2012 Prius v Groaning Noise

We live South of you in Packwood and we are having the same symptoms, it sounds like something hanging up or scraping as it rotates. I plan on asking about it when the first service is due unless it gets worse prior to that. The temperatures were in the 30's here for a couple of weeks but are now running from 43 to 50.
We have had the car since Halloween and it has a little over 1500 miles on it.

 

Very interesting. I live in Spokane and have owned my 'v' since early November. I also encountered the 'groan' when the temps dropped below 40, especially when it was also damp. I have taken the vehicle in to the dealer but, alas, the weather warmed up that day so when they test drove it there was no groan. I've also noticed that the 'groan' is rotational in nature ie. it isn't a steady continuous noise but is intermittent as you drive forward. Never has happened in reverse and usually stops within less than one city block, maximum. No brake pedal being applied during the groan and I agree it sounds like something rubbing for a short period of time before releasing or breaking loose. This evening it was 38 and very dry when I drove home after work. No 'groan' at all so I think moisture is also one of the ingredients. And we're all residents of Washington and we all bought our vehicles within the same time period. I'd be willing to bet they came over in the same shipment and that they were in the same production run. I'm not really worried about it but none-the-less, I think we should keep an eye on this.

 

I've experienced the same problem. Took it into the dealer and they called in a field engineer. Did some work on the brakes, but the same noise continues. Car is scheduled to go back to dealer for the second time. Very annoying sound.

Just noticed every poster is from Washington state. Hmmmm.....

 

Add mine to the pile - same groan, gone after a few blocks. Haven't had my first free checkup yet, so I can ask later this month.

 

AnnieS, Flyman Member, MarathonMarty, Tonycan & Thomcat – Load up your Vees and move from Washington to Florida. There are no groaning 2012 Prius v hybrids here in Margaritaville.

 

Now I'm groaning!

 

I hear it once in a while when I start up the car. It seems like when I turn a corner I thought it was a brake noise. Maybe it's from the steering I hear the sound when I turn every once in a while.

 

My prius has 2700 miles on it and that sound comes and goes. I notice it when I turn after I turn the car on.

 

Ahhh... Isn't that like 10 months out of the year in Spokane?

My wife's family is in Spokane, and when we visited in 2010, the high that week was like -4...

All kidding aside, could the "groan" be the Vehicle Proximity Notification System? It makes a grinding like noise at low speed (below 15 mph, I think) to let pedestrians know, so you can't sneak up on them.

 

Same exact sound/issue with my 2012 PV5; wasn't too happy with the service techs response when I noted the brake-dragging sound - he said this: "Is this your first Toyota?" Indicating 1. I didn't know what I'm talking about, and 2. That this is going to be a one-way relationship, where he tells me, not me telling him. Not a good start with service.
But to the noise: it definitely sounds like brakes dragging. I finally got a straight answer which still didn't satisfy: "The brakes are new," and/or "when brakes sit they collect rust and they're going to make that noise," which does make sense for long-term parking, but my Prius V will generate the brake noise after stopping at a light.
Not real happy with how Toyota is being coy with this issue; it's like they're trying to find a fix while keeping customers at bay with vague answers.

 

Mine does it too.. But i thought it sounded more like a break squeek... It goes away once the wheel warm uo.

 

Yes, but has Toyota ever given you a satisfactory answer as to why. I'm sorry, but you shouldn't hear brakes like that. I can't recall hearing whining brakes on any used car I've purchased, much less a brand new one. And everyone seems to have the same experience but no one seems to be getting a serious answer except that it's characteristic of the vehicle.
If that's the case, then something is wrong and Toyota needs to step up and satisfy their very loyal Prius customers with a reasonable answer.
FWIW, I love my Prius V5 and would get another one tomorrow, as I would encourage anyone to consider a Prius. But that doesn't mean I'm going to accept anything less than the quality that has brought the Prius this far.

 

I thought it might be the emergency brake not releasing entirely, until I read all the posts more closely. Curious.

 

No, it definitely isn't the proximity alert. This is far louder than that. You actually can't hear the proximity alert from inside the vehicle. This is my third Prius and I am very familiar with the infamous brake squeek upon first driving after a cool damp night. Had a lot of that with my '10. I actually have had very little of that with my 'v'. I'm thinking the 'groan' is either in the brakes somewhere, the steering, or the front drive. Almost sounds like a bearing that's dry and gets some lubricant as you first start to move. I'm open to suggestions. Otherwise I absolutely love my 'v'.

 

Yesterday when I started the v my husband heard the sound he says it's the parking brake sticking? Hope I am remembering this right but he was sure it was the parking brake. I haven't taken it to the dealership I am hoping the brakes will break in and the sound will go away.

 

Same thing happened to mine, I just wait, may be it will come up a bulletin in future.

 

It is not the parking brake in my case. I don't use the parking brake as a general rule. Only do if I'm parking on a non-flat surface. Waiting for warmer weather so the groan goes away.

 

I guess the larger question is, "Are we going to have to live with this groan?" I like the v a lot, but I'm not going to live with a groan beyond the third trip to the dealer--especially without good communication from Toyota.

 

Exactly right.