How many miles do engine mounts last?

Engine mounts typically last about 60,000 to 100,000 miles in most passenger cars, though the actual lifespan depends on mount type, driving conditions, and maintenance. Some mounts may exceed 100,000 miles, while others fail sooner under rough service or extreme conditions.

How engine-mount design affects lifespan

Engine mounts come in several designs, and their lifespan varies accordingly. Below are the main categories that determine longevity.

• Rubber mounts: Common and affordable, typically lasting around 60,000–100,000 miles in normal use.


• Hydraulic mounts: Use fluid-filled chambers that can dampen vibrations; expected life roughly 80,000–150,000 miles depending on fluid condition and heat.


• Polyurethane or performance mounts: Built to resist wear but can transmit more vibration; lifespans vary, often similar to rubber but in demanding conditions replacement may occur earlier.

Mileage ranges are approximate and depend on many factors including driving style, road conditions, climate, and maintenance history.

Signs your engine mounts are wearing out

Engine mounts rarely fail all at once; drivers often notice a progression of symptoms that indicate mounting wear or failure. Common indicators include:

• Excessive vibration at idle or during acceleration, especially in the steering wheel or seats.


• Clunking, banging, or thudding noises when starting, accelerating, braking, or traversing bumps.


• Visible engine movement or misalignment; the engine may shift under load, affecting belts and hoses.


• Increased vibration during gear changes or when applying torque, particularly in manual transmission vehicles.


• Hydraulic mounts leaking fluid or showing cracks, swelling, or other deformation.


• Worsening performance or uneven idle when the engine is under load.

These signs don’t always confirm a failed mount; a professional inspection can verify the need for replacement and rule out other issues with the engine, transmission, or exhaust system.

Replacement considerations and costs

When mounts wear, replacement is typically recommended to prevent further damage and restore ride quality. Costs vary by vehicle and mount type; here is a general guide to what owners may encounter:

• Parts: Engine mounts can range from about 25 to 150 dollars per mount for aftermarket options, up to 250–500 dollars per mount for OEM or hydraulic variants.


• Labor: Labor costs vary by shop and vehicle complexity, often 1–3 hours per mount; total labor can range from roughly 150 to 400 dollars per mount in many markets.


• Replacement strategy: Replacing mounts in pairs or all mounts at once is common to ensure balanced performance, especially on older vehicles with multiple worn mounts.

Tip: If one mount fails, others may be near the end of their life as well; discuss a full engine-mount kit replacement with your mechanic for best results and even performance.

How to extend engine-mount life

While wear is inevitable, certain practices can help maximize lifespan and minimize early failure:

• Avoid aggressive launches and harsh torque applications, particularly in older vehicles with wear-prone mounts.


• Drive smoothly over potholes and rough surfaces to reduce impact transmitted to the mounts.


• Keep related components aligned and balanced; misalignment of engine or transmission can increase mount stress.


• Address related issues promptly: misfiring cylinders or engine misalignment can place extra load on mounts.


• Regular inspections: have mounts checked during routine service and address hydraulic leaks or cracks early.

Note: Proactive maintenance reduces the risk of sudden mounting failure but cannot fully guarantee long life, especially in high-stress driving conditions.

Summary

Engine mounts typically endure about 60,000 to 100,000 miles in standard passenger cars, with variations based on material (rubber, hydraulic, polyurethane), driving conditions, and maintenance. Watch for signs such as excessive vibration, clunking noises, and visible engine movement, and consult a mechanic for a precise assessment and replacement plan. A proactive approach—timely inspection, thoughtful replacement (often in pairs), and careful driving—can help preserve ride quality and protect surrounding components.

How do you know if engine mounts are bad?

Symptoms of bad motor mounts include excessive vibrations and shaking, especially at idle or when shifting gears, as well as clunking, thudding, or banging noises from the engine bay when the vehicle is started, stopped, or accelerated. Other signs are noticeable engine movement when shifting into drive or reverse and a bumpy ride, where the engine can be seen to visibly rock or move more than usual.
 
Vibration and shaking 

• Excessive vibration: You will feel excessive shaking, especially at idle, in the steering wheel, or through the vehicle's floorboards. 
• Vibration when shifting: A noticeable jolt, thud, or vibration when shifting into reverse or drive is a classic sign. 
• Jerking: The car may feel like it jerks or lurches when starting, shutting down, or accelerating, particularly from torque changes. 

