Asked by A driver, Andrews NC
Vibration after a pothole
THE QUESTION
I hit a large pothole and shortly after my vehicle started vibrating. Could an impact damage transmission mounts or drivetrain components enough to create transmission-like symptoms?
MIKE'S ANSWER
Absolutely. A hard impact with a pothole, curb, or road debris can damage several drivetrain and suspension components. In many cases, the resulting vibration or clunk feels like a transmission problem when the transmission itself is perfectly healthy.
That's why we always inspect the entire drivetrain—not just the transmission.