If you hit a pothole hard, do a quick self-check of your vehicle right away, then have a shop inspect the tires and wheels, alignment, and suspension/steering as soon as you can, especially if anything feels “off” while driving.

Hoover Street Auto Repair in Ann Arbor, Michigan, provides pothole damage inspections and curb impact inspections. We inspect your vehicle from front to back for damage from hitting potholes or curbs, and provide a digital inspection report with photos or videos of any damage found, along with a detailed repair estimate.

Right After You Hit The Pothole

What to do immediately after hitting a pothole:

  • Safely pull over where possible and look for:

  • A deflated or visibly damaged tire (cuts, bubbles in the sidewall, chunks missing, air leaking).

  • A bent, cracked, or scuffed wheel rim.

  • Leaking fluids under the car (engine oil, engine coolant, transmission fluid).

  • Anything hanging down or dragging on the ground (splash shield, exhaust, etc.).

If a tire looks badly cut or bulged, or the wheel is obviously bent, treat it as a serious failure: put on the spare and drive slowly to a shop, or have your vehicle towed to a repair shop for an inspection if you’re unsure it’s safe.

What Are Common Symptoms Of Pothole Damage?

Symptoms of pothole impact damage usually show up in how the vehicle drives, feels, and sounds after the impact.

Steering And Alignment Symptoms

  • Car pulls or drifts to one side when you try to go straight.

  • Steering wheel is off-center when driving straight.

  • New vibration or shaking in the steering wheel, often at certain speeds.

Tire And Wheel Symptoms

  • Bulge or bubble in the tire sidewall, or visible cuts or tears.

  • Tire keeps losing air or you see a frequent tire pressure warning light.

  • Bent, cracked, or visibly damaged rims or wheels.

  • New vibrations or wheel shake.

Suspension And Ride Symptoms

  • Car feels rougher, bouncier, or less stable than before.

  • Clunking, knocking, or rattling noises over bumps that weren’t there before.

  • Nose-diving more when braking.

  • Excessive bouncing after you push down on a corner of the car.

Under-body, Exhaust, And Fluid Symptoms

  • New scraping, rattling, or loud exhaust noises.

  • Visible fluid leaks or fresh drips under the car after parking.

  • New warning lights on the dash (especially tire pressure, ABS, traction, or general warning).

If you notice any of these red-flag symptoms after a pothole impact, have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible rather than waiting.

Signs You Need A Mechanic To Do A Vehicle Inspection Asap

If you notice any of the following after the impact, don’t wait—book a vehicle inspection as soon as possible:

  • Car pulls or drifts left or right when you try to drive straight. This can indicate an alignment or suspension issue.

  • Steering wheel is off-center when you’re driving straight.

  • New vibration in the steering wheel or seat, especially at certain speeds. This can indicate a bent wheel or damaged tire.

  • New clunks, rattles, squeaks, or thumps when going over bumps or driving on rough roads.

  • Uneven or rapidly changing tire wear, or a tire pressure warning light.

  • Any ABS or traction control warning lights or messages.

What To Ask An Auto Repair Shop To Check

When you bring your vehicle into the shop, tell them you hit a pothole, roughly how fast you were going, and which wheel took the hit. You can phrase your request like: “I hit a pothole hard with the front right wheel; please check the tires and wheels, alignment, and suspension/steering for impact damage, and road-test it for any pull, vibration, or noises.”

If you have the time, draft a specific “here’s what to check” note you can give to your service advisor with the following information.

Pothole or curb impact inspection should focus on:

Tires And Wheels

  • Inspect all tires for sidewall bubbles, cuts, or broken internal structure; check the inner sidewalls too.

  • Check wheels for bends, cracks, or out-of-round conditions, and verify all tires hold pressure properly.

Alignment

  • Perform a four-wheel alignment check to see if camber, caster, toe, and thrust angle are still within specifications.

  • If any angles are out of limits, correct the alignment, then recheck steering wheel centering and road-test the vehicle.

Suspension And Steering Components

  • Inspect suspension struts or shocks for leaks, damage, or damaged mounts; during the test drive, look for nose dive when braking or extra bouncing over bumps.

  • Check control arms, ball joints, tie rods, sway bar links, and bushings for bends, cracks, or looseness.

  • Inspect wheel bearings for play or noise.

Brakes And Under-body Damage

  • Visually check for damage to brake hoses and lines, backing plates, and ABS sensor wiring near the impacted wheel.

  • Look for damage to the sub-frame, suspension, steering, exhaust, shields, and other low-hanging components if the pothole or curb hit was severe.

Monitor Or Fix Now

When should you monitor, and when should you fix right away?

  • Fix now or urgent repair: If there is visible tire or wheel damage, strong steering pull, strong vibrations, new or strange noises, or any fluid leaks, get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible and avoid highway driving.

  • Monitor: If there is no visible damage, the vehicle drives straight, there are no odd noises, and there are no new vibrations, you can drive carefully but should still limit driving until a safety inspection and alignment check can be done to protect tire life.

What Do Pothole Damage Inspections Cost?

The cost of pothole or curb impact inspections depends on the amount and type of damage your vehicle has suffered. The inspection can range from a quick look and short test drive to a detailed check for major suspension damage.

Hoover Street Auto Repair doesn’t have a special “pothole damage inspection” fee. We use a standard vehicle inspection charge that depends on the vehicle type. If damage is found, the pothole inspection becomes a problem diagnosis, and the cost depends on the time involved.

Typical Cost Ranges

  • Basic visual suspension/under-body check: Quick courtesy inspections are usually free when included with an oil change or other repair services.

  • Diagnostic or detailed inspection fee: Commonly in the $100 and up range, depending on the vehicle type and extent of the problem.

  • Wheel alignment check and adjustment: Typically $100–$200, depending on two-wheel versus four-wheel alignment, and the vehicle type and condition.

How We Usually Bill a Pothole Impact Check

A brief parking lot visual inspection is free. If the vehicle needs to be lifted for a full under-body inspection, it is billed as a detailed digital inspection with a report.

If there is significant damage that takes more time to investigate—such as diagnosing noises or vibrations, or using an alignment rack to check for bent wheels or damaged suspension or steering parts—the cost is based on the diagnostic time spent.

How We Can Help

If your vehicle has hit a pothole or curb, Hoover Street Auto Repair can get you back on the road as quickly as possible. As a Michigan auto repair shop, we understand how rough Ann Arbor roads can be on vehicles. We are happy to put your mind at ease with a quick inspection, and we will repair any damage we find as quickly as possible.

Contact Hoover Street Auto Repair in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for thorough pothole damage inspections or curb impact inspections. We provide a digital inspection report with photos and video of any damage found, along with a detailed estimate of any repairs required.

Make an appointment at Hoover Street Auto Repair in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for thorough pothole damage inspections or curb impact inspections. We provide a digital inspection report with photos and video of any damage found, along with a detailed estimate of any repairs required.