Checking for common car problems on time saves you from a hefty bill and helps keep you safe when on the road. Older cars may pose more dysfunctions than new ones.
Cars are machines, and the breakdown experience is not news, and you should always check your car to ensure proper parts stay intact.
Some cars will exhibit warning signs before breaking down. Let’s check 25 common car problems and their solutions. Keep reading.
The Most Common Car Problems
1. Squeaking Brakes
The moving parts can get loose after a certain period causing squeaking and a soft pedal that can hinder safe stopping. Some noises are normal, but if they persist and grind, get a professional mechanic to inspect and make the proper adjustment or recommend a replacement.
Brakes are vital for safe stopping, and you risk your life when moving out with faulty ones in case of an emergency.
2. Dead Battery
Car batteries have a long life with proper maintenance and can work for 50000 miles or three years. Its electric currents will reduce with time and reduce the battery charging ability. The battery temperature sensor may fail. Ensure you replace your battery after three years, even if it looks fine from the outside.
Ensure you have a jumper cable in your car to help a donor car to charge your battery if it fails before you get a new one.
3. Tire Wear
If you notice uneven wear on your cars, the treads need a change. Driving with worn-out tires can cause skidding, especially in the rain. The wear and tear can be heavy on the front wheels since they experience more pressure when driving; go to your mechanic regularly for wheel balancing as they check the treads to avoid mishaps.
4. Overheating Engine
When your car’s temperature sign turns red, it shows that your engine is overheating, and you should act immediately. It mostly happens when the coolant levels are low in the radiator. Regular services will help maintain proper coolant levels.
5. Shaking Steering Wheel
The steering wheels help you control the car, and you should worry when you notice shaking. Damage to the wheel components is a significant cause when the shaking is immediately after starting the vehicle.
When the vibration happens when driving at high speed, the problem could be the tires balancing.
Talk to your mechanic about the problem and ensure a thorough inspection before fixing the steering wheel.
6. Vehicle Pulling on One Side
When your car becomes hard to drive in a straight line and keeps pulling on one side, consult your mechanic before the problem worsens.
It could be an alignment problem where the wheels aren’t pointing at the usual angle to maintain linear movement.
7. Exhaust Smoke
Modern cars rarely produce smoke from exhaust pipes, and you should worry if your vehicle has some. White or gray smoke indicates engine, coolant, or gas cylinder leakage during air combustion.
Blue smoke shows leakages on the piston rings, valve seals, or guides with a defect where the oil penetrates the combustion area, causing air and oil to burn together, producing blue smoke.
Black smoke comes from the combustion of extra fuel in the chambers from leaks in the fuel injector or your pressure regulator being stuck. Ensure a mechanic checks your car in case of smoke from the exhaust.
8. Warning Light
If warning lights from any sensors appear on your dashboard, you should act fast to check the problem. The sensors detect errors and send them to the control unit.
If you need more clarification about the warning code, get a professional to interpret it and avoid the wrong fixtures.
9. Excess Oil Consumption
If you are filling your car’s oil more regularly than expected, there must be a problem with the car’s functioning. The problem is accompanied by a performance drop leading to engine corrosion.
Change the car oil regularly, use high-quality oil to prevent filters from blocking, and remember to change them after some time.
10. Windscreen Cracks
There must be a powerful external force to break the windscreen, plus the manufacturer can affect its quality.
Ensure you work on the small crack before it becomes a significant and expensive repair concern.
11. Worn-out Brake Pads
It’s normal for brake pads to wear out with time, and you should ensure high maintenance to avoid brake failure when on the road.
Some pads will wear out faster than others, and you should ensure that the mechanic checks them during car inspection.
12. Flat Tires
Normal wear and tear can trigger tire punctures as the wheels are rotating. Check your car tire conditions before heading out of the house. The best part is you can perform DIY maintenance when you notice a flat tire.
If your car tires are losing pressure quickly and you can’t notice any puncture, small perforations may release air preventing the tire from holding pressure. Some holes are beyond repair, and you should replace them with new ones or replace the tubes.
