Common Car Problems and How to Troubleshoot Them
Posted on October 9, 2024
Everyone experiences car problems from time to time. If you do develop a problem, it is never a good idea to ignore it; dealing with a minor issue as soon as it arises is the best way to avoid costly repairs later on.
The federal, provincial, and territorial governments in Canada work to increase road safety to lower the number of fatalities and major injuries while also having the world's safest roads.
This blog covers 26 of the most frequent issues seen in modern cars. We've highlighted what we believe to be the most common concerns so you can keep an eye out for them in your own vehicle.
Common Car Problems and How to Fix Them
From brake fluid leaks to poor spark plugs and tire difficulties, here are some typical issues and their solutions:
1. Lit Check Engine Light
When a car's engine control unit malfunctions, such as a faulty catalytic converter, ignition coils, or spark plugs, the engine control unit triggers. This causes the check engine light to flicker or remain on continuously. If it blinks and becomes red or yellow, you could have a serious issue.
How to Fix It:
The check engine light may indicate various concerns, including engine overheating or braking system malfunction. As a result, it is preferable to get help from a technician who will examine the check engine light using an OBD II scanner and address the issue.
2. Dead Battery
Over time, the car's battery gradually loses its natural capacity to keep a charge, which results in lower electric current, eventually killing the battery. Other causes for a dead car battery are:
- Damaged alternator
- Faulty battery temperature sensor.
- A bad catalytic converter
- Leaving your lights or AC on for a long time might also reduce your battery life.
How to fix it:
To fix a dead battery, use jumper wires and a battery from another car or a portable car battery charger. They’re simple to use and just as effective. However, if the car's battery does not turn back on even after you jumpstart it, you may need to replace it. You may attempt to push-start a vehicle with a manual gearbox (as is frequent in older cars). To prevent being stranded, schedule routine maintenance and replace your vehicle battery every three years or 8, 000 km. At the very least you can have your dealer test the battery every year for you. It’s a quick check and they can let you know what the condition of the battery is.
3. Alternator Failure
After you start your car, an alternator is required to power all its electrical systems. It also helps to provide adequate electrical energy to recharge your car's battery.
A malfunctioning alternator can:
- Wear down your car's battery quicker.
- Affect your cooling system.
- Cause a faulty spark plug.
How To Fix It:
Finding your car stalling with a lighted check engine light and hearing unusual noises are symptoms that your alternator will fail. Getting your car checked out by a technician before it entirely fails is a good idea. Your technician may use a digital ohmmeter to diagnose. If the measurement falls below 12.65 volts, it might signal an alternator or car battery problem.
4. Broken Starter Motor
The starting motor powers up your car's engine. So, if the starting motor breaks, you cannot start your vehicle and may have to tow it to the closest auto repair shop.
How to Fix it:
A starting motor may malfunction due to insufficient battery voltage. In such circumstances, your technician may inspect your car's battery, alternator, and wires to verify they are working correctly.
A starting motor may also fail owing to a defective electrical solenoid or other electrical difficulties, such as a faulty starter relay. Because there are several possible causes for a starting motor failure, it is recommended to have a technician examine the problem.
5. Flat Tire
A flat tire is a common issue, usually caused by a puncture by a sharp item. In fact, around seven tire punctures occur every second in Canada. However, normal wear and tear might also lead to a flat tire.
How to Fix it:
If you have a spare and can replace it, you can change it yourself. Alternatively, you might have it towed to CarHub location where our service department can get it fixed or contact a mobile technician. Depending on the severity of the puncture, they may repair it with a tire patch or replace the tires.
6. Uneven Wear on Tires
Although tires wear down over time, if you observe your tire treads flattening out quicker than usual or other indications, it might indicate a problem.
For example, if you have vibrations in the steering wheel and uneven tire wear, your suspension may need to be aligned. Uneven tire pressure may also result in uneven wear throughout the tire tread.
