Posted on 9/26/2025

It’s a cold morning, you hop into your car, turn the key, and for a moment everything seems fine until the engine sputters and shuts off. An engine that stalls shortly after starting is more than an inconvenience. It’s often a sign of an underlying issue that shouldn't be ignored. This kind of problem can come from several places within your vehicle, and while some causes are minor, others point to serious trouble that could leave you stranded. Here are some of the most common reasons your engine might stall right after startup, and what each one may suggest. 1. Fuel Delivery Issues One of the more frequent reasons for a stalling engine is a lack of fuel reaching the combustion chambers. This might happen because of a clogged fuel filter, a weak fuel pump, or even contaminated fuel. When the engine starts, it uses the residual pressure in the system, but once it tries to settle into idle, the restricted flow can't keep up. If the engine sputters ... read more