# List your car problems here **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 26, 2003, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298 "2003-04-26T10:57:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pablito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@Pablito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pablito)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/1 "2003-04-26T10:57:29Z")
How many car problems do you have? Ok, I’ll bet that no other doper has as many car problems as I currently have. My situation is a bit atypical as I actually have 3 different–albeit decrepit–vehicles that I drive regularly (one of them owned by my place of employment). I think I’ll be pretty hard to beat. (And please note that all three cars are currently operational.) Anyway, here’s my list of complaints: passenger side power window doesn’t work shock absorbers are on their last legs brake pads are very thin trunk can’t be opened because handle broke off front two turn lights are missing left rear turn light is burned out; passenger side exterior door handle broke off lots of hail damage on body some rust on fenders rusted gas tank (causes frequent clogging of fuel filter) radio doesn’t work a/c doesn’t work; passenger side power window doesn’t work (different car, same problem) no license plate the bell dings every time I open the driver side door and continues whenever I’m driving less than 15 mph and sometimes even when the car is parked with no keys in it and all doors closed interior lights have been removed because of dinging problem so battery won’t run down when parked; I know, I know, it’s time to buy a new one. ---
**Author:** ![hyperjes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df705f/32.png) [@hyperjes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyperjes)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/2 "2003-04-26T11:16:16Z")
Okay, here goes- My car: You cannot lock any of the doors, if you’d like to open them again. The brakes are screwed in every way. It burns oil. It still has the paper state-to-state transfer plates it had when I received it- last year. Needs a new muffler. **d\_redguy** ’s car: Passenger window does not go up OR down. And it is stuck 2 inches in the down direction. It leaks oil. If it rains or is humid, it won’t start until it dries out again. The stereo speakers are broken. All music comes through a bass box purchased at Wal-mart. It currently has a flat tire. Plates, tags and inspection are long expired. Yes, we still use both of them.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/3 "2003-04-26T11:19:50Z")
Drivers side window pulley is destroyed. Drivers side window seal is leaking. ABS light refuses to come off. Power Steering fluid leak. Completely blown shocks. Completely. Both front CV Boots blown. Both front axles need replaced. Possible warped front rotors, causing wobble when brakes are applied. Windshield Washer fluid resevior won’t hold fluid. Several small oil leaks. One large oil leak that drips onto exhaust manifold, causing smoke and, until recently, catch on fire. Badly balding drivers side rear tire. AC and Heater smell like burning oil. All the time. Antenna is missing. Vaccuum Leak (we think) that causes the car to stutter, then surge during idle. Occasionally, esp. when making turns or coming to a stop, the car dies. Cause unknown. Numerous places where paint is beginning to peel. Paint from a red truck imbedded in hood where my girl drove the front of the car under the back of the truck. No real damage, but ugly as sin. Small holes in leather interior near passenger side rear window. Numerous stains in carpet, sources both known and unknown. This is all one car, our one and only vehicle. I think I may have you beat. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_Schmeese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Marconi\_Schmeese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_Schmeese)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/4 "2003-04-26T14:50:52Z")
That’s pretty funny - I came in to tell you about the fact that my fog lights burn out within 24 hours of putting new bulbs in and that I have a dead bug stuck in my instrument panel. I thought I had problems. And, no, I do not waste money on fog lights any more. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/5 "2003-04-26T15:02:28Z")
Fuel gauge doesn’t work Back left door sometimes sticks when it rains Passenger side window sometimes falls down Leaking water or something - will need expensive repairs worth more than the car Flattish baldish tyres Thin brake pads Is ugly ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/6 "2003-04-26T15:23:11Z")
My car problem is that I have too many cars. The Cherokee needs a tune-up and routine maintenance on the front differential. The CJ2A runs like new (not bad for a 57-year-old car), but the fan does hit the fan shroud if I hit a bump. I should get that straightened out. The MGB doesn’t really count, as it is undergoing a total restoration; which is to say literally _everything_ is wrong with it! Cracked head on the engine, no upholstery, no seats, no paint, no batteries, needs body work, I need to find an overdrive transmission (believe me, the non-overdrive isn’t good enough for today’s driving), no top, rubber seals are hard and brittle… _everything_ needs to be fixed. The problem I have is space. I have one carport. I have the kayak in the front, then the CJ2A, and I park the Yamaha behind the Jeep. The Cherokee parks on the street. When the MGB is finished I’ll have to park the Jeep on the street so I can put the B into the carport. Or I’ll have to sell the Willys. Or find someone who has some extra space on their property (in _L.A.!_). ---
