2019 - Overall Vehicle Harmonics

[mes99194]

Coming off my greatest car ever, a perfect 2010 SEL 2.5 liter w 200K miles and am now 6 weeks into a 2019 SEL Hybrid. Having some very annoying issues with the overall vehicles harmonics. I cannot put anything in the forward console tray or slot, or anything other than a paper cup in the cup holders without things vibrating or rattling against the sidewalls of the various compartments. Same with the door pockets. I've had to felt line the side walls of all the console holding areas,.. and cut some adhesive sheet rubber for each door pocket. The old 2010 would carry anything, anywhere without a rattle, vibration or squeak. Other than that,.. I'm warming up to the car quickly. Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated.

 

[ethermion]

My ride is a 3L 2010 SEL, lovely bride's ride is a 2013 SE hybrid. Neither have ever behaved that way.

 

If I had to guess I would think tires and alignment.

 

But, if you are 6 weeks into ownership, I would give a visit to the dealer - make it their problem. It should ride like a dream. Cruise ship on calm Caribbean waters smooth.

[mwr]

I've had nothing like that with my 2015 FFH, now 4 1/2 years old with 65K miles. As ethermion said above, make it the dealer's problem.

[Cobra348]

Nothing like that either with the '15 FFH or the current ride. Agree that you should go see a dealer ... and have a tech ride and drive the car with you along. I always do because I wish to ensure they do experience what I am.

[md13ffhguy]

@mes99194, I think I understand what you mean here with regard to harmonics. I also think that some people, maybe most, don't really perceive the issue. You're referring to slight vibrations that occur under specific circumstances. What I've noticed is that these circumstances change over time, possibly due to changes in temperature. I don't think it's a major mechanical issue, or even something like tires, as suggested above. Chances are you take it to a dealer, and they'll probably either not perceive it, or say there's nothing that can be done and it's not a problem.

 

One theory I've had is that this occurs just as often in regular cars, but it's more perceptible under quiet EV operation. For the most part, I've been able to ignore most slight buzzes and hums, since they eventually seem to fade or go away completely. Others stop after applying some pressure to an area, but that's only when I can pinpoint an actual source. All in all, still the best three cars I've ever purchased, and that includes my experience with a failing transmission that my dealer conveniently couldn't diagnose until after the warranty expired. But, that's another story. ;)

[mwr]

@mes99194, I think I understand what you mean here with regard to harmonics. I also think that some people, maybe most, don't really perceive the issue. You're referring to slight vibrations that occur under specific circumstances. What I've noticed is that these circumstances change over time, possibly due to changes in temperature. I don't think it's a major mechanical issue, or even something like tires, as suggested above. Chances are you take it to a dealer, and they'll probably either not perceive it, or say there's nothing that can be done and it's not a problem.

 

One theory I've had is that this occurs just as often in regular cars, but it's more perceptible under quiet EV operation. For the most part, I've been able to ignore most slight buzzes and hums, since they eventually seem to fade or go away completely. Others stop after applying some pressure to an area, but that's only when I can pinpoint an actual source. All in all, still the best three cars I've ever purchased, and that includes my experience with a failing transmission that my dealer conveniently couldn't diagnose until after the warranty expired. But, that's another story. ;)

I read the OP's post not as "slight vibrations", but much greater than that. If so, I stand by my and ethermion's rec to make it the dealer's problem.

[Cobra348]

@mes99194, I think I understand what you mean here with regard to harmonics. I also think that some people, maybe most, don't really perceive the issue. You're referring to slight vibrations that occur under specific circumstances. What I've noticed is that these circumstances change over time, possibly due to changes in temperature. I don't think it's a major mechanical issue, or even something like tires, as suggested above. Chances are you take it to a dealer, and they'll probably either not perceive it, or say there's nothing that can be done and it's not a problem.

 

One theory I've had is that this occurs just as often in regular cars, but it's more perceptible under quiet EV operation. For the most part, I've been able to ignore most slight buzzes and hums, since they eventually seem to fade or go away completely. Others stop after applying some pressure to an area, but that's only when I can pinpoint an actual source. All in all, still the best three cars I've ever purchased, and that includes my experience with a failing transmission that my dealer conveniently couldn't diagnose until after the warranty expired. But, that's another story. ;)

Agree with mwr. I too read the OP as more than a small jiggle here and there.

[djminfll]

I had a '13 SE that I kept for 4 years, traded it in on a '17 Platinum, and one of the things that impressed me so much is how tightly screwed together these vehicles are. My '13 had about 80K miles on it and remained rattle free to the very end. And my '17 feels just as solid.

This early on in your ownership should NOT be rattling. I, too, read your comments to mean that the rattling is ruining your driving experience, and that should not be happening on a new vehicle.

[md13ffhguy]

Agree with mwr. I too read the OP as more than a small jiggle here and there.

I interpreted the use of "harmonics" to describe the issue as being more subtle and variable depending on certain conditions and speed. Not really rattles, per se, at least if my perception is the same as the OP.