Four reasons why your steering wheel is shaking and what to do about it
Thursday 17th April 2025
Have you noticed your steering wheel is shaking, even when you’re driving on a smooth road surface? It’s a sign that something isn’t right with your car. Discover the main causes of a shaking steering wheel, the signs and symptoms, and how to get your steering wheel back to normal.
Why is my car’s steering wheel shaking?
If your steering wheel has randomly started to shake, judder or twitch, there’s a problem with your car that must be addressed. While it may sound scary, it’s a fairly common issue.
Here are some reasons why your car’s steering wheel might shake:
Your wheels aren’t balanced
Thanks to uneven weight distribution around the tyre and wheel assembly, your wheels start to ‘wobble’ as they rotate, which skews the perfectly round shape they should be. Damage can be caused by hitting a pothole or kerb – this can dent the wheel rim, cause weights around the rim to move, or cause bulges in the tyre wall that can cause uneven tyre wear. Once this happens, vibrations travel up through the suspension and steering column, causing the steering wheel to shake as you drive. If your tyres show obvious signs of wear, visit your local branch of Formula One Autocentres to replace your tyres.
Unbalanced wheels also impact other components in your car, such as the brake system and suspension, which could be potentially dangerous.
Your wheels aren’t aligned
If you’ve had a few knocks in your car or haven’t had your car serviced recently, you might not have thought about checking your wheel alignment. If your tyres are misaligned by even a few degrees, it can cause your vehicle to veer to one side and your steering wheel to shake. Your wheels should be adjusted to ensure they meet the manufacturer’s specifications. At Formula One Autocentres, we can align your wheels for free!
Something’s not right with your suspension
If it isn’t your tyres or wheels, your shaking steering wheel could be linked to the suspension. Components in your suspension – like ball joints, shock mounts, or springs – could become loose over time, and because of this, you’ll notice vibrations in your steering wheel once you reach 45-50mph. If this is what you’re experiencing, take your car to your nearest Formula One Autocentres garage to get it checked out.
Your braking system is faulty
If the steering wheel only shakes when you slow down, it’s more than likely that the issue is down to your car’s braking system. This is also referred to as brake judder. Your brake rotors might have warped and lost their shape, or the brake callipers may have stuck.
It could also be a consequence of a mechanical or hydraulic fault, which needs a comprehensive investigation by a professional mechanic at Formula One Autocentres. Book a free brake check to identify the issue.
How can Formula One Autocentres help?
As tyre and car maintenance specialists, we can investigate, fix, and prevent all sorts of issues – we offer wheel alignment and balancing, brake, and suspension checks, as well as comprehensive repairs and servicing. And most of our checks are free!
Speak with one of our friendly technicians at Formula One Autocentres who can advise you on what steps to take next.
FAQs on shaking steering wheels
Is it safe to drive with a shaking steering wheel?
A shaking steering wheel indicates an underlying and potentially serious problem with your car. It’s recommended to stop driving when it’s safe to do so and take your car to your local Formula One Autocentres garage for a technician to investigate the issue.
How do you fix a shaking steering wheel?
A shaking steering wheel can be fixed by balancing or aligning your wheels, as well as checking your tyres for wear and tear. A simple and free brake or suspension check from Formula One Autocentres can identify any internal issues, too.
Why does my steering wheel shake at faster speeds?
Unbalanced wheels are a common cause of a shaking steering wheel at higher speeds. This is due to uneven weight distribution around the wheels. However, this issue can be worsened by damaged steering components.
How much does it cost to fix a shaking steering wheel?
This depends on the source of the problem, whether it’s down to wheel alignment, a damaged suspension, or a fault in your braking system. It’s best to book a free check with a Formula One Autocentres technician who can identify the heart of the issue.
