Cut power on a merge. Feel the idle stumble at a light. See the wrench icon glare back. That’s how many Ford Bronco engine problems start. Since 2021, the Bronco has packed turbocharged EcoBoost engines, 2.3L, 2.7L, and 3.0L. Output ranges from 300 to 418 hp, all from high-boost, direct-injected setups that run hot and … Read more
Smell coolant after a hard pull. See the oil light early. Hear a sharp tick at cold start. That’s how Mazda 2.5 engine problems usually announce themselves. Mazda’s Skyactiv-G 2.5 comes in two flavors, the naturally aspirated PY-VPS and the turbocharged PY-VPTS. Early turbos carry cylinder-head crack exposure under CSP11. Some 2021 turbos burn oil … Read more
Hear a metallic knock. See the oil light blink. Smell fuel or burnt oil at a stoplight. That’s how many Kia Optima engine problems begin. From 2011 to 2020, this sedan carried five different engines. The 2.4L and 2.0T Theta II units drove most recalls and engine swaps. Later 1.6T, hybrid, and plug-in models changed … Read more
Shudder off the line. Watch the RPM flare. Feel it lock into limp mode. That’s how many Hyundai Elantra transmission problems show up. Since 2011, the Elantra has used the A6 6-speed automatic, a 7-speed dry DCT, the chain-belt IVT, plus specialty DCT units in hybrid and N trims. Same nameplate, totally different hardware. Each … Read more
Hear a sharp rattle on startup. Catch a sweet coolant smell. Watch the temp needle creep higher than it should. That’s how many Ford 4.0 V6 problems announce themselves. Since 1990, this Cologne V6 has powered Explorers, Rangers, Mustangs, and even Land Rover SUVs. Early trucks ran the pushrod OHV version. Late 1990s models introduced … Read more
Roll into the throttle, feel the flare, then a hard bang into the next gear. That’s how Ranger automatics start to talk back. From the late 1990s through 2024, Ford cycled this truck through the 5R55E, 6R80, 10R80, and now 10R60 gearboxes. The old five-speed wears out its own aluminum case. The six-speed carries strong … Read more
Stall at a light. Watch white smoke trail behind. Smell coolant where it shouldn’t be. That’s how many Ford Escape engine problems begin. Since 2001, this SUV has run everything from simple Duratec motors to turbocharged EcoBoost units and hybrids. Early trucks mostly fight coils and PCM failures. Later models deal with cracked heads, coolant … Read more
Flare on takeoff, slam into second, then hesitate like it lost the plan. That’s how Explorer automatics start talking before they break. Since the mid 1990s, Ford has cycled through the 5R55, 6R60, 6F50/6F55, and now the 10R60/10R80 in this SUV. The early 5-speed units chew up their own cases with servo-bore wear. The 2011 … Read more
Fire it up, hear that uneven five-cylinder thrum, then the idle stumbles and the light pops. That’s how the GM 3.7 starts to go. From 2007 to 2012, the LLR Vortec 3700 made 242 hp and 242 lb-ft in the Colorado, Canyon, H3, and i-370. Bigger bore than the 3.5, same long stroke, chain-driven cams … Read more
Hit the gas, feel the shift slam. Cruise steady, then a rumble creeps through the seat. That’s how Suburban transmissions warn before they fail. From 2000 to 2026, GM ran four very different automatics. The old 4L60-E/4L80-E burn clutches and snap hard parts. The 6L80 spreads converter debris through the whole unit. The 8L90 shudders … Read more