Why Your Car Shakes in Reverse & How to Fix It?

Experiencing your car shaking in reverse can be alarming, especially if you’re used to driving smoothly without problems. This common problem has led many users to repeatedly complain about the unsettling sensation.

The issue stems from multiple reasons, including a problematic torque converter, contaminated or insufficient transmission fluid, or an issue with your car’s engine. Understanding these main reasons is crucial for tackling the problem effectively.

We have compiled a detailed guide, explaining the causes and offering fixes you can try to resolve this problem. Whether it’s dealing with sudden stops in the middle of the road or an indicator light flashing on the dashboard, the goal is to get rid of the discomfort and restore your car to its optimal performance.

Why Is the Car Shaking In Reverse?

When you notice your car shaking in reverse, it might seem perplexing, especially if the car’s condition is generally good and there’s no apparent problem with the engine.

The reverse gear might naturally vibrate or produce a whining sound, as these gears are straight gears. However, an unusual vibration while applying reverse gears, whether parking or moving back to make a turn, signals a deeper problem. This could stem from issues within the car engine or another internal component.

We’ve listed some of the main problems that could cause your car to shake while reversing, along with a detailed explanation of each issue. Understanding these can help pinpoint and address the root cause, restoring smooth operation to your vehicle.

Issues with the Car’s Engine

One of the main reasons your car may shake when applying the reverse gear is a problem with the car’s engine, specifically the engine mounts. These mounts, made of steel and rubber, play a crucial role in not only positioning the engine on the car’s frame to prevent it from falling off but also in absorbing the engine’s vibration and reducing road shock as the car passes over a bump.

However, if not cared for, the conditions of these engine mounts can deteriorate, becoming worn out. This leads to issues where your car shakes while changing gears, particularly the reverse one.

Identifying worn-out engine mounts as the culprit can be challenging due to the complexities involved, often requiring a mechanic or professional for accurate diagnosis and replacement.

Problematic Clutch

A problematic clutch can significantly contribute to your car shaking in reverse. The clutch plays a crucial role in car moving, as it connects the engine to the car’s transmission. It consists of two plates that are compressed against each other when the brake pedal is pressed, generating friction that is transferred to the axle and stops the car.

However, when the clutch is damaged or worn out, the vibration caused by this compression can exceed the desired limit, causing the car to either accelerate or decelerate while reversing due to improper interaction between the plates. This situation leads to a clutch that stops functioning midway instead of at full capacity, creating a significant strain value within the car’s system.

This strain or pressure manifests as shaking movements, especially noticeable when the car shakes in reverse.

Damaged Tires

Damaged tires can significantly impact your driving experience, especially if they haven’t been replaced for a long time. Tires are key components of a car that make direct contact with the ground. When a car’s tires’ condition is not good, it leads to high friction between the tires and the ground. This is a normal cause for experiencing shaking in the car, particularly in the reverse direction.

Additionally, tire pressure plays a critical role; if the pressure in your car’s tires isn’t enough, it can lead to flat tires. This causes the car to shake as the pressure isn’t adequate to support the vehicle’s weight properly.

Ensuring your tires are in good condition and properly inflated is essential for a smooth driving experience and to prevent your car from shaking, especially when reversing.

Exhausted Transmission Mounts

Exhausted transmission mounts can lead to your car shaking in reverse, a problem often confused with issues in the engine mounts but with a distinctly different function.

While engine mounts keep the engine attached to the car, transmission mounts play a crucial role in holding the transmission box to the car, aiding in toning down vibrations. However, when these transmission mounts become exhausted, you’ll likely experience your car’s shaking. This is due to the transmission box’s condition deteriorating, struggling to keep the gearbox in the right position, causing unnecessary vibrations.

These issues are exacerbated when applying reverse gears, where the higher pressure on the gears can highlight the problem. Additionally, the rubber part of the transmission box may start melting due to oil leakage and continuous friction in the gearbox, further contributing to the shaking.

Transmission Fluid

The transmission fluid in your car plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operation, especially when engaging the reverse gear. It’s essential to have the transmission fluid level checked regularly.

A transmission fluid level that’s less than the recommended minimum can cause your car to shake badly when in reverse. This happens because low pressure in your car’s transmission system can make the transmission shake, which in turn causes the entire car to shake in reverse.

Changing the transmission fluid from time to time is vital to ensure it’s not contaminated by harmful chemicals or air from outside when being filled. Keeping the transmission fluid at the proper level and condition is important to prevent your car from shaking in reverse.

