AAA will not reimburse for failed battery

[kjsammy]

My almost 1 year old AAA battery failed, could not even open the car doors, no overhead light, nothing.
Called AAA and the car was jump started. I was told to get the battery recharged. I do not think that makes sense but ok.
Auto shop charged battery. After recharge, the machine said Battery: recharge. Cranking was 9.98v and excessive ripple.
AAA mechanic saw the cranking number and said it was a dead battery. He did not have a battery for my car and none that he could get. The shop replaced the battery.

AAA says "I received your documentation on the battery test and the battery receipt. I reviewed the battery test from your mechanic with a battery technician. The battery test from your mechanic and the two tests that were performed by AAA did not fail. Therefore, I am unable to reimburse you the cost of the battery you purchased. "

If you can help or provide information, thank you. I have a scan of the old and new battery test results but do not see a way to attach.

[Jack FFR1846]

I would ask AAA exactly what they need to show that the battery no longer works. If they need you to take it to one of their shops, then take it to one of their shops. It seems they aren't satisfied with the shop that did the test and determined it's no good so you'd need to know what has to be done to prove it's no good according to them.

I don't know how AAA does this these days. I do know that some years ago, they fired a bunch of their contract shops and opened their own shops. I know for a lockout I had, this meant that a normal 10 minute response to a parking lot near Logan Airport became 2 hours. Fortunately, I always arrive super early so didn't even miss my flight.

[pizzy]

I would ask AAA exactly what they need to show that the battery no longer works. If they need you to take it to one of their shops, then take it to one of their shops. It seems they aren't satisfied with the shop that did the test and determined it's no good so you'd need to know what has to be done to prove it's no good according to them.

I doubt OP has the old battery. Maybe.

[quantAndHold]

I would stop buying batteries from AAA. That one was clearly dead.

[kjsammy]

I don't have the old battery. The shop took care of that.
Yeah, I will not buy another battery from AAA. If needed will get a jump start and take it to the shop.

[wolf359]

I have switched to only getting car batteries from Costco. They stand by their warranty.

[Normchad]

You’re not the only person to be screwed in this way. For me it was Diehard battery bought at Sears.

Sucks….

You could dispute the charge with your credit card company. Probably won’t get your money back though.

Sorry about this. I’ve been there too…..

[kjsammy]

You’re not the only person to be screwed in this way. For me it was Diehard battery bought at Sears.

Sucks….

You could dispute the charge with your credit card company. Probably won’t get your money back though.

Sorry about this. I’ve been there too…..

Thanks.
Yeah, won't spend the time on the credit card pursuit and will not buy another battery from AAA.
I do think the auto shop around the corner will stand behind their work.

[nisiprius]

Insert joke here.

[neilpilot]

Insert joke here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AlndKQSs6Q

[Jimbo Moneybags]

Auto shop charged battery. After recharge, the machine said Battery: recharge. Cranking was 9.98v and excessive ripple.

If you can help or provide information, thank you. I have a scan of the old and new battery test results but do not see a way to attach.

You can upload and share PDF files using a free service, such as PDF host: https://pdfhost.io/

As far as the battery test, I believe that if the cranking/load voltage remained at or above 9.6v for 15 seconds, the battery is not dead and can be recharged.

Excessive ripple usually (but not always) indicates a failing alternator or other related vehicle electrical issue. I'm not aware of it indicating a defective battery that cannot be recharged (assuming that DC voltage was correctly blocked by the meter when testing in AC mode). Have you spoken with your trusted auto mechanic about the test results?

[billaster]

The sequence of events here is not clear. From what I can tell, you had a dead battery, called AAA for a jump start. They directed you to get the battery charged. You got the battery charged at the shop. They did a cranking test.

Then at some point a AAA mechanic came back and looked at the test result after charging? Or did the shop mechanic look at the test results.

In any case you have to be more explicit about what you were told. Being told you have a dead battery just means it is discharged and needs to be recharged. That is different from a failed battery that cannot be recharged to a usable state.

In any case, as pointed out, 9.98 isn't a bad cranking voltage.

