Think your car is reliable? Think again…
Check out these reliability ratings!
Every month the NHTSA updates their mechanical defects list:
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2010 June - Report
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2010 May - Report
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2010 April - Report
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2010 March - Report
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2010 February - Report
Here are some common automotive repairs you don't want to pay for!
Engine Components
• Engine
Engine replacements happen more often than one may imagine. Cooling and lubrication system failures are common, even in new cars and simple problems can quickly become major repair issues.
• Cooling Fan Operation
The water and antifreeze mixture are very important to keep balanced. Minor adjustments to this mixture can result in less efficient engine cooling and overworking the cooling fans and other components.
• Cooling System
Your car’s engine runs most efficiently when the cooling system works. A faulty cooling system can cause permanent damage to an otherwise perfect motor.
• Water Pump Replacement
A failing water pump may start t...
• Coolant Expansion Tank Replacement
The expansion tank should be checked regularly for cracks and leaks. A cracked expansion tank can result in a damaged engine.
• Radiator Hose Replacement
Radiator hoses are made from rubber which WILL eventually need replacement.
• Radiator Fan Motor Replacement
If the radiator fan or any of the electronics used to manage the fan fail, your engine can overheat.
• Radiator Replacement
Newer radiators are often manufactured using both metal and plastic parts. The plastic parts can crack or the seal between the plastic and metal parts can fail, allowing the system to depressurize and fluid to leak out. If this happens while driving, the temperature can rise rapidly, leaving only moments to pull over and turn off the engine. Usually, the engine will overheat before you are able to turn off the car and some amount of engine damage will occur. Don’t be left holding the bill for this one. Even high end cars overheat and engine replacement or repair will be expensive.
• Fuel Injector Replacement
For an engine to operate, it needs gasoline. Oftentimes dirty gas can foul the fuel injectors, clogging or altering the spray characteristics of the injector. This can cause poor performance and even severe engine damage if left without repair.
• Fuel Pump Replacement
Good gas atomization ensures maximum performance. A failing fuel pump can result in reduced or erratic fuel pressure, which can result in further engine damage,.
• Head Gasket Replacement
If the engine is allowed to overheat, due to a poorly maintained cooling or lubrication system, the head gasket can break it’s seal and require replacement. But don’t think you can get away with just a new gasket. A reputable repair shop will require the head(s) to be measured for distortion and machined back to factory specs if they are found to be outside their operational tolerance. This costs money. Money which you will be glad not to pay if you are covered by our repair contract.
• Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement
Problems with mass air flow sensor are common on some vehicles. The MAF, as it is sometimes called, is a very sensitive and expensive electrical component on nearly every vehicle from the early 1990s to today.
• Oil Pressure Switch Replacement
An engine generally produces high oil pressure to ensure all internal engine components are adequately lubricated. If the oil pressure switch fails, catastrophic engine failure will result.
• Oil Pump Replacement
Believe it or not, but oil pumps do go bad; even in newer vehicles. If the oil pump stops working, you can bet you will need some major engine repair.
• Main Seal Replacement
The rear and front main seals are not usually very expensive parts. But labor to install the new parts is a serious expense. The rear main seal will likely require that the transmission, oil pan and sometimes steering components be removed, just to get to it.
• Valve Cover Gasket Replacement
Gaskets deteriorate over time, allowing oil to leak. A low oil level can result in major engine damage.
Electrical Components
• Alternator Replacement
The alternator produces electricity to keep the battery charged. When the alternator fails, the car will sometimes die while it is operating, since the only energy is coming from the battery, which will eventually run down. Othertimes, the alternator can cause electrical power surges and sensitive electronics can be harmed.
• Primary Ignition System
All cars use very high voltage ignition systems to ignite the gasoline in the engine cylinders. If the electrical management systems fail, the engine can run poorly, leading to further engine problems if left in disrepair.
• Battery Cable and Cable End Replacement
The battery cables must be clean of corrosion and must be fastened tightly to ensure proper transfer of electricity. When a batter cable end become corroded and cleaning cannot repair the cable, replacement will be necessary. I dirty or loose cable can cause all sorts of electrical problems and sometimes fire!
• Starter Replacement
The starter motor is a fairly common failure point. When the starter fails, the cost for replacement can be high.