13. Low Engine Oil Level
If you delay car service or practice aggressive driving, your car engine levels are likely to get low and affect its performance.
The issue may get out of hand if you don’t check the levels causing car breakdown. Ensure regular car maintenance practice for oil checks.
14. Low Fuel Mileage
It’s a common problem in most vehicles, especially for aggressive drivers, and you can still experience it if you take a long time before servicing your car. Faulty oxygen sensors, fuel injectors, clogged air filters, or spark plugs may cause low mileage.
To improve performance and mileage, take your car for extensive service and ensure a thorough check on the components.
15. Blown Fuse
Fuses save the electrical components from voltage issues; if one blows up, you will experience problems when starting your car. The best part is you can replace them after locating your car’s fuse box, usually on the dashboard or inside.
Check the information on the fuse lid box before changing it to help you identify the blown fuse. You can keep a picture of the blown fuse to help you remember it when changing in the future.
16. Low AC Cooling
When there’s AC gas leakage, you are likely to experience low cooling. It would help to have a functional AC during summer when the temperatures are high. Using it excessively can lead to damage and other factors that spoil it, including a clogged or broken compressor.
Ensure a regular inspection of the vehicle AC to keep it in shape; you wouldn’t love the uncomfortable stay in your car with high temperatures and broken AC.
17. Failing Starter Motor
The starter motor turns the engine as you start your car, and when it fails, it may lead to solenoid damage to the electrical system. You can’t tell when the motor is likely to break. Ensure a professional inspect the car before considering a replacement.
18. Leaking Transmission Fluids
Vehicles contain various transmission fluids that lubricate the working components. Automatic cars have coolant and hydraulic systems, and a tiny hole will cause severe leakages over time, causing less efficient transmission.
Some cause the system to overheat, which can cause the transmission to fail. A red puddle collecting under the cat means the transmission pan has leakages. Regular inspection by a professional will prevent the occurrence.
19. Faulty Speakers
Although speakers won’t affect your driving, you should ensure they are in good condition. Get the best car speakers that will serve you longer and won’t produce annoying noises. Check their wiring and reattach loose ones.
20. Rust
A rusting car part can be a serious issue depending on the area it occurs in. When rust is on your exhaust or underneath the car, it can eat up the components.
Water is an electrolyte for rust, and you must always check around your car to notice a rusting area, especially underneath or at the wheel arches.
21. Faulty Radiator
The radiator is an essential part of your car that helps regulate engine temperature to an average one.
The car’s ability to control temperature will be affected if it fails. Check your car engine sign to see if there are heat-ups. If your car heats, stop immediately, turn off the car, and open the windows.
22. Car Fading
Car fading is a minor problem that won’t affect your driving ability. However, you must maintain your car’s good look, and painting is one of the ways.
It happens when you pack your vehicle outside and often use substandard and harsh cleaning agents. Consider repainting your car and keeping it in a shaded area.
23. Oil Leakage
Your car will leave marks of a liquid when parked. It can be an oil leak; you should solve it when there are low leaks. Change your oil and filters to keep your car in shape.
24. Noisy Engine
The engine is the heart of your car, and a change in its sound indicates that something must be wrong.
Some disturbing sounds include splattering, banging, and rattling, warning signs that you should visit the mechanic for a routine check. Older cars will have shaking engines if not correctly maintained.
25. Car Window Problems
If your car window is not moving up, the system must have a problem. A closed window ensures safety from thieves when the car is in a parking space and prevents water from entering your interior during cleaning and winter.
Final Thoughts
Regular car maintenance will help keep your car in shape, and the best part is you can solve some common car problems, like fixing the spark plugs yourself, before visiting the mechanic.
Have a reminder on your car service day, and don’t wait until the brakes stop working or you can’t control the steering wheel.
A well-maintained car is safe and can be used for your road test. Our instructors teach basic car maintenance skills in your driving classes. Book a lesson and get the best experience.
I’m a certified driving instructor for cars, buses, and tractors with 17+ years of experience. When not teaching aspiring drivers how to drive, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing with my kids.