2009 Versa Battery Died

[visitor1]

I had to replace the OEM battery on my 2009 Nissan Versa 1.8S yesterday. It wouldn't start and had it towed to the dealer. The car is barely three years old and has about 50K miles. I bought it brand new. Is this normal? If so, then this is the crappiest battery I've ever seen. I also have a 2007 Versa and its battery is still going strong. The youngest battery I've replaced was a ripe old age of 7 years.

Good thing I have the Nissan Security Plus Gold extended warranty and it covered the cost of replacing the battery. Everything else -ignition, alternator, spark plugs, wirings, electrical, checked out ok. The mechanics at the dealership tried their best to convince me that a car battery is only good for three years. I smell BS. Anyone have a similar experience?

[AZhitman]

Not BS at all.

Your car is actually more than "barely 3 years old", most likely. If it's a 2009, it was built as early as 7/08 (which would make it 4 years old).

Batteries in AZ last 2-3 years on average. Heat, vibration, load, and frequent lengthy sitting, all take their toll on the battery. Who knows how it was treated before you bought it?

Since it was replaced free, shouldn't be anything to fret over.

Welcome aboard!

[visitor1]

Hi! Thanks for the quick reply. I've actually been on this forum for a while now. I just had nothing worth posting until now. So you guys in Arizona replace your batteries every two years? That's news to me. Must be expensive owning a car out there.

So now that I have a new battery, do you know of any others on my 2009 Versa that I should expect will break down next? I'm not being snarky, I just want to be prepared. When my car died I was miles deep along an isolated highway while waiting for a tow truck in 100 deg heat. Never, ever, ever again.

[alonsorules8.1]

Being a former mechanic I can attest to the fact the 3 to 5 years is the normal life span for oem batteries. On my 2008 Versa SL I replaced mine at the 3.5 year mark just as a precaution the cold cranking amp were dropping below normal range and so not to get stuck with a dead battery in the winter I replaced it. with 106000 on my Versa the only thing that needs to be replaced is the spark plugs, this car is very reliable. Factory brakes lasted 103000 mile on my car so they may last that long for you as well.

In about 10k mile if yours is an Auto you will be due for a transmission service and coolant flush.

[visitor1]

Hi, thanks for the heads up. The brakes are original so I hope you're right. The only thing brand new is the battery. I'll make a reminder about the transmission service and coolant flush. What I find strange about this whole business is that no one on this forum, nor even by searching the internet, has anyone mentioned a battery problem with their Versas. Not even a mention of when Versa owners replace their batteries. It had to happen to someone eventually I guess. Lucky me.

[AZhitman]

Hi! Thanks for the quick reply. I've actually been on this forum for a while now. I just had nothing worth posting until now. So you guys in Arizona replace your batteries every two years? That's news to me. Must be expensive owning a car out there.

Nope. One of the cheapest states in the US. 2-5 years, depending on whether you buy a POS off-brand unit, or a good one. I run Optimas, and haven't had to replace one yet. For less than 2x the cost of a POS battery, it's worth it to me.

So now that I have a new battery, do you know of any others on my 2009 Versa that I should expect will break down next? I'm not being snarky, I just want to be prepared.

Not that I've heard of. We have several members with high-mileage, reliable Versas... one is over 400K.

Keep in mind, the battery isn't a "Nissan" part, per se. You may have just gotten a bad one - it happens.

[kc5f]

What I find strange about this whole business is that no one on this forum, nor even by searching the internet, has anyone mentioned a battery problem with their Versas. Not even a mention of when Versa owners replace their batteries.

I've always considered it a routine maintenance item, so I've never seen a reason to report changing out the battery in any of our Versa's. As mentioned, most OEM batteries last 3-5 years, so I expect to be changing mine any day now!

[visitor1]

Well, I'm glad my experience helps remind people to perform their routine scheduled maintenance

On another point, looking at the new battery they installed in my car (see attached image), do you guys have a preference as to which battery you put in your Versas? Do you have a particular brand you swear by or depend on?

[hemifan87]

I bought mine in july of 09 and it a 2009 and within a week the battery went dead I brought it back and they changed it free of charge ever since its been going strong I think in my case it was just due to the car sitting on the lot for a while they told me that it was one of the first 09's they had got in.