NHTSA Complaint #10349167 — 2000 PORSCHE 911

THE CAR BATTERY EXPLODED WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY. THE CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. AS THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE, ABOUT $15K MILES OVER A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT IN USE THE CAR WAS CONNECTED TO A SMART CHARGER, MANUFACTURED AND RECOMMENDED BY THE CAR MANUFACTURER. (THE BATTERY WAS ALSO MADE BY PORSCHE) THE CHARGER WAS DISCONNECTED FIRST BEFORE THE CAR WAS BEING STARTED, LIKE I ALWAYS DO. AFTER THE EXPLOSION, MY GARAGE WAS FILLED WITH THE FUME FROM THE BATTERY, AND THE BATTERY FLUID STARTED POURING OUT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE INCIDENCE WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEREAFTER FOR CLEANUP AND INSPECTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, A CLAIM/REPORT, INCLUDING PHOTO IMAGES OF THE EXPLODED BATTERY, WAS FILED WITH PORSCHE USA AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY. SO FAR PORSCHE USA IS CLAIMING THAT MY BATTERY WAS NOT MAINTAINED PROPERLY THOUGH MY CAR JUST HAD A 30K MILES SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE ON APRIL 20TH, 2010 AND MY BATTERY WAS MAINTAINED IN A WAY RECOMMENDED BY PORSCHE. MY QUESTION TO PORSCHE IN ARGUING MY CASE IS THAT WHETHER THEY REGARD AN EXPLODED BATTERY, UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, IS ACCEPTABLE AND TO BE EXPECTED. IN A SENSE I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT THE EXPLOSION DID NOT RESULT IN INJURIES OR FIRE, WHICH WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC, CONSIDERING WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME. *TR