Top 5 Common Car Repairs and How to Avoid Them

No one likes dealing with car repairs, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere. Whether it’s a dead battery or squeaky brakes, these issues can throw a wrench into your daily routine and your wallet. The good news? Most of the most common car problems are completely avoidable with the right maintenance, smart driving habits, and knowing what warning signs to watch for.

At Proformance Complete Auto Care, we’ve spent years helping drivers throughout Washington stay safely on the road. With mobile auto repair services, ASE Certified technicians, and a commitment to fixing it right the first time, we’ve seen it all. And now, we’re sharing the most common issues we tackle—and how you can steer clear of them.

1. Brake System Repairs

Brake issues are one of the most frequent problems we see—and for good reason. Your braking system does a lot of heavy lifting, especially if you're commuting through traffic or navigating hilly terrain in Washington. Brake pads wear down over time, rotors warp, and sometimes the calipers or brake fluid systems need attention.

Common signs your brakes need service:

• Squealing or grinding noises

• A soft or spongy brake pedal

• Pulling to one side when braking

• A dashboard warning light
  

How to avoid it: Stay ahead of wear and tear with routine inspections—especially every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Be gentle with your brakes whenever possible: avoid slamming on them and try coasting to a stop when it’s safe to do so. Regular brake fluid flushes also help prevent internal corrosion and extend the life of your braking system.

2. Battery Failure

If your car won’t start, chances are it’s a battery issue. In fact, dead or weak batteries are among the most common car problems in WA, especially during cold snaps or heat waves, which can shorten battery life significantly.

Why batteries fail:

• Extreme temperatures

• Corroded terminals

• Short trips that don’t allow the battery to fully recharge

• Old age (most batteries last 3–5 years)
  

How to avoid it: Have your battery tested twice a year, especially before winter. Keep your terminals clean and free of corrosion, and avoid draining your battery by leaving lights or electronics on after the engine is off. If you only drive short distances, occasionally take your car for a longer highway trip to help fully recharge the battery.

3. Engine Overheating

An overheating engine can mean serious business. Let it go too long, and you could be facing a blown head gasket or even total engine failure. That’s why it’s critical to catch cooling system problems early.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Steam or smoke from under the hood

• A rising temperature gauge

• Sweet-smelling coolant leaks

• Low coolant levels
  

How to avoid it: Keep up with cooling system maintenance, which includes flushing the radiator and replacing coolant as recommended in your vehicle’s manual. Always check your coolant levels before long trips. If you see any leaks under your vehicle, especially a green or orange fluid, get it inspected immediately. Remember, the cooling system also depends on hoses and the water pump, so regular inspections can catch issues before they become expensive breakdowns.

4. Check Engine Light Troubles

There’s nothing quite like the anxiety that comes with a glowing check engine light. It could be something minor like a loose gas cap, or something major, like a failing catalytic converter or engine misfire. Either way, don’t ignore it.

Common triggers for the check engine light:

• Faulty oxygen sensor

• Loose or damaged gas cap

• Worn spark plugs

• Mass airflow sensor failure

• Catalytic converter issues
  

How to avoid it: Regular maintenance is your best line of defense. Replace spark plugs and air filters on schedule, use high-quality fuel, and make sure your gas cap is properly tightened after refueling. If the light does come on, don’t wait to get it checked. Early diagnostics can save you from a bigger (and more expensive) repair later.

5. Suspension and Steering Wear

In the Pacific Northwest, potholes and rough roads are just part of the deal. But that constant road abuse takes a toll on your suspension and steering components—things like shocks, struts, ball joints, and tie rods.

Common symptoms of suspension problems:

• A bouncy or unstable ride

• Uneven tire wear

• Steering wheel vibrations

• Clunking noises over bumps
  

How to avoid it:

 Get your suspension inspected annually or anytime you notice your ride quality changing. Avoid hitting potholes and curbs, and keep your tires properly inflated. Good alignment is also key—when your wheels are out of alignment, it adds extra stress to your steering and suspension parts, causing them to wear out faster.

Staying Ahead of Repairs with Smart Maintenance

Routine maintenance is like going to the doctor for a check-up—it helps catch small issues before they become big, expensive ones. At Proformance Complete Auto Care, we always stress the value of scheduled services like oil changes, fluid top-offs, filter replacements, and tire rotations. Not only do these keep your car running at peak performance, but they also help prevent the most common car problems WA drivers face.

And here’s something even better: you don’t need to carve out time to sit in a waiting room or tow your car to a shop. We bring the repair shop to you.

Whether you’re at home in Spanaway, on the job in Tacoma, or parked at a park-and-ride in Puyallup, our mobile auto repair service is designed to meet you wherever life takes you. Our ASE Certified Technicians show up with all the tools and parts needed to get you back on the road quickly and efficiently, with the same high standards you’d expect from a traditional auto repair shop.

Your Car Deserves Better—And So Do You

When it comes to avoiding the most common car repairs, prevention and early action are everything. Keep an eye on warning signs, stick to a maintenance schedule, and trust experts who put your convenience first.

At Proformance Complete Auto Care, we’re not just here to fix problems—we’re here to help you avoid them in the first place. From brake jobs and battery replacements to cooling system inspections and suspension services, we handle it all, right at your doorstep. That means less stress, less downtime, and more time enjoying the road.

Call us today for a quote or to schedule mobile auto service at your home or workplace. Let’s keep your car in top shape, the easy way.