My first inclination is to believe the AAA interpretation of the battery tests unless you have other information to clarify why you replaced the battery.

Batteries can fail with short life, but it's pretty rare. Your battery may be fine but your charging systems is failing. Or you could have some other fault that is causing a discharge while parked. People tend to jump to the conclusion that the battery is bad, but it could be other causes. And these other causes could discharge the battery to a level that damages it. So the cause and effect are reversed.

[rockstar]

Sounds like a drained battery, not a bad one.

Do you have an electric drain happening with your vehicle?

[Broken Man 1999]

I had a better experience with AAA. AAA replaced a battery for my van, it died one month short of 36 months, which was just before the free replacement cutoff.

When the AAA battery was determined to be bad, the AAA tech stated he couldn't replace the battery as it shouldn't have been installed in my van because of my wheelchair lift. He told me call in and tell the call center the circumstances, and he would also indicate that in the repair notes. He said to ask for a full refund of the price I paid for the battery. I did so, and a check was cut and mailed to me. So I got nearly 36 months of free battery use.

As much as I love Costco, they do not install the batteries. Makes them a non-starter. I use Advance Auto Parts, and they have held up over the years. I'm happy to get 5/6 years out of a battery, considering Florida's heat and the extra equipment I have. Takes very little time for a battery to be tested, and a fresh one installed if needed while parked at Advance Auto Parts.

Broken Man 1999

[Watty]

I don't have the old battery. The shop took care of that.

That is likely a major problem with trying to get a refund for it.

Most likely AAA has a deal with whoever manufactured the battery so that the manufacture pays for warranty replacements and without the battery AAA can't get reimbursed for that.

The report from your mechanic is also likely suspect since it is easy for anyone to print of official looking reports.

[KirklandCoug]

I would escalate it at AAA. I think you will get a reimbursement if you push.

[Katietsu]

As far as the battery test, I believe that if the cranking/load voltage remained at or above 9.6v for 15 seconds, the battery is not dead and can be recharged.

Excessive ripple usually (but not always) indicates a failing alternator or other related vehicle electrical issue. I'm not aware of it indicating a defective battery that cannot be recharged (assuming that DC voltage was correctly blocked by the meter when testing in AC mode). Have you spoken with your trusted auto mechanic about the test results?

This. I am not sure why there is any animosity towards AAA. Recharging a one year old battery would be my first response. According to the battery test results, the cranking voltage was within the acceptable range. And the most likely cause of excessive ripple is not a bad battery.

I would want this checked out so that you do not drain a second battery if you have a problem in the electrical charging system of the car.

[Jack FFR1846]

Tweet it to AAA. I know nothing about twitter but it seems like nobody gets anything these days until they tweet it. Then the world sees it and they get all embarrassed and fix the problem.

[pizzy]

Your issue is with the shop.

[barnaclebob]

A car battery is like $100 right? Live and learn. Buy your batteries from elsewhere. I recommend Costco.

[MGBMartin]

A car battery is like $100 right? Live and learn. Buy your batteries from elsewhere. I recommend Costco.

They can be but depending on the size and warranty they can be a lot more expensive than that.
$200-300 is not uncommon these days.

[nisiprius]

Insert joke here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AlndKQSs6Q

Sensational!

[cubs1999]

I had one good experience with AAA With battery/jump start and two bad ones.

The first happened several years ago. I knew this car needed a new battery and just had my mom deal with them as I was going to have AAA install one. Probably b/c she was an elderly lady, the person who came out tried to tell her that the alternator was dead and needed a new one. I wasn't going to have them do it so took it to my trusted mechanic. He said the battery needed to replace but the alternator was fine. I still have not had to replace the alternator on that car and that was in 2012.

