A car shaking while driving is often caused by tire or wheel problems, but it can also signal deeper mechanical issues. Engine misfires, brake rotor wear, and worn suspension or drivetrain parts can all lead to noticeable vibration.
To narrow down the cause, pay attention to when and how the shaking happens — whether it’s at high speeds, while braking, during acceleration, or even at idle. Each situation points to a different system in your car.
Typical causes and what to check:
- Tires and wheels: Unbalanced, uneven, or bent wheels often make the car shake — especially at higher speeds.
- Brakes: Warped rotors or worn pads can cause vibration when braking, usually felt in the steering wheel or pedal.
- Engine and drivetrain: Misfires, loose mounts, or worn CV joints and driveshafts can make the car shake when accelerating. Excessive vibration can harm nearby accessory components like the alternator or serpentine belt.
- Suspension: Worn shocks, struts, or bushings reduce stability and cause vibration over bumps.
- Alignment: Poor alignment can make the car pull sideways and wear tires unevenly, worsening the shaking.
- Transmission or mounts: A failing transmission or worn components can cause jerking or vibration when shifting gears, especially as the car accelerates or slows down.
- Exhaust system: Leaks or blockages in the exhaust or catalytic converter can cause shaking and loud noise.
Things to do when your car shakes:
- Pay attention to when it shakes: Does it happen only at high speeds, when braking, or while idling? The pattern helps identify the cause.
- Start with simple checks: Make sure your tires are inflated correctly, lug nuts are tight, and no wheels look bent or damaged.
- Get it inspected soon: If the shaking persists, it’s time to have a certified mechanic check it before it leads to costlier or unsafe problems. They’ll also ensure no accessory belts or pulleys are misaligned or damaged due to vibration.
Let’s take a deeper look at the car shaking issue.
This Article Contains:
- 7 Worrying Causes Behind a Car Shaking While Driving
- When Does the Shaking Happen? Quick Diagnosis by Symptom
- Is It Safe to Drive a Car That Shakes?
- How Can You Diagnose and Fix Car Vibration Issues?
- How Much Does It Cost to Fix Car Vibrating Problems?
7 Worrying Causes Behind a Car Shaking While Driving
Here are possible reasons why your car shakes while driving:
1. Wheel or Tire Issues
The most common cause for a shaking vehicle is wheel or tire problems, which include:
- Unbalanced tire: Your car may wobble with an unbalanced tire, leading to vibrations while driving at high speed (around 50 to 60 mph).
- Uneven tire wear: Uneven tire wear or tire tear can cause slight bounces as the tires roll, which may make your car shake.
- Damaged wheels: Damaged rims can reduce the smoothness of your drive, causing uneven contact between tires and the road. This can eventually lead to steering wheel vibration while driving.
- Wheel alignment issues: Driving on rough roads can eventually disturb wheel alignment. This causes vibrations as you drive due to increased resistance to movement.
- Worn wheel bearing: A bad wheel bearing can cause excessive steering wheel vibration while you drive at a higher speed or take turns.
- Loose lug nuts: Lug nuts secure tires to your vehicle. If loose, they can cause tires to wobble while you drive, shaking the whole car.
NOTE: You can prevent most wheel issues by following the manufacturer’s recommendations for tire rotation, wheel balancing, and tire pressure. You could also ask your mechanic for a quick tire inspection during routine maintenance or guidance on when to install new tires.
2. Worn Steering or Suspension Component
A worn steering system or suspension component is a common cause of steering wheel shake while driving at high speed. Worn or loose parts can throw your alignment off and put extra stress on the steering and suspension, making a smooth drive nearly impossible.
In this case, it’s best to have your mechanic check steering and suspension system components, like:
- Ball joints
- Tie rod ends
- Bushings
- Shocks
- Springs
- Struts
3. Brake System Problems
You might have a brake system issue if you feel vibrations from your brake pedal and steering wheel.
This can happen due to:
- Warped brake rotor
- Worn brake pad
- Malfunctioning brake caliper
- Low brake fluid
4. Drivetrain Problems (Axles, CV Joints, Driveshaft & U-Joints)
Your drivetrain carries power from the engine to your wheels — so when something’s off, you’ll feel it. A shake that worsens when you accelerate but smooths out when you coast usually indicates a driveline issue.
Here’s what might be going on:
- You may have a bent axle from hitting a curb or deep pothole, which often causes speed-dependent shaking.
- It could be a worn CV joint making a clicking or shuddering sound when you turn or press the gas.
- A bad U-joint might be behind vibrations under load or a clunk when shifting gears.
- Your driveshaft could be unbalanced, creating a steady vibration at certain speeds.
