New Prius' Paneling Alignment Issues

Ryn01599 · 07-20-2006, 02:42 AM

My Prius is about 4 months new now and I was washing the car this morning and noticed that the bumper panel that sits right underneath the taillight had POPPED OUT. I pushed on it and it popped back into position, but then noticed that the taillight was snug with the bumper - real snug! Unlike the opposite side where there is a small gap betweeen the two. This worried me so I checked the front of the car on the same side and noticed the the hood was inched up a notch above the rest of the car and it created a small lip.

Now, just to clarify, I have not been into an accident or hit a single thing - just driving to work and back. It seems to me that the driver's side of the car seems unaligned and/or slipping a little.

I plan on taking the car back to the dealership and discuss this issue with them. What do you think I should do about it???

Thanks much,

Ryan Lee

mssmith95 · 07-20-2006, 02:54 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ryn01599 @ Jul 19 2006, 11:42 PM) [snapback]289243[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My Prius is about 4 months new now and I was washing the car this morning and noticed that the bumper panel that sits right underneath the taillight had POPPED OUT. I pushed on it and it popped back into position, but then noticed that the taillight was snug with the bumper - real snug! Unlike the opposite side where there is a small gap betweeen the two. This worried me so I checked the front of the car on the same side and noticed the the hood was inched up a notch above the rest of the car and it created a small lip.

Now, just to clarify, I have not been into an accident or hit a single thing - just driving to work and back. It seems to me that the driver's side of the car seems unaligned and/or slipping a little.

I plan on taking the car back to the dealership and discuss this issue with them. What do you think I should do about it???

Thanks much,

Ryan Lee
[/b]

Good idea to take it to them.

However, how can you be sure the car wasn't hit while you were not watching it? Someone could have pushed against it with another soft bumper without scraping any paint. Unless the frame is damaged, I can't imagine how both the front and back would be involved.

Let us know what happens.

Bill Merchant · 07-20-2006, 03:02 AM

Sounds like a case of F.O.T. It was probably always that way, but you're calm enough now to notice...

F.O.T.=fell off truck

usbseawolf2000 · 07-20-2006, 05:02 PM

During last Sunday's Long Island, NY Prius meeting, I also noticed it on Tito's rear bumper (driver side). He pushed it back in and it we couldn't find any scretch or bump on the bumper. It has never happened to my Prius. Tito had the hitch for bicycle installed tho. Would you by any chance?

Dennis

Ryn01599 · 07-20-2006, 06:36 PM

Nope - 06 fully loaded package - only upgrade is the shark fin antena

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07-20-2006, 02:42 AM	#1
Ryn01599 Hybrid Owner for Life Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: rohnert park Posts: 18 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My Prius is about 4 months new now and I was washing the car this morning and noticed that the bumper panel that sits right underneath the taillight had POPPED OUT. I pushed on it and it popped back into position, but then noticed that the taillight was snug with the bumper - real snug! Unlike the opposite side where there is a small gap betweeen the two. This worried me so I checked the front of the car on the same side and noticed the the hood was inched up a notch above the rest of the car and it created a small lip. Now, just to clarify, I have not been into an accident or hit a single thing - just driving to work and back. It seems to me that the driver's side of the car seems unaligned and/or slipping a little. I plan on taking the car back to the dealership and discuss this issue with them. What do you think I should do about it??? Thanks much, Ryan Lee

07-20-2006, 03:02 AM	#3
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,100 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 18 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 60	Sounds like a case of F.O.T. It was probably always that way, but you're calm enough now to notice... F.O.T.=fell off truck

07-20-2006, 05:02 PM	#4
usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 3,254 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 106 Thanked 178 Times in 111 Posts Friends: 59	During last Sunday's Long Island, NY Prius meeting, I also noticed it on Tito's rear bumper (driver side). He pushed it back in and it we couldn't find any scretch or bump on the bumper. It has never happened to my Prius. Tito had the hitch for bicycle installed tho. Would you by any chance? Dennis

07-20-2006, 06:36 PM	#5
Ryn01599 Hybrid Owner for Life Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: rohnert park Posts: 18 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Nope - 06 fully loaded package - only upgrade is the shark fin antena