Prius vibration problem

Just picked up my new 2013 Prius yesterday and noticed the same vibration that you described. Went immediately back to the dealer and they balanced the tires and it still had the same problem. I'm on day #2 with the car and waiting for the Service Manager who said he was going to look into the issue.

Question, have you resolved your issue?​

 

I experienced vibration in the rear of my '13 Prius with the 17" Toyo's. Toyota could not resolve the issue. I installed the TRD rear anti-sway bar and the vibration is now gone... However, you are all experiencing front end vibration so...

 

I have the same vibration problem after the first tire rotation on a 2012 Prius. I have had all 4 tires balanced several times and had the front tires replaced. Still the same vibration between 60 & 70. I feel it most on smooth road. I have had it to 2 different Toyota dealers and one tire shop. The 2nd dealer said the a front tire was out of round. Bridgestone replaced both front tires. Alignment and balance is supposed to be ok and no other problems were found. I just got a call today from the local Prius dealer and was informed the Toyota says this is normal. That can't be normal. No car with balanced new tires should vibrate. I will take up the matter with Toyota in a couple of weeks after a trip I have planned. I love the car otherwise. Am getting 55 + mpg.

 

I had this problem when I installed my Michelin Hydro Edge tires and it was fixed when I installed my Kumho KH30's.
Tires can have hard spots. You need a Hunter Balancer with a road force roller to inspect them.
No other tire balance can do it. Only the Hunter Road Force will detect it.

Find a shop that has one here: Hunter GSP9700 Wheel vibration Control System solves wheel vibration and tire pull problems that balancers and aligners can't fix

 

I am having vibration that starts at 65 to 70 then smooths out. Just purchased new couple weeks ago. Took back ver next day they said the tire possibly had a flat spot, if it doesn't clear up after 1,000 miles bring it back. Sounds like horse pucky to me and probably going to be a non stop problem.

 

Yesterday (Day #2 with the car) I went back to the dealer. We road tested the car so I can demonstrate the vibration to the service manager. The tires were then rotated and I was asked to road test the car again. Unsurprisingly the vibration was still there but felt different. The service manager then referred me to a Tire Specialist (which the Toyota dealer paid) to Road Force Balance the tire. The Tire Specialist does use the Hunter GSP9700 Hunter Road Force Balancer. The Tire Specialist found one tire that they couldn't balance and promptly informed the Toyota dealer. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to discuss the results with the Toyota service manager; however, he did state that if the Tire Specialist could prove the tire is faulty, then the tire would be replaced.

Hopefully this will all be resolved soon so I can really begin to enjoy the car.

Note 1: My vibration usually between 50 to 70 mph and was never severe and usually mild. Out of the car after driving 30 minutes I could still feel the vibration in my hands and feet for the next hour or so. Very unpleasant.

Note 2: We only test drove a used Prius and not the actual car we purchased. There are fewer cars available at the end of season/year. Same thing happened to me when I bought my first Corolla (was extremely popular) way back.

 

Unfortunately, they can't verify anything without the Hunter GSP9700. It sounds like they're playing games with you.
The only way to find the problem will be with the GSP9700, so don't waste your time going to places without it

Nothing is non stop. Having a qualified repair shop do the inspection will pinpoint the cause. Unfortunately, most dealers aren't willing to take the necessary steps or spend the time to help with this type of problem. Most dealers aren't
willing to spend the money for the proper equipment and therefore don't have the ability to do a comprehensive job of finding and fixing the problem(s) We had enough complaints at our Cadillac dealer, they were forced to buy the GSP9700. It was the best thing they could have done for the business, even though we weren't a tire dealer. It's been my
experience that GoodYear has the most problems with hard spot tires.

 

The Tire Specialist did have the Hunter GSP9700 and discovered one faulty tire - which is going to be replaced. I hope this will end my issue and enjoy my new car !!!

Just want everyone to know that not all Toyota dealers have Hunter GSP9700 to "perfectly" balance tires. Use the following link to see if your dealership does have this Road Force Touch balancer. If not, they will probably be unable to find any issue with your tire(s).

Since I'm a new member, I cannot put a link. So google "hunter gsp9700 locator" and select the link that has Locate - Hunter GSP9700. From that link you can see whether your dealership has that equipment and what nearby locations do.

 

And as a new member, you should read the thread before posting duplicate information See post #24

 

"Road Force" wheel balancing involves measuring the tire's roundness as well as any variation in the force a loaded tire exerts as it rotates. A tire may be perfectly round and yet feel out of balance due to this variation in road force. The balancing computer will factor in this unevenness of force along with the placement of weights. I was told the average unevenness of this force is 10 lbs. Perhaps this is the 8-10 lbs the poster is referring to.

