Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team!
It sounds like you’ve got a couple of things going on here that might be connected. The fact that the car didn’t want to go forward and was hard to restart after turning off could be a sign of something electrical or fuel-related. But that loud squeal from the front engine is a bit more concerning—it could be an issue with the serpentine belt, which drives several accessories, including the power steering pump, alternator, and sometimes the air conditioning. If the belt is slipping or if something's binding, it could cause the engine to struggle and feel like it’s going to stall, especially under load.
It’s also possible that the vibration and squealing are connected to the power steering pump, especially if the fluid is low or the pump itself is going bad. That could be making the engine strain when you try to accelerate.
You’ll want to check the serpentine belt and make sure it’s tight and in good shape. Then check for any fluid leaks, especially power steering fluid. If the belt and fluids look good, the issue could be more related to the engine’s ability to get the power it needs to keep running smoothly—anything from a failing alternator to a fuel delivery problem.
If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554.