Noise

• Clunking or banging: You might hear a loud clunk or bang, especially when putting the transmission into gear or when accelerating from a stop. 
• Thudding: A thud from the engine bay, particularly on startup or shutdown, can indicate a problem. 

Engine movement

• Visible engine movement: The engine can be seen to move, rock, or sway more than normal, particularly when accelerating or shifting gears. 
• Unsafe cornering: In severe cases, a broken mount can allow the engine to swing excessively during turns, creating a wobbling sensation and unsafe cornering. 

Other symptoms

• Fluid leaks: Some fluid-filled mounts may leak, indicating they have failed. 
• Loose parts: The excessive vibration can cause other components like hoses and fasteners to loosen over time. 

How urgent is it to replace motor mounts?

Ignoring signs of motor mount issues can have serious consequences for your vehicle's health and your safety on the road. Engine damage. A compromised motor mount can subject the engine to excessive stress and movement, potentially leading to engine damage.

What is the life expectancy of engine mounts?

Engine mounts typically last between 5 to 10 years, or about 60,000 to 100,000 miles. However, this can vary significantly based on driving conditions, material quality, and maintenance. Factors like driving on rough roads, frequent hard acceleration, accidents, and age can shorten their lifespan. 
This video explains how long motor mounts last and what factors affect their lifespan: 53sLearnToDIY360YouTube · May 10, 2025
Factors that affect engine mount lifespan

• Driving habits: Frequent hard acceleration, driving on rough roads, and stop-and-go traffic can cause premature wear. 
• Vehicle use: Heavier loads and the stress from a larger engine can reduce the lifespan of the mounts. 
• Material quality: Higher-quality mounts generally last longer than those made with inferior materials. 
• Maintenance: Regular checks during routine service can help catch issues early, while neglecting them can lead to accelerated wear. 
• Accidents: Any impact from an accident or hitting a large pothole can damage engine mounts. 

What happens if they fail?

• Excessive noise and vibration: You may notice clunking sounds or feel increased vibrations through the steering wheel or seat. 
• Engine movement: The engine may appear to be drooping to one side. 
• Further damage: Ignoring bad mounts can lead to more severe problems and damage to other engine components. 

How to ensure they last

• Inspect regularly: Have your mechanic check your engine mounts during routine service. 
• Address issues promptly: If you suspect a problem, get it checked out. Driving with bad mounts can cause them to fail completely and damage other parts of your vehicle. 
• Consider replacing all at once: If one mount is worn out, the others are likely not far behind. Replacing them all at once can prevent new mounts from being overloaded by weaker, older ones. 

Is it safe to drive with worn engine mounts?

You can likely drive with bad motor mounts for short distances, but it's risky and not recommended, as continued driving can cause more damage and lead to dangerous situations. The longer you wait to fix them, the greater the chance of causing additional, costly damage to the engine, transmission, and other connected components. It is best to get the mounts inspected and replaced as soon as possible.
 
This video explains the symptoms of bad engine mounts and how to locate them: 46sMake It Easy MechanicYouTube · Dec 8, 2023
Risks of driving with bad motor mounts

• Increased vibration and noise: You will likely feel more vibrations, especially when accelerating, and hear loud clunks or grinding noises. 
• Damage to other components: The excessive engine movement can cause other parts to shift, potentially damaging or breaking hoses, vacuum lines, brake lines, and electrical harnesses. In severe cases, this could lead to a fire or loss of power brakes. 
• Accelerated wear: Driving with bad mounts puts extra stress on the remaining good mounts, potentially causing them to fail sooner. 
• Engine failure: In the worst-case scenario, the engine could shift dramatically and fall out or cause other catastrophic damage. 

What to do

• Drive minimally: If you must drive, do so as little as possible until you can get it fixed. 
• Get a professional diagnosis: A mechanic can properly assess the damage and advise on the best course of action. 
• Replace all mounts: When one mount is bad, it is often recommended to replace all of them at the same time to avoid future problems. 

This video explains how to diagnose bad motor mounts: 57sAuto Repair GuysYouTube · May 18, 2021