Car Shaking At High Speeds: Causes & How To Fix

Key Takeaways

• Car shaking at high speeds can lead to further component damage and is a prevalent concern.
• Common causes of car vibrations include unbalanced tires, faulty brake systems, dirty spark plugs, and poor wheel alignment.
• Determining the onset of vibrations, whether during high speeds, ignition, or braking, is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Professional diagnosis and maintenance are essential to effectively address and prevent car vibration issues.

Probably one of the most uncomfortable things that can happen to you is when your car suddenly starts shaking at high speed. Of course, uncharacteristic vibrations should raise some concerns. But this rattling sensation from somewhere inside the vehicle can come as an unpleasant surprise in the middle of a busy road.

Unfortunately, this is a pretty common complaint. That's because the most frequent reason for vibration at high speeds is related to your wheels and their condition. And even the notion of high speed is quite relative; this issue can occur at even 50 miles per hour.

Shaking is an unavoidable companion. You can experience some mild vibration from the engine even when your car is just idling. This happens with almost every gas-powered vehicle. Their engines are just a little naughty.

How to Diagnose Car Vibrations at High Speeds?

There is only one way to react to sudden shaking after acceleration: you need to address this problem immediately. If you leave vibration unchecked, it can lead to further damage to the pricey parts of your vehicle.

Addressing the issue as soon as possible is best to avoid even more expensive repairs. These problems can be easily avoided with a timely reaction.

The first thing you should do is locate the source of vibration in your car and determine when exactly it starts to manifest. If you know the answers to these two questions, you can successfully resolve the problem. You won't be able to troubleshoot without knowing this.

Pay attention to other signs as well. Oftentimes, shaking at high speeds is not an isolated symptom.

5 Common Reasons for Car Shaking at High Speeds

So, the most common culprit behind shaking at high speeds is the wheel. Your car's wheels go through a lot, and it's not surprising that they can get damaged or out of balance from time to time. Uneven weight distribution, maintenance mistakes, and many other factors can cause issues.

And don't forget that sometimes strong vibration can be caused by something different than your car's parts. It can be a result of strong wind or an uneven surface.

Unsteady Tires

Tire problems take the prize. They are the most common reason why your car might start shaking after the speedometer hits 50 mph or more. This can be caused either by general wear and tear or by installing new tires or even after a tire rotation.

Sometimes, new tires can arrive with defects or simply be overinflated. Both problems can send shakes through your car. And while overinflation can be remedied quickly, a set of defective tires is another story. They need to be replaced.

But how can you tell if the vibration is caused by unbalanced tires? The most noticeable thing about this issue is that it lingers even at low speeds and only increases in force as you accelerate. Another telltale sign of problematic wheels is uneven wear patterns. Look closely at the tires and see if they have any spots that look more worn than the rest.

When your front tires have damage, you might experience strong vibration through the steering wheel. For the rear wheels, expect vibration in your seat instead.

Unfortunately, there's no quick fix for this problem. If you want to remedy the shaking caused by bad tires, you'll need to seek professional help. Balancing the wheels in a regular garage is impossible without precise equipment.

Bad Wheel Alignment

Poor alignment can be the root of the previous problem and result in vibration while driving. You should avoid this problem at all costs, as it can lead to uneven tire wear, wheel bearing issues, and poor steering.

Your wheels might become misaligned over time due to stress, speed bumps, and potholes. It's also a good idea to check alignment whenever you change something about the wheels, like the tires, for example.

If you are looking for symptoms of poor alignment, they appear similar to the vibration caused by uneven tire wear. However, this problem can only be remedied by having your wheels properly aligned by a professional mechanic.

Once you have your wheels aligned, the shaking while driving should stop. Moreover, you should also rotate the tires or replace them entirely if there are signs of deterioration. Simply addressing the cause will not reverse the damage already inflicted. Keep that in mind.

Faulty Brake System

Brakes are one of the most important safety features of your vehicle. However, they can also be little troublemakers and cause your car to shake whenever you try to accelerate. There are three possible reasons why this might happen, so let's examine them one by one.

Brake Rotors

Keeping your brake rotors in check is super important if you want to avoid poor braking performance and vibration. One of the reasons why brake rotors don't work as they should is a buildup. It can be anything from dirt to oil.

This problem can be fixed with simple cleaning, but you will have to remove the wheels first. It's no big deal, really, and you can certainly do it yourself.

However, another problem is a bit more specific. If your rotors overheat or begin to wear out, they can warp slightly, leading to that dreaded shaking starting at 50 miles per hour. To balance them again, you will obviously need a balancer.

