Posted on 11/28/2025
When engine mounts get tired, normal vibration and movement stop being filtered out and start making their way into the cabin. The change can be subtle at first, then grow into shakes, thumps, and odd noises that make the car feel older than it is. Here are five clear signs the mounts are past their best, why they happen, and what to do next. 1) Stronger Vibration at Idle A smooth idle should feel calm through the seat and steering wheel. If you notice a low buzz in Drive at a stoplight that eases when you shift to Neutral, one or more mounts may not be isolating engine pulses anymore. Rubber hardens with age, and fluid-filled mounts can leak and collapse, so the engine’s natural vibration passes through the subframe and into the cabin. Because idle has fewer firing events per second, small problems are easier to feel there first. 2) Thump or Clunk When Shifting Into Gear A sharp knock as the transmission engages from Park to Drive or Reverse ... read more