The Lemon IndexA single click or rapid clicking with no crank usually means the battery can’t turn the starter.
Get it checked. Try a jump start. If it starts, have the battery and charging system tested.
A weak or dead battery. Then: loose or corroded battery terminals; a failing starter motor or solenoid.
Owners describe this in 468 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Dodge Journey.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Dodge Journey | 26 | 3% |
| 2009 Dodge Journey | 25 | 2% |
| 2015 Honda Accord | 14 | 2% |
| 2014 Honda Accord | 12 | 1% |
| 2013 Honda Accord | 10 | 0.7% |
| 2008 Jeep Wrangler | 5 | 0.3% |
| 2010 Chrysler Town & Country | 5 | 0.3% |
| 2008 Chrysler Town & Country | 4 | 0.2% |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | 4 | 0.1% |
| 2011 Kia Optima | 4 | 0.6% |
| 2004 Dodge Durango | 3 | 0.3% |
| 2000 Ford Expedition | 3 | 0.3% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2010 Dodge Journey · 3% 2015 Honda Accord · 2% 2009 Dodge Journey · 2% 2014 Honda Accord · 1% 2013 Honda Accord · 0.7%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of car won't start, just clicks
- A weak or dead battery
- Loose or corroded battery terminals
- A failing starter motor or solenoid
- A bad ground cable
- A failing alternator that let the battery run down
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive once a car that just clicks finally starts?
Get it checked. Try a jump start. If it starts, have the battery and charging system tested.
Get help right away if you smell burning or see smoke near the battery.
Of the 468 complaints describing it, 3% mention a fire.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: electrical system (67%), engine (27%), power train (11%), engine and engine cooling (6%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 69,342 miles.
Most reports by make: Dodge (87), Chevrolet (55), Honda (53), Ford (46), Jeep (35).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (electrical, engine repairs): the middle half ran $250 to $775, typical $400, from 11 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Related symptoms
Car won't start All dashboard warning lights on Car battery keeps dying Car jerks when accelerating Car hesitates when accelerating Car shakes when accelerating
Quick answers
What causes car won't start, just clicks?
A single click or rapid clicking with no crank usually means the battery can’t turn the starter. Common causes: a weak or dead battery; loose or corroded battery terminals; a failing starter motor or solenoid; a bad ground cable; a failing alternator that let the battery run down.
Is it safe to drive once a car that just clicks finally starts?
Get it checked. Try a jump start. If it starts, have the battery and charging system tested.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Dodge Journey, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Equinox. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 11 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $250 to $775. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup