Q: Car shakes violently after a few minutes of driving

asked by on December 03, 2016

The car shakes quite violently after a few minutes of being driven, and the shaking does not go away until the car is restarted most of the time. When the shaking starts, the check engine light will come on. The car shakes regardless of speed, and it is definitely an engine issue.

My car has 180000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Catalytic Converter Replacement $288.41 - $1959.69 Get a Quote

This may be a sign of a clogged catalytic converter. As you may already know, the catalytic converter converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants that are suitable to be expelled into the atmosphere. When this is clogged, this causes these gases to be backed up into the exhaust system not allowing the engine to breathe properly (think of a backed up sink). When this happens, the engine is forced to work much harder to expel these gases. This often results in the engine bogging down, hesitating, shaking and causing very poor fuel economy. This should also cause a check engine light to come on as the O2 sensors should be reading the incorrect amounts of oxygen in the exhaust gases if this is your problem. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and replace your catalytic converter.

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 answer a call?
When a paired phone receives a phone call, it will come through the sound system, even if the sound system is currently playing something. To answer the call, press the Phone Send button.
Motor fell out
Hello. When motor mounts break, it can cause the engine to move excessively while driving, or starting. A lot of times, you will hear a hard "bang" when the car shifts, and it may feel like the engine is jumping,...
My pacifica runs and drives only reverse when i shift it to drive dies quickly . But you can shift it to reverse and neutral
This is an internal problem with the transmission and may be a valve body or leaking internal seal. The problem is the transmission leaking pressure internally, and when you put it in drive, the transmission is trying to go into...
Brake system issues
It sounds like you may have a brake caliper sticking (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-caliper-replacement) which could be dangerous. The pads should be close to the rotors when the brakes are disengaged, but not making enough contact to squeal or drag. You should have...
After sensor replacement, 2nd diagnostic revealed P0139
No, it is not the catalyst. The P0139 code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0139-obd-ii-trouble-code-o2-sensor-circuit-slow-response-bank-1-sensor-2) is for the O2 sensor before the catalyst. The code is illuminated when the engine control module is testing the O2 sensor and it cuts the fuel to see if...
I have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with bent valves on both heads. I'm wondering if this is worth fixing?
Hello, thanks for writing in. I will try to help you with this. If the car has no other significant repair needs (i.e., costs), the calculation is fairly straightforward. If other repairs are required it is much more complicated. So,...
Won't start - 1993 Toyota Corolla
Hi there. From the description you have given, no power to the ignition circuit and fuel pump circuit. It could be the EFI main relay is faulty (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ecm-power-relay-replacement). A circuit test could confirm the fault. A worn clutch would not...
Where are the motor mounts location on a 2004 Ford Free star. I see the top one. Need to life motor to replace water pump. 2004 Ford Freestyle
Hi there - there are actually 4 mounts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-engine-mount) that locate the engine/transmission as a unit. The top link (you've already identified) is, complemented by 3 additional mounts around the lower perimeter of the engine/transmission, attaching the unit to the...
Brain rattling shaking when accelerating a little harder like up hill but not when cruising normally & car starts/idles fine
Hi There, Engine mounts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-mount-replacement) can certainly cause a vibration when accelerating and may also cause a slight vibration at other times as well depending on the severity of their condition and where they may be damaged. Engine mounts are...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid
The The 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid is Mercedes' first hybrid SUV. It can perform light off-roading tasks while still being able to tow a good amount of weight. It has excellent fuel economy and drives just like the Mercedes-Benz M-Class...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Architect
Obviously, Obviously, architects appreciate beauty and symmetry. This is not just the case when it comes to their building projects, but also in terms of the vehicles they choose. We have evaluated several used cars, and identified the Mercedes CLA,...
The Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure
Car insurance quotes depend on the car make and model. The Honda Odyssey is the least expensive and the Dodge Viper is the most expensive to insure.