How to Fix it:
To fix the issue, replace the tires if they are severely worn. To minimize uneven tire wear and increase its lifetime, rotate your tires regularly and check tire pressure and alignment. Ideally, rotate your tires every 8,000 km when you have your oil changed.
7. Brake Squeaking or Grinding
Sometimes strange braking sounds, such as squeaking, are produced by something as simple as overnight moisture or debris in your brake pads. Squeaking noises are often produced by small difficulties. However, if your brakes begin grinding, it signifies a serious issue that requires immediate attention.
How to Fix it:
If the weird sounds disappear after a few hours or after applying the brakes, it's likely not a significant car problem. However, if it lasts longer than a day, you should visit an auto repair specialist before a small brake problem escalates into a costly repair issue.
8. Steering wheel shaking
If your steering wheel rattles shortly after starting your car, it might be due to broken wheel bearings or suspension components. Wheel alignment and balance issues may also cause your steering wheel to shake, particularly at high speeds.
How To Fix It:
Here's how a technician might fix the following shaking steering wheel problems:
- Unbalanced Wheels: Detect uneven wheels and rebalance them using weights.
- Bad Bearings: Oil the bearings or replace them if they're damaged.
- Suspension issues: Tighten loose suspension components or replace broken ones.
9. Engine Overheating
Engines often overheat when there is a problem with their cooling system. Modern cars feature a complex cooling system that includes many sensors for monitoring coolant temperature, flow, and other components. Coolant system difficulties, such as coolant leaks, defective radiator fans, or blocked coolant hoses, may cause overheating.
How To Fix It:
To solve the engine issue, check for coolant leaks and replace the radiator fan, water pump, or thermostat as needed. To prevent similar issues, schedule periodic radiator flushes, replace the water pump before it's too late, and do regular auto maintenance.
10. Excess Engine Oil Consumption
Of course, you should fill your car's engine with new oil regularly, but if you do it more often than required, you may have an oil consumption issue. This might be due to insufficient oil quality, damaged seals, or worn piston rings.
How To Fix It:
To prevent excessive oil consumption and poor gas economy, replace your engine oil regularly. Failure to do so might result in sludge formation. To avoid this, use high-quality oil and plan regular service.
You may need to see a professional to identify the specific source of the vehicle problem. If the piston ring, head gasket, or seals, such as the crankshaft seal, are damaged, your technician will inspect and replace them.
11. Slipping Automatic Transmission
The modern automatic transmission system includes a head gasket, seals, and lines that might get broken, clogged with dirt, or leak transmission fluid. When such difficulties arise, the gearbox may not shift smoothly. If you maintain your automobile properly, an automatic gearbox should last roughly 320,000 km
How To Fix It:
Check transmission fluid levels, top them up, and inspect for leaks. Slipping transmissions may also be caused by solenoid faults, clutch problems, damaged transmission bands, and other factors. You may need assistance to identify and resolve what is needed.
12. Sputtering Engine
To perform optimally, air and fuel must mix and burn effectively in the combustion chamber. Many fuel and ignition system components, such as ignition coils, work together to do this.
A sputtering engine might indicate that you have run out of fuel or, in the worst-case scenario, that you have a low-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. This might be caused by blocked gasoline lines or faulty filters.
How To Fix It:
Your mechanic can clean, repair, or replace the following parts:
- Spark plugs and fuel injectors
- Catalytic converter
- Fuel filter
It is advised that you get your engine serviced regularly to make sure that all components are functioning correctly.
13. Oil Warning Light is On
Oil warning light is one of the most significant vehicle issues you'll ever face. If the light (or oil icon) comes on, pull over and turn off your engine. The low-pressure warning light might indicate a malfunctioning oil pressure sensor, a faulty oil pump, or a major engine wear issue.
How To Fix It:
- Grab a cloth or tissue, open the hood, and remove the dipstick (if you're not sure where it is, see your owner's handbook).
- Wipe the dipstick with a cloth and reinsert it into the dipstick tube.
- Pull out the dipstick again to check the oil level. The dipstick will include markings, notches, or holes that indicate the "FULL" and "ADD" levels. If the oil level falls below the ADD point, you are out of oil.
