Symptoms of Bad Wheel Alignment (And What to Do About It)

This article was updated in January 17, 2026 with new products and information by Mark S. Taylor

Is your car pulling to the left or right? Does your steering wheel look crooked even when you drive straight? These are classic symptoms of bad wheel alignment. Ignoring this problem is a costly mistake. It can chew up your tires in just a few months. That turns a simple $100 repair into an $800 bill for new rubber. Plus, a bad alignment makes your car harder to control in rain or an emergency. In this guide, I will show you the signs to look for, how to test it yourself, and what you should pay to fix it.

Contents

What Is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment is adjusting your car’s suspension so the tires point in the right direction.

It is not actually an adjustment of the tires or wheels themselves. Instead, a mechanic adjusts the metal suspension parts that connect the wheels to the car. The goal is to make sure the tires make flat contact with the road. When your alignment is right, your car drives straight and your tires wear evenly.

The Three Alignment Angles

Mechanics look at three main angles.

1. Camber (Side-to-Side Tilt) Camber is how much the tire tilts in or out when you look from the front.

Negative Camber: The top of the tire tilts in.
Positive Camber: The top of the tire tilts out.
Zero Camber: The tire stands straight up. This is best for most cars.
Why it matters: Bad camber wears out the inner or outer edge of your tire.

2. Toe (Front-to-Back Direction) Toe is like looking down at your feet.

Toe-In: The front of the tires point toward each other.
Toe-Out: The front of the tires point away from each other.
Why it matters: This is the most common issue. It destroys tire tread very fast.

3. Caster (Steering Axis Tilt) Caster helps your steering wheel return to center after a turn.

Positive Caster: The steering axis tilts toward the driver.
Why it matters: Bad caster makes the car feel unstable at high speeds.

Wheel Alignment vs. Wheel Balancing

People often mix these up. Here is the difference.

Feature	Wheel Alignment	Wheel Balancing
What it adjusts	Wheel angles (Suspension)	Weight of the tire
Symptoms	Pulling, crooked wheel	Vibration at high speed
When needed	After hitting a pothole	With new tires
Cost	$75 – $200	$40 – $100

7 Common Symptoms of Bad Wheel Alignment

The most common sign is the vehicle pulling to one side while driving on a flat road.

If you notice any of these signs, check your car soon.

1. Vehicle Pulls to One Side

Does your car drift? Drive on a flat, straight road. Briefly let go of the wheel if it is safe. Does the car dart to the left or right?

Slight Pull: This is a minor issue.
Strong Pull: You have to fight the wheel to stay straight. This is a big problem.
Note: Sometimes a pull is just low air pressure. Check your tire pressure first.

2. Steering Wheel Is Off-Center or Crooked

Your steering wheel logo should be level when you drive straight. If the logo is tilted to the left or right, your “toe” angle is likely off.

Why it happens: Your front wheels are pointing in different directions.
Urgency: It is annoying, but safe for a short time. Fix it within a month.

4. Steering Wheel Vibrates or Shakes

Does your steering wheel buzz or shake at 60 mph? This can be alignment, but it is often a balance issue.

The Difference: If it shakes and pulls, it is likely alignment.
Safety Risk: A shaking wheel reduces your control. Get it checked.

5. Squealing or Screeching Tires

Do your tires squeal when you turn slowly in a parking lot? This sounds like chalk on a chalkboard.

The Cause: The tires are dragging sideways instead of rolling smoothly.
Result: This scrubs rubber off your tires very fast.

6. Loose or Unresponsive Steering

Does the steering wheel feel sloppy? If you can turn the wheel an inch without the car moving, you have loose parts.

The Cause: Bad alignment stresses your tie rods and ball joints.
Danger: This is dangerous. Have a mechanic check your suspension immediately.

7. Vehicle Feels Unstable at Highway Speeds

Does the car feel “floaty” or hard to keep in one lane? It might feel like the wind is pushing you, even on a calm day.

The Cause: This is usually a bad caster angle.
Risk: It makes highway driving scary and tiring.

What Causes Wheel Misalignment?

Hitting a large pothole or curb is the number one cause of alignment issues.

It does not take a huge crash to mess up your wheels.

Impact Damage

Potholes: Even one bad hit can bend a part.
Curbs: Bumping a curb while parking pushes the wheel inward.
Minor Accidents: A small fender bender can shift the frame.

Normal Wear and Tear

Rubber parts in your suspension get old.

Bushings: These rubber cushions crack over time.
Springs: Metal springs sag as they age. This changes the angles.
Shocks: Worn shocks let the wheels bounce too much.

Driving Habits

Do you drive fast on rough roads?

Aggressive Turning: This stresses the parts.
Heavy Loads: Towing too much weight lifts the front wheels. This changes the caster angle.

