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Driver side vibration

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by shawnph1970, Jan 24, 2014.

  1. shawnph1970

    shawnph1970 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Still haven't hit 1000 miles on this Prius v and continue to have issues.

    Tonight, when I shut the doors, especially the drivers side, there is a rapid vibration under the drivers seat, but outside under the car. Any door does it, but especially the drivers door. If I shut the door very softly, no vibration. It's loud and lasts maybe a second, vibrating the entire time. I drove down the road and back. Same problem. It has never done this. I see nothing loose underneath.

    This is not the pump sound when the door is opened, but a very loud and clear vibration. I can hear it when getting in the car too. It's so loud it comes through the floor.

    2 months in and it has way too many issues. I'm really surprised it's made this poorly.

    Slight update. The vibration stopped after 15 mins. Drove to the end of the driveway and back, vibration returned. It sat a couple of mins, vibration left again. I live in Florida. The temp rapidly dropped at dusk. Could it be related to maybe rapid temp change? I guess I'll find out if it continues. I see what looks like a pump underneath in the vibration area.
     
  2. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I can't begin to understand a "vibration" that lasts for 15 mins. It has to be some device that is powered to vibrate for that length of time. Do you have an aftermarket anti-theft device?
     
  3. shawnph1970

    shawnph1970 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    What I mean is that it vibrates for about a second every time I close the door. But after around 15 mins, the door closing stops causing it until I drive again. The mirror vibrates slightly with a door close, which I consider normal. This is not like the mirror vibration. It's a much louder, weird vibration up under the Prius.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    can you reproduce it for the dealer?
     
  5. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    Don't have a clue what it could be since I don't experience it. OTH, I don't slam my doors closed either. I hate when I have other people riding with me and they have to slam the door shut! What's the point unless that's what they have to do in their own car to get the doors to close. I assume you've checked the obvious - making sure there is nothing in the door pocket?
     
  6. ems2158

    ems2158 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2012
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    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    It could be a spring or wire under one of the seats. Have someone slam the door while you are in the car. You should be able to locate the noise. Try moving the seats to different positions. Sit in the back seat and see if you can zero in on the noise. It sounds like it is temperature related. Once it gets warmer it goes away? Take the misc. junk everyone has in their car out and see if it still makes the noise. I had sunglasses in the overhead bin rattling that drove me crazy until I discover they were the source of the noise.
    If you are sure it is under the car, look there while someone slams the door. Bang on the exhaust system and brake cables/tubing gently to see it they are vibrating.