Is a Swollen Battery Covered for Replacement Within One Year?
2 Answers
If a battery shows swelling within less than a year of use, it is generally not eligible for replacement. The warranty for batteries typically lasts around three months, though some brands may offer extended warranties. A swollen battery poses significant safety risks and should not continue to be used; it must be replaced promptly. Safety Hazards: If a battery swells, it indicates that the internal plates have deformed, significantly reducing its charge capacity. Even after charging, the vehicle may run out of power quickly. Continuing to use or charge a swollen battery increases the risk of short circuits, which can lead to self-ignition or explosion. Causes of Battery Swelling: Prolonged overcharging can cause the battery's grid plates to fracture or deform, or the active material to expand, resulting in swelling; exposure to high temperatures accelerates water loss in the battery, reducing its activity and leading to swelling; if the battery casing cracks, air enters the battery, and the moisture in the air reacts to decompose into oxygen and hydrogen, causing the battery to swell.
Whether a swollen battery is covered for replacement within one year depends on the warranty policy. Generally, the warranty period for a new battery or the battery that comes with a new car is mostly between 6 months to 1 year. If swelling occurs during this period, it is likely to be considered a quality defect and covered for replacement. However, in practice, it depends on the specific situation: if it is a manufacturing issue, such as poor sealing or internal short circuit, the dealer or manufacturer should be responsible for free replacement; but if it is caused by improper use by the user, such as overcharging, exposure to high temperatures, frequent short-distance driving leading to insufficient charging, or charging system failure like a damaged voltage regulator in the alternator, they may refuse the warranty. I suggest you quickly check the warranty terms on your purchase receipt and don’t delay, because a swollen battery may be unstable, with increased internal pressure that can easily lead to explosion or acid leakage, posing safety hazards. It’s best to take the battery and invoice to the place of purchase or a professional repair shop for inspection. They can use instruments to determine the cause before deciding. For regular maintenance, periodically check the vehicle’s charging status to avoid similar issues recurring.
