Engineclue
Menu

Steering wheel shakes at high speed: causes and fixes

By Fakhri · Last reviewed

Fix soon

Slow down and book a tire and wheel check in the next few days. Stop driving if the shaking gets suddenly worse, you see a bulge or cut in a tire, or the steering feels loose.

Quick answer

A shake that starts at around 50–60 mph (80–100 km/h) and fades when you slow down is most often a wheel that is out of balance, for example because a balance weight has fallen off. Other causes are a bent wheel, a damaged tire, and worn steering or suspension parts. If the shake happens only when you brake, it is usually the brake discs instead.

Typical cost$100–$124£20–£40≈ €90–€110≈ A$150–A$190balancing all four wheels

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Wheel out of balance

    The most common cause. If a balance weight falls off, or a tire was not balanced properly when it was fitted, the wheel wobbles as it spins. The shake usually starts around 50–60 mph (80–100 km/h), can grow as you go faster, and is felt through the steering wheel if it is a front wheel. A rebalance is quick and cheap.

  2. Bent wheel

    A pothole or kerb strike can bend the rim. If the shake comes back soon after a balance, ask the garage to check the wheel for runout (how far it is out of true). A badly bent wheel needs repairing or replacing.

  3. Damaged or unevenly worn tire

    A bulge, flat spot, separating tread or uneven wear can all cause vibration. Look at each tire for lumps on the sidewall or tread. A bulge means the tire is damaged inside and can fail: do not drive on it, fit the spare or call for help. A tire with internal belt damage can even shake at low speed.

    Read the fix guide

  4. Worn steering or suspension parts

    Worn tie rods, ball joints or control arm bushings let the wheel move when it should not. Signs: the shake is there at most speeds, there is play in the steering, or you hear clunks over bumps or when turning. These are worth checking if balancing does not fix the problem.

  5. Brake discs (only when braking)

    If the wheel shakes only when you brake from speed, the brake discs are the usual cause, not the tires. That is a different problem with its own fix.

    Read the fix guide

What it costs to fix

DIY or garage?

How to prevent it

  • Slow down for potholes and avoid hitting kerbs.
  • Have the wheels balanced whenever new tires are fitted or a tire is repaired. UK chain National Tyres suggests a balance check every 5,000–6,000 miles8,000–10,000 km.
  • Rotate tires as your owner's manual says, so they wear evenly.
  • Check pressures monthly; a low tire can also make the steering shake.
  • If you hit something hard and notice a new vibration, get the wheel checked soon.

Questions drivers ask

Is it safe to drive with a shaking steering wheel?

A mild shake that only appears in one speed range is not an emergency, but get it checked soon and drive slower until then. Stop driving if it suddenly gets worse, if you can see damage on a tire, or if you hear clunking or the steering feels loose. Do not test it by driving faster.

Why does my steering wheel shake only at certain speeds?

An out-of-balance wheel often starts to shake noticeably at around 50–60 mph (80–100 km/h). A shake that appears in one speed range and eases when you slow down points to wheel balance first.

I had my wheels balanced and it still shakes. Why?

The wheel may be bent, the tire may have internal damage, or the tire may have stiff spots that a normal balance does not detect. Ask for a road force balance, which presses a roller against the tire to find this. If that is fine, the next suspects are worn steering or suspension parts.

What is the difference between shaking at speed and shaking when braking?

Shaking that comes and goes with speed, whether or not you brake, points to the wheels and tires. Shaking or a pulsing pedal only when you press the brake points to the brake discs. See our guide to a car that shakes when braking.

Sources

  1. Motor1: Why your steering wheel might shake at highway speeds (accessed November 6, 2026)
  2. Mavis Tires & Brakes: Why is my steering wheel vibrating? (accessed November 6, 2026)
  3. FIXD: How much does it cost to balance tires? (accessed November 6, 2026)
  4. National Tyres and Autocare: Is wheel balancing necessary? (UK) (accessed November 6, 2026)

General information only. Every car is different: check your owner's manual, and if anything involves brakes, steering, tires or a burning smell, have a qualified mechanic look at it before you drive on.