1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Alarming vibration after dealer service

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Vote4volts, May 3, 2016.

Tags:
  1. Vote4volts

    Vote4volts New Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2016
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    We had just had our 2014 Prius V wagon serviced (30k logbook service) and then the very same day the following happened:

    We're driving along the freeway at around 80kph (50 mph) and we get a really strong vibration that feels like a blown tyre. Managed to (only just) pull over and after checking the tyres and checking the wheel nuts - nothing amiss.

    We carried on but then it cut in again - at around 70 kph (~45 mph). The vibration is felt the the steering wheel AND then through the whole body of the car as it progresses (passengers thought the wheels were going to drop off the car!).

    When slowing down the vibration continues but reduces in frequency (not in intensity) until around 10 kph (6 mph) it stops and the car then runs smoothly at normal town speeds (below 60 kph (30 mph)).

    This has me completely baffled. I have checked the dealer's invoice and all they did (apparently) was to rotate the rims and balance the front wheels.

    Any suggestions would be welcomed!
     
    #1 Vote4volts, May 3, 2016
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,566
    4,437
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Hopefully they rotated the tires with the rims. I would immediately take it back to dealer and have them pull all the wheels and inspect. It seems logical that something is wrong with the tires or mounting. Perhaps they messed up the balance on one of the tires. Possible tire damage with a sidewall separation or bubble? Could have damaged a CV joint somehow or an axle, but that's unlikely. If you can't get to the dealer, go to any tire store and have them check your tires because some of these problems could be dangerous.
     
    #2 rjparker, May 3, 2016
  3. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2016
    766
    391
    0
    Location:
    Sausalito
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    Wheel rotation mount would be suspect based on the major vibration you report.
    (Rim not flush to hub)
    Secondary could be wheel weights.
    (One fell off, yet that would not be such a violent vibration as described IMO.)
    Possible, there is another failure unrelated to there working on the car.
    (Murphy's Law failure just happened at the same time/ coincidence..could be anything in suspension or drive train even a motor mount)

    Easiest...return to dealer.
    Or... jack the car up yourself remove all the wheels and have a look.

    Good luck.
     
    #3 Kenny94945, May 3, 2016
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sounds like dealer fail, while remounting your wheels. $10./hr teenager, no doubt.
     
    #4 bisco, May 3, 2016
  5. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,636
    1,624
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Even car could have slipped on the lift damaging a suspension component. Get it looked at, good luck.
     
    #5 mikefocke, May 3, 2016
  6. Sinoman83

    Sinoman83 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2015
    16
    7
    0
    Location:
    San francisco CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    They rotated yours tires and didnt balance them, and if they did balance them they did a horrible job (not setting machine correctly etc). Bad or no balance reveals its self at those speeds. Bring it back and tell them the balance on the front tires are way off.
     
    #6 Sinoman83, May 6, 2016
  7. Sinoman83

    Sinoman83 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2015
    16
    7
    0
    Location:
    San francisco CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
     
    #7 Sinoman83, May 6, 2016
  8. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    981
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    i guess the vibration was so bad, it killed the OP.
     
    #8 Former Member 68813, May 7, 2016
  9. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,233
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Most likely a balance issue.
     
    #9 Montgomery, May 8, 2016
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)