Why Your Car Breaks Down and How to Avoid It
Your car can break down due to overheating, a flat tire, engine issues, and more, but there are steps you can take to prevent these problems.
Written by John Pickhaver
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Whether your car is old or new, it can still fall victim to breaking down unexpectedly, no matter how well you take care of it. Breakdowns can happen for a number of reasons, like a dead battery, a flat tire, or an alternator issue. Even new cars like the
Cadillac ATS
and Volvo XC90
are not immune to seemingly random breakdowns. If you’ve been fortunate enough to avoid having your car break down, good for you. That means you either take really good care of your vehicle, or you have a solid grip on the whole karma thing. But even well-maintained vehicles can suffer malfunctions on the road.
Fortunately, the
car insurance
comparison and super app
, Jerry
, is here with some useful tips about what to do when and if your car breaks down and how to avoid it. We’ll also go over some of the most common reasons why cars break down and the cars most vulnerable to keeping you from where you need to go. Do cars break down a lot?
According to a 2019 study,
vehicle breakdowns cost the U.S. economy $41 billion per year
. That amounts to 69 million vehicles, or 1 in 3 drivers, breaking down each year. So, yeah, you could say that cars break down a lot! If you have a newer vehicle or take good care of your older vehicle, you’re less likely to experience a car breakdown, although it can still happen.
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now
Top reasons cars break down and how to prevent them
- Dead/faulty battery: Driving your car on a regular basis is key for keeping your battery properly charged. Short trips, however, don’t usually provide enough power. If you rarely use your car, it may be wise to occasionally charge the battery overnight via a trickle charger. Also, keep in mind that batteries typically last about five years.
- Alternator trouble: Without a functioning alternator, the battery can’t be charged by the engine. A faulty or broken alternator puts your car on the clock until you wind up with a dead battery or other mechanical issues that bring your car to a halt. To avoid alternator issues, make sure your car is free of any leaks or tight belts that could cause wear and tear on your alternator.
- Overheating: If you live in a city withlots of traffic, your car is at a greater risk of overheating, especially during the hot summer months. You’ll know you’re in trouble when the temperature warning light illuminates. To avoid overheating, make sure your coolant levels are where they need to be and that the fan coolant system is functioning properly.
- Flat tire: This one is obvious, and it can happen spontaneously for a number of different reasons. Remember to always have a spare and consider a car insurance policy that offersroadside assistanceto have your tire replaced for you on the spot. It’s also important to regularlycheck your tire pressure and tread depthand look for any damage to your tire walls to avoid a situation that could cause a flat.
- Running out of gas: We’ll keep this one simple: always make sure you have enough gas in your tank, especially on long trips. When that gas light comes on,don’t take the risk to see how far you can make it.
What to do if your car breaks down
Even if you take excellent care of your ride, it can still fall victim to a breakdown. Should this happen, it’s important for you not to panic.
First, familiarize yourself with your surroundings because you may need to call for help if you can’t resolve the issue yourself. Take note of major streets or landmarks near you so that roadside assistance or whomever you call is able to locate you.
Should you experience a breakdown while on the highway, try to safely pull over to the shoulder and observe the nearest exit number, emergency call box, or rest stop.
Key Takeaway Be mindful of your surroundings so you can effectively direct help to your location.
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”
Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
Which cars are most likely to break down?
Older cars
It should come as no surprise that older cars are more likely to break down than newer ones. So if your car was on the road back when Tom Cruise was jumping on Oprah’s couch or when Friends was still on the air, a car breakdown may be in your future.
According to a 2019 report from AAA, more than 65% of calls for roadside assistance involve cars that are at least 10 years old.
We’re not going to put any old cars on the spot in this section, but just know that the older your car is, the more important it is to keep up with maintenance in order to help fend off a breakdown.
New cars
The last thing you expect to happen when you purchase a new car is a mechanical breakdown. But even brand-new cars right off the lot are not immune to breaking down.
You’ll notice a lot of luxury vehicles on our list—that’s because these cars are equipped with loads of additional features and technological capabilities that create another layer of possible breakdown scenarios.
The good news, or less bad news, is that if you experience a breakdown in your brand-new ride, it’s most likely covered under a warranty, saving you money on what could be costly repairs.
Here’s a list of some of the most common newer cars subject to breaking down on you early in their tenure.
- Volvo XC90: Volvos are typically synonymous with safety and reliability, but no automaker can be perfect across the board, which brings us to the XC90. This luxury SUV’s most common problems are transmission issues and infotainment malfunctions.
- Chevrolet Camaro: There’s no doubt that this fierce muscle car is a force to be reckoned with on the road, but the reason it makes our list is due to recurrent engine problems.
- Cadillac ATS: This nimble sports car from the prestigious American brand certainly looks the part, yet it scores terribly when it comes to reliability with a number of handling issues and reports of various features malfunctioning.
- Ford Focus: Like many on our list, the engine is the source of this Ford’s breakdown woes.
- Ram 3500: This heavy-duty pickup truck is one of the most formidable on the market today with its 31,120 pounds of towing capacity. Its engine, however, makes this super truck one of the least reliable rides on the road.
- Lincoln MKX: This handsome, luxury SUV’s issues include a leaking transmission and many instances of the engine ceasing while on the road.
- Jeep Wrangler: We’re sad to put this adored and iconic car on our list, but its lovability is honestly what lands it here. The Wrangler was built for off-roading, but a car can only take so much before the constant wear and tear set it up for a breakdown.
- Tesla Model X: Yes, electric cars can break down, too. Many Model X owners report issues with the car’s Falcon-Wing doors and other features, but this state-of-the-art SUV makes our list due to its many electrical faults—which obviously is an even bigger deal when you’re behind the wheel of an EV!
MORE: How to choose an extended car warranty
Save on car insurance with Jerry
Whether your car breaks down on the regular or your breakdown-free streak is still going strong, you need a quality
car insurance
policy that can take care of you and your ride when you need it most. That’s where Jerry
can help! Simply download the app, answer a few quick questions, and in 45 seconds, Jerry’s team will provide you with personalized quotes from leading insurance providers. Choose the policy you like best, and Jerry will handle the rest. No hassle, just savings!
On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance!
“I saw an ad forJerryon Instagram and decided to give it a try. I have a terrible driving record, but Nathan still helped me. Before, almost no one wanted to insure me. Now, I have a great policy and save $200/month. I’m one happy gal!” —Terri C.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
4.7
