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2014 Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) Three Vibration Help

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Colleen01, Dec 30, 2014.

  1. Colleen01

    Colleen01 New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Hello,

    I need assistance with vibration in my 2014 Prius v (lowercase for the Prius v wagon, not an uppercase) Three. It happens at all speeds but is most noticeable between 68-72 mph. It is felt throughout the car. I am about to go to arbitration with the state (Florida). I had a Lemon Law arbitration hearing with the Toyota sponsored program (NCDS), (what a joke, it was a very old guy that wouldnt even drive the car) and the claim was denied. He said he could feel the vibration but it was normal vibration for highway speed. It was quite obvious he knew the Toyota reps too.

    Toyota's solution to the issue at the "final fix" attempt was to install new Michelin tires and Road Force them. After getting the car back, I also found they had lowered the PSI in the tires to dampen the vibration but cant prove it. I put the PSI up to what is printed on the door and the vibration came back and got much worse after the tires were rotated.

    Is there anywhere I can take my car to get a vibration measurement to present at the hearing and what is considered normal vibration? I have owned 11 Toyotas and trust me, this vibration is NOT normal. I just came back from a trip between S Florida and Tennessee and it was a nightmare to drive. Toyota has all these vibration measurement graphs they presented (most likely taken when the PSI was lowered) and I would like to get my own measurements. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 Colleen01, Dec 30, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    wow, never heard of anything like this. vibration graph's? do they put some kind of measuring device in the car?
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 30, 2014
  3. Colleen01

    Colleen01 New Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Yes, they hooked a device up to the onboard computer.
     
    #3 Colleen01, Dec 30, 2014
  4. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    Probably you'll have to go through the state resolution if the dealer is unwilling to take the car back. I'm not sure that you need any costly professional measurements, your own assertion that the vibration exists should be adequate. That and the fact that the dealer did acknowledge the issue by working on it. But first I would take it to a reputable tire shop and have the things balanced again. It's not impossible that the dealer simply has a balancing machine that's out of spec.
    Here, you only have to make 3 trips to the dealer for a resolution before the lemon law can be enforced.
     
    #4 rdgrimes, Dec 30, 2014
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    How many miles? Was it there from the beginning? I would have a quality independent alignment shop do a four wheel alignment check and verify the brakes and cv drive axles are good. Then I might do some comparison driving in a rental Prius or perhaps a new one to verify.
     
    #5 rjparker, Dec 30, 2014
  6. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Record the sound of the vibration on a smartphone. Drive a sample of the same car with the same tires from another dealer and record at the same speed/location. Compare.

    I presume the wheels have been checked to assure they are true. To do this they spin the wheel slowly on a balancing machine and hold something in a fixed position against the outside edge of the rim. The thing held should always be against the rim without moving, if a gap ever shows, the wheel is defective.

    Another approach is to have the dealer swap wheels and tires for those from another similar car. Then drive your car and see if the problem follows the car. If it doesn't, you know the issue is with your car's wheels. If not, it is a car issue.
     
    #6 mikefocke, Dec 30, 2014
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