Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake?

October 7, 2022

There are a few common reasons why your car may vibrate when braking. Look out for:

Damaged Brake Pads and Rotors
Problems with Alignment
Unbalanced or Under-Inflated Tires
Suspension Issues

Brake Pads and Brake Rotors

One cause of vibration while braking involves your brake pads and rotors. Brake pads gather dirt and oil over time, causing them to vibrate when you press them. Brake rotors get thinner as time goes on, which makes them prone to damage.

Make sure you replace your brake rotors at least every 70,000 miles before they become too thin.

Alignment

Your tires' alignment could be responsible if the car vibrates when braking at 50 MPH or higher. Another sign that you need an alignment is if your car veers to the left or right when you loosen your grip on the wheel.
If the car continues to go straight, you shouldn't have an alignment issue. But if the car does start to gravitate to the left or right, have it inspected to see if you need an alignment.

Unbalanced and Deflated Tires

There are other tire-related causes such as unbalanced or under-inflated tires. Unbalanced and under-inflated tires can cause vibrations from the suspension.