Got a new battery about two months ago and haven't had a problem till now. About a quarter of the time I try to start my car, Ill put the key in and turn, see lights flash for a half second and then nothing. No lights, no ticking, everything is completely dead. Usually Ill just wait a couple seconds, turn the key a few more times and it eventually starts right up. The last time it didn't turn on until I opened the door and popped the hood, but didn't touch anything. I've cleaned the battery terminals and wires, made sure everything was secure, still happens. I have no idea what's going on. Any advice?

Possibly a defective battery, I would clean up the cables again to eliminate that poosibility, BOTH ends of the cables.

Didn't think batteries could be defective in that way. I'll check the cables again but it seems odd that they would just all of the sudden become that loose without ever touching them.

Yes, batteries can fail for seemingly no apparent reason even when they are almost new. Same with practically anything, that's why there are warranties Get it tested if the wire terminals are free of corrosion.

​​​​