How many times has your car left you stranded on the side of the road?

[jtvang125]

Although I wasn't stranded by the road, the starter on my current car did go out recently so I was out of a car for a day. In the 2 years I had it that's the only problem so far.

Previous car (91 Acura Integra) left me stranded so many times I can't even remember the number. Problems ranged from busted axles/cv joints, broken timing belt, bad alternator, and over heating.

 

[Zolty]

Sounds like you just didn't maintain the Integra, you should be able to hear the Cv joints going, the timing belt should be replaced every 50k or 100k (I forget which). I have had the alternator go on my car before, I went a week of using a battery charger on it overnight to get to work and back, then I replaced it at my parents house. Over heating just means you let it sit for a while, you shouldn't be stranded.

 

[chickadee]

twice.

once the alternator went and as a result the battery died before i could hit home.

the second time the air compressor was cracked and snapped the power steering belt...lots of smoke erupted.

it broke MANY other times, but those are the only two i got left somewhere. every other time i got lucky and it waited till i got home or was at least parked somewhere safe.

 

[Linflas]

Current 2003 F-150 0 times
1995 Windstar 0 times (I have a hard time believing this one myself)
1990 Subaru 0 times
1974 VW SuperBeetle (2nd one I owned) 1 time temporarily when the gas line froze.
1987 Dodge Shadow 2 times, once when the spark control computer blew out and once when the timing belt broke.
1982 Dodge Charger 1 time when the shift linkage disconnected.
1974 VW SuperBeetle 1 time when it dropped a valve into the piston at around 200k miles on the original engine.
1965 Dodge Polara 1 time which happened to be the last time I drove it when the transmission blew out at South of the Border South Carolina.

 

[raz3000]

I usually drive cars with 100k+ miles so yes it happens from time to time. I used to have a terrible habit of leaving the lights on, so I'd need a jump some how. Hasn't happened for a long time now, so I guess I've learned.

 

[pontifex]

i don't think ever. i had a flat tire once but you said that doesn't count.

although something is wrogn with it now. it lacks power on acceleration. took it to a local mechanic on tuesday who couldn't find anything wrong with it so i have to take it to the dealership (and probably get raped) this coming tuesday.

 

[jimbob200521]

Never ever.

 

[iamwiz82]

Out of all the cars I have had, once. The idler pulley froze up on our old Grand Cherokee while I was on the freeway. It seized and the resulting heat caused the aluminum bracket to warm up, deform slightly, allow the bolt to bend approximately 35 degrees, and melt the belt.

:shocked:

 

[Amused]

Never:

1987 Toyota MR2
1994 Mazda MX6
1997 Mazda 626
1999 VW Passat

 

[Aikouka]

Once. I was still able to drive the car, and I believe it was my fault overall.

It was my 1991 Eagle Talon TSi AWD and I believe I forgot to check the rear differential's fluid levels after doing some relatively major engine work. The clutch ended up burning up (glazing over) during normal driving and it was just constant slippage (with enough grabbing to get me moving at least a little bit). God, I loved that car as it was so much fun to drive compared to my current 2002 Stratus (the thing has no power at all ). I should actually put the Transmission back on the thing... it's been off for over a year after my dad (who helped me with the car) died.

Unfortunately, it had more problems looming than just that. A tach that mysteriously died (fixed some bad caps on the ECU and it didn't help) was the biggest problem overall. There was also the Talon's typical problem with bad oil leaks because of the poor Water oil cooling system. I do have an air cooling oil filter housing that I'm tempted to put on it, but I don't know if I want to spend the money on a small radiator for it too.

Also, if you technically want to count it. One time the car almost overheated, because it seems a wire going to the radiator fans was bad and wasn't seated properly. I cut the entire plug off and replaced it with another plug and used wire clamps to hold it in place.

 

[CrackRabbit]

4 Times total
Twice with my 96 saturn and dead battery/altenator
Once with an 88 Plymouth Caravelle, shorted out wiring harness.
Once with my old 77 AMC Hornet, the torque converter cracked and all the transmission fluid drained out, was able to limp it home later by putting some fluid in it.

 

[vi edit]

Never had to be towed, but I've had to "limp home" in three different GM vehicles.

1) '90 Grand Am. Something in the transmission would overheat and it would stall out the car. Car worked fine on the highway but would stall when you came to a stop. This happened when the car was 8 years old an had around 80k miles on it.

2) '97 Monte Carlo. Alternator died at 4 years, 60k miles. Lights dimmed out, power was dead, and just managed to coast to my street before it died. Had to have a truck tow it to the dealer.

3) '00 GMC Jimmy. A speed sensor blew out at 3,000 miles and it wouldn't shift out of 1st gear and I had no speedometer. I had to crawl home for 20 miles at like 15MPH.

My VW's, Toyotas, and Nissan have not given me any troubles or early wear and tear like my GM vehicles. Needless to say, GM is at the bottom of my list when buying another.

 

[shortylickens]

Once. I corrected the problem quickly.

I never bought another Geo.

 

[fLum0x]

zero, i take care of my car (or what i have to) and i keep fuel in it

i know taking care of it doesn't always help, but it has for me...i just drive a battlewagon!

 

[TheGizmo]

a bunch of times for the same reason in the same car.. lexus es300, overheating issues b/c the radiator or reservoir, or something in between the two keeps leaking very very slowly... and i just dont care to fix it. now i just carry 2 gallons of coolant mix in my trunk. 155k, stilll runnin well

 

[Demon-Xanth]

1980 Plymouth Champ: 1995-1997, once when the timing belt broke.
1991 Pontiac Grand Prix: 1997-2001, once when the alternator went bad. Made it 55 miles of the 60 miles back to home, if it wasn't for needing headlights I would've made it, once when the fuel pump went out (both happened after more than 200,000 miles on the odometer)
2002 Dodge Dakota: 2001-present, never.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Once. The brake line went on my Ford Ranger. Though I was driving on a horribly maintained dirt road in the middle of nowere the day before to get to a friend's house.

 

[zixxer]

Hmm.. current car (98 ranger w/ 2.5 lima) never. Well.. sort of once. When I bought it, it needed a new battery. It wouldn't start one morning (at my house).. I knew this was a problem though so it's really my fault. I really wasn't a huge fan of that truck when I first got it (I primarily ride my motorcycle... 4 wheeled vehicle is only driven when it's raining, about 3-4k a year.) but I've really gotten attached to it..

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

My current car, never

My first car, once.
It over heated.

It was -70.
It was a cold walk.

 

[TheSlamma]

Never been stranded once and never got stuckdoing any 4x4'n either.

 

[I Saw OJ]

none, 2003 Mustang Cobra

 

[mugs]

The only car that has ever left me stranded on the side of the road was my wife's '98 Passat.

 

[Zenmervolt]

1988 Honda Accord: 0 times, did have to limp home in 3rd when the slushbox failed at 207,000 miles though.

1976 Porsche 914: 0 times, did limp home on 2 cylinders when the EFI computer went berzerk and stoped signaling the other 2 injectors to fire.

1987 Porsche 924S: 0 times, did have to limp to the shop once with a leaky fuel line though.

1989 Porsche 944: 0 times.

1995 Lincoln Mark VIII: 0 times, did have the alternator fail, but the battery got me home.

1986 Porsche 951: 0 times, have occasionally had vacuum lines come off under boost, but I carry hose clamps and screwdrivers to put them back on tighter on the side of the road.

2006 Ford Mustang: 0 times.

ZV

 

[thedarkwolf]

Never and I have had mostly POS beater $1k or less domestics. Ran out of gas a few times because 2 of those had wacky gas gauges.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Never.