- Call a friend to bring you at least four quarts of the right oil for your new or used car (check the oil filler cap or owner's handbook).
14. Fix a Dim Headlight
Most DIYers blame a bad power connection for a dim headlight. That's possible. However, ground connection corrosion usually causes weak headlights.
How To Fix It:
To solve this, check out the electrical connections for corrosion and clean the ground connection. This way:
- Remove the headlight connector. Find rust or melted plastic from overheating.
- Clean corrosion using an electrical contact cleaner and a tiny wire brush.
- Buy a new pigtail headlight connection and splice it into the wire harness if the connector melts.
- Next, clean the headlight ground. Following the ground wire to the frame or fender will show the connection.
- Connect after removing the screw or bolt, cleaning the rust, and applying dielectric oil.
15. Fix a Slow-Moving Power Window
A sticky, slow-moving power window may be quite frustrating, particularly when you pull up a toll booth or drive-thru window. Typically, lubricating the window channels solves the issue.
How To Fix It:
- Buy dry Teflon aerosol.
- Shake strongly to mix Teflon and solvent.
- Spray the front and rear window channels with the straw in the nozzle.
- Wait several minutes for the solvent to evaporate after spraying.
- Roll the glass several times to evenly spread dried Teflon spray into the channels.
- Lubricating the window mechanism with this easy step will improve functioning.
16. Fix a Squealing Belt
A squealing belt is one of the most annoying vehicle issues you may face. When the rubber belt loses grip and slides around the pulleys, it emits a high-pitched squeal.
How To Fix It:
You can identify all those issues using a belt wear gauge, spray water bottle, and eye testing.
- Check belt wear using a gauge.
- Replace worn belts. Next, simulate belt squeals (in the morning when the engine is cold, when you speed, etc.).
- Before wrapping the belt around each pulley, start the engine and spray the ribbed side with water.
- Misaligned belts or components cause the noise to return after a few minutes. You cannot solve it yourself. Take it to the shop.
- If the noise increases after the water spray, the belt is too loose.
- Replace an automated belt tensioner in your car.
- With manual tension adjusters, tighten the belt slightly and retest.
17. Car Won’t Start
If you put the key in the ignition and hear a single or fast clicking, but the engine does not start, you most likely have a weak or dead battery or corroded battery connection.
How To Fix It:
Since you probably won't have the necessary tools when your engine won't start, here are two easy solutions.
- Warming the battery increases output. Turning the key to start many times with a 5-minute break can warm up the battery.
- Take off your shoe and smack each battery terminal with the heel – it's possible the terminals might be loose.
Then attempt to start the engine. If it begins, clean the battery terminals as soon as you get home.
18. Fix a Sticking Hood Latch
Hood latches are very basic components, but they are continually exposed to water, salt, and road grit, which may cause them to gum up, corrode, and stick. Sometimes, the issue is so severe that you can't even open the hood.
How To Fix It:
How to repair a stuck hood latch.
- Buy aerosol rust penetrant and spray white lithium grease.
- Soak the latch mechanism with a rust penetrant.
- If the hood won't open, slip the spray straw into the grille and aim it at the latch.
- Spray a half-can of lubricant on the latch.
- Let soak for an hour. If it opens, continue. If not, repeat.
- Soak the hood latch mechanism in white lithium oil after opening.
- Repeat closing and opening the hood until the latch works.
- Replace grease before winter each year.
19. Fix Poor Acceleration
Your car's computer uses the Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) to measure engine air volume, mass, and temperature. It calculates the right fuel quantity. Dirty MAF sensor components cause the computer to miscalculate fuel addition and perform poorly.
How To Fix It:
Cleaning most MAF sensors restores their functionality. Buy a can of MAF Sensor Cleaner from any auto parts shop. Remove the sensor from the air duct by releasing the worm drive clamps using a screwdriver or socket.
