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

Will try here too.... Prius can't do a u turn safely

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by WickedV, Apr 20, 2017.

Tags:
  1. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    2012 Prius 3 with Solar Roof:



    At mile mark 315 from NEW this problem reared its head and Toyota can not fix it.



    When a full lock U Turn is made the steering Wheel violently shakes.



    Tho a not at full lock u turn is executed without issue.



    Things found by the dealers:



    ABS sensors fire at full lock due to one wheel turning faster than the other, as happens in a U Turn, yet they are baffled as to why a NOT a full lock turn does not fire the sensors under the same conditions.



    Other 2012 Prius have been checked and this problem does not occur.



    Add into the problem, once the suspension unloads I.E. lifting the car for inspection, the problem will not return till the car settles to its normal ride height.
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,239
    15,055
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    In all my years of PriusChat reading, I don't think I've ever seen this particular issue except in your two posts today, so (unless everybody else has just been keeping it secret), I think you might have a problem so unusual that no one here will have ready answers, and someone will just have to dig in and diagnose it step by step. Sounds like it could be a challenging diagnosis (and at dealer clock rates, expensive). Do you have a Mini VCI?

    -Chap
     
    Montgomery likes this.
  3. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Darn, not what I want to hear lol.
    The Car is still under warranty and hoping for any thoughts that could help.
    Mini VCI?
     
  4. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Oh, that's dealer software huh..yea, as stated before the car is under warranty and I will not play with it till all avenues have been exhausted.
    Personally I think the issue is with the rack. As there appears to be no adjustment and the hard stop is with in the rack, one can only assume the rack specs are off.
    That said tho, Toyota's are not my thing and it's just a generic guess and I hate assuming.
     
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,311
    3,588
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Do you have regular size tires on there? Try rotating tires?
    Both ways of turn?
     
  6. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Wheels are 15" tires are 195 65 15
    Same issue with stock Good Years, Michelin, and Toyo, all are low rolling resistance type.
    Tire pressure checked weekly and rotated per mileage.
    Right or left hard stop u-turn will end violently.

    Factory asked if the fitt was directional, it's not. Hard stop U turn right or left will cause the problem.
     
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,099
    10,035
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Same car here, 2012 Model Three with solar roof, 64k miles, and I've never experienced this.
    The basic factory 36m/36k warranty has expired. It seems unlikely that this will fit under the 60m/60k powertrain or 8y/100k traction battery warranties. Any extended warranties you purchased are a separate matter.
     
  8. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Not basic warranty, good till 100k with additional till this issue is is resolved via Toyota Corp.
     
  9. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Fuzzy1, 41k here, grey interior, no dents, new tires, 100k warranty, all service and recalls addressed, Plus body kit .. trade?
     
  10. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Oh, non smoker
     
  11. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    body kit purchased because I though it was funny, it's a Prius not a race car. Only rockers installed as the rear defuser and front spoilers must the riveted to the bumper caps and I for one am not willing to do that, but have all parts.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,679
    48,930
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!
    no lemon law in cali? is toyota corporate involved?
     
  13. WickedV

    WickedV Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2017
    58
    8
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yes and Yes, but do like the car and would rather keep it.
     
    bisco likes this.
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,679
    48,930
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    understood, all the best!(y)
     
  15. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,099
    10,035
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Only it yours will trade in better than mine, when/if I trade up to a Prime.
    I believe a 2012 is well beyond any lemon law applicability.
     
  16. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,518
    1,790
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    It's never a good idea to go full lock on the steering on any car and hold it there. Once you hit the stop you should back it off a bit.
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,679
    48,930
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    idk exactly how lemon laws work. but my general understanding is that if they can't fix it in three ttys, you get a new car. idk what time constraints are involved. 2012 certainly seems old, but if toyota has been working on it since 350 miles, without success, and still trying, it's worth exploring at some point.
     
  18. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,099
    10,035
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Both cars I have with electric power steering -- Prius and Forester -- take to it vaster better than the old hydraulic systems.
     
  19. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    2,036
    1,023
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    You are being too easy on them.
    If you don't apply a little pressure, they will just keep screwing around with you.

    Take it back in to the dealer.
    Tell them you don't want it back until it is fixed......and you expect a loaner in the meantime.
    Call the Toyota warranty help line and tell them the same thing.
    Call your local Attorney General and inquire about "lemon laws" in your state.
    Tell both the dealer and Toyota that you are checking into this.

    In many places, they get THREE tries to fix a critical problem like that.
    After the third failure, they owe you a new car.
     
  20. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    2,036
    1,023
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Not if they started working on the problem in 2013 it isn't.
    And not if they are not living up to the provisions of the warranty.......extended or not.