the car would not start and had to be jumped. I thought maybe this was a fluke since my Wife had accidentally left the car running for a few hours. Anyway after jumping it the car was fine for 3-4 days. But then on Saturday we parked the car across the street and it wasn't plugged in. Once more it had to be jumped. I suspect the original 12 volt starter battery might be on its way out? I ask because it seems there is hardly any info about this perhaps because the first gen cars are just now starting to actually get old enough to have stuff like this wear out. Anyone else here experience this kind of thing? I am going to pick up a new battery tomorrow.

 

[SharkVolt]

Yes, ALL 12 Volt batteries fail. The only variable is how soon. And the Volt therefore is prone to the same non-starting problem as all other cars.

Just make sure you get the correct AGM type battery for the Volt.

 

[edvard]

Thanks. I assumed so. That said, I've never had a battery fail this rapidly. Not saying its impossible but I usually get at least 10 years out of a battery. These are not cheap because as you said- you have to get the glass mat battery meant for use inside a car with no venting. $230!

 

[kns]

What SharkVolt said. The battery is under the floor of the hatch area and a regular flooded cell automotive battery would not be a good replacement in that area. Also, focus on the cycle life and depth of discharge specs rather than high starting current when selecting a replacement. I prefer not to get stuck so I replace 12v car batteries every 3 years. The most recent replacement cost me less than $150 installed at my dealer.

KNS

 

[Jim Fallston Md.]

Sears has them for $165.00 and Advance has them for $182.00

 

[Steverino]

Here's our FAQ on replacement 12V batteries for the Volt.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?279833-Chevy-Volt-2011-2015-12V-Battery-replacement-FAQ

 

[jbakerjonathan]

Does anyone know how to determine how long the "new" battery has been on the shelf? I'm not sure in how many other cars the GM OE Part Number: 88864595 is used.

 

[El Dobro]

Does anyone know how to determine how long the "new" battery has been on the shelf? I'm not sure in how many other cars the GM OE Part Number: 88864595 is used.

Volts and ELRs only.
Try this to figure the age of the battery.
http://cars.forumsee.com/a/m/s/p12-12564-0169729--what-the-age-delco-battery.html

 

[freshcut]

Often times a new battery will have a round sticker somewhere on the battery. This sticker should denote the month/year of production such as 4/17. I know every battery I've gotten from Autozone has this sticker.

 

[flyingsherpa]

I have a 2011 Volt with about 100,000 miles. So far its been fine but the other day the car would not start and had to be jumped. I thought maybe this was a fluke since my Wife had accidentally left the car running for a few hours. Anyway after jumping it the car was fine for 3-4 days. But then on Saturday we parked the car across the street and it wasn't plugged in. Once more it had to be jumped. I suspect the original 12 volt starter battery might be on its way out? I ask because it seems there is hardly any info about this perhaps because the first gen cars are just now starting to actually get old enough to have stuff like this wear out. Anyone else here experience this kind of thing? I am going to pick up a new battery tomorrow.

There is at least one post per week on these forums about someone having a dead battery, usually from a car newer than 2011. I'd say yours lasted better than most! I agree it's odd they don't last longer, seeing as how they have a cushy life (gentler environment inside the cabin, no cold cranking an ICE, etc), but this seems common on all EVs... I've heard of Telsas and Leafs having similarly short lives. I'm used to batteries lasting at least 7 years, but seems like that won't happen with EVs for some reason.