Prius vibration problem

No Pavel,

That is not acceptable.

I don't know where you are, but you might take your car to a place that has a dynometer and does engine balancing. If they put the car in the test mode, they can determine if the vibration is in the engine and/or drive train or just the tires.

Most dealers do not have the equipment to do this. It might cost you a couple of hundred dollars, but it would be worth it to find the problem. I've gotten flywheels for other cars that had a "harmonic" vibration at one certain speed.

If it is found to be a factory defect, you can ask Toyota to fix it and to reimburse you for the tests.

Hope this helps,

Rude person's

 

I've never noted any rattling similar to what you're describing. My pos Prius rattles like crazy at low speed, but anything over 60 is smooth.

 

No rattles in my 2012 Four at any time. Hope they can find out what is wrong.

 

I don't see any of the vibration problems you are seeing

Welcome to priuschat by the way

 

No, the vibration is not normal. The dealer should be able to eliminate it unless the car was involved in an accident in the past ( or was just built wrong like some Buick Lucerne & Cadillac DTS units that had a factory suspension shake when new).

I always make sure I take a thorough test drive in the actual car I'm buying to attempt to spot these types of problems before I sign the contract. Regardless of a brand's quality reputation, these are complex devices with plenty that can go wrong.

 

Pavel,
Could it be a loose component in front suspension or steering? Call Toyota headquarters customer service and politely demand a total resolution. It that fails, you have lemon law to fallback on. Know your rights.

 

Make sure that the inside of your rims are clear of debris. Winter mud and small rocks can stick to the wheel's inner surfaces causing vibration at speed. After you inspect the wheels and clean them thoroughly, get them "Road Force Balanced". They will measure wheel and tire roundness or how true the all are.

Don't give up. After a Road Force Balance is done and the wheels and tires check out... your Prius should be smooth at all speeds. If not, then it's the car's suspension or some other harmonic vibration that's causing the trouble.

 

Another member here, Eco Boi, is experiencing the same problems you are I believe. You can try searching for his thread.

 

Pavel,
I purchased a 2013 Prius V 5 to replace a 06 Prius. The 06 was enjoyable with no probelms in 42,000 miles.
The new Prius had a noticeable vibration from the start that begins at 32 MPH and Peaks at 38 MPH. We use the Prius for around town trips and didn't notice the much higher Vibration that occurs at 59 MPH until we were testing the car with a Toyota Service Manager. He requested that we drive on a main road with a 65 MPH speed limit. He then requested that the cruise control be set to 59 MPH. He then called a Toyota Service rep. and told him about the problem and vibration experienced. The Rep. had the Service manager change the power modes and then the manager told the service rep that his reccommendation had no effect. We then drove two other prius Vs one with the optional tires and one with the standard tires and both had the same problem. The Service Rep. came to the dealership and explained that the problem could be in the phase angle of the motor. So at his requested speed of 59 MPH with me driving the dealer service manager in the back seat, and the service rep. connected to the on board computer he stated that he turned of and on the phase shift with no effect. Now he and the dealer service manager were in the car with me and admitted that the vibration existed. We then drove another Prius V 5 and it had the same charastic vibration. My third service order was closed out with the Comment that "Vehicle performs as designed" and the service rep telling me there was nothing else Toyota would do.
My abritation hearing is next month.

 

It sounds like toyota has another quality issue they are not going to do anything about.

 

gerald, have you tried driving any other model v besides the 5?

 

I have the same problem with my 09 Prius with 65,000 miles. I have the 2nd set of tires on, Bridgestone Ecopias. The vibration did not occur initially, with the new tires. It sounds like I am going over a slight rumble strip at 40 -65 MPH. I initially thought it might be tire cupping, but it does not correspond to tire speed. The tires have been balanced and force tested twice. Unrelated, I had the A/C core and condenser replaced ( with extensive disassembly of the dash -- damned mice ) last Fall, and it was noticeable after that. It is not a wheel bearing as noise does not change on turns. It could be an exhaust-related noise. There is noise with the air turned off or on. It seems to be a drive-train noise. It reminds me of drive-shaft noise. It seems louder some days more than others. I can hear it at very low speeds some days. I have an 04 Prius with 140,000 miles also, so there is no question that the noise is abnormal.

 

I should also note that lately, I also had the steering column recall performed.

 

I would tell them to take their Prius vehicle back as it is a defected vehicle since they can't even solve this vibration problem. If its still new and not too far within the warranty period, I would ask the Manager if he can swap your Prius out with a different vehicle. This is unacceptable since you've paid a high amount of money for a vehicle that is working without any defects.

Please let us know how everything went, good luck.

 

What do you mean tires are 8 & 10 lbs? Tire inflation pressure should be well above 30. See the label on the driver door frame. I can't believe they only filled the tires to 8lbs. If true the tires will be ruined in just afew miles as you are essentially riding on the rims.

 

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