How to Check If You Need Wheel Alignment

You can do a simple “Straight Road Test” to check your alignment in minutes.

Test 1: The Straight Road Test

Find a flat, empty road. Drive at 50 mph. When safe, let go of the wheel for one second.

Good Result: The car goes straight.
Bad Result: The car dives to the side.

Test 2: The Steering Wheel Check

Drive perfectly straight. Look at your steering wheel.

Good Result: The center logo is level.
Bad Result: The wheel is turned to the 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock position.

Test 3: The Tire Wear Inspection

Park the car. Turn the wheels so you can see the tread. Run your hand across the tire.

Good Result: The tread feels even on both sides.
Bad Result: One side is bald. Or the tread feels sharp like a saw blade.

Test 4: The Tire Pressure Check

Always check your air pressure first.

Why: A low tire pulls the car to one side. It mimics bad alignment.
Tool: Use a $5 gauge to check all four tires.

Wheel Alignment Cost Breakdown

A standard four-wheel alignment typically costs between $75 and $200.

The price depends on where you live and what car you drive.

Service Type	Price Range	Time Needed
Alignment Check	$0 – $50	20 mins
Front-End Alignment	$50 – $100	40 mins
Four-Wheel Alignment	$75 – $200	60 mins
Lifetime Alignment	$150 – $300	One-time fee

Factors That Affect Price

Luxury Cars: BMWs and Audis need special tools. They cost more.
Trucks: Large tires take more time to adjust.
Location: City shops charge more than rural shops.

When Alignment Costs More

Sometimes, a shop cannot align your car yet.

Why: If a tie rod is loose, the alignment won’t hold.
The Cost: You must fix the broken part first. This can add $200 to $500 to the bill.
Tip: Always ask to see the loose part before you pay.

Ways to Save Money

Check Coupons: Look for “Alignment Specials” online.
Buy a Package: Some shops offer a “Lifetime Alignment.” You pay once and get free checks for as long as you own the car. This pays for itself after two visits.

How Often Should You Get Wheel Alignment?

You should check your alignment every 10,000 miles or once a year.

You don’t always need an adjustment, but you should check.

General Schedule

Every Oil Change: Look at your tires for weird wear.
Every New Set of Tires: Always align new tires. It protects your warranty.
After Impact: Did you hit a deep pothole? Get it checked right away.

Regional Differences

Snow Belt: If you live on rough winter roads, check it every 6 months.
Smooth Roads: If you drive on smooth highways, once a year is fine.

What Happens If You Ignore Bad Alignment?

Ignoring alignment will ruin your tires and cost you hundreds of dollars.

It seems cheaper to skip the $100 service. But the long-term costs are huge.

Short-Term Damage

Tire Death: Your tires will wear out 50% faster.
Gas Money: Your engine works harder to push crooked wheels. This wastes gas.

Long-Term Damage

Suspension Wear: Bad alignment shakes your car parts. This breaks ball joints and bearings.
Stress: Fighting the steering wheel tires you out on long trips.

The Cost of Ignoring It

Let’s do the math.

Fixing it: $150 for an alignment.
Ignoring it: $800 for early tires + $200 for extra gas = **$1,000**.
Verdict: Fixing it is much cheaper.

Preventing Wheel Alignment Problems

Slow down for potholes and speed bumps to keep your wheels straight.

You can’t avoid every bump, but you can drive smarter.

Good Driving Habits

Potholes: If you can’t avoid one, slow down. Do not brake while hitting it. Brake before, then coast over it.
Parking: Use your mirrors. Don’t feel for the curb with your tire.
Speed Bumps: Hit them straight on, not at an angle.

Regular Maintenance

Rotate Tires: Move your tires every 5,000 miles.
Check Pressure: Keep air in your tires.
Inspect: Look at your suspension when the car is on a lift.

FAQ About Symptoms of Bad Wheel Alignment

How do I know if my wheel alignment is bad?

The car will pull to the side, the steering wheel will be crooked, or your tires will wear unevenly.

What does it sound like when your car is out of alignment?

You might hear a tire squeal when turning, or a humming noise from uneven tread wear.

How much should a full alignment cost?

Expect to pay between $100 and $180 for a modern four-wheel alignment.

How to tell if you’re out of alignment?

Let go of the wheel on a straight road. If the car drifts quickly, you are out of alignment.

Will bad alignment cause vibration?

It can cause a slight vibration, but heavy shaking is usually a wheel balance issue.

Bottom Line: Don’t Ignore Wheel Alignment Symptoms

Bad alignment is a silent tire killer.

It starts with a slight pull to the left. It ends with a bald tire and a blown-out suspension part.

Watch for: Drifting, crooked steering wheels, and uneven wear.
The Cost: Spending $100 now saves you $1,000 later.
The Schedule: Check it once a year or after hitting a curb.