5 Car Problems You Can't Ignore

These issues likely need immediate attention to keep you safe on the road.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Sep 4, 2024 | 3 min read

Manuel Carrillo III | Capital One

It can be tempting to ignore small automotive issues. If you don't stay on top of maintenance and deal with car trouble as it crops up, however, it could create an unsafe situation as you drive — and potentially cost you major cash.

Here's a look at five car problems it's generally better to pay attention to sooner rather than later.

Aaron Miller | Capital One

Brake Problems Are a Hard Stop

Brakes are one of the most important safety systems in your vehicle. Being able to stop quickly and in a controlled manner, at a moment's notice, is a key component of staying secure on the road. Problems with brake components require immediate attention.

Brakes are a wear item, with friction, heat, and moisture all playing a role in degrading the stopping power of pads, rotors, calipers, and fluid over time. Regular maintenance is needed to keep brakes operating up to spec, and any unusual behavior (sounds, smells, vibrations, or reduced stopping power) should send you to your mechanic for a diagnosis as soon as possible.

Manuel Carrillo III

An Overheating Engine Is No Longer Reliable

You can usually diagnose two problems with your vehicle's temperature gauge. The first is indicated by the gauge gradually creeping up and is often a sign of a problem somewhere under the hood.

Internal combustion generates significant amounts of heat in normal operation, and if the cooling system isn't keeping up, that could indicate a problem with components such as the radiator, the coolant itself, or the water pump. It could also be a clue that other parts of the motor — such as the head gasket — are starting to fail.

Another problem you can generally spot through your temperature gauge is sudden engine overheating. Typically, this problem is accompanied by a significant amount of steam and indicates a more dramatic failure of an engine component.

For the most part, sudden engine overeating requires an immediate response (usually turning off the motor and coasting to a stop) in order to prevent serious damage.

Neither a failing cooling system nor sudden engine overheating will resolve themselves. To be safest, you should seek the intervention of a professional mechanic.

Don't Let Bad Steering Steer You Wrong

Just like braking, being able to steer your car properly helps keep you safe on the road. A steering system that feels loose, shakes through the steering wheel, is not responsive to your inputs, or makes strange sounds should send you to the garage before a failure leaves you stranded or worse.

Aaron Miller

Suspension Issues Are More Than a Bump in the Road

Your vehicle's suspension is as key to staying in control as its steering. Shock absorbers, springs, and all the associated components linking them to your car's chassis take a beating on a daily basis, especially over crumbling roads.

Clunks, metallic sounds, unusual bouncing, corner lean, or a rough ride are signs that your suspension likely isn't up to the task and should be examined to figure out what's gone wrong.

Manuel Carrillo III

Worn Tires Can Send You Off Track

Your tires are the only part of your car that actually touch the road. Despite this, their condition is often ignored. Driving on tires that have worn-out tread, are underinflated, or have aged out of their safe operating window puts you at risk of an accident, especially if you're forced to react in an emergency.

Tires should be regularly inspected, kept properly inflated, and be replaced when necessary.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.