NeverarGreat said:
It was my impression that the Falcon is always on the verge of breakdown. In fact one of my favorite moments is when it fails to start and Han hits a spot beside the door to start it. There is a faded place in that area of the door, indicating that he had to 'persuade' the Falcon to start regularly.
I always thought that gag was a direct result of the popularity of The Fonz back at that time.