Every used car owner knows that sooner or later, their vehicle will have an issue and need to be repaired. Even if your car is relatively new, some issues are more common than others, and they will require prompt repairs as soon as they occur.

While each vehicle on the road is unique and has its own set of common repairs that will have to happen, certain components get more use than others or are more dependent on regular service and maintenance. Having a good understanding of these car troubles and how you can possibly avoid them is a great way to be prepared and do everything you can to keep your car on the road and out of the repair shop.

Since some vehicle issues are more or less unavoidable at a certain point, it is important to have a protection plan in place for you and your car. When you buy a new car from a dealership, it will most likely come with a factory auto warranty that the manufacturer provides to protect you from design flaws or problems that come up within a certain amount of time. Once that warranty coverage is up, though, you will be financially responsible for any repairs that need to happen, and a third-party extended warranty, which is more accurately called a vehicle service contract (VSC) or auto protection plan, is a great option.

Endurance Warranty is the leading auto protection plan provider and has been helping drivers cover expensive vehicle repairs since 2006. Because of this wide range of experience, our company has a good base of knowledge about what claims come through the most often and which components are more likely to fail, cause a mechanical breakdown, and require the claims process.

Knowing about some of the most common (and expensive) Endurance claims and how to protect yourself will help you maintain your vehicle’s reliability and maximize your VSC or extended car warranty.

1. Transmission Failure: A Costly Claim

Your vehicle’s transmission is one of its most important components. It is responsible for turning the energy produced by the engine into the motion that moves your car, and if it fails, you won’t be going anywhere. A transmission failure is one of the most difficult car repairs a vehicle owner may have to make aside from replacing the entire powertrain, so it is crucial that you keep it in good condition for as long as possible with excellent maintenance and proper driving technique. A failed transmission can be a disaster for your vehicle, and it is a common issue for cars and drivers of all kinds.

The main cause of a failed transmission is a lack of regular maintenance. Transmissions require fluid to keep all the gears and moving parts inside lubricated and prevent metal shavings from coming loose and damaging the inside of the transmission. If your vehicle regularly overheats, this can also damage the small, sensitive components in the transmission and cause warping and other problems that can be incredibly difficult to repair.

If you want to prevent a transmission replacement in your vehicle, you need to stay on top of fluid changes, inspections, and other maintenance. For the most part, changing your transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles will help keep everything in good working order for as long as possible. If you notice any leaks or issues with the way your vehicle is shifting when you are on the road, get them addressed as soon as possible so you can avoid a complete failure and a lot of time without your vehicle while it is being fixed.

2. Engine Overheating: A Frequent Problem

When your vehicle is running, it generates a massive amount of heat in the combustion chamber, and that can transfer to the rest of the engine and other components in the engine compartment. The cooling system is in place to prevent that heat from getting to be too much and boiling the fluids inside the engine. At some point, though, you may have experienced a vehicle overheating when driving in extremely hot weather and had to pull over to wait for the engine to cool down. Frequent overheating is a common issue and the root cause of it needs to be repaired right away.

Constant overheating can happen for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common is an issue in the cooling system. A faulty thermostat, failing radiator, or water pump failure can cause problems keeping your engine cool, even if the weather isn’t hot. In some cases, a blown head gasket can also cause overheating, which is a serious issue that needs to be repaired as soon as possible to avoid a complete engine failure.

If you want to avoid overheating, regularly maintaining your cooling system is your best option. Staying on top of coolant flushes and topping off the coolant when necessary can be a big help in preventing rising temperatures in the engine compartment. You should also get regular inspections of your radiator and other cooling system components, especially if you plan to do any driving in high temperatures or take a summer road trip.

3. Alternator Problems: A Serious Charging Issue

Turning the key in your ignition and having nothing happen is one of the most frustrating things a driver can deal with. While this can sometimes be the result of a bad battery, the more likely culprit is the alternator. Your vehicle’s alternator creates a current with the energy produced by the engine to recharge the battery and run some of the vehicle’s electrical systems. If it is not in good working order, you may find yourself stranded in a parking lot or sitting motionless in your driveway.

An alternator can fail for a variety of different reasons. One of the most common is a failure of the diodes that turn AC current into DC current. If these diodes go bad, the alternator will not be able to power the electronics in the vehicle. The alternator can also malfunction if the bearings inside it wear out. It is essentially a small electric motor that needs to spin, and if bad bearings make it difficult to do so, it won’t be able to produce enough power to charge the battery, and you will be left with no power.

Keeping your alternator in great shape is the key to a healthy electrical system. If you want to ensure that your vehicle will start up every time you turn it on, regular service of the drive system is essential. The alternator runs on a drive belt or serpentine belt powered by the engine. Checking the condition of this belt regularly will help keep the alternator running smoothly. Voltage checks and power output checks can also ensure that the right amount of current is being put out and that all the small components within the alternator are working properly.

4. Water Pump Failures: A Cooling System Breakdown

Keeping your car cool is crucial and the cooling system needs to be running smoothly and efficiently to do so. The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant around the engine and keeping the temperature at a manageable level. If the pump fails, your engine will quickly overheat, which can be catastrophic if it is allowed to continue for too long. Consistent overheating can cause warping in the cylinders and other issues that will eventually turn into a total engine failure.

Water pumps can fail for many different reasons, but one of the most common is corrosion. Because the pump is constantly exposed to moisture, it will start to deteriorate sooner or later. The seals and gaskets can fall apart, causing leaks, or the impeller that spins the pump and pushes the coolant can get gunked up and freeze in place. This can also happen due to dirty coolant, which leaves debris and dirt in the pump and will eventually cause it to wear out.

