What Causes Severe Engine Shaking in Reverse Gear While Running Normally in Forward Gear?

[StSpencer]

The causes of severe engine shaking in reverse gear while running normally in forward gear are aging engine mounts and severe carbon buildup in the engine. Below are the relevant explanations: Aging Engine Mounts: They need to be replaced promptly. Engine mounts, made of rubber, are located where the engine and transmission connect to the vehicle body. Rubber components degrade over time with use. Severe Carbon Buildup in the Engine: The most common cause of car shaking is a dirty throttle body or excessive carbon deposits in the fuel injectors. When there's too much carbon buildup inside the engine, the gasoline sprayed by the cold start injector is largely absorbed by the carbon deposits, resulting in an overly lean air-fuel mixture during cold starts. This makes the engine hard to start. Under these conditions, the engine only starts easily once the carbon deposits have absorbed enough gasoline to become saturated. After starting, the gasoline adsorbed on the carbon deposits is drawn into the combustion chamber by the engine's vacuum suction, enriching the air-fuel mixture again. This fluctuation between lean and rich air-fuel mixtures causes the engine to idle roughly after a cold start.

[LeAurora]

I've encountered a similar situation where the whole car shakes when reversing but drives fine forward. This is mostly related to power transmission components. My own old car had this issue due to aged engine mount bushings. When reversing, the engine tilts backward and the cracked bushings can't suppress the vibrations. Another time, a mechanic friend mentioned it could be worn CV joints – the shaking appears when the reversing angle changes. For manual transmissions, worn clutch plates can also cause noticeable shaking during reverse gear engagement. Also, check if the exhaust pipe hangers are loose, as exhaust vibrations can transfer into the cabin. Last time with my car, it was an exhaust issue that was fixed by replacing the hangers. Don't keep driving like this – get these areas inspected promptly to avoid potential transmission damage.

[VanDelilah]

The issue of shaking while reversing is actually quite common. I've encountered many car owners complaining about this during repairs. The most common cause is a broken engine mount, where the engine vibration is directly transmitted to the frame when reversing. Also, check the transmission support rubber pads, especially in older cars where they are prone to cracking. Then there's the driveshaft; the transmission angle differs between reversing and moving forward, so if the universal joint is worn, shaking can be severe when reversing. If the ignition coil or spark plugs are aging, unstable combustion under low-speed load can also cause shaking, though it's usually not noticeable when moving forward. Don't forget to check for carbon buildup on the throttle body, as dirt can also affect idle stability. It's recommended that owners focus on inspecting these areas and not delay replacing any necessary parts.

[LeLillian]

My car used to have this annoying shuddering issue when reversing. After taking it to a mechanic, we found three problems: first, the right front engine mount rubber was cracked, causing the engine to press against the crack when shifting backward. Second, the reverse gear in the transmission had slight wear, producing a clicking sound when engaging reverse. Third, there was excessive play in the inner CV joint of the left driveshaft, especially noticeable when reversing around corners. The mechanic explained that driveshaft issues are most apparent during reversing due to the smaller drive angles. After replacing these three components, the car immediately became smooth again. If your car has similar symptoms, prioritize checking the engine mounts, transmission gears, and driveshaft condition to prevent minor issues from turning into major repairs.