How Can You Deal With A New Car With Constant Engine or Transmission Problems

A new car should mean fewer problems, but if it has an early transmission problem that can mean even more of a headache.

 While it can take some time to get comfortable with a new car, there shouldn’t be any problems with how it runs. If you feel like something’s wrong, you should take it back to the seller and start keeping track of the repair records. But what about if you’re not sure?

Even if it can feel weird to drive a new car, something that doesn’t feel right could signal a bigger problem. Even though you’re excited, you should watch out for anything strange. A new car shouldn’t have any problem shifting or accelerating if it does, it could mean it has a transmission issue, which can mean thousands of dollars in repairs, or even worse, that your new car is a lemon that will never get right.

Transmission problems are complex and structurally important to the running of a car. That makes it expensive. But what are the signs of a transmission problem and how do you deal with it?

What Are the Signs of a Bad Transmission?

The most obvious sign of a transmission problem is if you notice the car isn’t shifting properly. This means that you may notice that the car vibrates when going into gear, or that it doesn’t shift at all even when you accelerate. 

One way to test if your car has transmission problems yourself is to watch the car’s tachometer while hitting the gas. If the tachometer rises without the acceleration increasing as it should, then there’s probably a problem with the transmission.

On top of the glaring problems with shifting, there are other less noticeable signs that might mean you have a transmission issue.

• Warning lights: A warning light in a new car is always a bad sign and shouldn’t be ignored. The sensors that set them off can pick up vibrations and other problems with a transmission that you might not be able to feel or see yet. 
• Fluid leaks: Transmissions don’t use up the fluid inside them the way that your engine uses motor oil. The fluid inside should stay there and shouldn’t have to be refilled. If you keep noticing fluid under your car it could mean there’s a problem with the transmission.
• A burning smell: If the problem with the transmission causes extra friction or otherwise runs hot it can cause the fluid inside to burn. This gives off a distinct burning smell that shouldn’t happen in a new car.

Will Changing Transmission Fluid Fix Shifting?

Some people try to flush the transmission and replace it with new fluid as a way to fix the constant shifting issues that come along with transmission problems. Unfortunately, while this can have some short term benefit, in the long run this won’t help any structural issues with your transmission.

Replacing the transmission in an old car can fix certain transmission issues if they’re a result of the transmission fluid wearing out and losing its friction. However, in a new car the transmission problem is likely to be much more serious and require a proper fix.

How Do You Deal With Transmission Problems?

Depending on when you purchased the car, the most thorough way to deal with a car with recurring transmission problems is to get help from your local lemon laws. In our home state of New Jersey, the lemon law for new vehicles applies if the car is under 24,000 miles and it’s within 2 years from the date of initial delivery of the car.

If your car falls under the new car lemon law you can send in a lemon law petition and receive a hearing with the car manufacturer. If you win your case the manufacturer will be required to take the vehicle back and refund you. 

Another option if the lemon law doesn’t work for you is to open a private civil action in court against the manufacturer.

However, if your car doesn’t fit under the lemon car, or if the paperwork and time commitment in filing a lemon law application doesn’t suit you, another option may be to sell the car fast even though it’s malfunctioning. Some specialized dealerships will purchase cars with engine or transmission problems and spend the time to repair them themselves.

Dealing with a new car that has transmission issues is sure to be a headache, but now that you’ve read our helpful guide you should have all the information you need to pick the next steps that are right for you.

Looking to sell a problem car? We Buy All Cars is the best way to sell your car or truck in NJ. We don’t charge any fees for the sale, and our knowledgeable team will purchase your vehicle quickly without any frustrating paperwork. To request a quote ask for Jason at (856) 834-5558 or email us at [email protected].