Top 5 Reasons Your Car is Shaking or Vibrating - Symptoms and Fixes Included

If your car is shaking or vibrating, it can be a concerning and frustrating issue. Fortunately, there are usually a few common culprits behind this problem. In this in-depth blog post, we'll cover the top 5 reasons your car may be shaking or vibrating, along with the associated symptoms and fixes for each issue.

1. Engine Misfire or Cylinder Misfire

One of the most common reasons a car may shake or vibrate is due to an engine misfire or a multi-cylinder misfire. This can happen for a few different reasons:

Ignition System Issues: Problems with your spark plugs, ignition coils, or ignition wiring can cause misfiring, which will result in shaking or hesitation, especially under load (e.g. accelerating from a stop or going uphill).
Fuel Delivery Problems: Issues with the fuel injectors, fuel pump, or fuel lines can also lead to misfiring and vibration.
Mechanical Engine Problems: Worn piston rings, leaking valves, or other internal engine issues can cause a misfire as well.

If you're experiencing a misfire, you may or may not get a check engine light. A single cylinder misfire may not trigger the light, but a multi-cylinder misfire usually will, and the light may even start flashing. The shaking or hesitation will typically be most noticeable when the engine is under load.

To diagnose and fix a misfire, you'll need to use an OBD2 scanner to check for any trouble codes, and then inspect the ignition system, fuel system, and engine components as needed. Replacing faulty parts like spark plugs, coils, or injectors should resolve the issue.

2. Uneven Brake Pad/Rotor Wear

If you only feel vibration when you press on the brake pedal, the culprit is likely uneven wear on your brake pads and/or brake rotors. This can happen for a few reasons:

Sticking Brake Calipers: If a brake caliper is sticking and not releasing the brake pads properly, it can cause uneven pad wear.
Worn Slide Pins: The slide pins that allow the brake calipers to move back and forth can become worn, leading to uneven pad wear.
Warped Brake Rotors: Over time, the brake rotors can become warped or unevenly worn, causing vibration when the pads make contact.

This type of vibration is usually most noticeable in the front brakes, as the front brakes do the majority of the work. To fix the issue, you'll need to inspect the brake components and likely replace the pads and resurface or replace the rotors as needed. Proper lubrication of the slide pins can also help.

3. Tire Imbalance or Damage

If you feel vibration at higher speeds, between around 55-75 mph, the culprit is likely an imbalanced or damaged tire. Here's a bit more detail:

Tire Imbalance: When a tire is manufactured, the weight of the materials is not always perfectly distributed. This can cause an imbalance that leads to vibration at highway speeds. Getting the tires professionally balanced can resolve this issue.
Tire Damage: If a tire has sustained damage, such as a bulge or uneven wear, it can also cause vibration even after balancing. In these cases, the tire will need to be replaced.
Other Rotating Components: It's also possible for issues with the wheels, CV axles, or driveshaft to cause vibration at high speeds if they are damaged or out of balance.

To diagnose a tire-related vibration, you can try swapping the front and rear tires to see if the vibration moves. You can also have a shop perform a tire balance and inspection. Replacing any damaged tires should resolve the issue.

4. Worn Motor or Transmission Mounts

If you notice vibration when the car is in gear but not in park or neutral, the culprit is likely worn motor or transmission mounts. These rubber mounts are designed to isolate the engine and transmission vibrations from being transmitted to the chassis and cabin.

When the mounts become worn or damaged, that vibration can make its way into the cabin, especially when the engine and transmission are under load (i.e. when the car is in gear). You may not feel much vibration at all in park or neutral, but as soon as you put it in drive, the shaking will become apparent.

To diagnose this issue, you can try the "brake torque" test - with the parking brake engaged, press the brake pedal and then tap the gas pedal. This will put load on the engine and mounts, allowing you to check for excessive movement. You can also do a visual inspection of the mounts for cracks or deterioration.

Replacing the worn motor and/or transmission mounts should resolve the vibration issue in this case.

5. Worn Steering/Suspension Components

If you feel vibration in the steering wheel, especially when going over bumps or accelerating from a stop, the problem is likely with your steering or suspension components. The most common culprits are:

Worn Tie Rods: The inner and outer tie rods connect the steering rack to the steering knuckles. When these wear out, it can cause vibration and a loose, wandering feeling in the steering.
Worn Ball Joints: The ball joints in the suspension allow the wheels to move up and down. Worn ball joints can also contribute to steering vibration.
Worn Control Arm Bushings: The control arm bushings isolate the suspension components from the chassis. Worn bushings can transmit vibration into the steering.

To diagnose a steering/suspension vibration, you'll want to inspect the tie rods, ball joints, and control arm bushings. You can do a "rocking" test on the wheels to check for excessive play in these components. Replacing any worn parts should resolve the vibration.

Diagnosing and Fixing Car Vibration Issues

Diagnosing the root cause of a car vibration issue can take some detective work, but following the steps outlined above should help you identify the problem. Remember, it's important to address any vibration issues promptly, as they can lead to further damage if left unchecked.

If you're not comfortable performing the necessary inspections and repairs yourself, be sure to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic. They have the tools and expertise to properly diagnose and fix vibration problems.

If you found this guide helpful, please share it with your friends and family. For more automotive tips and detailed guides, subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media. Let’s keep your car running smoothly together.