What Are Some of the Most Common Car Problems?

Marc Skirvin
Marc Skirvin

What's in this Article

It would be nice if the only thing a car needed to run smoothly was gas. If you could fuel up and your vehicle would run smoothly for years and years, that’d be wonderful. Unfortunately, that’s not realistic.

According to studies, many Americans don’t understand basic car care, which becomes a headache a for car owners. There are several routine maintenance services that you must do in order to avoid car problems. 

But even with regular oil changes and tune-ups, you could still experience car trouble. If you’re not careful, even a small issue can create a big problem for your vehicle. With that said, here are a few common car issues:

The Most Common Car Problems

There are certain car issues that you can overlook. While it’s not smart to completely ignore problems with your vehicle, sometimes it’ll keep running fine if you don’t fix it right away.

However, any car issue should be fixed within a couple of weeks, not prolonged for months. Below are the most common car problems:

Worn Windshield Wipers

Your windshield wipers won’t stop your car from driving, but it’s definitely an important function. Worn windshield wipers can be a huge hazard when it’s raining.

It’s imperative to have proper vision when driving in the rain, and if the windshield wipers are not up to par, that’s dangerous. Luckily, windshield wipers are inexpensive to replace.

Dead Battery

A dead car battery is one of the most common car problems that people face. You’ve likely seen someone pulled over on the side of the road, getting a jump off from another vehicle.

Sometimes a low battery can be a quick fix but only for a short while. Eventually, the battery will need to be replaced. Most vehicle batteries last about three years or 50,000 miles.

Without the proper amount of amps, the battery can’t charge the rest of the car, and the vehicle won’t start without it.

Flat Tires

Flat tires are another very common car issue. Sometimes tires can wear over time and the tread begins to flatten, or the air pressure comes out of it because of a leak or small puncture.

Other times the tires have to be rotated so they can continue to function properly. Not to mention, a tire could completely blow out and require replacement.

Although you can continue to drive with minor tire issues, it’s best to fix them right away.

Faulty Breaks

The car brakes are an essential part of your vehicle’s operating system. Unfortunately, brakes wear out over time. If you notice squeaking sounds or shaking when you press the brake pad, it needs to be looked at by a mechanic.

It’s essential to have properly functioning brakes because they help you stop your vehicle. Brakes that are not operating the way they should might cause a car accident or other issues.

Overheating

When a car starts to overheat, it could be for several reasons. Most modern vehicles have a cooling system that monitors the coolant temperature to reduce the risk of overheating.

But if you have an older car, it’s important to stay on top of radiator flush services and change the water pump.

Failed Emissions Test

Not being able to pass an emissions test is one of the more annoying car problems. When it’s time to renew your tags, it’s a hassle to try to figure out what’s wrong with your vehicle before the tags expire.

In some states, if your check engine light is on, that’s an auto fail. If the person at the admission center is good with cars, they may be able to provide insight as to what the problem is.

But more than likely, you’ll only receive basic feedback regarding why your car failed emissions.

Alternator

Your car’s alternator keeps all the electrical systems operating once the car starts. It supplies electricity to the battery to help it maintain peak condition.

However, if an alternator runs out, it could eventually weaken the battery’s charge and prevent the car from starting.

Transmission Fluid Leakage

The transmission system requires fluid to make sure that all components are working properly and are lubricated. If small holes form within the system, it causes leakage.

If it continues to leak, it makes the transmission system inefficient and eventually causes the system to fail.

Windshield Cracks

Windshield cracks are pretty common and lots of people drive with them. Most of the time, a person can still have a good view of the road if the crack isn’t big enough to cause an issue. However, weather elements and other factors can severely damage the windscreen, which requires replacement.

Engine Misfire

It requires a group of fuel and ignition system parts to work together to properly run the engine. If any of these components are not up to par, it may cause the engine to sputter or misfire.

To minimize the risk of having problems with the engine, replace the fuel and ignition system parts per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Shaking Steering Wheel

There are several factors that contribute to a shaking steering wheel. If it occurs shortly after starting the car, it could be the wheel bearings or damaged suspension components.

Also, if your tires need to be balanced, your wheel may start to shake when you drive at faster speeds. It’s a bit scary and frustrating to drive with a wobbly steering wheel, so it’s best to get it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.

Are You Having Car Problems?

Car problems are expected with any vehicle. As much as everyone would like to avoid them, no one can. Sometimes a car gets overloaded with issues and you have to let it go.

If you’re overwhelmed with car trouble, we can help. Cash Auto Salvage offers instant cash for cars. Even better, you can sell it to us online. The process is quick and easy, and we’ll even pick it up for free.

If you’re tired of dealing with your vehicle, give us a call at 1-855-540-4659 or contact us.

We’ll be more than happy to take the problem off your hands!

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About the Author

Marc
Marc

Marc is the Co-Founder of Cash Auto Salvage and Director of daily operations. He retired from a leading Internet Marketing company in 2013 and has been involved in the automotive industry ever since.

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