Car Makes Noises After Pothole: What Manuals and Bulletins Say

A new thump, rattle or pull right after a pothole is worth taking seriously, because the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu owner’s manual says tires are more likely to be cut, punctured or broken by a sudden impact such as hitting a pothole. This guide is built from what owner’s manuals (2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban, 2020 Hyundai Kona), NHTSA, Michelin, Continental and five maker service bulletins posted on NHTSA say, including a table of what those bulletins found behind clunks over bumps.

Understanding Why Potholes Are So Harmful

The sources start with the tires. The 2019 Malibu and 2020 Tahoe/Suburban manuals carry the same warning: replace any tires that have been damaged by impacts with potholes, curbs, etc. Continental calls damage inside the tire casing an impact break, which it says is usually caused by driving over objects like curbs or speed bumps at excessive speed or at the wrong angle, with the extent depending on speed, angle and obstacle size. The pick below is a digital pressure gauge for the pressure checks that NHTSA and the Malibu manual describe further down.

Cause 1: Damaged Tires and Wheels

What It Sounds and Feels Like

The sources describe what to look for rather than what it sounds like, so these are the signs they name:

• Bulge or bubble: Michelin USA says a sidewall bulge or bubble generally indicates damaged cords caused by a severe impact, often with a visible break in the inner liner.
• Bump, bulge or split: the Malibu manual lists a tire with a bump, bulge or split among the reasons to replace it. The 2020 Kona manual says to look for bumps or bulges in the tread or side and to replace the tire if you find them.
• Bent wheel: the Malibu manual says to replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted or corroded, and to replace a wheel that leaks air; it adds that some aluminum wheels can be repaired and to see your dealer.
• Vibration on a smooth road: the Malibu and Kona manuals both say the tires and wheels may need to be rebalanced; the Malibu manual says to see your dealer for diagnosis.

Continental says sidewall dimples or indentations are usually harmless manufacturing overlaps, but if you are in doubt a tire specialist should check them.

Why It’s Dangerous

Continental says ignoring impact damage increases the risk of tire failure later, either delamination of the tread and plies or disintegration of the sidewall. NHTSA’s TireWise page reports 511 deaths in tire-related crashes in 2024. The Malibu manual adds a caution for low-profile tires (245/45R18 or 245/40R19 on that car): they are more susceptible to damage from road hazards or curb impact, and the warranty does not cover that type of damage.

What You Can Do

Source	What it says about impact damage
2019 Chevrolet Malibu manual	Replace any tires damaged by impacts with potholes, curbs, etc. Only the dealer or an authorized tire service center should repair, replace, dismount and mount the tires. Inspect tires, including the spare, at least once a month.
Michelin USA (page updated April 21, 2026)	Bulge or bubble: replace the tire with the spare immediately and take it to an authorized retailer for inspection.
Continental	A cut on the tire surface: visit a tire dealer and have the tires checked immediately by an expert.

For pressure, NHTSA’s TireWise page says the correct figure is the one the vehicle manufacturer lists on the Tire and Loading Information label or in the owner’s manual, not the number on the tire, and that cold means the tire has not been driven for at least three hours. The Malibu manual says to check pressure once a month or more.

If a tire fails while driving, see the NHTSA steps in the FAQ below.

Cause 2: Bent or Broken Suspension Components

None of the manuals or bulletins cited here links a specific clunk to a specific pothole. What they do show is that similar bump noises have had very different causes on different vehicles, and that the bulletins are written for technicians. The Honda bulletin says its procedures should not be attempted by do-it-yourselfers, and the Chrysler bulletin says it is technical information only, not an authorization for repair.

Vehicle and bulletin	Symptom	Cause the bulletin names	Labor allowance in bulletin
2014 Honda Accord and some 2015 Accord, Service Bulletin 14-067 (Nov. 1, 2014)	Clunk or rattle from the front suspension or under the dash over bumps or when turning	At least one self-locking nut at the top of the front damper/spring assembly is loose	0.4 hr to inspect and replace the nuts, including test drive
2016 Chrysler Town & Country, 2016-2017 Dodge Caravan, 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, 02-006-17 (June 1, 2017)	Clunking or popping over bumps or uneven surfaces at slow speeds	Damaged front upper strut mounts or strut stems (inspection says to look for a shiny metallic surface on the mount)	1.2 to 1.4 hr for one upper mount, including setting front toe
2023 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 built Feb. 8-9, 2023, 02-005-23 (July 15, 2023)	Knock or rattle over bumps	Front lower control arm bushings under cured	0.2 hr to inspect both sides; 1.7 hr to replace one control arm and perform an alignment
2019-2024 Ram 1500 without Front Active Perf Shock Absorbers, 02-001-25 (Feb. 25, 2025)	Rattle or clunk over bumps, in turns or in normal operation	Loose stabilizer link attachment to lower control arm nut	0.4 hr to retorque the nut
2007-2019 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe, GMC Yukon and other GM trucks, PIT5049E (May 20, 2019)	Rattle, squeak, clunk or thump from the front suspension	GM says that if normal diagnostics do not find the source, inspect the opposite-side shock/strut, because the noise may seem to come from the other side	None listed

Labor allowances are the warranty hours printed in each bulletin for those vehicles and build ranges. They are not prices and do not apply to other vehicles. The Malibu maintenance schedule separately lists visually inspecting steering, suspension and chassis components for damage, including cracks or tears in the rubber boots and loose or missing parts, at least once a year.

