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Car Questions

Auto reporters cover and answer to simple car questions.

By John Goreham on
A Honda CR-V owner is concerned that a mechanic is taking advantage of her. She knows her Honda CR-V is ready for brake work, but is being told that even without a quick glance, her CR-V will need rotors when the brakes are serviced.
By Denis Flierl on
Cybertruck owner Jerry Higby is in a bind: his pointer is destroying his seats, and is obsessed with the window button! He needs a solution beyond a kennel. Are those "saggy" Tesla hammock beds worth it? What's the best seat protection for canines?
By Denis Flierl on
A common issue? Warped Tesla Cybertruck tailgates. One owner received a worse replacement, forcing Tesla engineering to halt all fixes until a proper solution is found. Here's what this means for every Cybertruck owner.
By Denis Flierl on
The 8-spd transmission in Mike's 2019 Silverado hit 45k miles, demanding a pricey flush. The bill? $562. That steep cost has sparked a fiery debate in the owners' group: Is this highway robbery or just the price of keeping a modern truck running smoothly?
By Denis Flierl on
Malachi's 2016 Toyota Highlander never stops driving, forcing gas stops every 2 days! He gets 25 MPG, uses 91 octane gas, and needs help boosting mileage for his V6 FWD. What's the best advice for any Highlander owner wanting to increase their mpg? 
By Denis Flierl on
Gabriel is shocked by the intense "hate" he feels while driving his Tesla Cybertruck on the road. From rude gestures to shouted insults, the abuse is a stark contrast to his old Model Y. He wonders if other owners feel the same, especially with kids.
By Denis Flierl on
Is there a problem with the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid's blower motor? An owner says he's on his fourth failed motor, and the dealer refuses to replace this one under the factory warranty. Is it a common issue or a one-off? What Honda owners need to know.
By Denis Flierl on
A Toyota Tacoma owner's 'luck' ran out! After a simple recall, his 2024 Tacoma turned into a nightmare: $34K miles, a dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, engine power loss, and malfunctions galore. What Tacoma owners need to know. 
By Denis Flierl on
A 2022 Chevy Silverado owner with under 30k miles calls it "Garbage!" After a loud clunk, the engine died on the highway. RPMs and speed dropped before it went into neutral. Is this a common issue, and what is the solution for Silverado owners?
By Denis Flierl on
A Tesla Model 3 owner needs brakes, and the $1041 dealer quote is a tough pill to swallow. Can owners really perform a DIY brake job at home to save cash? Here is the step-by-step guide on parts, and whether you can skip the service center for good!
By Denis Flierl on
Toyota Highlander owners beware! Is your driver's side door paint wearing off at just 1,600 miles like Curt's? Will Toyota cover this paint durability issue on the Highlander, or will owners be left covering the bill? What Highlander owners need to know. 
By Denis Flierl on
Is there a problem with the Tesla Cybertruck when it goes into an automatic carwash? Some owners say yes, and that their truck goes dark. Check out what happened to one owner and what Tesla Support told him to do to fix the problem. 
By Denis Flierl on
A newly bought 2022 Toyota RAV4 sputters out with smoke and a warning light right after a fill-up. The dealership blames 28 cents of "extra" gas. Is the owner being given the runaround, or is that overfill really the culprit? Sierra's unbelievable story.
By Denis Flierl on
A routine CR-V oil change becomes a nightmare! A dealer tech fails to bolt the oil pan shield, leaving the owner with a loud scraping noise. The dealer refuses to fix their mistake and throws the plate in the trunk. Here's Cole's incredible story.
By Denis Flierl on
After a thrilling Cyberbeast demo, Daniel weighs the future against the costly repairs of his 2016 Chevy Silverado. Is the Cyberbeast just a faster truck, or is there a bigger, better dream in the Cybertruck AWD? What would you do?
