Another drop in the books, another pile of customer cars that tell stories nobody asked for. If you're tuned into the "Customer Complaints" series, you know we don't sugarcoat it: we read the notes, poke around, test drive the chaos, and call it like we see it. Episode 9 keeps the formula strong, featuring five clips of absolute clappers and a quick tutorial on chasing misfires.
We kicked off with a 2019 Jeep Wrangler Limited Sahara with a 2L turbo engine. The customer’s auto-start light was coming on, but that was the least of the problems. The motor was ticking like a clock because it was running at minimum oil levels. It turns out a 2L turbo is a lot of load for a heavy four-wheel-drive Jeep, especially when it’s burning oil this fast. Pro tip: If you see a tan Jeep for sale on Facebook Marketplace with a dented hood, do not buy it.
Next, we did a deep dive into a 2008 Honda Accord with a P0303 misfire. The customer already tried spark plugs and a new coil, but it was still failing. We went to "Misfire 101" and tested the injector resistance. While the other injectors were sitting around 11 to 13 ohms, one was completely dead. The customer only wanted to replace the one bad injector to save on labor, but since they're all right there, you’re better off matching the set unless you want to pay that labor fee again next month.
The highlight of the day was a 2004 Lexus LS430. The customer went to the "stealership" because of a shifting issue, and they tried to sell him a whole new differential, blaming the bushings. We took it for a drive and realized within seconds that the differential was fine. The transmission was just straight-up toasted. Dealerships love an upsell, but if you’re going to charge someone that much, at least diagnose the right part.
Then we looked at a 2016 Subaru WRX STI Limited. The customer wanted a cooling service, but we denied it. On these Subarus, the plastic radiator end caps turn brown and brittle with age; if you touch them, they’ll explode. This one was an auction car that had clearly been fully modded and then stripped back to stock before being sold, making a prime example of why you shouldn't buy a car that’s been "returned to stock" by a previous owner.
We wrapped up with a 2009 Acura TL that the customer brought in for a rattle. Just a rattle. Never mind that the AC didn't work, the tires were shot, the alignment was gone, and the car vibrated so hard it felt like a massage chair. We found blown struts, bad lower control arm bushings, and a rear sway bar that was basically just a rod at this point. Some people can live with a vibrating car and no AC, but that "rattle" was the only thing on the owner's mind.
Closing sentiment for the week: Catch us this Saturday at the Long Beach Grand Prix for the AVANTS pit stop.
Revolutionizing the Way You Drive. One inspection, One roast, One "you need a new car" at a time.
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