Cause 3: Knocked-Out Wheel Alignment

• 2019 Malibu: alignment is not needed on a regular basis; consider a check if there is unusual tire wear or the vehicle is significantly pulling to one side. A slight pull depending on road crown, troughs or ruts is normal.
• 2020 Kona: in most cases the wheels will not need aligning again, but with unusual tire wear or pulling the alignment may need to be reset; for uneven wear, have your dealer check it.
• NHTSA: alignment by a qualified technician prevents the car veering right or left on a straight, level road, and balancing keeps wheels from causing the vehicle to shake or vibrate.

The Dodge bulletin above lists “Perform Alignment” as a step after a lower control arm is replaced, so alignment can be part of a suspension repair as well as a separate check.

Cause 4: Damaged Steering System Components

The cited sources give no pothole-specific steering diagnostics. The Malibu schedule includes inspecting power steering for proper attachment, connections, binding, leaks, cracks and chafing, alongside the steering and suspension inspection above. NHTSA notes that a front tire failure is felt more in the steering, while a rear one is felt more in the seat or body of the vehicle. If the steering feels different after an impact, the nearest source advice is the Malibu manual’s: see your dealer for proper diagnosis.

Cause 5: A Damaged Exhaust System

The Malibu manual treats exhaust damage as a carbon monoxide hazard. It says CO cannot be seen or smelled, that exposure can cause unconsciousness and even death, and that exhaust may enter the vehicle if the exhaust smells or sounds strange or different, leaks due to corrosion or damage, or has been modified, damaged or improperly repaired. If unusual fumes are detected or suspected, it says to drive only with the windows completely down and have the vehicle repaired immediately.

The Malibu schedule says to visually inspect the exhaust system and nearby heat shields for loose or damaged parts; the Kona manual lists checking the muffler, exhaust pipes, shields and clamps at least twice a year.

When to Stop Driving and Get It Inspected

What you notice	What the source says	Source
Bulge or bubble on a sidewall	Replace with the spare immediately; retailer inspection	Michelin USA
Tire bump, bulge or split	Replace the tire	2019 Malibu manual
Bent, cracked or air-leaking wheel	Replace the wheel (some aluminum wheels can be repaired; see dealer)	2019 Malibu manual
Cut in the tire	Have a tire dealer check the tire immediately	Continental
Exhaust fumes suspected in the cabin	Windows completely down; repair immediately	2019 Malibu manual
Vibration on a smooth road	Wheels may need rebalancing; see dealer for diagnosis	2019 Malibu and 2020 Kona manuals
Pulling to one side	Consider an alignment check	2019 Malibu and 2020 Kona manuals
Clunk, rattle or knock over bumps	Causes vary by vehicle (table above); bulletins are written for technicians	Maker bulletins on NHTSA

This is a summary of the sources named, not a diagnosis of your vehicle. A tire shop or repair shop has to inspect the car to say which part is damaged.

Related Guides

• Hit a pothole and now the car makes a clunking noise
• Car makes noises after hitting a pothole
• Pothole damage
• Wheel alignment vs tire balancing symptoms
• Best tire pressure gauges

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it safe to drive my car if it’s making noise after a pothole?

None of the sources cited here describes a new noise after an impact as safe to ignore. The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu manual says to replace tires damaged by impacts with potholes or curbs, Michelin says to swap a bulged tire for the spare right away, and the same Malibu manual says to have a car repaired immediately if exhaust fumes may be entering it. For a clunk or rattle, have the vehicle inspected, because the service bulletins above list several different causes.

Do I need an alignment after hitting a pothole?

The Malibu manual says to consider an alignment check if there is unusual tire wear or the vehicle is significantly pulling to one side, and that a slight pull from road crown or ruts is normal. The 2020 Hyundai Kona manual says that if you notice unusual tire wear or pulling, the alignment may need to be reset.

What does a bulge on the side of a tire mean?

Michelin says a bulge or bubble on the sidewall generally indicates damaged cords caused by a severe impact, that such a tire cannot be repaired, and that the fix is to replace it with the spare immediately and have it inspected by an authorized retailer.

What should I do if a tire fails while I am driving?

NHTSA says to hold the steering wheel with both hands, keep speed if safe, gradually release the accelerator, correct the steering as needed, and once stable slow down and pull off where it is safe. It warns that slamming the brakes or abruptly lifting off the accelerator can cause a loss of control.

How much will pothole repairs cost?

This guide gives no repair prices. The service bulletins above give warranty labor allowances in hours for specific vehicles, which are not shop prices. Ask a repair shop for a written estimate for your vehicle.

What This Guide Does Not Cover

• Vehicles other than those named in the manuals and bulletins above; check your own owner’s manual.
• Repair prices, insurance or claims for pothole damage; ask a repair shop or insurer.
• Step-by-step repairs; the bulletins are written for trained technicians.

Conclusion: Your Car Is Talking, So Please Listen

After a pothole, the sources agree on the first move: look at the tires and wheels, because the manuals say to replace impact-damaged tires and Michelin says to swap a bulged one for the spare. A clunk over bumps has had many causes in the bulletins, so have the car inspected, and treat suspected exhaust fumes as urgent.