Why Does My Car Shake when Accelerating?
If your car shakes when accelerating, it could be due to imbalanced tires, worn-out spark plugs, loose lug nuts, or more.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If your car shakes when accelerating, the source of the issue can range from imbalanced tires to worn-out spark plugs, loose lug nuts, and more. Most of these problems can be handled with a quick (but possibly pricey) trip to the mechanic.
Unexplained vibrations are one of the most annoying
car repair
problems you can have. Not only is the vibration unpleasant, but getting to the root of the problem can also be a pretty big pain. A car vibrates during acceleration for a variety of reasons, many of which require expensive fixes. Knowing the various possible causes and how much it costs to repair these components can save you from major surprises later on.
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Why your car shakes when accelerating
Unfortunately, there isn’t one universal reason as to why your car shakes when accelerating—a variety of issues could be causing this annoyance.
Here are some typical reasons:
Damaged inner CV joint
CV joints are located on the end of each axle and comprise both an inner and outer joint. When the joint starts to break down and is under a lot of stress, small vibrations can turn into intense shaking.
This wear and tear over time can result in your entire CV joint needing a replacement.
Broken motor mounts
Motor mounts are used to secure an engine to a vehicle's structure and to lessen engine vibration. They’re made of strong rubber intended to cushion shocks and, when broken, can lead to other sections of the engine becoming misaligned and broken.
A bad motor mount can be felt when idling, but the shaking will be much more noticeable when accelerating. A complete replacement can help stop the vibrations.
Loose lug nuts
This is a prevalent (and potentially devastating) issue. The wheel can wobble if the lug nuts are not correctly torqued on the hub, eventually leading to your car shaking when accelerating.
Untightened lugs could eventually loosen to the point that your wheel falls off while driving—you definitely don't want that to happen! You can use a torque wrench or tire iron to tighten each lug nut to the factory specs.
Unbalanced tires
If you've recently
replaced your tires
and notice shaking when accelerating, you may be dealing with unbalanced tires. Even the tiniest weight imbalance can cause a vibration when the tire rotates. At greater speeds, the tire rotates faster, causing increased vibration and shaking of the steering wheel.
To fix this, simply return your car to the mechanic for rebalancing.
Bent driveshaft or axle
The driveshaft connects the engine to the rear axle and wheels in rear-wheel-drive cars. When you accelerate at low speed, the car will shake if the driveshaft is bent or damaged. This will get worse as you accelerate faster.
Because driveshafts can't be repaired, they’ll have to be replaced.
If you’re involved in a minor accident or collision, there’s always a risk that your axle has been bent. You will begin to notice vibrations coming from the car, which will worsen as you accelerate.
A bent axle, like a bent driveshaft, must be replaced quickly to avoid further damage.
Stuck brake caliper
A malfunctioning brake caliper on a wheel might explain why your car vibrates, usually as you reach 40-50 mph when accelerating.
When you stop, you'll probably detect a burning odor emanating from the car. The smell from a jammed brake caliper should help you determine which wheel it is. Most often, broken brake components must be replaced.
Dirty/worn spark plugs
Dirty or clogged spark plugs can cause an engine misfire. When the issue is typically first noticed when at a stop, it can also cause the car to vibrate while accelerating.
If you can't recall the last time you replaced your spark plugs, it's probably time to do so! If you remove one and see a black deposit on the tip, your other spark plugs may be faulty as well.
How much will repairs cost?
If you're lucky, the vibration you're experiencing will turn out to be a simple issue, such as a tire that needs to be balanced. In some circumstances, you may be able to get away with spending little to no money, especially if you can DIY some fixes yourself.
Prices will vary depending on where you live and your car’s specific make, model, and year, but these are some rough cost estimates you can expect:
- CV joint replacement: between $500 and $1,000
- Motor mounts replacement: between $200 and $600
- Tire balancing: around $20
- Driveshaft replacement: between $500 and $1,000
- Brakes(depending on the broken part): between $350 and $800
Will insurance cover these repairs?
It depends on what the cause of these damages is. Normal wear and tear, which is commonly the source of many of the issues listed above, won’t be covered by most car insurance policies.
If your car shakes when accelerating, your best bet at having some of the repairs covered is to have
comprehensive
and collision
coverage. Comprehensive will protect you against things like vandalism, theft, and “acts of God” (natural disasters), while collision will keep you covered against damages resulting from a collision with another car or stationary object.And even then, comprehensive and collision coverage will only safeguard you against the specific damages listed in your policy.
Keep in mind that your
deductible
may be costlier than some of these replacements—always do the math before filing a claim!Saving money on car insurance with Jerry
If you’re in the market for new comprehensive or collision insurance to keep your ride covered and help you deal with a car that shakes when accelerating, look no further than the
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After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy!
The best part? The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on their car insurance!
“Jerryhad a super simple app that was easy to navigate. And their terrific customer service made everything even easier. Plus I saved $700 in a single year.” —Lucia M.
What does it mean if my car shakes when I brake?
Shaking when you apply the brakes could suggest warpedbrakerotors, worn-out brake pads, or inadequatelylubricatedguidepins, all of which are critical components of safe braking while driving.
If your car shakes when you brake, you should get it inspected by a professional as soon as possible.
Is it safe to drive if my car shakes when I accelerate?
Unfortunately, determining whether your car is safe to drive is difficult without knowing the root cause of the problem. This is why it is critical to have your vehicle inspected at the first hint of trouble.
Some causes may be less crucial to your safety than others. A problem with your vehicle's brakes, for example, should be addressed right away.
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