If the damage is extensive, you'll need to replace them. Rotors are priced from $30 to $75 each, and the labor to replace rotors and pads at a shop ranges from $150 to $200 per axle.

Brake Calipers

Your braking system consists of several parts, and almost any one of them can cause vibrations when misaligned. Brake calipers can stick out when something goes wrong, pushing against the brake discs and causing shaking after 40-50 mph.

A very telling sign is the smell of burning. If you notice shaking and smoke, especially from beneath your car, the problem likely lies with your brake calipers.

The only way to address this issue is to replace the problematic caliper. However, if the damage isn't too severe, a professional mechanic might be able to repair it for you. A caliper can cost up to $130, while a full brake repair, including pads, rotors, and calipers, ranges from $200 to $800 depending on the vehicle and parts.

Brake Drums

If your vehicle is equipped with drum brakes, check up on them every once in a while. If they run out of round, you risk experiencing a very unpleasant shaking while braking due to their design. Another noticeable symptom is so-called pedal pulsation.

You'll need a professional mechanic to do the measuring for you and suggest the best way to fix the problem. Brake drum replacement costs typically range from $275 to $399 per axle, but a lot depends on the vehicle type and the shop's rates.

Dirty Spark Plugs

Next on the list is a less obvious culprit behind shaking your car while you drive: the spark plugs. Yes, that's right. When your spark plugs become unable to perform their duty and fire up the engine, it might start shaking your car instead of working properly.

They can accumulate a buildup of dirt and oil, making it impossible to spark. Or they can get damaged for various reasons. This problem is a bit harder to pinpoint because the reason is hidden inside the vehicle and not in plain sight.

Look for other symptoms to diagnose this problem. For example, you will notice that the spark plugs aren't working at their best if you have problems starting the car and feel that the vibration is coming from the engine compartment.

If the buildup is not too severe, you can get away with just cleaning the spark plugs. But if not, then you might have to replace them.

Loose Lug Nuts

And let's wrap it up with another wheel problem. This one is easy to see but tricky to fix because there are still people who don't know their way around tightening lug nuts.

First of all, how this impacts your experience is crucial. Lug nuts and bolts are essentially what keeps the wheel secured in place. Once they are loose, the wheel begins to wobble from side to side, making handling much less fun and potentially causing either light or serious shaking. The higher the speed, the stronger the vibration.

This might seem like a minor issue, but it really isn't. A loose wheel can cause irreparable damage to the bearings and the car. It can even detach from the vehicle completely. And all of that costs money to fix.

The problem with fixing lug nuts in place is that you have to be very precise with how much torque you apply. Each car has lug nut torque specifications to ensure they are tightened just right. When the torque is insufficient, they can loosen up. But too much torque can damage the thread or the hub.

If you want to do this on your own, get a torque wrench and check the specifications beforehand. If you manage to tighten them just right, congratulations, you fixed it.

Well, that was a lot, let’s summarize.

Troubleshooting & Fixing Vibration at High Speeds

Why Does My Car Shake When I Get to 70 mph?

If your car begins to shake while you drive at 70 mph or lower, the fault lies in your wheels. Check your wheel alignment and the condition of your tires. Multiple factors can contribute to vibration to various degrees.

You can track down the direction and determine which axle is causing the issue. If you feel the vibration in the steering wheel, it's the front wheels. And if the vibration comes from the seats, it's likely the rear wheels.

Why Is My Car Vibrating at 100 km/h?

Usually, you can experience shaking at this speed for two reasons. The first option is that your wheels are out of balance. This can be caused by misalignment or even specific patterns of tire wear.

Another reason is you have problems with brake rotors. This one can be a bit more tedious and expensive to fix. But it's more urgent, so as soon as you troubleshoot and identify this issue, schedule an appointment at your local shop as soon as possible.

Why Does My Car Shake at High Speeds During Winter?

Snow and ice have a curious effect on your wheels, causing shaking and vibration while you drive. They can stick to the surface, making it extremely uneven. That's why you feel that vibration in the first place; it mimics the sensation of misaligned or unbalanced wheels.

Is Vibration At High Speed Dangerous?

Yes, one could argue that it is dangerous to keep driving if your car is shaking more than usual. Regardless of the cause of this problem, it's irresponsible to continue driving in this condition.

If the shaking is caused by engine problems or faulty brakes, the worst thing you can do is ignore it and endanger both other people and yourself.