Q: Car squeals during the winter and transmission jerks

asked by on May 18, 2016

When I put my van in 'Park' it sometimes starts rolling and my brakes won't work. It's a horrible experience! It also rattles and shakes when I stop at a red light. I'm sick of this car! The dealership can't fix it. What do you suggest?

Brakes, Steering and Suspension Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. It sounds like it is possible that your transmission may be starting to fail. If your car is rolling when it is in park, it is not staying in the parking gear. This indicates that there may be an internal problem with the transmission.

A bad brake booster, or poor engine vacuum could cause the car to roll while in park as well.

It would be a good idea to have the brakes, steering and suspension inspected by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I access the luggage side box?
The luggage side box is on the floor of the trunk, at the side, and provides extra storage space. To open the luggage side box, pull the strap up, and lift the lid off.
Traction Control Fail light on
While this code can be a illuminated for a number of reasons, you are correct that it has to do with servicing the stabilizer system. This light is actually a common one, and the repairs I have seen involve reprogramming...
Broken spark plug in head
Having a broken spark plug in the cylinder head is never a good thing. If the threaded part of the plug is in the head then it needs to be extracted in one of two ways. There are special extraction...
Broken ignition will it start if I replace the whole steering column ?
Hello there, a few different things can cause the ignition to brake. If the ignition was broken due to a theft, then the usual repair would be to replace the ignition switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ignition-switch) and key cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ignition-lock-cylinder). It would be...
Car is not starting but the lights are on
There are several possibilities here - the neutral safety switch may have failed (requires you to be in Park/Neutral to start), the ignition switch may have failed (bad contacts), or the starter itself (solenoid or motor) may have failed. I...
Car stalls after fueling
It sounds like you may have a problem with your evaporative emissions system. Your car has a small purge valve called a purge solenoid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/evaporation-vent-solenoid-replacement) that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up...
Car not running
It sounds like you have at least two issues, the check engine light has come on accompanied by loss of power and you have an antifreeze leak. The source of antifreeze leaks can be pinpointed by simple pressure testing of...
Popping sound while idling.
Hi there. One or more of the drive belt pulleys may be bent causing the engine to have erratic rpm's when at idle and causing the engine to stall out at times. Open the hood with the engine running and...
Engine whirls when it is started. The engine makes a audible but not loud WHIRRING (not squealing) sound when foot is on the gas.
There could be a hole in the intake air cleaner hoses or a drive belt that is loose causing the whirling sound. Try removing the drive belt and driving the vehicle for a short time. The battery light will come...

Related articles

How Long Do Brake Calipers Last?
Calipers Calipers are an essential part of the braking system of any vehicle. The calipers press the brake pads against the surface of the rotor to slow or stop the vehicle. The two types of calipers, fixed and floating, are...
How Often Should Brakes Be Replaced?
Brake pads and brake rotors wear out over time. How long brakes last depends on the brake material, as well as your driving patterns.
How the Parking Brake Works
A parking brake (also known as an emergency brake) is part of the vehicle’s braking system. You will see a...