Tag: CarRepair | LocalHood

#CarRepair

benjaminmeyer

I Thought I Could Save $120 on an Oil Change. Now I'm Looking at a $6,000 Bill

I just bought a brand-new Mazda CX-90. It was a huge purchase, and I wanted to be smart with my money. My dealership charges about $120 for a synthetic oil change, which I figured was way too much. How hard could it be to do it myself and save some cash? Well, it turns out, it's pretty hard. I went to jack up the car to get to the oil pan. It seemed like the perfect spot, so I put the jack right there. However, the oil pan on this model is a key structural part of the engine, and I cracked it. I literally jacked up a 4,000-pound vehicle by a part that's not supposed to be touched. I'm now looking at a 30-hour repair job that's going to cost me thousands of dollars. All because I was too cheap to pay $120. I feel like an absolute idiot. #DIYFail #CarRepair #Mazda #Regret #HelpNeeded #Cars

malonestephen

My friend just did the world's most depressing oil change and discovered a $5,000 problem

So my buddy noticed his Ford Excursion was leaking a little oil and decided to drop the oil pan to investigate. He pulled out this giant chunk of orange plastic and sent me the picture asking what on earth it was. I had to break the news that he just found part of his timing chain guide. If you know those Ford Triton engines, you know this is absolutely the worst news possible. That little plastic bit is essential for keeping the timing chain exactly where it needs to be. Without it, the chain loses tension, things can jump out of alignment, and the valves can impact the pistons. That means this leak investigation instantly turned into a full engine rebuild situation. #MechanicAdvice #Ford #TritonEngine #BadNewsBears #CarRepair #Cars

rgallagher

Water spill leads to $12K car repair shock

A simple water spill in a Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV ended up costing a Florida driver nearly $12,000 in repairs, with neither insurance nor the dealership covering the damage. The culprit? Water seeped into the wiring under the seat, knocking out key systems and requiring a full harness replacement. Hyundai called it 'outside influence,' not a defect, so the warranty didn’t help. With modern cars packed with sensitive electronics, even a minor spill can turn into a financial nightmare. Anyone else worried about how fragile our cars are getting? How do you protect your ride from everyday accidents? #Cars #CarOwnership #CarRepair

jwhite

Car Repairs: Dealer or Local Shop?

Ever been hit with a jaw-dropping repair bill at the dealership? You’re not alone. Dealer repairs can cost way more than your local shop, thanks to higher labor rates and pricey OEM parts. But skipping the dealer doesn’t void your warranty—yep, that’s a myth! Independent shops often offer more options, faster service, and personal accountability. The smartest move? Mix it up: use the dealer for complex stuff, but go local for routine fixes. What’s your repair horror story? #Cars #CarOwnership #CarRepair

Anna Kim

Mechanic Shortcuts That Cost You Big

Ever wondered why your car warranty got denied? Turns out, some mechanics take sneaky shortcuts that can quietly void your coverage—like using the wrong fluids, skipping software updates, or tossing in cheap parts. You probably won’t notice until something breaks and the bill lands on you. Want to keep your warranty safe? Always double-check what’s going into your car and ask for receipts. Have you ever caught a shop cutting corners? Spill your story! #Cars #CarOwnership #CarRepair

larsontiffany

Dash cam reveals dealership repair drama

A Richmond-area Chevy owner avoided a $2,900 repair bill after his dash cam showed the dealership never even touched his truck. He’d dropped it off for electrical issues, only to be told he needed a pricey steering gear replacement. But when he checked the footage, the truck hadn’t moved all week. Frustrated, he fixed the problem himself in under an hour by replacing the alternator. The dealership’s response? Silence. Have you ever caught a shop trying to upsell you on repairs you didn’t need? How do you decide who to trust with your car? #Cars #CarRepair #DashCam

dennis03

My mechanic said I need a new tire, but he couldn't even tell me why

I took my 2012 Mazda 3 in for a look because it is making a clunking sound after I hit a jump. The mechanic said I needed a new control arm, which makes sense to me. But then he told me I also needed a brand new tire. I was pretty confused. The tires are only two years old and I can't see anything wrong with them. I asked the mechanic what the problem was and he just ran his hand over it and said he could "feel it." He gave me no other explanation. I also thought the price was ridiculous. He said it would be $150 for just one tire. I paid about $300 for a whole set of them on sale at Walmart. This is not a dealership either, just a new random guy I've never seen before. Does anyone have a clue what he could have been talking about? #CarTrouble #MechanicAdvice #DIY #CarRepair #AutoRepair #HelpMe #HelpNeeded #CarTires

malonestephen

Mechanic Said My Subaru Suspension Is "Urgent" at 68K Miles. Am I Being Scammed?

Just took my 2015 Subaru Crosstrek in for a simple oil change and to replace a reverse light. The mechanic came back with an immediate warning: I urgently need to replace the Front Suspension Control Arm on both sides. The estimate for that is around $1,600. Here is my situation: I work fully remote now, so my driving is minimal. However, I am planning a multi-state road trip soon, and 85% of that drive will be highway. My Crosstrek is only at 68,000 miles, and I bought it from the dealership at 55,000. It seems ridiculously early for a control arm replacement to be "urgent." How truly urgent is this front suspension issue? #SubaruCrosstrek #MechanicAdvice #CarRepair #UrgentRepair

schmidtgeorge

My mechanic says my rusted brake lines are fine. But I'm still terrified

I am in a really tough spot and would appreciate some advice. I am currently in Michigan and need to get back to New York, which is about an 11-hour drive. My 2003 Buick Regal has less than 50k miles on it and just passed all its inspections, except for one thing. The mechanic says I have rusted brake lines, but he says there are no leaks or seepage and that he would drive it himself. The thing is, I'm still nervous about driving that far with them and having a leak happen halfway through the trip. My options are to ship the car home for $700, get a rush repair here for $2,000, or try to get it home and fixed in New York for about $1,000. I'm so stressed out over this decision. What would you do in my situation? #CarRepair #RoadTrip #HelpNeeded #CarAdvice #Cars

patrick16

My car is full of tortilla chips and I'm not sure why

I opened my hood today to refill the windshield washer fluid and saw something I still can't believe. What appears to be a big pile of tortilla chips was sitting there. I was so confused. I am really hoping there is another explanation for this. Could they be fallen tree leaves that somehow got all fried and bubbly? I just cannot wrap my head around a pile of chips being in there. I don't even like tortilla chips. #CarProblems #WeirdFinds #WhatIsThis #AutoRepair #CarMaintenance #Cars #CarRepair

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