Car not starting on a busy morning?
Tired of driving with a shaking steering wheel?
Every car owner will experience car problems at one point or another. But you don’t have to let these inconveniences be a significant roadblock.
Our guide will have you back on the road in no time!
We’ll explore the 16 most common car problems, how to fix them, and the costs you can expect.
This Article Contains:
16 Common Car Problems and What You Can Do About Them
From brake fluid leaks to transmission trouble and flat tires, here are some common problems and their fixes:
1. Lit Check Engine Light
The engine control unit triggers the check engine light when car components, like the catalytic converter, ignition coils, or spark plugs, malfunction. The check engine light may stay on constantly, which signals a less urgent problem like a sensor issue. If you have a blinking CEL, it indicates a severe issue like catalytic converter damage, which should be addressed ASAP.
How to fix it:
As the check engine light comes on for multiple reasons, a professional mechanic will diagnose the check engine light with an OBD II scanner and fix the problem accordingly.
Cost: $50 to $200 for a diagnostic test and $20 to $2000 depending on the car problem
2. Dead Battery
Over time, car batteries lose their ability to maintain a charge — leading to reduced electric current, eventually killing the battery.
Other issues contributing to a dead car battery may include:
- Damaged alternator
- Faulty battery temperature sensor
- Bad catalytic converter
- Leaving your lights or air conditioning on for a long time
How to fix it:
You can revive dead car batteries with jumper cables and another charged car battery. But if you’re unable to jump-start your battery, you’ll need a replacement. For a vehicle with a manual transmission (common in older cars), you can try to push-start it.
Also, get regular maintenance and replace your car battery after 3 to 5 years or 50,000 to 60,000 miles to avoid an unexpected breakdown.
Cost: $100 (flooded batteries) to $400 (AGM batteries)
3. Alternator Failure
An alternator generates electrical power to run the vehicle’s electrical systems and recharge the battery while the engine is running. However, several issues can lead to an alternator failure, including bad fuses, wiring problems, broken belts, and damaged pulleys.
A bad alternator can:
- Wear out your car battery faster
- Affect your cooling system
- Cause a bad spark plug
How to fix it:
If the alternator is new and there’s a minor issue (like a broken diode), a mechanic will replace the broken component. However, they’ll will recommend replacing the entire alternator if it’s older or has extensive issues.
Cost: $100 to $2200, depending on the extent of the repair and if it needs replacing
4. Broken Starter Motor
The starter motor cranks up your car’s engine. When it fails, your vehicle won’t start, and you may need to tow it to the nearest auto repair shop.
A starter motor usually malfunctions when it receives low voltage from the battery. However, it can also fail due to a damaged electrical solenoid or other electrical problems like a bad starter relay.
How to fix it:
As there are many potential sources for a starter motor issue, it’s best to let a professional mechanic diagnose the car problem.
Cost: $150 for repairs to $1100 for a new starter motor
5. Flat Tire
A flat tire is a common problem every car owner experiences at some point. However, normal wear and tear can also result in a flat tire.
How to fix it:
You’ll have to use a spare tire if you need to drive. If you don’t have one, contact a mobile mechanic. They’ll either repair or replace the flat tire depending on the puncture damage.
Cost: $50 to $100 per tire for repair and $50 to $1000 per replacement tire
6. Uneven Tire Wear
Although tires wear out over time, if you find your tire treads flattening out faster than usual, it could point to a potential problem.
For instance, wheel misalignment may cause uneven tire wear and vibrations in the steering wheel. Additionally, varying tire pressure can also cause uneven tire wear. If the pressure is low, you may even experience reduced fuel efficiency.
How to fix it:
If you have severe tire wear, you’ll have to replace them.
To prevent uneven tire wear and extend tire lifespan, rotate your tires every 5,000 miles or when you get an oil change.
Cost: $50 to $1000 or more per tire
7. Brake Problems
Each brake pad produces a lot of friction to stop your car, which wears them down over time. However, aggressive driving, poor installation, and wheel misalignment can accelerate brake pad wear.
Distressed brakes can also produce different noises to signal an issue. For example, minor issues like overnight moisture in the brake pads can cause a strange noise, like squeaking. However, a grinding noise from the brakes can signal a potential issue, like worn-out brake pads or a damaged brake rotor.
How to fix it:
If the strange noise lasts for more than a day, there’s likely a significant car issue. Consult an auto repair expert to address the brake problem.
Cost: $120 to $300 for new brake pads and $370 to $1600 with rotors included
8. Steering Wheel Shaking
If your steering wheel shakes after starting your vehicle, damaged wheel bearings or suspension components may be the culprits. Wheel alignment and balancing problems can also cause your steering wheel to shake, especially at high speeds.
How to fix it:
Here’s how a mechanic might solve the following shaking steering wheel issues:
- Unbalanced wheels: Detect unbalanced wheels and re-balance them using weights
- Bad bearings: Oil the bearings or replace them if they are damaged
- Suspension issues: Tighten loose suspension parts or replace damaged ones
Cost:
- Wheel alignment: $50 to $200
- Wheel balancing: $15 to $80
- Suspension: $150 to $5000
- Brakes: $120 to $1600+, depending on the problem
- Bearings: $350 to $1400
9. Engine Overheating
An overheating engine usually occurs due to a cooling system problem, such as coolant leaks, faulty radiator fans, or clogged coolant hoses. Engines can also overheat for other reasons, including low engine oil, faulty belts, and bad hoses.
