GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I'm on day two owning my new Vibe. I went out to run some errands this morning and it wouldn't start. I knew right away it was the battery, and at first I thought it was my fault, but I checked and I had not left any lights on. So I called AAA, and the rep jumped me, then ran a battery test. The battery was shot.I took it back to the dealer immediately, and they were very cool. They replaced it within an hour and now I am good to go. Apparently it was leaking. So has anyone ever heard of getting a dead battery on a brand new vehicle? It seems a little strange to me.

I never have had much trust for the AC-Delco batteries

Contrary to zion, I've never had a bad experience with an AC/Delco battery.BUT, hey, stranger shtuff has happened. Kinda like the story about the Pontiac that hated vanilla ice cream...

I remember my wife had purchased a new 1985 Ford Escort, and the battery lasted less than a year, and it went immediately also.

My Vibe's battery was leaking and was replaced about 6 months after I got the vehicle. I didn't have any probs with it to that point however and I wasn't the one who noticed the leak. Free warranty replacement and was upgraded to a bigger battery no charge to me. I trust those batteries though, never have had issues with them otherwise. My 96 Sunfire GT had its first battery changed back in 2003... 6 reliable years on that ol battery.

it's just the crappy batteries they put in the car.

Well the only thing crappy about the battery is the one installed on the Vibe is not a strong battery for cold weather. Aside from that, the battery functions just fine.

The batteries in new cars are pretty much the same as any you would buy off the shelf anywhere. IMO no better, or worse (crappy) than you buy at Sears, Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Etc. Etc. I have had many new cars in the past 40 years and never had a premature failure. Even my low CCA original equipment Vibe battery has never failed me. The relatively low CCA is adequate for a 1.8L engine in most climates, but there is really no reason not to have one rated at 550-650 CCA as they can be had for $40 or so. That said, as with any product there are a certain inevitable number of "defective" ones and that is why they have a period of time when you have a full replacement guarantee. I have also replaced batteries about every 3 years. Personally, I'd rather put in a $40 battery every 3 years than trust an $80 battery to last 6.

regardless of brand or cca, people have different experiences with different batteries. some people have had no problems with the factory battery while others have. maybe it's the luck of the draw?

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »it's the luck of the draw? yes it is. may batterys come in to our plant dead from source. has anyone noticed GM got rid of the green eye on the batterys? just for that reason they were not accurate, we would have batterys that had a green eye and they were dead.

I had the same problem with mine. I had it happen a few months ago. I had my friend jump it and it started smoking and the cables were on fire I guess something was just wrong with the battery they said. Have a new one now...had to change the starter first they thought that was the problem but nope just the battery.