Torque Converter

When your car shakes in reverse and you notice the engine’s RPM is less than 2000, it’s a hint that the torque converter might be at fault. Interestingly, this shaking becomes almost negligible at 3000 RPM. This specific behavior suggests that the issue isn’t with the engine or transmission mounts, as you would likely experience shaking even above 3000 RPM if they were the culprits.

To accurately diagnose a bad torque converter, you might find YouTube videos a helpful resource. These guides can provide insights into identifying problems with your torque converter, which plays a pivotal role in the smooth operation of your car, especially when reversing.

An issue with EPC Solenoid

When your car starts to vibrate in reverse with a higher intensity, it could be signaling an issue with the EPC solenoid. This component is crucial for maintaining the required pressure inside the transmission (often referred to as the tranny), and its failure can significantly affect the performance of your car’s transmission system.

As mentioned above, when the EPC solenoid fails, it does not just make the car vibrate; it jeopardizes the smooth operation, especially when engaging in reverse movements. Addressing this issue promptly is key to ensuring your vehicle remains reliable and free from disruptive vibrations that could escalate into more severe problems over time.

Damaged Throttle Body Sensors

Damaged throttle body sensors can lead to your car shaking in reverse, a problem not immediately obvious but significantly impactful. In vehicles, a large number of sensors are attached to the throttle body, playing a crucial role in ensuring that fuel combustion in the piston cylinder is happening peacefully.

When even one of these sensors fails to perform its task correctly, it can cause a drop in the RPM value of your car’s engine. This drop in RPM value then leads to an increase in the amplitude of the engine’s vibration, which is why you may notice your car shakes in reverse.

If you haven’t cleaned the throttle body for a long time, it might also increase the intensity of vibrations you notice when the car shakes in reverse.

Fuel Pressure

Fuel pressure plays a pivotal role in your vehicle’s performance, particularly in how it handles reverse movements. A decline in fuel pressure can contribute to lowering the RPM value of your engine, which indirectly contributes to your car shaking when in reverse.

Issues such as a problematic fuel pump, a clogged or blocked fuel filter, faulty fuel injectors, or even a vacuum leak can all lead to insufficient fuel pressure. This, in turn, disrupts the smooth delivery of fuel to the engine, resulting in irregular engine performance and the unsettling sensation of your car shaking, particularly noticeable when you’re trying to reverse.

Addressing these issues not only involves checking the fuel pressure but also inspecting these components for any signs of failure or blockage.

Ignition System

A problem with your car’s ignition system is crucial in making your car shake badly when in reverse. When the ignition system goes bad, the chances of your car’s engine misfiring significantly increase, eventually increasing the car’s shaking, especially when applying reverse gear.

Misfires disrupt the engine’s smooth operation, causing irregular power delivery and resulting in vibrations that are particularly noticeable during reverse maneuvers.

Addressing issues within the ignition system not only improves the stability and performance of your vehicle but also ensures a smoother and safer driving experience, free from the unsettling shakes that can occur with system malfunctions.

Transmission Oil Filter

The transmission oil filter plays a subtle yet significant role in your vehicle’s performance, particularly noticeable when it adds to the car shaking problem in reverse.

Clogging of the transmission oil filter can lead to a reduction in fluid pressure inside the transmission box, which in turn affects the coupling properties of the fluid. This reduction in oil pressure, caused by clogging of the filter, impedes the torque from being adequately transferred from the engine to the transmission, causing your car to shake.

Addressing this issue involves inspecting and, if necessary, replacing the transmission oil filter to ensure smooth operation and prevent your car from experiencing unnecessary vibrations, especially in reverse gear.

How to Fix the Car Shaking in Reverse?

Having explored the reasons behind your car shaking in reverse, let’s now guide you through some solutions to help you solve this problem.

Method #1: Fixing/Replacing the Engine Mounts

To resolve the issue of your car shaking in reverse, the first step is often to fix or replace the engine mounts. These mounts, made from rubber and steel, are crucial for absorbing vibration and ensuring your car runs smoothly. If you suspect the engine mounts are the culprits, it’s essential to take your vehicle to a professional who can inspect your car, trace the problem, and suggest a viable solution.

In many cases, replacing the worn-out mounts is necessary, and for those inclined to DIY, there are numerous YouTube tutorials available that guide you through the process. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the fixed or new engine mounts are correctly installed to effectively absorb the unwanted vibrations and restore the smooth operation of your vehicle.

