8 Compelling Reasons Your Car Shakes While Driving and How to Solve It

Let's face it: even if you crank the volume on your playlist, a shaking car won't go unnoticed. The cause of this phenomenon can be a number of mechanical issues, some of which are quite risky and require immediate attention.

To get straight to the point, we'll take a look at the reasons behind a shaking car, how to diagnose the problem, and we'll even answer some frequently asked questions about car shaking, including whether or not it's safe to drive in that condition.

Before we get started, let's cover what you can expect from this article:

We'll begin by discussing the eight most common causes of car shaking. While there are a variety of factors that could be at play, wheel troubles are almost always the root cause. This could be due to problems with the wheels and rims, a faulty wheel alignment, or worn wheel bearings. Let's break each of these down in more detail:

Firstly, uneven tire wear or tire damage (such as cracks or bubbles) can compromise the integrity of the tires. Ignoring these issues can lead to a bumpy ride and impact the drivability of your vehicle.

Secondly, misaligned wheels will fight each other while driving to find the correct wheel angles. This causes strong wheel vibration and car shaking. If you notice a shaky steering wheel, diminished steering performance, or any unbalanced wheel issues, you should seek prompt repairs.

Thirdly, components such as wheel ball joints and bushings wear down over time, causing "play" in your wheels while turning. If you experience a steering wheel vibration or diminished steering performance, this may be the culprit.

Fourthly, wheel bearings enable the wheels to rotate freely while connected to the axle. If a wheel bearing is worn or damaged, the respective wheel can start moving in and out, causing resistance between the wheel and axle and resulting in wheel vibration at highway speeds.

Fifthly, there's nothing worse than brakes that fail. If your car vibrates when you tap on the brake pedal, the likely culprit is a faulty brake rotor or brake caliper. A defective brake caliper or rotor can cause the brakes to be slightly applied when driving, leading to strong car vibrations.

Finally, your engine could be the culprit behind car shaking. Motor mounts rest between the engine and the engine bay to prevent engine vibration from traveling through the car's body. If a motor mount deteriorates, you'll feel vibrations from the engine whenever it's running. Additionally, outdated spark plugs can interfere with your engine's firing order, leading to further vibrations.

Following our breakdown of the most common reasons for car shaking, we'll explore how to diagnose the problem and answer some frequently asked questions about car shaking. We hope this information helps you address any concerns you may have and quickly resolve any mechanical issues your vehicle may be experiencing!