Most Common Causes Of Truck Breakdowns (2024)

FAQs

Why do trucks break down so easily? ›

Trucks are designed to carry certain weights, and when they're overloaded, it puts a lot of strain on the engine, brakes, and tires. This can cause serious damage and eventually lead to a breakdown. The solution is to make sure that trucks are never overloaded and that the weight is distributed evenly.

According to Forbes, one of the most common causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Commercial truck drivers often exceed the legally permitted driving time limits, which can result in fatigue and a higher risk of accidents.

On average, semi trucks break down every 10,000 miles or so. A maintenance schedule combined with various other practices can reduce the likelihood of a semi truck breaking down, but you should always be prepared by knowing what to do in the event of a truck breakdown.

The most common causes of car breakdowns are battery issues, flat tires, engine problems, and electrical faults.

Even though Ford has been one of the top-selling trucks for numerous years, the Triton motor found in the early 2000s was a huge mistake. Along with those trucks, the 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 only had a reliability rating of 6 out of 100, making them the most unreliable trucks on the road.

Dead batteries are perhaps the most common cause of semi truck break down, particularly within the colder parts of the country where the vehicle requires more power to heat up in winter. Truck batteries have a lifespan of 3-to-5 years and using batteries in extreme heat and cold can limit their lifespan considerably.

Do Semi Trucks Stop Faster Empty or Full? An empty semi-truck will come to a stop faster than one that's fully loaded. The reason is physics: the added weight from cargo means the truck has more momentum when moving. This increased momentum requires additional force to counteract when stopping.

On a big truck or tractor trailer, A compressor creates and feeds air pressure to tanks which then put the pressure on the truck brakes. If a driver overuses the brakes, however, air is drained from the compressor faster than the compressor can replenish it. The brakes then have no air pressure to feed them.

Distracted Driving

At the top of the list, distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in the U.S. each year, and though it is a recognized issue, it is becoming increasingly worse.

This may be surprising, but IIHS data shows that most trucks crashes do NOT happen on the highway. 36% occur on interstates and freeways, but 47% occur on major roads other than interstates and freeways, while the remaining 15% occur on minor roads.

What is the lifespan of a truck? ›

Truck Age and Mileage

Its age will determine what features it has, such as particular tech or safety systems. Its mileage indicates how much life it has left. The average lifespan of a truck depends on the make and model, but nowadays many trucks can pass the 200,000-mile mark.

Trucks Have More Longevity Today

This means that when you purchase a modern truck, you can expect it to last for at least 10 years and 100,000 miles. With proper maintenance, you can extend those marks significantly, with the average truck being nearly twice as likely to last for 200,000 miles as the average vehicle.

The 100,000-mile mark is often cited as the point at which you should no longer consider purchasing a used truck. But there are plenty of trucks that'll last for a lot longer than this. In fact, it isn't uncommon at all for well-maintained trucks to last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles these days.

Engine overheating is a common issue in the hot summer months. The cooling system works harder to keep the engine from overheating. If your coolant levels are low or the coolant is not in good condition, your vehicle is at risk. It's essential to check coolant levels regularly and replace old coolant.

Safety/Risk Avoidance for Drivers

Truck drivers have long working hours, and nights away from home; a lifestyle that can easily lend itself to increased physical and mental health issues. In addition to the physical challenges, by spending long hours driving, they are often putting themselves at risk on the road.