The true beauty of a 4WD is that you can take it anywhere you want. It can be a helpful feature for driving on the road, but off-roading is where these vehicles shine. However, rough terrain will cause damage to your car over time. That means you’ll eventually encounter certain problems with your 4WD vehicle. Being aware of a variety of common 4WD issues will help you better handle them when they inevitably show up.

A cracked chassis

When off-roading, there will likely be times when you run over a large rock or bottom out your vehicle while tackling a weird angle. Either way, these events present the possibility of putting a crack in your chassis. Significant breaks will obviously make your car undrivable, but even minor fractures need to be taken seriously. A small crack could be enough to let moisture in, which will accelerate the rusting process. Once rust takes hold of your car, it can be difficult to remove.

Worn out shocks

Due to the nature of rough terrain, your car’s suspension system will also take quite the beating. Most notably, your shocks will quickly wear down to the point of no longer absorbing strong impacts. Not only is this bad for your off-roading experience, but you’ll start to feel every bump on the road. These are the parts you’ll likely need to replace most regularly to keep your car in top shape.

Malfunctioning 4WD

Of course, having a 4WD drive system in your car means having another part that might eventually require your attention. This could be something small like the 4WD indicator not turning off, or something more significant like your car getting stuck in this mode when you want it turned off. Fortunately, you can usually fix these issues by turning off the car or driving in reverse for a bit to reset the system. However, if these problems persist, they could be signs of a more significant issue.

Broken-down transfer case

More prominent 4WD problems will likely stem from the transfer case—this is the primary part that allows you to use all four tires at once. If it’s broken down, you won’t be able to use the 4WD function properly. Fortunately, you can replace a transfer case yourself with the right tools, but more significant issues could affect more than just this part. Regardless of whether you opt to fix it yourself, getting a professional opinion on this issue is never a bad idea.