The Most Common Car Complaints
Automotive complaints have been around just about as long as cars themselves. A car represents one of the biggest investments the average American will make in their life, and problems with cars can drain a bank account like few other purchases. Those problems loom even larger considering how an out-of-commission car can disrupt someone’s life and livelihood, keeping them from going to work or taking care of their family.
Premature brake wear
As important as it is for a car to move, it’s just as important to get the car to stop. Brake systems require occasional maintenance but burning through brake pads too quickly can be a sign of a larger problem. Lower quality pads, corroded slide pins, or problems with the rotors or brake pistons can cause premature brake wear.
Slipping transmission
A car’s transmission – the mechanism that transmits power from the engine to the wheels – should engage smoothly and firmly. The transmission “slips” if it hesitates to engage when put into drive, or if it fails to transition from one gear to another in motion.
The transmission’s torque converter must be filled with fluid to function properly, meaning low fluid is one of the most common and fixable causes of a slipping transmission. Low transmission fluid pressure can also lead to a slipping transmission.
Transmission failure
A car’s transmission is one of its most mechanically complex components. This complexity makes a complete transmission failure one of the most costly car repairs. A transmission failure makes itself known fairly quickly, as the vehicle cannot move without engine power reaching the wheels. Modern transmissions are built to last well beyond 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, barring any major problems or defects.
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Starter failure
Few things infuriate car owners like starter problems. A faulty starter can fail to turn over completely, or take longer than normal to start the vehicle. Drivers will often hear a clicking sound when trying to use a faulty starter. If there’s a silver lining to starter issues, qualified technicians can repair or replace starters quickly – if not cheaply.
Coolant leaking into transmission
The only fluid that should be in a transmission is transmission fluid. While this may seem obvious, errant coolant from other systems kills transmissions at an alarming rate. Older radiators can leak fluid, and older transmissions can become more susceptible to that fluid entering the transmission. These two factors can together spell disaster for car owners. Symptoms of impending transmission failure include heavy vibration while shifting or accelerating, abrupt stalling, and shuddering noises.
Excessive oil consumption
Basic car maintenance includes changing the oil. Experts differ on how often you should change your oil, but all agree excessive oil consumption is a serious problem. Burning too much oil in the engine generates characteristic blue smoke, and can foul spark plugs, damage catalytic converters and ruin oxygen sensors. It may also signal that the engine’s rings and seals are leaking oil into the combustion chambers.
Blinking overdrive light
When working properly, the overdrive light means simply that the overdrive system is working as intended. Overdrive allows a vehicle to maintain a constant speed while reducing engine speed, improving fuel economy. A blinking overdrive light, however, can indicate problems with the shift solenoid or other transmission problems.
Power window problems
Sometimes the simplest problems can be the most frustrating. Drivers of many vehicle models report issues with their power windows failing. Reported causes include failures in the window motors, faulty wiring and the window falling off its track inside the door.
Cracked panels
Some owners report body panels inexplicably cracking on their vehicles. Barring an external impact, body stresses from manufacturing errors usually are the cause of cracked panels.
Cracked dashboards
Dashboards will crack naturally over time, especially if the vehicle spends most of its time in the sunlight. However a dashboard cracking prematurely is often a sign of the manufacturer using improper materials or other manufacturing errors.
If your car is still under warranty, many of these car complains should be corrected by your dealer free of charge. If the dealership refuses to repair your warrantied vehicle, contact the manufacturer immediately. If the manufacturer does not remedy the situation, they may be violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you.
Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.