Major Vehicle Problems That Are Easy to Prevent (But Hard to Fix) No one wants to deal with an expensive, hard-to-fix automotive disaster. While some mechanical failures are practically inevitable due to wear and tear, there are a few major problems that you can stave off with only minor effort. Here’s a look at some car-killing issues that you can usually avoid with a bit of maintenance and attention. Seized engine Engines are complex and expensive, so a seized engine can be a total car killer. Seizing occurs due to worn components, a lack of oil, overheating, and when rust welds engine components together, preventing them from running smoothly. No matter how it occurs, when seizing happens, you’re usually better off cutting your losses and getting a new (or new-to-you) vehicle.