Anyone who drives in Middle Tennessee knows the truth:
Nashville potholes are a season, not an accident.
Between heavy traffic, winter freezing, spring storms, and ongoing construction, our roads take a beating — and so do your car’s most important components. The worst part? Many pothole-related problems don’t show up right away. You might hit one today… and not feel the damage until weeks later.
Here’s what potholes can secretly destroy — and how to catch the warning signs early.
1. Wheel Alignment: The First Casualty of Every Pothole
Even a single hard hit can knock your wheels out of alignment.
When your alignment is off, your tires don’t sit flat on the road anymore — they drag, scrub, and wear unevenly.
Silent damage includes:
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Steering wheel pulling to one side
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Rapid outer or inner tire wear
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Less control at higher speeds
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Reduced fuel economy
Left alone, poor alignment becomes expensive tire replacement — long before their normal lifespan.
2. Suspension Components Take the Hardest Hit
Potholes are brutal on suspension systems because they deliver sudden, sharp impact. One hit can weaken components that already have miles on them.
Most vulnerable parts include:
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Shocks and struts
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Ball joints
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Tie rods
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Control arms
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Bushings
These don’t always break instantly — but once weakened, they start causing clunks, rattles, and unstable handling.
3. Bent Rims: The Damage You Don’t See Until Your Car Vibrates
Aluminum rims (standard on most modern cars) bend far easier than people realize.
Hit a deep pothole at 40+ mph, and you’re a prime candidate for:
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Steering wheel vibration
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Air leaks around the tire bead
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TPMS pressure warnings
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Difficult alignments
Bent rims are one of the most common pothole-related repairs in Nashville.
4. Tire Damage: Small Bubbles, Big Dangers
A pothole can create a sidewall bubble — a bulge caused by internal tire cord separation.
Sidewall damage doesn’t heal. It always leads to a blowout.
Many pothole-damaged tires look normal until inspected closely, which is why professional checks matter.
5. Exhaust & Underbody Scrapes From Deep Potholes
Lower cars — sedans, sports cars, hybrids — often bottom out during pothole hits.
This leads to:
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Cracked exhaust hangers
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Loose heat shields
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Damaged splash guards
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Slow leaks from scraped components
You may hear rattles or scraping only during acceleration or bumps.
6. Steering Problems That Appear Weeks Later
Potholes can cause slow-developing steering issues, including:
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Delayed steering response
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Wandering on the highway
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“Loose” steering feel
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Difficulty keeping the car straight
This typically means the steering linkage or tie rods were damaged.
7. When to Get Your Car Checked After a Pothole Hit
You should schedule an inspection immediately if you notice:
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New vibrations
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Steering pull
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Noise after bumps
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A crooked steering wheel
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Uneven tire wear
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Repeated tire pressure warnings
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Visible rim or tire damage
Even if everything feels “fine,” pothole damage is usually hidden — and cheaper to fix early.
Protect Your Car This Pothole Season
Nashville roads won’t smooth out anytime soon, but you can protect your vehicle with:
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Regular alignment checks
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Suspension inspections
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Tire pressure monitoring
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Replacing worn shocks/struts early
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Avoiding deep standing water (hidden potholes live there)
At We Can Fix Your Car, we inspect alignment, suspension, wheels, and tires to catch pothole damage before it becomes a bigger — and more expensive — problem.
If you’ve felt a hard hit recently, stop by and let our mechanics take a look. It could save your tires… and your wallet.