My original Optima was an awesome piece that lasted 12 years.

The Optima in my truck is 5 or more years old and I'm starting to question its reliability. The truck is rarely driven but has been turning a tiny bit slower when I try to start it.

I, too, have heard some bad rumblings about recent production batteries not lasting that long. The rumor is that they offshored production and used recycled materials that aren't up to snuff.

I can't confirm that.


I can tell you that 3 years is the average service life out of a car battery in north Texas.