By Denis Flierl on
A Toyota dealer charging $480 for a differential fluid change on a 2024 Highlander at 30k miles? A Highlander owner is asking if this service is actually needed or just a dealership upsell? Here is what all Toyota Highlander owners need to know. 
By Denis Flierl on
Tim let his wife drive his Tesla Model 3 Performance while he was away. Big mistake. Now she refuses to go back to her Kia Telluride. So now they're a two-Tesla family just three weeks later. Don't make the same mistake Tim did. 
By Denis Flierl on
Did you get a surprise Nissan warranty extension? Dario Moreno got a notice extending his 2020 Frontier's emissions warranty to 7 years/70,000 miles. Is this a sign of a known issue with the in-tank fuel pump? Here are the details for Frontier owners.
By Denis Flierl on
Dennis Clotter dropped off his Tesla Model 3 for service and got a shiny new Model X loaner with only 700 miles, he's in love. "They can definitely keep that Model 3! I'm about to be a fugitive... I'm not giving it back." Is this an upgrade gone too far?
By Denis Flierl on
Is the 4th-gen Toyota Tacoma a "throwaway truck"? Owners are shocked by poor resale values, pointing to 2024 Tacoma TRD Off-Roads with 13k miles selling for $38,400. The legendary 400k-mile reliability is now in question on the Taco Nation page.
By Denis Flierl on
Is this 2012 Toyota Tacoma's overheating and coolant loss a ghost? The dealer says it's a head gasket issue, but owner Noah Emch says the problem disappears in cool weather. Even specialists are stumped. What's the real problem with this Tacoma?
By Denis Flierl on
Trevor's 2024 Chevy Silverado ZR2 refused to shift at Home Depot. A night-ending tow for a brand-new truck. What went wrong and crippled this brand-new ZR2? Here's the full story on the ZR2 and what Chevy Silverado owners need to know. 
By Denis Flierl on
Robert bought a 2016 Highlander LE Plus with a flawless 129k-mile maintenance record. He found a unicorn. Is he dreaming? Now, he's looking for the best minor updates for his new ride. He's already getting CarPlay. What should he do next?
By Denis Flierl on
A Cybertruck owner knows it's a "futuristic chrome-plated dumpster," but he doesn't care. He says it goes from 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds and has "less maintenance than a goldfish." Find out why this rolling trapezoidal toaster is an unbeatable daily driver.
By Denis Flierl on
A CR-V owner's AC is weak, and he suspects a recall-related issue with the compressor seal. Can a Honda dealer charge him a $175 inspection fee to look? One owner was threatened with a fee; another time, he paid nothing. What Honda owners need to know.
By Denis Flierl on
Should a car buyer run from the dealership or toward the Tesla of her dreams? Vanessa's about to pay for a car with a hidden accident history after her first one "disappeared." Liars and dodgy deals—should she take the risk? What car buyers need to know. 
By Denis Flierl on
A 1998 Toyota 4Runner with 330,000 miles is garage-kept and cherished. This "mulch getter" is a rolling testament to lasting quality. Despite numerous offers, Tracy refuses to sell. She's a keeper—the wheels aren't falling off anytime soon.
By Denis Flierl on
Robbie's new Chevy Tahoe engine failed twice—once on the highway with his family. GM refused to help, and Lemon Law attorneys are overwhelmed with GM cases. He's trading it for a Lexus GX 550. Will GM build reliable cars again?
By Denis Flierl on
"Sludge an inch thick!" Nate's 2000 Toyota Tacoma deal he drove from Maryland to NJ just got way less sweet. A "simple" valve job revealed a nasty surprise. Is his Prerunner cooked, or is there a solution to his problem?
By Denis Flierl on
A 2024 Silverado ZR2 owner suddenly lost steering—now it's grinding and pulling left. It's at the dealer for the L79 engine inspection, a critical check, his advisor says, is "way hyped." Will he get a new 150k-mile warranty, or did he get a bad engine?