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2012 Prius made loud bang and shutter while driving

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by in-control, Jan 15, 2013.

  1. in-control

    in-control Junior Member

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    While driving on a flat road last night my prius felt like it hit something - the car looks fine and no warning lights came - it felt like I hit a massive pothole and then nothing. Has anyone experienced this ?
     
    #1 in-control, Jan 15, 2013
  2. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Let's just hope it wasn't a pedestrian!!!
     
    #2 BZzap!, Jan 15, 2013
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    lol

    We are probably gonna need a little more information. Was the engine cold or had you been running it for a spell? How many miles? Are you sure you didn't hit something?
     
    #3 spiderman, Jan 15, 2013
  4. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    You were driving at night, hit a pothole, and it felt like you hit pothole. Afterwards it was all smooth and quite.

    Sounds to me like you hit a pothole. :)

    Are you sure it was not a possum?

    In the summer I routinely have to stop for beaver as they drag fallen trees across the pavement. But what we hit is more often possum or porcupine.
     
    #4 ForestBeekeeper, Jan 15, 2013
  5. in-control

    in-control Junior Member

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    Engine was warm, running for 15 min. Road was clear, verified no road damage or debris(dead animals as well) car has 12k on it as is well taken care of by the dealer.
     
    #5 in-control, Jan 15, 2013
  6. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    How fast where you traveling? Do you recall if the engine started at that point (i.e. you were going say 35 in EV and the engine started)? Or was the engine already running?
     
    #6 spiderman, Jan 15, 2013
  7. in-control

    in-control Junior Member

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    I was at a light and accelerating to 40mph so I was probably going ~20mph. The engine was running as I was accelerating and could hear it.
     
    #7 in-control, Jan 15, 2013
  8. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    So the engine (Internal Combustion Engine) was running before you heard the bang/shudder?
     
    #8 spiderman, Jan 15, 2013
  9. in-control

    in-control Junior Member

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    Yes
     
    #9 in-control, Jan 15, 2013
  10. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Did you feel a loss of power at that time?
     
    #10 spiderman, Jan 15, 2013
  11. in-control

    in-control Junior Member

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    No loss of power - the steering wheel felt like the tire hit something and bottomed out on the rim. However the sound sounded more like it came from the center of the car - not the wheels. Upon inspection of the car no damage or signs that I hit anything - the road dirt on the bumper was not disturbed.
     
    #11 in-control, Jan 15, 2013
  12. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    OK, well I don't think it was mechanical in nature and must have been an animal or a branch like FB mentioned. As long as there isn't any visible damage, I wouldn't worry about it. You could always have the dealership inspect it.
     
    #12 spiderman, Jan 15, 2013
  13. in-control

    in-control Junior Member

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    Yup - that's what I thought as well. Thanks All!
     
    #13 in-control, Jan 15, 2013
  14. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    I vote for branch or long metal part that banged the undercarriage when tires hit it.
     
    #14 Former Member 68813, Jan 15, 2013
  15. RaZa

    RaZa Member

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    I had a similar incident. Tire blew out. I inspected the road for anything I could have hit but saw nothing.
     
    #15 RaZa, Jan 18, 2013
  16. The Dude

    The Dude Member

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    Had it happen to me once, and I believe it was a pothole. Loud thud followed by some sort of electronic buzzing noise which I believe was the traction control engaging temporarily. No lights on for me. This was a few months ago and no problems yet.
     
    #16 The Dude, Jan 28, 2013
  17. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    The OP is lucky, there is a thread on inverter failure that stated that the there was a loud BANG then the car died on the spot with a lot of warning lights.
     
    #17 xliderider, Jan 28, 2013
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