Second time, I had a new battery in another car (like just 6-7 months old). Around Christmas 2022, I left the dome light on for a week and I knew that killed the battery. I just wanted a jump b/c my cables were bad so couldn't do myself. Guy comes (and I'm already suspect b/c this is the same people that came out in 2012 since it was at my home) and tells me that battery is bad and can't be jumped. I tell him I'm not buying a new battery b/c that is fairly new and I know I just killed the battery b/c I left the dome light on. He pretends to mess with the connectors and then tries to tell me something like "These mechanics don't tighten these connections properly," and then he proceeds to jump it. (I know it's bad for alternator to not go take the battery to Autozone to be charged, but I just drove it for an hour and it has started up fine since). Battery was obviously fine and they were trying to scam me for battery replacement. Before he made up that stuff about the connectors, he was trying to claim that only a new battery would fix my problem.

Last incident was that I didn't start my other car a few months later so battery was dead. I called and was expecting them to make up stuff again. I told this guy that again, this is a newer battery (this was the alternator car from before but it also had a new battery put in recently) and that I just didn't start it for a long time. HE said they had to test it, but it tested fine and he jumped it and I had no issues since.

I still keep AAA memberships as I have old cars. I swear it's just something with whoever comes out to my area b/c that's the only time I had an issue. I was happy with them when my car got into an accident as they reimbursed me for city towing fee since car was undriveable. I've had them help me with locked keys in the past as well with no issues.
I definitely won't be getting batteries from my AAA That serves my home area though.

[UpperNwGuy]

In my experience, AAA nowadays is good for emergency road service and not much else. I wouldn't buy a battery from them.

[pizzy]

In my experience, AAA nowadays is good for emergency road service and not much else. I wouldn't buy a battery from them.

Great for Int’l Driver Permits

Since they’ve cornered that market

[watchnerd]

Why would one buy a battery from AAA in the first place?

[tj]

Why would one buy a battery from AAA in the first place?

Convenience. Why wouldn't you?

[watchnerd]

Why would one buy a battery from AAA in the first place?

Convenience. Why wouldn't you?

Because I'd never go to them for anything related to auto parts.

Their expertise is/was in maps, insurance, and roadside service, not fixing cars.

I'd just buy a battery from NAPA, or similar.

I've even bought batteries on Amazon.

[tj]

Why would one buy a battery from AAA in the first place?

Convenience. Why wouldn't you?

Because I'd never go to them for anything related to auto parts.

Their expertise is/was in maps, insurance, and roadside service, not fixing cars.

I'd just buy a battery from NAPA, or similar.

I've even bought batteries on Amazon.

I've only bought car batteris from AAA. Battery dies, call AAA, AAA replaces it. Easy peasy.

[watchnerd]

Why would one buy a battery from AAA in the first place?

Convenience. Why wouldn't you?

Because I'd never go to them for anything related to auto parts.

Their expertise is/was in maps, insurance, and roadside service, not fixing cars.

I'd just buy a battery from NAPA, or similar.

I've even bought batteries on Amazon.

I've only bought car batteris from AAA. Battery dies, call AAA, AAA replaces it. Easy peasy.

Or not so easy peasy, according to OP

[BoglerAnon]

Or not so easy peasy, according to OP

Easy peasy experiences here, partial refunds received when supposed to still have some life left on the unit & it dies. YMMV of course but seems like the best way to get a dead battery replaced in my driveway is to have AAA drive it to me, install it and take away the old one.

[beyou]

Why would one buy a battery from AAA in the first place?

They will come to your house and install in your garage or driveway when the battery dies.
Did this once, but I prefer to NOT use them, and usually replace them when they get older, proactively, elsewhere.

[watchnerd]

Why would one buy a battery from AAA in the first place?

They will come to your house and install in your garage or driveway when the battery dies.
Did this once, but I prefer to NOT use them, and usually replace them when they get older, proactively, elsewhere.

Ditto.

Or, worse case, if it goes suddenly use trickle charger / jump start it, then drive elsewhere and get it done.

[kjsammy]

Responding to some questions or need for clarity.

I thought I would need a new alternator or had an electrical problem. I knew the battery was not old. Shop was clear it was the battery. After recharging the midtronics tester ? said the battery needed to be recharged.
Shop thought the battery might have a bad cell.

When the AAA driver saw the cycle number after recharging he said "that's a dead battery".

Car has worked well for 15 days. Am I past a possible alternator problem with this new battery? I drive locally most of the time. Not a lot of driving.
Might the car not light up one day soon?

