Car Symptom Checker
Cars don’t break by “component category” — they shake, stall, grind, or lose power. Pick what yours is doing and see the real vehicles and failure patterns owners report it on, ranked by complaint volume and linked to the full pattern: failure mileage, diagnostic codes, and the repair costs owners cite.
Loss of power while driving4835
The engine suddenly stops making power — often tied to fuel delivery, turbo, sensor, or transmission faults.
Engine stalling or shutting off6414
The engine cuts out while driving or at idle — a top safety complaint, with many possible root causes.
Won't start / no crank1815
The vehicle cranks but won’t fire, or won’t crank at all — battery, starter, fuel, or immobilizer.
Check engine light4371
The most common warning indicator — pull the trouble code to see what it points to.
Loss of power steering3228
Steering suddenly goes heavy or unresponsive — electric or hydraulic power-steering failure.
Brake problems / brake failure3246
Soft pedal, long stops, or total brake loss — one of the most serious failure types.
Transmission slipping or shifting hard1440
Slipping out of gear, harsh or delayed shifts, or shudder — common on troubled automatics, CVTs, and DCTs.
Shaking or vibration3939
Vibration at idle, under acceleration, or while braking — driveline, engine, or suspension related.
Hesitation or poor acceleration4148
The car stumbles, surges, or won’t respond when you press the accelerator.
Limp mode / reduced power1535
The vehicle drops into a protective low-power state, usually after detecting a powertrain fault.
Overheating1896
Coolant temperature climbs into the danger zone — leaks, water pump, thermostat, or head-gasket trouble.
Burning smell or smoke2528
A burning odor or visible smoke — oil, coolant, electrical, or brake-related; treat as urgent.
Grinding noise1958
A metal-on-metal grind — frequently brakes, wheel bearings, or transmission.
Knocking or ticking noise1722
A deep knock or top-end tick from the engine — can signal serious internal wear.
Clunking noise1189
A clunk over bumps or when shifting — suspension, driveline, or mount related.
Whining or humming noise828
A rising whine or hum with speed — bearings, pump, or transmission.
Squealing or screeching1047
A high-pitched squeal — belts, brakes, or worn components.
Misfire or rough idle1843
The engine shakes, stumbles, or runs unevenly — ignition, fuel, or compression.
Coolant or antifreeze leak619
Losing coolant — external leaks or, worse, coolant entering the engine.
Excessive oil consumption or leak1443
The engine burns or leaks oil between changes — rings, seals, or PCV.
Airbag / SRS warning light1897
The airbag (SRS) light is on — the system may be disabled until repaired.
Airbag didn't deploy / unexpected deployment747
Airbags that failed to deploy in a crash, or deployed without one — a critical safety allegation.
Electrical / dashboard issues3421
Flickering lights, dead battery, or glitchy electronics and infotainment.
A/C or heater not working716
Climate control blowing the wrong temperature or nothing at all.
Unintended acceleration718
The vehicle accelerates without driver input — a serious, heavily-scrutinized allegation.
Steering pull or wander796
The car pulls to one side or wanders — alignment, suspension, or steering.
Window, door, or lock failure1640
Power windows, door latches, locks, or sunroof that stop working.