What's wrong with my car?

Tell-tale signs, in plain words.

A noise, a shake, a light on the dash. Find what your car is doing below and we'll tell you what it usually means, which parts fix it, and what those parts do. Then see real prices for your exact car.

Got a shop estimate? Check if it's fair

Front brakes

• Squealing or grinding when you brake? Worn brake pads
• Steering wheel or pedal shakes when you brake? Warped front rotors

Brakes

• Car pulls to one side when braking, or one wheel gets hot? Sticking brake caliper
• Brake pedal feels spongy or sinks to the floor? Air or old fluid in the brakes

Rear brakes

• Noise from the back brakes, or a weak parking brake? Worn rear brakes

Starting

• Car just clicks and won't start? Weak or dead battery
• Lights work, one click, but the engine won't turn over? Failing starter motor

Charging

• Battery light on, or the battery keeps dying? Alternator not charging

Engine

• Rough idle, shaking, or a flashing check-engine light? Misfire: spark plugs or ignition coils
• Check-engine light on and worse gas mileage? Oxygen sensor
• Ticking, tapping or a rattle from the engine on startup? Timing belt or chain wear
• Burning-oil smell or oil drips under the car? Oil leak: valve cover or oil pan gasket
• Car feels sluggish and slow to accelerate? Clogged air filter, or plugs

Fuel

• Engine cranks but won't catch, or stalls on the highway? Fuel not getting through

Exhaust

• Rotten-egg smell, or a P0420 code? Catalytic converter
• Car suddenly got loud? Muffler or exhaust leak

Service

• What parts do you need for an oil change and basic service? Routine service

Engine & transmission

• Clunk when you shift into drive, or heavy shake at a stop? Worn engine or transmission mounts

Cooling

• Car running hot, or a sweet smell and a green or pink puddle? Cooling system: thermostat, pump or a leak
• Overheats in traffic but fine on the highway? Cooling fan not kicking in

Transmission

• Transmission slipping, or shifting hard or late? Automatic transmission trouble

Clutch

• Engine revs but the car doesn't pick up speed (manual)? Worn clutch (manual cars)

Drivetrain

• Clicking or popping when you turn sharply? Worn CV axle
• Whine or howl from the back of the car? Differential

Wheels

• Humming or growling that gets louder with speed? Wheel bearing

Tires & driveline

• Car shakes at highway speed? Tires out of balance, or driveline wear

Suspension

• Bouncy, floaty ride, or the nose dives when you brake? Worn struts and shocks
• Clunk or rattle over bumps? Sway bar links or control arm bushings

Steering

• Loose, wandering steering, or the car pulls to one side? Tie rods, ball joints or alignment
• Heavy steering, or a whine when you turn the wheel? Steering rack or power steering

Tires

• Bald tread, a sidewall bulge, or a slow leak? Tires
• Tire pressure light stays on with full tires? Tire pressure sensor

Lights

• Dim, yellow or foggy headlights? Headlights

Not on the list?

Describe it in your own words on the explorer. "What's going on with the car?" sits at the top of the page.