The Lemon IndexA shake that starts around 50 to 70 mph is most often a wheel or tire problem.
Fix soon. Usually OK at lower speeds, but get it checked soon.
Wheels out of balance. Then: a bent wheel, or a tire with a bulge or separated belt; uneven tire wear.
Owners describe this in 12,075 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford F-Series.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Ford F-Series | 453 | 14% |
| 2019 Ford F-Series | 445 | 15% |
| 2018 Jeep Wrangler | 250 | 14% |
| 2018 Ford F-Series | 155 | 5% |
| 2011 Ford F-Series | 143 | 5% |
| 2012 Ford F-Series | 126 | 6% |
| 2021 Jeep Wrangler | 117 | 12% |
| 2008 Jeep Wrangler | 110 | 6% |
| 2015 Ford F-Series | 110 | 5% |
| 2006 Ford F-Series | 105 | 9% |
| 2007 Jeep Wrangler | 100 | 6% |
| 2016 Ford F-Series | 91 | 3% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2004 Jeep Wrangler · 16% 2019 Ford F-Series · 15% 2017 Ford F-Series · 14% 2018 Jeep Wrangler · 14% 2021 Jeep Wrangler · 12% 2019 Jeep Wrangler · 11% 2006 Ford F-Series · 9% 2022 Jeep Wrangler · 8%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of car shakes at highway speed
- Wheels out of balance
- A bent wheel, or a tire with a bulge or separated belt
- Uneven tire wear
- Worn steering or suspension parts
- A worn driveshaft or CV joint
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive if your car shakes at highway speed?
Fix soon. Usually OK at lower speeds, but get it checked soon.
Get help right away if you see a bulge on a tire; the shake suddenly gets worse.
Of the 12,075 complaints describing it, 2% mention a crash, 2% say the car was towed, 0.5% mention a fire and 1% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: suspension (37%), steering (33%), power train (19%), tires (10%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 41,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (3,475), Jeep (1,450), Chevrolet (1,004), Dodge (803), Honda (682).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (steering, suspension repairs): the middle half ran $550 to $1,700, typical $900, from 67 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Engine codes that come up with it
Trouble codes owners named in these complaints more often than in other symptom complaints. Look up any code →
Related symptoms
Death wobble Car shakes when accelerating Car shaking and check engine light on Transmission shudder Clicking noise when turning Clunking noise over bumps
Quick answers
What causes car shakes at highway speed?
A shake that starts around 50 to 70 mph is most often a wheel or tire problem. Common causes: wheels out of balance; a bent wheel, or a tire with a bulge or separated belt; uneven tire wear; worn steering or suspension parts; a worn driveshaft or CV joint.
Is it safe to drive if your car shakes at highway speed?
Fix soon. Usually OK at lower speeds, but get it checked soon.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford F-Series, Jeep Wrangler and Ram pickup. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 67 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $550 to $1,700. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup