Can I Drive My Car With a Broken Stabilizer Bar?

You can usually creep a short distance to a repair shop if the stabilizer (sway/anti-roll) bar or an end link is broken but secured and not contacting other components; however, handling is compromised, emergency maneuvers are riskier, and highway speeds should be avoided. If any part can strike a tire or suspension, the car feels unstable, or conditions are poor, do not drive—have it towed.

What the Stabilizer Bar Does and Why It Matters

The stabilizer bar links the left and right suspension on an axle to resist body roll in turns. When it breaks—or when a link or bushing fails—the car leans more, steering responses change, and traction can be inconsistent between sides. Modern stability control can mitigate some effects but cannot overcome the extra roll and reduced grip that come with a disconnected bar.

Is It Safe to Drive With a Broken Sway Bar?

Safety depends on which part failed, how securely any loose parts are contained, driving speed, and conditions. The following points outline when a cautious, short drive may be acceptable.

• The failure is limited to an end link or bushing, and no metal parts can contact a tire, brake hose, axle, or road surface.
• The vehicle tracks straight, with predictable (though roll-prone) handling, and there is no severe clunking on small bumps.
• You keep speeds low (generally under 25–35 mph), avoid sudden steering/braking, and drive directly to a nearby shop.
• Roads are dry, traffic is light, and you are not towing or carrying heavy loads.

If all these conditions are met, a short, slow trip to a repair facility is often feasible, especially when only an end link has snapped.

There are also clear-stop scenarios where driving is not advisable.

• You hear loud clunks or feel the suspension “shift” over small bumps or gentle steering inputs.
• A bar, link, or bracket is loose enough to strike a wheel/tire, brake hose, strut, CV axle, or the ground.
• Handling feels unstable, the vehicle sways excessively, or the steering wheel must be held significantly off-center.
• Conditions are wet/icy, windy, or you must use highways, mountain roads, or make emergency stops/avoidance maneuvers.
• The affected axle is the front on a front-heavy vehicle (most cars), which has a larger impact on control.

In any of these cases, driving risks a loss of control or further damage. Towing is the safer choice.

Common Symptoms of a Broken Stabilizer Bar System

Recognizing the typical signs helps you decide whether to move the car and what to tell your technician.

• Sharp clunking or knocking over bumps, especially at low speed.
• Noticeably increased body roll in corners and a “tippy” feel during lane changes.
• Rattling from one corner where an end link has detached.
• Uneven or delayed steering response; the car may understeer more if the front bar is affected, or feel looser in the rear if the rear bar is compromised.
• Visible broken or missing end link, torn bushings, or a bar hanging or shifted in its brackets.

If you observe these symptoms—particularly loose hardware or a hanging bar—treat the car as unsafe until inspected.

Risks of Continuing to Drive

Driving with a failed stabilizer component can create compounding issues beyond handling changes.

• Reduced emergency handling margin, longer avoidance paths, and higher rollover risk for tall vehicles during abrupt maneuvers.
• Damage to tires, brake hoses, axles, or struts if loose hardware makes contact.
• Accelerated wear of remaining sway-bar parts, control-arm bushings, strut mounts, and even wheel bearings due to abnormal loading.
• Potential insurance complications if an accident is linked to known mechanical defects.

Because these risks escalate with speed and rough roads, limiting travel or arranging a tow is often the prudent call.

What to Check Before Moving the Car

A quick visual and functional check can help you judge immediate safety before attempting any short drive.

• Look behind each wheel for a dangling end link, missing bolts, or a bar that has shifted out of its bushing brackets.
• Confirm brake hoses and ABS wires are intact and clear of any broken parts.
• Push down on each corner; excessive bounce coupled with clunks suggests additional suspension issues.
• Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary and listen for binding or contact noises.
• If you must move the car, roll slowly in a safe area and test gentle braking/steering for abnormal reactions.

If anything looks or feels unsafe—especially contact with a tire or brake components—do not drive; arrange towing.

Repair Options and Typical 2025 Cost Ranges

Most sway-bar repairs are straightforward and not among the costliest suspension jobs, particularly when only links or bushings are involved.

• End links: $80–$250 per side installed (parts $20–$90 each; labor 0.5–1.0 hr). Many failures are link-related.
• Bushings and brackets: $80–$200 installed (parts $15–$50; labor 0.5–1.0 hr). May be higher if access is tight.
• Complete stabilizer bar: $200–$600 installed (parts $100–$300; labor 1–2.5 hr), more on some AWD or performance models.
• Related hardware (bolts, nuts, washers): $10–$40, often replaced to prevent recurrence.
• Alignment: Usually not required for sway-bar-only work, but recommended if other suspension parts were disturbed or tire wear is uneven.

Prices vary by vehicle design, regional labor rates, and whether rusted hardware increases labor time. Replacing in pairs (both end links on an axle) helps maintain balanced handling.

Legal and Insurance Considerations

While a broken sway bar isn’t typically a specific traffic violation, many jurisdictions prohibit operating an unsafe vehicle on public roads, and state/provincial inspections may fail a car for this defect. If an accident occurs and investigators tie it to a known suspension failure, liability and coverage disputes may arise. Document the issue and your repair timeline, and avoid unnecessary driving until fixed.

Bottom Line and Next Steps

If you suspect a stabilizer-bar failure, take the following approach to minimize risk and cost.

• Inspect quickly for loose/hanging parts or potential tire/brake contact.
• If safe, drive slowly and directly to a nearby shop; otherwise, call a tow.
• Ask the shop to check links, bushings, brackets, and the bar, and to torque hardware to spec.
• Replace components on the affected axle in pairs when reasonable (e.g., both links).
• Test drive after repair, then recheck torque and hardware after a few hundred miles if advised.

This plan addresses immediate safety, prevents secondary damage, and restores normal handling without unnecessary expense.

Summary

You can sometimes drive a short distance with a broken stabilizer component, but only at low speed and only if nothing can contact a tire or critical suspension parts. Handling will be worse, emergency responses are compromised, and conditions like rain or high speeds elevate risk. When in doubt, tow the vehicle and repair the likely culprits—end links and bushings—promptly to restore safe, predictable handling.

Is it safe to drive without a stabilizer bar?

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The away bar makes cornering and overall handling of the vehicle much safer. As long as you are aware of the risk and adjust your driving as such you should be fine.

What happens if you drive with a broken stabilizer bar?

Reduced Handling and Stability: The sway bar (or stabilizer bar) helps reduce body roll during cornering. A broken link can lead to increased body roll, making the vehicle feel less stable and harder to control, especially during turns.

How much does it cost to fix a stabilizer bar?

The average cost for a Stabilizer Bar Link Kit Replacement is between $125 and $186. Labor costs are estimated between $62 and $91 while parts are priced between $63 and $96. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

Can you drive a car on the highway if one stabilizer is not good?

The good news is that if your stabilizer links are going bad, you should still be safe to drive, although you’ll want to practice much greater caution that you would otherwise. This is because your car could quickly lose balance on hairpin turns, which could lead to much greater problems down the road.