The best thing you can do for your vehicle’s water pump is to get regular coolant flushes. Flushing out the system removes all the dirt and debris that can collect in the coolant over time and ensures that it doesn’t get stuck in the water pump and cause a failure. Regular inspections of the water pump can also help keep it in good condition. Checking for leaks in the gaskets and seals will ensure that you won’t find yourself overheating on the highway at the most inconvenient time.

5. A/C System Failures: A Common Comfort Issue

When the weather is hot, and you are out on the open road, there is nothing worse than hot air coming out of your vehicle’s air conditioner vents. Air conditioner problems are incredibly common, though, and they can be caused by all kinds of different issues. Your car’s A/C system is quite complicated, and one small problem can quickly turn into a failure that will leave you sweating when the temperatures rise. With a little bit of maintenance and service, you can stay cool when you need it most.

Perhaps the most common cause of a failed air conditioner in a vehicle is low refrigerant. Your vehicle uses a refrigerant that circulates throughout the car and is cooled by the radiator and the rest of the cooling system. If this refrigerant gets low due to a leak or old age, you will get nothing but hot air out of your vents. Several different components work in tandem to keep the A/C working, such as the compressor and the condenser, and if any of these components fail due to overuse or overheating, it can affect the entire climate control system in your car.

If you want to keep your A/C in good condition, you should regularly check your refrigerant levels. If you notice that you are constantly having to put more refrigerant in your system, this may mean that you have a leak somewhere in the lines, and repairing that leak should solve the issue. Sometimes, an A/C compressor can break down due to overheating somewhere else in the vehicle, so regular inspections and maintenance of the cooling system will help you keep your car’s air conditioner running smoothly.

Other Common Issues: Electrical and Brake Systems

Electrical System Malfunctions

In modern vehicles, the electrical system is more important than almost any other system in the vehicle. Since so many late-model vehicles rely on onboard computers and other technology, if your electrical system fails, you could end up with some serious malfunctions. On top of the more modern electrical components, the basic electrical system components like the battery also need to be in great shape at all times. Keeping your electrical components in good condition is essential if you want your car to be as reliable as it can be.

Many different things can cause an electrical issue with your vehicle. A problem with your battery, though, is an incredibly common one. Car batteries have a finite life and will generally need to be replaced every three to five years if you want your car to dependably start up when you turn the key. Your vehicle also has fuses that can burn out, and when they do, they can cause issues with the headlights, the air conditioning, the starter, and many other components. A failure of any of the many sensors in your car can also be a source of an electrical problem, so it is important to know which ones your vehicle has and when they should be inspected.

If you want to prevent electrical problems with your vehicle, it is a good idea to get regular voltage tests for your battery. Over time, your battery will start to lose its ability to hold power, especially if you live in an area that has a lot of fluctuations in the weather. You can also have your car’s fuses checked during its regular maintenance appointments to ensure that they are all in good shape and to replace any that look like they might burn out sooner rather than later.

Brake System Failures

When it comes to safety, no component in your vehicle is more important than the brakes. If your brakes aren’t in good condition, your car will not be safe to drive, so proper brake maintenance and service is one of your main responsibilities as a vehicle owner. Because they get so much use, brake issues are incredibly common in vehicles of all types, and when they occur, they need to be repaired as soon as possible.

There are many components in your vehicle’s brake system and if one of them is not working properly, you may notice that your brakes aren’t functioning as they should be. One of the most common causes of poor braking performance is worn brake pads. The pads on your brakes are responsible for grabbing onto the brake rotor when you step on the pedal and they are meant to be replaced eventually as the friction wears out the pad itself. The brake lines that make up the hydraulic system also have fluid in them that needs to be replaced regularly and air in these lines or old fluid can cause your brakes to feel spongy or reduce their effectiveness.

If you want to avoid problems with your brake system, regular maintenance is key. Your brake pads should be replaced every 25,000 to 70,000 miles and sooner if you notice any squeaking or grinding when you press on the pedal. You should also be changing your brake fluid every two years to ensure that the lines stay clean and completely free of air. Regular brake inspections are also a good bet if you want to keep your car safe, especially before taking a long road trip.

The Role of Endurance in Protecting Your Vehicle

All vehicles are prone to the most common issues, even with excellent maintenance and proper care. That is why it is so important to have a top-notch warranty plan in place to cover the most essential components of your car, like the transmission, electrical system, air conditioner, and brakes. With the right vehicle service contract, you can have these components covered so when a problem arises you won’t be stuck wondering how you will pay for the auto repairs you need.

Endurance offers a wide variety of vehicle protection plans and coverage options for vehicles of all kinds, ranging from older high-mileage cars to the most specialized luxury and exotic vehicles. With a customized protection plan from Endurance, you can rest easy knowing that if you end up dealing with some of the most common issues, your repairs will be covered when you make a claim. Plus, Endurance covers vehicles that other providers won’t, such as cars with a rebuilt or salvage title, vehicles used for commercial purposes, and Canadian Gray Market cars.

When you get an Endurance auto protection plan for your car, you also get a large collection of standard benefits to help keep you safe on the road. These include things like 24/7 roadside assistance with towing, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursement. For a small activation fee, you can also get access to the Endurance Elite Benefits program, which comes with extra protection and perks like tire repairs, key fob replacement, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection to give you peace of mind behind the wheel.

If you want the very best protection available for your vehicle — and a 30-day money-back guarantee — request a FREE quote. You can also connect one-on-one with an Endurance plan advisor by calling (800) 253-8203.

Be sure to check out the Endurance blog for more information on all things automotive like repair facility reviews, FAQs, comparisons with other car warranty companies like CarShield and CARCHEX, and more.

*Common repairs based on an average of Endurance paid claims from 8/1/2023 to 8/1/2024.