Is your car pulling to one side while driving?
It’s not just frustrating — it’s a safety risk. This can stem from minor problems like uneven tire pressure or serious concerns like brake system faults.
If your car pulls to the right (or left), you must address it promptly to reduce the risk of accidents and prevent costly repairs.
We’ll explore the common causes, offer solutions, and share practical tips to avoid this issue in the future.
This Article Contains:
- 11 Key Reasons Your Car Pulls to the Right (or Left) & How to Fix
- How to Diagnose a Car that Pulls to One Side
- Is it Safe to Drive if Your Car Is Pulling to One Side?
- How to Prevent Your Car from Veering Off-Course
11 Key Reasons Your Car Pulls to the Right (or Left) & How to Fix
Several factors can cause your car to veer to one side while driving, like:
1. Misaligned Wheels
Improper wheel alignment occurs when your wheels aren’t pointed in the same direction, causing the vehicle to pull to one side while driving, especially at low speed. Factors like hitting potholes, striking curbs, or driving too fast over speed bumps can disrupt the proper alignment of your wheels.
SOLUTION: Take your car to an auto repair shop to restore the proper alignment of wheels. It’s also a good practice to have the alignment checked twice a year.
2. Uneven Tire Pressure
Your vehicle’s tire pressure fluctuates over time due to temperature changes or small leaks. If one tire has less air than the others, it creates an imbalance, causing your vehicle to pull to one side while driving.
SOLUTION: Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure level — usually between 28 and 36 PSI (pounds per square inch).
3. Uneven Tire Wear
Improper wheel alignment, inconsistent tire pressure, or suspension problems can often lead to uneven tire wear. If one tire is more worn, your car might pull toward that side.
If you’ve recently replaced a tire with a different brand, the tire tread patterns may not match the existing ones. This can result in variations in road grip and rolling resistance, contributing to uneven tire wear.
SOLUTION: For front- and rear-wheel-drive cars, you can replace the worn tire and pair it with an existing tire that has the most tread (mounting both on the same axle). For four-wheel-drive cars, you usually need to replace all four tires since their systems are more sensitive to tire variations.
4. Tire Conicity
A manufacturing defect called tire conicity occurs when a tire is shaped slightly like a cone instead of perfectly round. This causes your car to pull toward the side of the defective tire.
SOLUTION: Tire conicity can’t be repaired. You’ll need to replace the affected tire.
5. Improperly Rotated Tires
Tire rotation prevents uneven wear by periodically swapping tire positions. Skipping it can lead to uneven wear patterns and unbalanced tires, pulling the car to one side.
SOLUTION: Get tire rotation done every 5000 miles or as per your manufacturer’s recommended intervals.
6. Faulty Brake System
If your car pulls to one side when you press the brake pedal, it’s likely due to uneven brake pad wear, a faulty brake caliper, or damaged brake discs.
Uneven wear on the brake pads creates an imbalance, causing the car to veer. A stuck brake caliper or damaged brake discs can also lead to uneven braking pressure, making one side brake less effectively and causing a pull.
SOLUTION: If you notice a brake problem, have an auto repair mechanic inspect and replace the faulty braking components immediately.
7. Worn-out Steering or Suspension Component
Damaged steering system components, like the steering rack, steering knuckle, or tie rod, can cause your car to pull in the opposite direction. Damaged suspension parts, like a ball joint or control arm, can also lead to the same issue.
The steering rack converts steering wheel motion into wheel movement. The steering knuckle links the wheels to the system via a secure tie rod. Smooth steering linkage requires the ball joints connecting the control arm to the knuckle to be tight and in good condition.
SOLUTION: Get any worn-out steering or suspension components inspected and replaced by a mechanic.
8. Bad Wheel Bearing
If you hear grinding sounds or feel your steering wheel shake or wobble when you turn, it could mean your wheel bearings are faulty. Wheel bearings help the wheels rotate smoothly. If worn, they can create friction and cause the car to pull to one side.
SOLUTION: Get a bad wheel bearing replaced by a skilled car repair technician. It’s best to replace them every 5 to 10 years or 100,000 miles.
9. Dent in the Wheel Rim
A damaged wheel rim can prevent the tire from sitting in it correctly and cause uneven pressure distribution. This can disrupt the wheel balance, resulting in your car pulling to one side while driving.
SOLUTION: A technician can restore the shape of your rim. But if the damage is severe, you’ll have to replace it.
10. Torque Steer
Uneven engine power can cause torque steer, which is when the car pulls to one side, particularly during hard acceleration. It is most common in front-wheel-drive vehicles with high horsepower.
SOLUTION: Modern front-wheel-driven cars often have suspension set-ups that reduce torque steer. However, the most effective way to prevent it is to accelerate gradually.
11. Memory Steer
Memory steer happens when the steering wheel doesn’t naturally return to its center position after a turn. The root cause of memory steer is binding or friction. This is often caused by steering and suspension problems such as worn ball joints, tie rods, or bushings.
SOLUTION: You can fix memory steer by having a car repair professional inspect and repair your vehicle’s alignment and steering system.
NOTE: The road crown (a slight curvature for drainage) can also cause a car pull, especially at low speed. People often mistakenly interpret it as an alignment or suspension problem.
Now that we’ve covered the causes, let’s understand how you can diagnose the issue.
How to Diagnose a Car that Pulls to One Side
If your car starts pulling to the right side, these observations can lead you to the root cause:
- Note the direction your car pulls to identify which side of the vehicle has been affected.
- If the car pulls in the opposite direction to its intended path while driving straight, it often indicates tire, alignment, and suspension system issues or a brake problem. Pulling during turns may indicate worn steering components.
- Car pulling while braking usually suggests a stuck caliper or uneven brake pad wear.
- Consistent pulling indicates mechanical issues like misaligned wheels, a tire problem, or worn suspension parts. In contrast, intermittent pulling may be caused by debris in the braking system or fluctuating tire pressures due to weather.
- The duration of the problem can indicate the cause — recent issues may stem from sudden damage (like hitting a pothole), while long-standing ones suggest gradual wear.
Wondering if you can continue driving with this issue?
Let’s find out why that might be a bad idea.
Is it Safe to Drive if Your Car Is Pulling to One Side?
Definitely not.
Driving while your car is pulling to the right side could:
- Make driving difficult and become a safety hazard for you and others on the road
- Cause premature tire wear
- Reduce your fuel efficiency
Now that you understand the dangers, it’s time to consider some preventive measures.
How to Prevent Your Car from Veering Off-Course
These simple steps can help you drive your car smoothly without pulling to one side:
- Get routine maintenance to catch and fix minor issues early.
- Check tire pressure and condition regularly.
- Do the penny test. Place a penny with Lincoln’s head upside down between two tire ribs. If his entire head is visible, the tread is worn, and it’s time to replace the tire.
- Drive carefully — navigate potholes, uneven roads, and speed bumps slowly.
- Get a wheel alignment and tire balancing check before going on long trips or in winter to ensure safe handling on uneven or wet roads.
Get Your Car Back on Track with AutoNation Mobile Service
When your car pulls to one side, it could indicate a tire problem, improper wheel alignment, faulty suspension system, or brake issues. This is a safety concern that demands quick attention and repair.
Need professionals to take a look?
AutoNation Mobile Service is here to help.
Our expert mobile mechanics will come to your location, inspect the issue, and handle the repairs right from your driveway.
What’s more?
We’re available seven days a week, offering transparent, upfront pricing and a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty on all repair services.
Contact us today for a quote, and we’ll ensure you can drive safely again.