If you think finding out you have a dead battery or bad alternator is frustrating, imagine finding out your car doesn't work because of a rat, mouse or other rodent.
That's the reality for Sandra Lovechhio.
She had to take her brand-new car to the shop Monday morning after it started sputtering.
"I don't even have it a month yet," she said. "I thought it was a factory thing, warranty thing. When you were driving the car, it felt like how it feels when you have a flat tire."
She was shocked to find out that it wasn't a faulty part. It was rodents chewing on wires inside of her car.
It cost her $500 to get fixed.
"I did clean up my garage," she said. "My car stays in the garage now. No more outside for my car, but my daughter's car is outside. I'm concerned something might happen with her car."
Kellyn Karr, owner of Karr Automotive, said they see this happen at least once a month. He said the cold weather could be to blame.
"Everything's insulated in an engine bay, so it stays warm for a while," Karr said. "When you park your car, it's an opportunity for them to get out of the cold and find a little nestle spot somewhere in the engine bay."
Prevention is key in keeping these creatures away from your car.
"If your car is actively moving every day and you're away from a field or unmowed, unkempt grass, it's not likely to happen to you," Karr said.
He said you can spray peppermint oil on your car or onto moth balls and place them inside your car to prevent this.