**Author:** ![mudcrutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@mudcrutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mudcrutch)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/7 "2003-04-26T15:28:34Z")
ABS light occasionally turns on SRS light turned on a couple days ago and won’t go away Windshield cracked sticky power door locks flaky cruise control switch leaks oil leaks transmission fluid back tires getting worn headlights fogged horn won’t work shop says inner tie rod ends are loose sometimes idles too low (and rough) inspection sticker expired I don’t drive the car that often - at least not until I can afford to have the safety related issues fixed. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/8 "2003-04-26T16:33:31Z")
I actually have a pretty problem-free car right now, knock wood. It needs to have the radiator looked at, and there’s a dead moth stuck in one of the vents, but that’s it, since I already got the brake calipers replaced. My last two cars, though, I drove for months or years without ever addressing their problems. The Cavalier: big hole peeled back in the sheet metal of the driver’s side door bad exhaust system digital dashboard and instrument panel had melted fuses, so the oil temp, oil pressure and fuel gauges didn’t work, and the speedometer was five mph off upholstery of back seat had constant mildew smell moon roof leaked I loved that car. I can’t even remember what was wrong with the Reliant except that I hated it. ---
**Author:** ![Washte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Washte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washte)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/9 "2003-04-26T16:46:03Z")
Simple problem but persistant and not immediated fixable: Don’t have one but could definitely use one. Minor relative detail… need to take UK driving test - US CDL not good enough. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/10 "2003-04-26T18:33:51Z")
It’s fixed now, but most recently my mechanic told me my alternator had a coolant leak. A _what_? Sure enough, it’s got a liqquid cooled alternator that cycles through the radiator. I’d never heard of that before. ---
**Author:** ![gmarkstephens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gmarkstephens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gmarkstephens)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/11 "2003-04-26T19:01:38Z")
I have two cars… ….or well one car and one van. The van is a 1984 VW Camper. I don’t drive it much. 1. Is a VW Van 2. Is all sorts of taken apart so that I can “fix it up” 3. Is a VW Van 4. Will not pass smog inspection and idle at the same time. 5. Is a VW Van 6. Speedo is at least 10 MPH off 7. Is a VW Van 8. Has an unknown number of miles on it. This is very scary considering problems 1,3,5,&7 9. Is still a VW Van. The car is a 1992 Acura Integra 1. 145000 miles 2. The seats are all torn up. 3. The carpet is mostly coffee colored (just a few more spills and it will all be the same color again) 4. The driver side CV joint is going out (and has been for the last two years) 5. It is black and I live in the south. 6. Everything that can leaks. I love my Integra I realy do. ---
**Author:** ![Pablito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@Pablito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pablito)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/12 "2003-04-26T20:05:12Z")
**gmarkstephens** –one of mine is an Acura Integra, '89 edition, but only 125,000 miles on it. It sat for 4 years without being used. Now can you guess which one has a badly corroded gas tank? I still love it. Yours is a '92? I figure your driver side door handle will break off any day now; the passenger side is probably good for a couple more years. **Tristan** –I’m willing to concede that you may have me beat. But I remembered a few other problems since posting this morning. Add these to my OP: gas gauge is totally dead gas gauge is fairly reliable until I get to 1/4 tank ‘service engine’ light stays on permanently window gasket by driver is bad so there’s lots of road noise and it drips on driver when it’s raining windshield wiper motor is starting to fail–doesn’t always stop when or where is should slow leak on one tire the thing that secures the spare tire underneath is broken so I have to store it in the trunk (this is the car with the trunk door that doesn’t open) I’ll probably think of more as soon as I submit this. And this sharing is giving me a (little) sense of catharsis. Is it helping anyone else? Pablito ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/13 "2003-04-26T20:59:16Z")
Yay! A thread where I can relate! The Maxima: None of the windows roll down The muffler is a rusty chewed up mess Brakes squealing for mercy no radio at