Over the years, millions of people have faced automobile problems. Some of these were no fault of their own, but instead due to poor, or downright questionable, design and engineering on the part of manufacturers. Here are some historic automotive scandals, plus some common car faults that you can avoid with prudent maintenance.
Car issues aren’t always down to poor maintenance; sometimes vehicles roll off the lines with a problem built-in.
With so many components involving scores of different factories and suppliers, it’s perhaps inevitable that some models are born to be recalled, often with a serious impact on the brands involved.
Here are three of the biggest sandals that caused serious car issues for millions, followed by some more common car problems that you can sidestep with good maintenance.
Ford Powershift dual-clutch debacle (2010s)
The reputation of car giant Ford took a hit in the 2010s when its “manual-style” automatic transmission exhibited a range of undesirable behaviours, including shuddering, slipping, and ongoing failures.
Vehicles fitted with Powershift gave their owners a jerky ride even though they were brand new cars.
Repeated dealer visits were necessary, exasperating owners. Many vehicles were basically undrivable.
As a result, class-action lawsuits were launched against the firm. In the end, billions of dollars were paid out in settlements and Ford lost many thousands of loyal customers.
Thankfully, there were no casualties although Ford’s reputation was on life support for some years afterwards.
VW Dieselgate (2015): fishy software cheated pollution tests
The mid-2010s saw one of the most controversial car issues of all time. German carmaker Volkswagen (at the time the second biggest vehicle manufacturer on the planet) was found to have installed software on its cars that cheated emissions tests.
Vehicles met legal limits during testing, but actually emitted far higher pollution on the road. The discovery of these “defeat devices” triggered global recalls, and led to fines, lawsuits, and tighter emissions regulation worldwide.
Owners saw the resale values of their vehicles collapse, and VW had a $30 billion bill to foot after buybacks and payouts.
Trust in the VW brand fell apart. Somehow, however, the German car giant became the biggest carmaker on the planet the following year, and has held on to the second spot for most of the intervening years.
Toyota and VW’s engine sludge problem (late ’90s–early ’00s)
Years before Dieselgate, VW was involved in a different major automotive engineering disaster - but this one involved Toyota, too.
There had been a trend to reduce the amount of oil used in engines, partly to reduce friction and warm-up time, but also to reduce emissions (VW’s nemesis!).
To this end, VW and Toyota pushed shorter, 7,500 - 10,000 mile oil changes, sometimes with conventional oil.
The result was a disaster for the engines involved: the little oil introduced to the engines could not properly lubricate the various moving parts, leading to a build up of sludge, oil starvation, and often, engine failure.
Of course, a failed engine is pretty much the most expensive automotive problem a motorist can face.
The problems led, predictably, to class action lawsuits and brand reputation damage.
Again, though, Toyota and VW remain the two biggest car producers on the planet.
Like Dieselgate, it shows the problems that can occur when carmakers take risks when attempting to reduce those dastardly emissions!
3 automobile problems that you can avoid
Is a mouse eating your car’s key components?
Right this minute, a mouse could be chomping down on your car’s critical components.
According to UK insurance giant Aviva, there was a 28% increase in claims for rodent damage in 2024, making it rise through the ranks of common car problems.
Rodent-related car issues are worse in winter, when mice and rats settle inside vehicles to escape the low temperatures.
But it’s not just about seeking warmth. Wiring used in modern cars is often made using planet-derived materials (like soy), which rodents are happy to chew through.
Damaged wiring can lead to sensor faults, lights that don’t come on and a dashboard lit up with warning icons. Rodents can also be partial to fuel lines and hoses.
As you might imagine, this kind of damage can cost thousands to fix.
The issue particularly affects drivers who live in built up areas, and vehicles that are parked up for long periods.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to stop the critters:
- Keep your car clean and free of food debris.
- Park in a secure garage where possible.
- Use rodent deterrents or protective covers over vulnerable areas.
- Regularly inspect under the bonnet, especially before long idle periods
Early adopter automobile problems: the risk of rapid depreciation
It can be a great feeling to be an ‘early adopter’ of a new piece of automotive technology.
But innovative vehicles often have teething problems to begin with - teething problems that are only really resolved by later models.
This can mean that first, or early, generations of some models can depreciate fast, leaving owners with a badly outdated set of wheels, and plummeting resale values.
For example, the first versions of the Nissan Leaf electric car had very poor range and no active battery cooling. Worse, the battery degraded quickly when used in warmer periods/climates. Later models fixed these issues, but left early adopters with an undesirable vehicle that they would struggle to sell.
It was a similar story for the BMW i3, which had poor range and costly-to-fix carbon fibre body. Later versions sorted these issues out, but early adopters were less than pleased.
So what’s the solution?
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hype and marketing surrounding innovative vehicles, but it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with diving in too early. It could be worth waiting to see how reliable such vehicles are first.
How to avoid a timing belt catastrophe
The health of your timing belt might seldom cross your mind. But looking after it could mean the difference between continued safe motoring and an on-the-road disaster.
If your timing belt service gets missed, you might end up with a snapped belt. If this happens at high speed, it could well result in bent valves and a destroyed engine. You could be looking at a three or four thousand pound repair bill (or indeed scrappage if your car is on the old side).
A busted timing belt can happen quietly, instantly, and without warning.
Aside from overdue belt changes, a broken belt can can be caused by oil/coolant contamination, cheap parts or poor installation, or failed tensioners or water pumps (more common than belt failure itself).
Thankfully, a snapped timing belt does not rank among common car faults but if it does happen, you’ll know about it.
Something to double check on your next service.
