I've never had a single problem renting a car.
If you are a Costco member, you can get a great rate by going through their site.
You WILL have issues if you try to rent using a debit card. Many car rental places won't take them at all. The ones that do are quite likely to put a hefty hold on your account that may stay there until some time after the car is returned.
One thing that I do, but have never needed---take some good clear photos of both sides, front, back, front seat, back seat, and trunk interior--when you pick it up, and when you turn it in. Put the date & time stamp on the photos. Most rental agencies are honest but some of their help might not be.