What is the most fragile part of most cars?

[City Guy997S]

Fragile and broken parts aren't exactly synonyms. I would think the most fragile parts would be electronics damaged by water, poor jump starting or simply shorting out.

Broken parts on beaters wouldn't be fragile they would just be poorly designed/built. I can't say I have ever owned a beater but then again I have never fixed a power window and after 30+ cars/trucks I only recently rebuilt one transmission (truck driven solely by employees).

[Deez Nuttz]

Most fragile? Probably the ECM chip....if you aren't wearing your electrostatic discharge gear and you touch one and transmit enough static electricity (even if you don't see, feel or hear it) you can easily destroy the chip.

[tvdxer]

In the four cars that I've owned:

- On two, the air conditioning was already gone when I obtained them, though in the second case this most likely just required a recharge
- On two, I experienced problems with the power windows (both Park Avenues)
- On the three that I had for more than six months I had to change the brake pads and rotors

[Baldrick]

In the UK we use a lot of salt on the roads in the winter and most people (if they know how) strip,clean and refurbish the brake calipers.

Other than that it's the usual electric windows and for some reason bad/intermittent earthing.

[CALGUY]

I would have to say it is that pesky nut behind the wheel.
Sometimes it is like a loose canon, and other times it is so tight, and wound up that there is no room for compromise.
It seems to act on it's own most of the time.
Sometimes I wonder if they will ever build vehicles when that one nut isn't needed.
That would be something to see.
Bob.