I just had my Honda Civic Hybrid's new tires balanced by this method and was absolutely blown away by how smooth the ride was. Like riding a magic carpet. My wife's new 2013 Persona has what I would describe as a very slight speed dependent vibration between 65-70 mph (our normal cruising speed). My wife does not notice it, but it drives me to distraction on longer trips. Perhaps I'll try the fancy balancing on the Prius as well.....

 

Let me add to this thread. Same problem as Pavel. A 2012 Prius with NO PROBLEMS for 20,000 miles. Had the 20,000 mile check up a month ago (including tire rotation) and immediately there was a low vibration, most noticable at speed. But after an alignment ($85) and a wheel balancing ($75) the vibration is still there. It is subtle and more easily felt inside the car with no windows open or radio on. Especially noticable when the road is wet.
My most recent hypothesis is a faulty engine mount. I heard once on Car Talk that these mounts can crack but remain in place and are essentially "loose", thereby creating an ENGINE vibration that feels like a suspension vibration. Anyone else have experience with faulty engine mounts?
Another possibility is the transmission/drive train. Again, anyone have experience with this?

Dick

 

I just purchased a 2014 Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) three in March. I am having the same issue. The car vibrates when I hit 68 and smooths out at 72. I have had it back to the dealer three times. First 2 times they said they didnt feel. I took the Service Manager for a ride and he felt it within seconds. On the 3rd visit they road forced the tires. Vibration is still there. I can feel it at lower speeds also, just not as bad. Since the 3rd trip to dealer I also noticed the ride was not as smooth. Decided to check the tires and they lowered the front tires . Thry are 4 PSI below what is recommended on the PSI sticker mounted on the inside of drivers door. I just sent off the paper work to California to begin the lemon law. I paid way too much to tolerate this constant shaking.

 

If the steering wheel is shaking, in could be the tires (less likely if they are new) or the suspension. Do not get the alignment if the vehicle is not pulling to the left or right. They could mess up the factory alignment even more, so I would advice against that.

I've had my "12 Prius for three months and do not have a steering wheel vibration, however I have a gas pedal vibration at various speed. My gf has the 2nd Gen Prius and her vehicle does not have any gas pedal vibration.

When I start driving, the gas pedal feels completely smooth. Once I hit 20 mph or more, I feel a slight vibration on the gas pedal. The front is completely stable and the vehicle does not vibrate or shake, its just feels on the gas pedal and especially when the traction battery low (2-3 bars).

Can anyone provide an input on my issue?

 

If I were you I would just invest in a set of Michelin Defender tires. I have them on my 2011 Prius and it runs smooth as silk. No vibration of any kind. Lousy tires can drive you nuts.

 

Hi Pavel,
I bought a brand new 2014 Prius 2 in August and about 2 weeks later I started feeling the same vibration that you were talking about. It started at 65 mph. Took the car to a Wellesley Toyota for 5K service, told them about it, and they rebalanced tires. That didn't help.
Took the car to a different dealer - Watertown Toyota. They claimed that both axles were leaking grease and replaced them (???). That changed the behavior a bit, the vibration started now at 59 mph and was sharper.
Finally, I took the car to the shop I bought it from - Expressway Toyota, and these people claim that there is nothing wrong with it and they didn't feel any vibration at all.
I am ready for some unpleasant next steps. Wonder if you resolved your case and if so - how. I would appreciate it if you post an update.
Boris.

 

I don't know what it takes to come under the LEMON LAW but I think you probably should find out. That would be my first step.

 

I have a 2009 Prius and a 2004 Prius. The 2004 is fine, but I have been complaining of a vibration at 60+ MPH in the 2009, as you describe. I went through all the balancing tests described, to no avail. All said it had to be the tires. When the tires wore out I replaced them with new Ecopias. The vibration did not go away. It is obviously not the tires. It has to be something in the drive train.

 

Bought 2013 Prius from eastern shore Toyota got vibration at 68 to 72 after 5000 miles they at eastern shore Toyato felt vibration on car changed out three tires and drive shaft then flew in Tyotat resp and he said the car is operating as should be they will not do nothing else about it that is not the only problem I've had with eastern shore Toyato

 

I just now saw these posts:

Here's my story (rather my wife's, since it's her car).

1. Wife bought a 2015 Prius. (her 3rd Prius, since she loved the first two).
2. Wife drove to work Friday. (She never drives over 55)>
3. Made a trip to the big city of Raleigh. (35 miles). I drove, interstate at 65 to 75.
the front end vibrated and felt like tires needed to be balanced.
4. Tires were balanced twice. No fix.
5. Vehicle taken to home dealership for diagnoses.
6. They have had it for two weeks.
7. Pending receipt of diagnostic equipment from the factory.
8. Still waiting for this to happen.
9. Get this! The loaner Prius has the same vibration and rumble.

My wife wants her 2011 Prius back. Surely, the Toyota factory folks have gotten this info by now. If not, they sure as hell will have it soon!

Robert Lanane (For Jennifer)
Sanford, NC