10 Most Common Car Problems and their Easy Solutions

A machine doesn’t last for eternity and with years of being used in different conditions, there is a time to face some minor or major breakdowns. The same also goes for cars. Though modern-day models are meant to be the most durable, there are many factors that cause failure in a car.

Another important thing to consider is safety. If you find any issue in the car, do not ignore that. A minor and low-budget repair can save you thousands of dollars for a huge repair in the future. Apart from that, keeping the car in good condition ensures your and your family’s safety on the road. 

So, here is the list of the ten most common car problems, along with their easy solutions for you. Some car problems, like rim repair, might be easy, but some are very dangerous, and you should immediately take care of them. If you own an older vehicle, the issue for which you’re looking for a solution may not be on this list. We’ve mainly covered the most common problems a car owner or driver experiences.

1. Overheated Engine

Engine combustion is the heating process that requires the radiators to decrease the temperature to a minimum for proper combustion. An issue with the cooling system can be noticed if the car’s temperature gauge suddenly goes all red while driving. It means your engine starts overheating.

Such cars with severe problems can create leakage in the head gasket that can cause the engine to start burning excessive oil. But this problem has an easy solution. All you need is to check the engine coolant and top it off when it’s low.

2. Dead or Discharged Battery

A dead or discharged battery is a common problem for all car drivers. The main reasons are leaving electricals on when not in use, parasitic draw, old or faulty battery, bad alternator etc. that cause faster battery drainage.

So, if you want to end such situations, firstly, you can jumpstart the car with a jumper cable and a donor car whose battery you can use to charge your car. Secondly, take the help of a mechanic and remove the car battery so the mechanic can put it up for charging.

If the battery still doesn’t respond, you may consider buying a new battery for the car.

3. Noisy Engine

The noise level of a car should be at a minimum range. But if you get a rattling sound, splattering or banging coming out of the engine, take it as a warning. 

A car’s engine involves a high oil pressure to avoid metal-to-metal contact among components. However, if a car is neglected or old, the engine might begin to make noises while it’s moving. There can be a faulty muffler, bad bearing, or other issues in the engine.

In such cases, you can change the oil frequently or have the car inspected, repaired, and fixed by a technician.

4. Shaking Steering Wheel

The car’s suspension system has been designed to align the tires to meet the road’s pavement correctly. But over time, rough driving, road turbulence or bad wheel bearings can decay this alignment, which causes one or more wheels to be positioned at a skewed angle. Even a minor alignment issue can also cause shaking steering wheels.

You can quickly diagnose the alignment by checking the tire’s tread. If it’s out of alignment, it makes the tire’s wear uneven, with the inside tread worn more than that of the outside.

5. Low Fuel Mileage

Rough and fast driving are the main reasons behind your car’s low fuel mileage. But despite being a responsible driver, if the car lacks fuel efficiency, it’s time to inspect your car immediately.

Delay in car servicing can arise serious problems such as oxygen sensors, fuel injectors or spark plugs getting clogged up and damaged. To increase gas mileage, get a full car service where they’ll check for tire pressure, replace spark plugs, and others.

6. Faulty Starter Motor

The starter motor powered by the battery gets the engine of a car running. If it fails, it can be due to battery corrosion, loose wiring, electrical solenoid damage or the motor is itself broken.

Sometimes, it can be hard to evaluate when your car’s starter motor is going to break. So, to avoid unnecessary replacement, it’s best to get the car to a professional for an inspection. 

7. Fuel Leaks

In modern-day cars, the most usual reason for fuel leaks is the fuel lines and their settings that may be cracked or damaged from normal wear and tear. Or else, the fuel injection system or fuel temperature sensor failure can also be a source of fuel leaks.

The main problem occurs with the fuel cap and you can easily replace it at a low value. However, if you smell a leak near the exhaust or engine, it might result in a fire. In that case, get the car to a mechanic to identify the problem source and solve it.

Also, Check – 10 Cool Truck Parts That Will Make You Say “Damn!”

8. Exhaust Smoke

If you find unusual smoke from the car’s pipelines, it’s not a good indication. But before servicing the car, you need to know that different colored smokes have different meanings.

White or grey smoke indicates that your coolant is combusted with the fuel and as a result, there is a leakage near the cylinder head, engine block and head gasket. Black smoke indicates that excessive fuel is burnt inside the combustion chamber for a leak in the fuel injector or a blockage in the fuel pipe. Lastly, the blue smoke means a leak in the valve seals or the prism rings are damaged.

To fix these, shut off the engine and check your coolant level. Make sure whether you’ve a head gasket leak or a crack and take safety precautions accordingly.

9. Moisture Damage

It happens due to water drips from the radiator or the transmission has gone fully submerged in floodwater and both cause liquid leakage. Meanwhile, water in the transmission liquid is very dangerous because it damages the transmission components badly by wearing away the adhesive and rusting the metals. To prevent it, you can track and seal the leakage.

10. Malfunctioning Sensors

Your car may incorporate different sensors from a speed sensor to collision detector, O2 sensor etc. However, over time, they often get damaged and start malfunctioning. If you find such issues, it’s wise to replace them to avoid any serious impact.