5. Bad Spark Plugs
Faulty spark plugs — or even a clogged air filter — can lead to engine misfires that cause excessive vibration in fuel-based cars (not electric vehicles) when driving or idling.
This happens because bad spark plugs prevent the proper ignition of the air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber.
6. Transmission or Engine Problems
If the shaking issue continues when you come to a halt, the problem may lie with the engine or transmission mount.
These mounts keep your engine and vehicle’s frame steady, preventing vibrations from running through the car. However, when the transmission or motor mount is faulty, vibrations may increase instead of being dampened.
If the vibration is sporadic, you could have a broken radiator fan or faulty fuel injectors. Get a mechanic to run an engine diagnostic test to confirm the issue.
7. Exhaust System Issues
Your car may shake while driving due to exhaust system troubles, including:
- Exhaust blockages
- Faulty catalytic converter
- Leaking pipes
- Faulty gaskets
- Muffler damage
When these issues occur, you will also hear a loud noise from the tailpipe or engine region.
If you’re feeling your car shake but can’t quite tell why, think about when it happens.
When Does the Shaking Happen? Quick Diagnosis by Symptom
The timing and situation often reveal what’s really going on beneath the surface. Let’s look at some common scenarios:
- Your car shakes when you accelerate
- Likely causes: Worn CV joints, axles, or U-joints
- Drive or tow? Avoid higher speeds and stop if it shakes hard or makes loud clunks.
- First fix: Inspect CV boots, joints, and driveshaft; check engine mounts; road-test under load.
- Your car shakes when you brake
- Likely causes: Warped brake rotors, worn pads, or a sticking caliper
- Drive or tow? Drive gently; stop if the car pulls or the pedal feels soft.
- First fix: Measure rotor thickness, inspect pads and calipers, clean hub faces, replace worn parts.
- Your car shakes at high speed (≈60+ mph / 88+ km/h)
- Likely causes: Wheel imbalance, bent rim, or uneven tire wear
- Drive or tow? Slow down and avoid freeway driving if the steering feels loose.
- First fix: Balance your wheels and check for bent rims or uneven tires.
- Your car shakes when idling (in Park or at a light)
- Likely causes: Engine misfire or worn engine mounts
- Drive or tow? Usually safe for short trips; stop if you smell fuel or shaking worsens.
- First fix: Check spark plugs, ignition coils, and mounts for damage.
- Your steering wheel shakes, but not the rest of the car
- Likely causes: Front-wheel imbalance or rotor run-out
- Drive or tow?: Keep speeds low; stop if you feel play in the wheel or hear scraping.
- First fix: Balance the front wheels and have your brakes and suspension checked.
Now you may be wondering…
Is It Safe to Drive a Car That Shakes?
No. Although it’s possible to drive a shaking car, ignoring the issue is risky.
Driving with excessive vibration can further damage your car’s parts and ruin your tires, leading to costly repairs.
What’s worse?
The longer you leave this shaking issue unresolved, the more you put your safety at risk, as driving with damaged tires, transmission, or engine components can lead to accidents.
Next, let’s explore how to identify the source of the issue.
How Can You Diagnose and Fix Car Vibration Issues?
Short answer: It’s best to have an expert mechanic run diagnostic checks in time to pinpoint the problem and prevent bigger repairs.
Here’s what it usually involves:
- Tire and wheel service: Rotating, balancing, and checking tire pressure, or replacing worn tires to smooth out your drive.
- Brake inspection: Measuring rotors, checking pads and calipers, and ensuring the system works safely under pressure.
- Engine and spark plug check: Testing spark plugs, coils, and mounts to prevent misfires or rough idling.
- Axle and suspension parts repair: Inspecting CV joints, driveshafts, and bushings for wear that can cause shaking when accelerating or turning.
- Transmission and mount service: Ensuring the mounts and drivetrain components are secure to reduce vibration.
Once the mechanic identifies the issue, they’ll repair or replace the affected parts to restore a smooth, steady ride.
Wondering how much these fixes will set you back?
Read on to find out.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Car Vibrating Problems?
Here’s what an auto repair shop would charge to resolve car vibration issues based on the cause:
- Wheel balancing: $40 to $80
- Wheel alignment: $70 to $100 (per axle)
- Spark plug replacement: $100 to $500
- Motor mount replacement: $480 to $540
- Brake system repair (brake pad, rotor, and caliper): $200 to $800
- CV joint replacement: $300 to $800 (per axle)
- Transmission repair (damaged driveshaft or bent axle): $300 to $1,400
NOTE: Some auto shops may also charge about $50 to $170 for a car or engine diagnostic test.
Fix Car Vibrations with AutoNation Mobile Service
A car shaking while driving can eventually lead to tire or engine issues that can cause an accident. That’s why you need to address the issue promptly.
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