Method #2: Fixing/Replacing the Transmission Mount

While addressing issues like your car shaking in reverse, it’s crucial not to overlook the transmission mounts, which, although less commonly acknowledged than engine mounts, play a pivotal role.

If you suspect a problem with your transmission mounts, the best course of action is to consult a professional. Unlike engine mounts, transmission mounts require a more nuanced approach for diagnosis and replacement, demanding patience as the mechanic undertakes the job.

Discovering the root cause might not always be straightforward, but once identified, replacing the mounts could significantly improve your car’s performance. Professional intervention is often recommended to ensure the stability and integrity of your car’s transmission system are maintained.

Method #3: Replacing the Clutch

If your car is shaking in reverse, a replacement of the clutch might be the solution. Head to an auto part store to find a new clutch that matches your car’s model, ensuring it is compatible as per your owner’s manual. The process involves removing the old clutch along with battery cables and transaxle, as well as wires and cables connected to the starter motor.

Unscrew the bolts holding the bell housing to the engine, then remove the transaxle, drive axle, and prop shaft. Before installing the new clutch, make sure to clean all car components thoroughly. Use a clutch alignment tool to ensure the new clutch is positioned correctly, then reinstall the bolt plate and transaxle batch. Screws should be tightened, and the transaxle lowered back into place with a jack.

Reconnect all wires and cables before hitting the road with your car’s clutch successfully replaced. This can significantly reduce shaking, especially in reverse, improving your driving experience.

Method #4: Fixing the Suspension Components

Fixing the suspension components is a critical step if your car shakes in reverse. The problem often stems from exhausted or damaged parts such as shocks, struts, suspension bushings, ball joints, control arms, and sway bar links or bushings.

Springs can also contribute to this issue if they are not in optimal condition. Each of these components plays a vital role in the vehicle’s overall stability and smoothness of the ride. When any of these parts become exhausted or damaged, they need to be fixed or replaced promptly to restore the car’s suspension system to its proper function.

Addressing these components not only alleviates the shaking when in reverse but also enhances the driving experience by ensuring the vehicle handles and responds correctly to the driver’s inputs.

Method #5: Replacing/Fixing Tires

Fixing or replacing your car’s tires is a vital step to prevent your car from shaking in reverse. Incorrect tire pressure can significantly contribute to this problem. If you suspect a severe issue, it might be time to replace the tires.

 Sometimes, a visit to a professional mechanic is necessary to identify and fix the underlying problem. Ensuring your tires are in good condition and properly inflated is essential for maintaining the stability and performance of your vehicle, especially in reverse gear.

Method #6: Fixing the Failing Transmission System

Fixing a failing transmission system is crucial when your car shakes in reverse. This problem often indicates a deeper issue within the transmission system itself, necessitating the help of a professional.

Seeking professional help to have it fixed is not just about addressing the immediate discomfort but ensuring your car’s longevity and performance. A transmission system in good working order is essential for a smooth and responsive driving experience, particularly when shifting into reverse.

Ignoring such issues can lead to more significant problems down the line, making early and effective intervention key to preventing your car from experiencing further complications.

Also Read: Why Does My Car Jerk When Slowing Down

Also Read: How to Fix a Car That Won’t Move in Drive

Also Read: Car Goes into Gear But Won’t Move

FAQs

Does a car shake when the transmission is going out?

Yes, a car can shake when the transmission is going out. This shaking is often due to transmission issues affecting the car’s ability to smoothly transfer power from the engine to the drivetrain, leading to irregular or jerky movements.

Can transmission fluid cause shaking?

Yes, low or contaminated transmission fluid can cause shaking. Insufficient or dirty fluid affects the transmission’s ability to function smoothly, leading to vibrations or shaking, especially when shifting gears.

Final Words

In conclusion, addressing the issue of a car feeling like it’s going to stall when stopped, especially when it shakes in reverse, requires a multifaceted approach. From fixing or replacing engine and transmission mounts to addressing clutch problems, ensuring the tires are in good condition, rectifying suspension component issues, and even overhauling the transmission system if necessary, each method plays a crucial role in resolving the underlying problems. It’s essential to recognize the signs early and seek professional help when needed to ensure the longevity and safety of your vehicle. By taking proactive steps and utilizing the outlined methods, drivers can significantly reduce the risk of stalling and improve their overall driving experience, ensuring their vehicle operates smoothly and reliably.