Many of us in the neighborhood like this shop. We think them trustworthy, good service. Still, a person can be wrong.

Batteries seem to work for 3 years for me. That has been so for many years now.

My car is a VW. AAA driver said he did not have a battery for that car and could not get one. Not that day, not the next day, not at all. New battery was $250.

Thanks for all of the info everyone.

[FireAway]

I would stop using AAA at all. In fact, that is what I did do years ago, when they refused to reimburse me for a covered roadside service.

[tibbitts]

I had a 1yr old Duracell from Sams. I think I might have run in down once by mistake by leaving my GPS on. After that it wouldn't hold a charge enough to start the car (but would operate lights, etc.) after a week or so. They used a portable digital tester on it and declared it okay, but it failed to start the car repeatedly after fully charging it. I gave up and bought a new battery and haven't had a problem since, but had to pay for a new one.

[tomd37]

I have been a member of AAA since 1976 and have purchased three batteries from them that I can remember, one in 2008. another in 2014, and the last one in 2018. I did not have any issues with any of those batteries or their installation. Their procedures may have changed since that time.

[cheese_breath]

Over the years I've had (I think) three AAA batteries replaced under their warranty. Never had any problems. Last time was just a few months ago.

I know I'm paying more for AAA batteries than I might do elsewhere, but the convenience of having them come to me is worth it.

[need403bhelp]

Responding to some questions or need for clarity.

I thought I would need a new alternator or had an electrical problem. I knew the battery was not old. Shop was clear it was the battery. After recharging the midtronics tester ? said the battery needed to be recharged.
Shop thought the battery might have a bad cell.

When the AAA driver saw the cycle number after recharging he said "that's a dead battery".

Car has worked well for 15 days. Am I past a possible alternator problem with this new battery? I drive locally most of the time. Not a lot of driving.
Might the car not light up one day soon?

Many of us in the neighborhood like this shop. We think them trustworthy, good service. Still, a person can be wrong.

Batteries seem to work for 3 years for me. That has been so for many years now.

My car is a VW. AAA driver said he did not have a battery for that car and could not get one. Not that day, not the next day, not at all. New battery was $250.

Thanks for all of the info everyone.

To add my experience, when AAA batteries have failed under warranty the AAA tech that I called out because my car won’t start replaces it then and there for me without charge . It sounds like this did not happen, so I’m guessing they either thought the battery was not truly dead or there was something else going on.

Also, Twitter is my go to these days for complaints , although I find some companies much more responsive than others. No idea re AAA.

[NWkayaker]

Do not mean to hyjack the topic. However I just had a terrible experience with AAA while on a cross country drive a couple of weeks ago. I ran out of gas on Interstate 94 right in the middle of Bismarck, North Dakota. Being a AAA member I called their phone number and was given a link to schedule gas delivery. The link indicated deliver in 45 minutes which I thought was not bad. 45 minutes later no one showed up so I called the number and after a few tries got a representative on the phone. After explaining the problem she told me she would try to contact the contractor and would call me back. Half an hour later I had not received a call. I called AAA again and was told that the contractor refused to take the job and they would try to get someone else. I told the representative that I was on the side of a major freeway with high embankment and cars and trucks zooming by at high speed. I was told that there's nothing they could do and I would have to find my own way to solve the problem! I ended up calling 911 and the sympathetic operator told me they would send someone as soon as they could. Another half an hour went by and I tried AAA again. This time they told me that they still could not deliver the gas but they could send a tow truck to tow me to the nearest gas station and I could get the gas there. By that time a sheriff deputy pulled up behind me and offered to drive me to a gas station. I don't know whether it is particular to North Dakota, but I would say that the AAA membership is just worthless.

[safari]

I had a very positive experience with AAA battery service a month ago. After my car wouldn't start at home, I called AAA. 30 minutes later a battery service truck was at my place. The technician checked my battery and told me I needed a new one. I got the old battery from AAA 35 months ago, so it still had one month left under warranty, and they replaced it for free without any issue. It was super convenient and I will continue buying batteries from AAA without hesitation.