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Loud Lumbar (IV/V owners...)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by DeanFL, Feb 16, 2010.

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  1. DeanFL

    DeanFL 2010 owner - 1st Prius

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
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    Location:
    Leesburg Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Update on the creaky lumbar support problem described below. Couple months ago, after raising the issue to Toyota 800# Cust Svc, dealer service mgr followed up and asked me to bring it in and they would provide rental car.

    Had it in for about 6 hours and they took the top seat leather off and added additional cushioning into the lumbar area. They had me test it after the adjustment and it seemed OK. After a few days a bit of creakiness returned but I'm just living with it now - it is very minor, but still can hear and feel the creak.

    They told me the power lumbar in the driver seat is not a plastic bladder but a motorized arm that moves in/out. I'd guess like a scissor jack. Whatever it is, it's cheap.

    So for you folks that have this problem...
     
    #21 DeanFL, Aug 17, 2010
  2. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Jul 7, 2009
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    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Just for clarification, DeanFL is correct. There is no bladder. It is a plastic shield that sort of looks like a rib cage that deflects in and out. See attached side view...

    View attachment 25116
     
    #22 RRxing, Aug 17, 2010
  3. mgollie

    mgollie Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2009
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    Location:
    Sunnyvale,CA.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I think the evalutions of the "creaking lumbar" have been well documented.
    The lumbar on my 2010 V also creaks under any extension. This has been verified by my dealer on a Toyota invoice. Two telephone calls were also made to Toyota voicing my concerns.
    At this time I don't use the lumbar and my name has been added to "the list". The dealer called the noise characteristic.
     
    #23 mgollie, Oct 14, 2010
  4. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2009
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    Location:
    Vernon Hills, IL
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I just wished mine worked -- it's been replaced once and is broken again. :(
     
    #24 chrisj428, Oct 14, 2010
  5. teeasal

    teeasal New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2010
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    Location:
    ON, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Mine doesn't creak or make any noise, but I feel that the lumber support bulge is not centred. I have to shift a little bit to the left to feel the "summit" of the bulge centering at my spine. No big deal but feel rippped off with such low quality of material / design / workmanship for such a high priced car (to the poor man, me, anyways).
     
    #25 teeasal, Oct 14, 2010
  6. mgollie

    mgollie Junior Member

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    Location:
    Sunnyvale,CA.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    No car is perfect and I can accept that fact, but.....
    I have had several cars with lumbar support and all have been pretty good. They offer a " pillow" like support.
    The noise is the main problem and the second is the log like support.
    A bad design in a car with so many positives.
     
    #26 mgollie, Oct 15, 2010
  7. jayrider

    jayrider Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2010
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    Location:
    southwest illinois
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    You folks must be "love handle challenged." I have ample cushioning across my lower back to render the lumbar feature superfluous. ;)
     
    #27 jayrider, Oct 16, 2010
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