Point the spray cleaner to the MAF housing sensor elements. Avoid touching the sensor elements with your fingers, fabric, or brush—they will shatter. Reinstall the MAF when the solvent dries. If a dirty sensor caused your acceleration issue, cleaning should fix it. If not, ask a pro to look.
20. Fix a Tire Pressure Sensor Warning Light
Driving with severely low tire pressure is one of the most common automotive concerns, and it may put your tires in hazardous situations. This is why all modern brand new cars include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
How To Fix It:
If you fill your tires to the pressure specified on the sign under the driver's door pillar but the light remains on, here's how to fix it.
- To turn off the light, drive at varied speeds for up to ten miles.
- If the light is still on, double-check the spare tire pressure.
- Spare tires often need substantially greater inflation pressures. If your spare tire is low, your TPMS light will not turn off.
21. Fix a Sticking Car Door
It is possible for the sponge rubber weatherstripping on the door to adhere to the door frame when the temperature is high, making it difficult to open the door.
How To Fix It:
- Spray home spray cleanser on the door frame to remove weatherstrip residue.
- Apply silicone or dry Teflon lube to the weatherstrip.
- Spray lubricant on a towel and wipe it all over the foam weatherstripping.
- After the solvent dries, your door will not stick.
22. Fix Windshield Wiper Streaks
Windshield wipers are meant to squeeze water off your windshield. If your wipers leave streaks, they are either unclean or worn out.
How To Fix It:
You might try cleaning your wiper blades to fix this problem. If it doesn't work, you may purchase new wipers from any car parts shop and install them yourself.
23. Unclog a Windshield Washer Jet
If you turn on your windshield washers and washer fluid flows out of one jet but not the other, the misaligned jet is most likely clogged. Most DIYers attempt to clear the jet by inserting a pin. That rarely works.
How To Fix It:
- Opening the hood, find the rubber tubing to the issue jet.
- To disconnect the tube, twist. Send compressed air back through the jet. That'll blast crud out and remove the obstruction.
- Complete the task by reconnecting the tube to the jet. Follow this troubleshooting method if neither jet releases fluid.
- Replace a seized washer pump yourself if diagnosed.
24. Fix a Rapidly Blinking Turn Signal
One turn signal blinking faster than the other is frequently a burned-out front or rear light bulb. Turn signals should work after replacing the bulb. But what if that side's front and back lamps flash quickly? That indicates a terrible bulb.
How To Fix It:
Some cars utilize double filament bulbs for parking and turn signals. Because the filaments are stacked, a damaged turn signal filament may hit the parking light bulb. Rapid flashing and dull light will result. Simply replace the dual filament bulb to restore service. Replace the bulb before checking the flasher or turning the signal switch.
25. Replace a Weak Hood or Hatch Lift
If your hood or rear hatch won't remain up when you let go, the gas lifts are probably broken. You may get replacement lifts from any car parts shop and install them yourself.
How To Fix It:
- Replace the lifts while a buddy holds the hood or hatch.
- Insert a tiny flat-blade screwdriver under a spring clip to raise it. Remove the lift from the ball stud. Insert the screwdriver under the new lift clip and push it on the ball stud.
- Repeat on the other end if it has a spring clip. Remove bolted lifts using a metric socket and ratchet. The spring clip locks the lift when the screwdriver is removed.
26. Fix a Paint Chip
Every car receives paint chips from flying gravel. If you ignore the chips, the metal will rust and blister, resulting in severe corrosion issues that will cost a small fortune to repair.
How To Fix It:
To avoid these issues, fix paint chips with touch-up paint before they begin to rust. You'll need touch-up paint from your dealer or an auto parts shop, wax and grease remover, and a cloth.
Don't Let Car Troubles Ruin Your Day - Learn How to Troubleshoot Common Issues Now
Whether it's old brake pads, a faulty spark plug, or a complex catalytic converter problem, it's best to identify issues early on before they become costly to fix. At CarHub, we understand the frustration that comes with encountering car troubles. Don't let car problems ruin your driving experience; visit CarHub today for a wide range of fantastic offers that suit your needs and budget.