Automotive Discussions

Many things can cause premature failure of a battery (by the way, did you take advantage of the 3 year replacement warranty?). Things like powerful stereo systems, electrical problems, leaving lights on with the car turned off, making many short trips (5 minutes or less) without longer trips interspersed to charge the battery, storing the battery for long periods of time without being hooked up to a trickle charger, and regularly high temperatures, among other things. Of course, it's rather difficult to figure out what the problem is without actually seeing the car (and, I'm not a mechanic :) ), so it's hard to say whether it's definitely the battery or something else.

What I can say is that the Gold series of batteries sell extremely well, and the experience you're having, while unfortunate, is also quite unusual. I would recommend speaking to a mechanic to find out what might be causing these issues.

Good luck!

I have a Sears Die Hard Gold tractor battery.

So far, it's doing fine.

I worked at Sears for 5 years. During that time I never saw a high failure rate of any of the Gold batteries. More often, I saw Golds that exceeded their warranty expectations.

As a former Sears auto technician, I highly recommend the Sears Die Hard Gold battery over any other battery made. I say that from both personal preference and experience. BlueCrewGuy above was correct, there could be many other reasons as to why your battery has failed in such a short time. Have your vehicles electrical system checked out.

By and large, the Sears Automotive DieHard Gold Battery makes my customer's happy.  Manufacture is not a perfect science and there are times when we do have to warranty a battery, but this is exception rather than the rule.  I suspect that there may be some other electrical problem with your vehicle.

that may have been the case in the past, but now its not.

I just purchased my 2nd die hard gold battery.  First one lasted a little over 5 years.  I replaced it before it completely died, so it could've gone longer.  No issues here. 

On the flip side, my husband, that runs the stereo for at least an hour at a time while washing and waxing his vehicle, and frequently does not close the door completely, leaving the dome light on overnight and into the day sometimes, has had 3 batteries in 5 years.

That is such a good point, LoveMySearsCard!  If you use that much of the battery, as your husband does, the life will be much less.   At least, you know the reason why his battery does not last as long as yours!

Are any other members hard on their Diehard, as the above member's husband?  We really only do city driving, and I don't think I have ever had a battery replaced in any car I have owned.  Keep in mind, we only have 43000 miles on our car, and it is almost 4 years old, so, there is not a lot of driving, in general.

Can't say I'm anything but happy with any Sears battery I have ever owned, and my current vehicle (Subaru) is the twelfth I have owned, and only the second import.

I think my '86 Jeep, with the four cylinder, close ratio five-speed (compared to the Wrangler, which was clunky), two inch lift, and the 31 x 10.5 tires was probably my favorite, next to my '85 Trans Am, which I still own, and desperately needs to be restored.

Did that Jeep last forever, worldweary?  I know they seem to have a long lifespan, in comparison to other cars.

not same problem...but related one I think. Have to say honestly I've had only minor problems with sears merchandise and have been a 57yr. customer...and for just that reason I have a BIG complaint. One that will keep me from purchasing at sears for the next fifty-seven.

 Sometimes it comes down to the 'principal" of the thing....especially if you've put your trust ( not to mention thousands of brand loyal $$$ ) into a company you grew up with.

 My complaint is this.....Recently had a diehard battery go dead after 3rd year of a 5 year warranty. Took it back to sears auto.....and GET THIS...THEY WOULDN'T honor the warranty because I couldn't recall my phone number from four years eariler !!!....I swear to god thats whats the man told me.

I have moved 3 times in past 5 years...had heart surgery....two spinal operations.. almost died twice in hospital....am totally disabled via social security.....AND been a loyal customer of Sears for half a decade.....but damn it,they're computer doesn't show my name or that the battery I had setting in front of them really existed... so I guess customer relations doesn't really matter much anymore....so when the tech asked if I wanted a new battery installed, I had to say "no thanks...But I  think I'll buy at wal-mart where they stand behind their warranties...............

Phone number?  That is ridiuclous.  Every battery should have the date of manufacturer stamped on it and that should be good enough.  Even Wal-Mart doesn't require you to provide "proof" you bought it -- they just use the manufacture date if you can't find your receipt.

I have high hopes someone from Sears will jump in here and take care of this for you.  Keep us posted!

yes, i make a big deal out of customer service and company quality.  sears has been losing their customer service and brand quality.  i agree with you, and you're a very loyal customer.

Hi jasntexhoma-Welcome to MySears!  Was there no manager on duty at the shop where you purchased your battery?  If you have not spoken to the manager at that Sears auto, I think that would be your best bet.  S/he should be able to get this straightened out.

I live in Atlanta and my Sears Gold is about 1.5 years old and I need to get it replaced (won't crank or charge, but will jump).  Getting 13.5 volts across the terminals when it is running so I know my system would like to charge.  

I want to walk in and walk out with a replacement - none of this testing, let us charge it for you.  I want in with old and out with new since I am under warranty.

