What to Do With a Damaged or Swollen Battery

A damaged battery is not one to improvise with. Swelling, a dent, or a leak all mean something has gone wrong inside or outside the cell. The official advice is short: contact the maker. EPA says that if a lithium-ion battery becomes damaged, you should "contact the battery or device manufacturer for specific handling information"¹.

Why damage changes things

Lithium-ion batteries contain a flammable electrolyte and may become pressurized if damaged². A battery that's damaged, crushed, or pushed beyond its electrical limits can run into problems². EPA also says some lithium-ion batteries can become a fire hazard if they are broken, bent or crushed³.

The US Department of Transportation, as summarized by EPA, says damaged, defective or recalled lithium batteries are more likely to catch fire in transport than other lithium batteries¹. That's why a damaged unit can't simply be treated like a normal drop-off.

What the sources tell you to do

• Stop using it. Don't charge it or put it back in service. The sources don't give a repair route. Follow your manual.
• Contact the maker. This is the step EPA names¹.
• Use protective equipment if you must handle it. EPA says to handle a damaged battery with care and appropriate personal protective equipment³. Your manual will say what that means for your model.
• Remember that spent doesn't mean empty. EPA notes that used batteries may still carry enough energy to hurt someone or start a fire¹.

Leaking lead-acid batteries

A lead-acid battery contains sulfuric acid and lead, and EPA's handling precaution is to follow all warnings and instructions on the battery³. EPA's general household hazardous waste advice says: "Corroding containers require special handling. Call your local hazardous materials official or fire department for instructions"⁴. That is general HHW advice, not battery-specific. For a leaking battery, follow the maker's manual and contact the maker.

Things not to do

• Don't open, cut or take apart the case.
• Don't try to repair or rebuild cells. That's battery modification, and it's not something this site covers.
• Don't leave it on a charger, and follow your manual on disconnecting it.
• Don't put it in the trash or the recycling bin¹.

A wall-mounted or hard-wired home battery should only be disconnected by a licensed electrician, as set out in the maker's manual. Don't touch the wiring yourself.

Getting it collected

Once the maker has told you what to do, they may arrange collection themselves. Otherwise, ask any drop-off point whether it takes damaged units before you go. You'll want to know the answer before you load the car. Finding one is covered on another page. Short version: ask. Until it's collected, the holding advice applies.