Q: Car vibrates when stopping.

asked by on January 08, 2016

When I apply the brakes, my car vibrates and stops. It feels like the brakes are working by catching and leaving the tires. The power steering is also making a weird noise when I rotate the steering wheel.

Brake Rotor/Disc Replacement $258.18 - $1079.18 Get a Quote

Your problem is a common one. The vibration/pulsation you feel when braking is possibly due to warped rotors. Rotors are a smooth machined metal surface that your brake pads make contact with when you apply your brakes. When the rotor warp you feel a pulsing sensation you are describing. The repair is usually pretty simple. Depending on the condition of your rotors may need to be replaced. The noise while turning usually occurs when the fluid level is low in the power steering system. When the technician inspects your rotors, ask him to check the power steering fluid level. If it is low you might have a leak that needs to be addressed as well.

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

Car not riding smoothly
Hello. It appears that you have a series of issues occurring. If the vehicle itself is not riding smoothly then it may have an issue with the struts. Due to the age of the vehicle the struts may no longer...
New cars don't have transmission fluid dipsticks Transmission fluid changing
That's a very good question. The reason they have gone with no dipsticks is because they don't want people messing with transmissions other there at the dealership. Some cars went through that a couple of decades ago. They make it...
back right wheel blocked
Hello. If the wheel will not move, then the brake shoes are stuck to the drum. If the vehicle has not moved in some time and if the parking brake was not being used, then the shoes typically corrode to...
Car vibration, engine shuddering at idle
Hello. It sounds like the torque convertor is malfunctioning causing the car to vibrate and shudder. It is also possible that there is a problem with the drive shaft (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/driveshaft-replacement) being out of balance. One more possibility is that the...
I have a clicking noise coming from my serpentine belt.
Hi there. To see if the idler pulley is making the noise or the crankshaft pulley is making the noise, simply remove the serpentine belt from the engine and start the engine. If the nose goes away, then a pulley...
I've had the fuel pump replaced, distributor cap & rotor, ignition control module & crank sensor. Truck still won't start. The
Hi there. Has the battery been tested? Have the battery tested with a digital tester that provides current voltage, cold cranking amps, and state of health. A bad cell in the battery can wreak havoc on the electrical system and...
My car system beeped with the low coolant warning light and went to cold and then it completely shut off
Hello. If the coolant was low enough and if the engine started to get hot then it will shut down. Hopefully the engine turned off before any damage occurred. If the coolant was that low then there is a leak....
Can having your engine seize cause transmission problems too?
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, the engine drives the transmission through a fluid coupling known as a "torque converter". As a consequence of this design, if the engine were to suddenly stop, the transmission (and differential) would continue...
2006 Chevy Aveo CD player has error messages
In most cases, an error message means either the disc is scratched or player has an internal failure. From my past experience with CDs, I recall scratched CDs will read sometimes, but not all the time. I would try a...

Related articles

What Does It Mean to Bleed Your Brakes?
While While it sounds like a medical procedure, bleeding the brakes is a common maintenance procedure that needs to be done on a regular basis in order to keep a vehicle operating safely. Bleeding the brakes falls under the routine...
What Is Brake Dust?
It's It's time to wash the car, but when you get to the wheels they are covered by a hard to remove gray dust. Even after you clean it off, it comes back quickly. Welcome to the world of brake...
How Do I Know If My Brakes Need Replacing?
Certain symptoms tell you when to replace car brakes. The Brake Warning Light and squeaky brakes are common signs of worn out brake pads or rotors.