How to fix it:
Get a car maintenance professional as soon as you spot an issue to prevent costly engine damage. Depending on the cause of the overheating engine, you may need to stop coolant leaks or repair the radiator fan, water pump, or thermostat.
Cost: $100 to $2000, depending on the problem
10. Excessive Engine Oil Consumption
If you find yourself topping up your engine oil more frequently than usual, you may have an oil consumption problem.
This common car issue may be due to poor oil quality, broken seals, or worn-out piston rings. Additionally, if you don’t change your engine oil regularly, it can become sludge and make your vehicle work harder — leading to excessive oil consumption and reduced fuel economy.
How to fix it:
To prevent this car issue, use good-quality oil and schedule regular maintenance with a mechanic. If there’s a broken piston ring, head gasket, or seal (e.g., crankshaft seal), they’ll replace them.
Cost:
- Oil change: $20 to $100
- Seals: $80 to $160
- Piston rings: $1800 to $3500
11. Transmission Problems
If you stay on top of your car maintenance, the automatic transmission should last for around 200,000 miles, and manual ones for almost 120,000 miles. But if you don’t, you may experience some issues, including:
- Transmission failure: Gears wear down over time due to friction, eventually leading to failure.
- Transmission fluid leaks: Tiny holes can develop within the system, causing small amounts of fluid to leak out.
- Slipping automatic transmission: The seals and lines can get damaged, blocked with debris, or leak transmission fluid, interfering with gear shifting.
- Clogged transmission filters: Small debris particles in the transmission fluid eventually build up and clog the filters.
- Water in the transmission system: Holes in the transmission system allow water to enter and cause damage.
How to fix it:
As there are several potential issues, you’ll need professional help to diagnose and fix them. For instance, if your transmission fluid levels are low, they’ll top it off and look for leaks. They may also flush the transmission fluid if it’s contaminated.
Cost: $100 to $6000, depending on the issue
12. Sputtering Engine
For optimal engine functioning, air and fuel must mix and burn properly in the combustion chamber. Many fuel and ignition system parts, like ignition coils, work together to achieve this.
A sputtering engine could mean you’re running out of fuel or you have a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Clogged fuel lines or bad filters may be behind this engine problem.
How to fix it:
Your mechanic may clean, repair, or replace the following parts:
- Spark plugs
- Fuel injectors
- Catalytic converter
- Fuel filter
Cost:
- Clogged fuel line: $10 to $2000, depending on which part of the line needs replacing
- Fuel filter: $20 to $220
- Spark plugs: $100 to $500
- Fuel injectors: $500 to $2500
- Catalytic converter: $400 to $2700
13. Leaking Radiator
The radiator contains coolant to prevent engine overheating. Issues like corrosion, a broken gasket, or a failed water pump can also damage the system and lead to coolant leaks.
How to fix it:
A mechanic will use a commercial sealant or epoxy to seal the leak. The severity of the leak typically determines the sealant. If the water pump or radiator is beyond repair, the mechanic will replace them, significantly driving up the cost.
Cost: $100 to $1500, depending on the problem
14. Fuel Leaks
Fuel leaks occur due to a damaged fuel tank, faulty fuel lines, leaking fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, or a bad gas cap. When this common car issue occurs, you’ll notice reduced fuel economy.
How to fix it:
Fixing a fuel leak involves locating the leak and repairing it. For instance, the mechanic may replace the gas cap or weld the tank.
Cost: $50 to $120 to fix a gas tank leak
15. Malfunctioning Sensors
Modern cars have several sensors that can malfunction for various reasons depending on the sensor. For instance, oxygen sensors can fail from prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
How to fix it:
Following regular maintenance procedures helps identify sensor issues. If a sensor is broken, a mechanic will replace it.
Cost:
- O2 sensors: $170 to $250
- Mass airflow (MAF) sensors: $100 to $240
- Engine oil level sensors: $440 to $520
16. Rust
Several important components, like the undercarriage, wheel wells, fenders, suspension, and brakes, are susceptible to rust. This is due to contact with moisture, road salt, and debris.
Paint and other protective coatings shield the car exterior from direct exposure to moisture and oxygen. However, scratches and dents expose the metal alloys, which can rust.
How to fix it:
Always have a mechanic repair minor exterior damage immediately, as even small scratches can expose your car’s metal to water.
Cost: $200 to $3000, depending on the extent of the rust
Say Goodbye to Car Problems with AutoNation Mobile Service
Whether it’s unusual noise, worn brake pads, an engine problem, or a catalytic converter issue, it’s better to catch problems early before they lead to a costly repair.
For best results, get your vehicle serviced by a reliable mechanic like AutoNation Mobile Service.
We’re a mobile car repair and maintenance solution offering a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty on all repairs.
Contact us, and our experts will deliver top-notch service right from your driveway!