I was looking at the specs for North & South and thought the North would have more amps and reserve, but the South says it has more.  

Why is that I wonder?  

I want all the amps I can fit in the box.  I don't know if I have a N or S right now looking at the receipt.

I usually just tell Sears to give me the biggest baddest battery that will fit in my battery box.

Any thoughts?  

i did not speak to a manager, but my battery did replaced.

the problem i have is these batteries that keep failing and i have take off from work to get them replaced, and what happens in a couple years after the full warranty, i need to pay for another battery and the cost of my time to take it in.  this is really frustrating when i'm supposed to be buying a battery that is suppose to be dependable and i'm suppose to trust.

I just got a Sears Gold DieHard battery for my car.

The old "generic" battery died in the store parking lot.

Sears Automotive was kind enough to come around and give the car a "jump" and I drove around to the Auto Center to have the old battery tested.

It couldn't hold a charge, no more.

Now, I got a matching battery to my Sears Gold DieHard tractor battery.

hitennis said…

i did not speak to a manager, but my battery did replaced.

the problem i have is these batteries that keep failing and i have take off from work to get them replaced, and what happens in a couple years after the full warranty, i need to pay for another battery and the cost of my time to take it in.  this is really frustrating when i'm supposed to be buying a battery that is suppose to be dependable and i'm suppose to trust.

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If you are experiencing that high of a rate of failure, then may I suggests its not the battery but your cars charging system.  A faulty charging system can really burn through the batteries.

Other things that can shorter the life of a battery are prolonged periods of using the battery without the car running and not keeping the terminals clean and allowing grounding to occur.

Have you had your car checked out by a mechanic to see if they might be able to pinpoint why the batteries keep failing?

I agree that the phone number should have really nothing to do with your warranty!  They should honor the warranty, to your name and VIN/or license number of the car. (VIN/or License  if Needed) Although I think most MFG, warranty will not cover if you sell the car (which does not seem to be the case for this loyal customer.  That just chaps my hide!  I hope someone at Sears can be a friend and help out!  By the way, I found myself here because I am online researching a new battery.  (My battery chugged this morning)  I think I will check back at AutoZone...  I would like Sears to realize that online communities can make a difference! as well as how they deal with valued customers...

My Sears battery failed under warranty and I went to a different Sears store to get a replacement only to be told I had to go to the store I purchased it at because they could find it on the computer ! Lucky for me they at least jump started my truck so I could go back to the original store.  One would think that your customer information would have been available to all Sears stores.

I thought it wise to comment that my local Sears is terrific and is my favorite store, especailly for tools and car batteries.  Never had a problem so never commented so please remember that we who are satified don't post but the minute someone has a problemn they have to vent.  I'm sure there are many more pleased customers then unhappy ones.  I've encountered that rogue employee that might not provide what you expect but a little kindness and a discussion with a manager always works for me.  I'm very sorry that the person complaining has had so many issues in his life...but please don;t berate my favorite store...Their tool and garden personnel are knowledgable, their appliance team terrific and helpful plus Sears price matches.  I am constantly checking their clearance area and find great bargains, also on returned items...like lawn tractors and tools.  Keep your Walmart's, they have little to offer servicewise compared to Sears.

YAY!  Thanks, fraggle!  Love to hear this kind of feedback!

north batteries might need more amps for colder starts. 

jasntexhoma said… 

I have moved 3 times in past 5 years...had heart surgery....two spinal operations.. almost died twice in hospital....am totally disabled via social security.....AND been a loyal customer of Sears for half a decade.....but **** it,they're computer doesn't show my name or that the battery I had setting in front of them really existed... so I guess customer relations doesn't really matter much anymore....so when the tech asked if I wanted a new battery installed, I had to say "no thanks...But I  think I'll buy at wal-mart where they stand behind their warranties...............

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Ok, some people are going to hate me for saying this!!!!!! Generally when people add a sob story to their complaints, odds are the complaint is false or they embellish their story with personal problems to make the complaint sound more dramatic!! I'm sorry, if my health was that bad, I wouln't even be driving!!!!

Sears Auto Centers computers can bring up your prior service records without a phone number (at least they did when I worked there). If you settled for the salesmans decision without speaking with a manager, I would have to say, shame on you! If you claim to be a loyal customer of 57 years, one would think you would have the common sense to keep a receipt of your purchases that carry limited time frame waranties. I'm sorry for being so cold hearted in this post but, I speak whats on my mind. I find it very hard to believe this guy would give up 57 years of loyalty without speaking with a manager!!!!

It probably would have, but, I was "playing in the snow", like a good redneck one night, and just clipped a telephone pole, which was about two feet off the edge of the shoulder, maybe less.

It was actually the edge of the tire that caught it, and there was no body damage whatsoever, BUT, it bent the front rear end, and I decided that a front rear, and a new motor was too much to put into it.

My fault for the tires sticking out past the fenders...

***sniff, sniff****