all the gauges do really weird things small leaks all over the place some thudding under the car deal when I turn left bad tires no heat doors won’t lock water leaks into the trunk somehow emergency brake gets hung horribly so it’s never used big long dent and scrape on the driver side… 170k+ miles fails emissions even though all the plugs and wires were changed, it was tuned up, oil was changed Therefore: Bad tags (switched from the Corsica) Corsica: Busted windshield needs headgasket…could be worse, I cant afford to even get it checked out at this point But none of this compares to the Grand Am I just sold: No battery Bad alternator engine covered with squirrel poo Swiss cheese radiator no heat (bypassed heater core a while back) shot transmission shot clutch washer fluid reservoir busted by yours truly…oops right turn signal wouldn’t work right headlight wouldn’t work high beams wouldnt work paint peeling all over trunk tied down with jumprope very very bad tires steering column, front seat, and dash and back seat torn up when someone tried their darnedest to steal the car even though it had no battery at the time had a nice stereo until the speakers were ripped out I got a hundred bucks for it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TheFunkySpaceCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@TheFunkySpaceCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFunkySpaceCowboy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/14 "2003-04-27T03:18:30Z")
I have an Escort, need I say any more? ---
**Author:** ![d\_redguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@d\_redguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d_redguy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/15 "2003-04-28T04:05:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TheFunkySpaceCowboy \* > \*\*I have an Escort, need I say any more? \*\* No. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/16 "2003-04-28T04:22:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ringo \* > \*\*it’s got a liqquid cooled alternator that cycles through the radiator. \*\* What kind of car is _that_? My 1996 Impala SS currently: Has a leaky rear main seal Two rear windows that won’t roll down (popular Imp problem) Dim odometer (another popular Imp problem) Two bald rear tires (I hear this is a popular Imp problem too ;)) Just got done putting in a new radiator (thanks GM for the $26000 car with a plastic radiator) and fixing a very nasty air induction leak. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/17 "2003-04-28T04:38:31Z")
I have a Ford Focus. Runs great, aside from, -Some engine sensor malfunctioned, leaving the yellow engine light on -Makes a klikity-klikity noise when I make right turns (bad CV joint?) -Makes a different but equally annoying klick-kclik noise when braking. Also goes ‘squeek-squeek’. -Some paneling on the driver’s side rattles when driving on highway. So, when braking while making right turns, the damn car sounds like I’m shaking a metal box full of marbles and bolts. Which is kind of a shame, because beyond all these nuances it is a fun little car, 3 years old with 46k miles on it. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/18 "2003-04-28T06:11:56Z")
I have one car problem: I don’t have one. In some cities, that’s OK. In Baltimore, it kinda sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/19 "2003-04-28T06:37:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ringo \* > **it’s got a liqquid cooled alternator that cycles through the radiator** Ahhh, must be a Beemer. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298/20 "2003-04-28T14:07:49Z")
**1995 Nissan Sentra (current car, 74,000 miles):** [ul] [li]Gas cap lid doesn’t close from the outside by itself. I have to hold down the lever inside the car while someone else pushes in on the lid.[/li][li]Dome light doesn’t work. Probably just a burned-out bulb but I’ve never bothered to replace it.[/li][li]Instrument panel light occasionally doesn’t go on, so I have to tap the dimmer control to get the light to work again.[/li][li]Minor imperfections on the paint (but that’s to be expected after awhile.)[/li][li]Right channel on stereo cuts out after about 10 minutes.[/li][li]Brakes squeal.[/li][/ul] **1988 Toyota Corolla (my last car, 121,000 miles at trade-in):** [ul] [li]Gas mileage steadily dropping (was down to 16 mpg by the time I traded it in)[/li][li]Air conditioner stopped working[/li][li]Engine overheated after driving short distances[/li][li]Horn was broken[/li][li]Mismatched window handle on passenger door[/li][li]Mismatched vent director used to replace the one that had broken off[/li][li]Windshield wiper blades needed to be replaced, and one of them was always coming loose.[/li][li]Big crack along the bottom of the windshield[/li][li]Rear window defroster didn’t work[/li][li]Upholstery stitching coming apart in driver’s seat.[/li][li]Cigarette lighter didn’t work (but I don’t smoke anyway.)[/li][li]A big, long list of other problems the mechanic found when I took it in to have the gas mileage problem checked out. The estimate was $2300 for all repairs, so this was when I decided to trade it off.[/li][/ul] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-your-car-problems-here/171298.md?page=2)