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Car Questions (Page 2)

Car Questions

Auto reporters cover and answer to simple car questions.

By Denis Flierl on
301,276 miles later! One owner says goodbye to her "family member," a 2008 Toyota Highlander, and hello to a brand new 2026. Can the new model match that incredible longevity? See this amazing trade-in story and what Highlander buyers need to know.
By John Goreham on
Nobody likes auto stop-start in their car, so when it suddenly stops working, it may seem like a good thing. Sadly, it’s not. Here’s why.
By Denis Flierl on
A 2026 Chevy Silverado ZR1 owner finds defects in week one: "What else will go wrong?" Now regretting skipping the extended warranty, he asks owners for the best aftermarket protection. Here is the top advice for GM truck coverage.
By Denis Flierl on
One driver is baffled that Toyota hybrids still need fuel, admitting he thought owners "never had to buy gas again." Here's the massive misunderstanding he had about the RAV4 Prime's real-world electric range.
By Denis Flierl on
One new owner calls his 2024 Ram 1500 a "HOG" that "drinks fuel like there is no tomorrow." Even with gentle driving, he says this 5.7L Hemi is draining the tank at record speed. See the shocking numbers inside. How about your Ram's fuel mileage?
By Denis Flierl on
A 2024 Chevy Silverado owner's wheel shoots off at 25 mph the day after a lift kit install because the shop failed to torque the wheel's lug nuts. It could have been a life-threatening accident. See the "unbelievable" aftermath.
By Denis Flierl on
A Tundra owner is shocked by dozens of crate engines piling up at a Toyota dealer. "I don’t think Toyota can swap out these bad engines fast enough." Is the recall overwhelming dealers? What Tundra owners need to know. 
By Denis Flierl on
"Honda designed a garbage 1.5L engine." 2017-2022 CR-V owners are warned stock head gaskets can't handle the boost. Honda tech Johnny Pham says factory parts fail and recommends this specific aftermarket upgrade to ensure your engine survives.
By Denis Flierl on
A 2017 Ford F-150 owner slams post-2017 F-150s, citing "junk" 5.0 engines, failing 10-speeds, and leaks at 20k miles. Is buyer's remorse inevitable or just bad luck? Here is the heated debate.
By Denis Flierl on
Tesla quoted $17k for a battery replacement, but this Model 3 owner found a better way. See how he saved nearly $10k at an independent EV shop. "I'm definitely not going back." Here is the money-saving solution for out-of-warranty repairs.
By Denis Flierl on
A Toyota dealer refused Tracey's request for a 1,100-mile break-in oil change on her 2025 RAV4. She forced their hand, but now she's wondering if they even changed the filter. Is trust already broken with this new dealer?
By Denis Flierl on
Smoke in the cabin. Intense knocking. A dead 2022 Tundra on the highway. The scary part? It was a replacement engine provided under Toyota's recall notice. After just 6,200 miles, one owner is stranded again. Is the Toyota fix actually failing?
By Denis Flierl on
"It finally happened," a Chevy Silverado owner says. Meticulous maintenance couldn't save his truck from catastrophic engine failure at 140k miles. With cylinder four down and a potentially thrown rod, the owner faces a tough choice: Is it worth fixing?
By Denis Flierl on
One Tesla owner says his Model Y now feels like a "bathtub" compared to his Cybertruck's "cloud-like" air suspension. Is the ride quality gap really that wide? See what makes the difference for this and other Tesla owners.
By Denis Flierl on
A "Reduce Acceleration" error leaves a 2024 GMC Sierra owner stranded on vacation. With no reverse and hard shifting at only 21k miles, is the 10-speed transmission toast? Here is what GMC owners need to know about this alarming failure.
By Denis Flierl on
"Buy a jump pack," the dealer told a 2024 Toyota Tacoma owner after her new truck died three times. With just 3,500 miles on it, she was stranded with "System Stopped" errors. Here is the simple fix that finally solved this frustrating mystery.
By Denis Flierl on
A 2019 Ram 1500 owner is living a nightmare. He skipped the warranty to afford payments, but 7,000 miles later, the engine is toast with bad lifters and metal shavings. Now he's broke with a dead truck. Here is what you need to know before buying used.
By Denis Flierl on
Critics warned him it was too long, but Mark's 2017 Ford F-150 just hit 217,000 miles using 10,000-mile oil changes. Is the 5.0L V8 really that bulletproof, or is he playing with fire? Here is why his controversial maintenance schedule is working.
By Denis Flierl on
A Toyota dealer quoted $174 for a fuel injection service, but can a $15 bottle of Royal Purple do the same job? Do you really need the expensive cleaning for your RAV4 at 80,000 miles, or is the DIY additive enough? What all car owners need to know.
By Denis Flierl on
From "wimpy" to "muscled up." One Chevy Silverado owner trades his 2.7L 2WD for a 3.0L Duramax Trail Boss. Is 495 lb-ft of torque and 4WD the massive upgrade he's been waiting for? What Silverado buyers need to know. 
By Denis Flierl on
A 2025 Toyota Tundra owner says his sunroof exploded like a shotgun blast mid-drive. No impact, just glass everywhere. Toyota denied the $2,800 warranty claim, citing "outside influence." Is this a new Toyota defect? Here is the unbelievable story. 
By Denis Flierl on
One 2018 CR-V owner just traded for a 2026 CR-V Hybrid, but friends are already saying, "You'll be sorry." Will battery replacement costs really wipe out gas savings? Here is the truth behind the hybrid fear, causing major buyer's remorse.
By John Goreham on
Our title paraphrases Cybertruck owner JC who was kind enough to share his images with us. What do you think caused this windshield failure, and should Tesla pay for the replacement?
By Denis Flierl on
Fed up with his 2021 F-150, Steve Betts found a permanent fix: "I bought a 2025 Toyota Tundra. Good luck, y'all." Is the switch to Toyota the ultimate solution? Torque News reporter Denis Flierl asks: "Now, how about that new Tundra?"
By Denis Flierl on
Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners are discovering a hidden filter under the rear seats that collects serious dirt. Did you know this HV battery part existed? Here is how to find it and why cleaning it is critical for your hybrid system. 
By Denis Flierl on
"You can get cheese but not tomatoes?" One Tacoma buyer is fuming. He tried to order a TRD Off Road with a moonroof and a swaybar disconnect, but was denied due to "regional restrictions." Why Toyota's rules might make buying your dream truck impossible.
By John Goreham on
A comment under one of our stories offered keen insight into the proper receptacle to use when you set up an Electric Vehicle Charger. Here is some valuable information to consider before setting up your EV charging circuit.
By Denis Flierl on
A 2026 Ram owner installed a K&N cold-air intake, hoping for big power gains. Instead? An immediate engine error light and a truck stuck at 15 mph! Can a simple diagnostic reset fix this, or is "bad boy" now just a heavy paperweight?
By Denis Flierl on
A 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 owner's truck broke down so often that GM bought it back. Josh traded up (or down?) for a stripped-down 2025 Silverado 1500 5.3L, shocked by the lack of V8 4x4 options. Will his 'new' truck be better?
By Denis Flierl on
A Tesla Cybertruck owner reported his CT backed right into a pole, denting the bumper. Even after the v14 version mishap, he says, "I still love my CT." Supervised or not, FSD still has a few kinks to iron out. What Tesla owners need to know.