2012 Prius v Groaning Noise

Anyone have any update? We are going in to get an oil change this Friday and we mentioned the fact that there are squeaks coming from the rear brakes and the lady at Toyota mentioned that there was a recall though she couldnt remember on what car (not too sharp!)

By the sounds of it, it doesnt sound like it would be for the Prius V from reading the posts on this board. Anyone hear anything differently?

 

Robert,

How is your case doing?

I am currently going through the NCDS (National Center for Dispute Settlement) and already have a case # assigned because my case has been "deemed eligible for the arbitration process."

I have submitted a bunch of paper work (repair invoices, emails between the dealer and me, a link to a personal video with the "hooting" noise of my Prius V, a link to this forums, etc.) and the documents have been forwarded to a 3-member arbitration panel. My request is the repurchase of the vehicle by the manufacturer (Toyota).

My case was opened on January 2, 2013, and according to Federal Law, it has be closed within 40 days. Hence, there's no final result, yet. The response from Toyota so far sounds pretty generic, e.g. that the car was still under warranty, the issue would not pose a safety hazard, that there would be a fix in a few weeks, etc. -- nothing that we didn't know already on this forum. I responded that

"Toyota has already admitted in their response that there is no repair at this time. Pointing out that there would be a fix in "a few weeks" is not a solution since I already substantiated that this problem has been known for more than a year!

I have paid over $30,000 for a *new* car, and it is within reason to expect that there are no obvious, irreparable flaws with it, or that problems are *promptly* fixed. Being put off by a promise that there would be a fix sometime in the future is not acceptable! Therefore, my request for a manufacturer's repurchase still stands."

So let's see how things go...

DD

PS: Robert, I paid over $34,000 for my car (incl. tax) and could have bought a used Lexus RX at that time. But I chose "green" instead...

 

I live on Vancouver Island ,have had my PriusV for 6 months and have been hearing the groaning sound when the car is parked all night or for a few hours , it is very load and quite annoying. This sound should not be happening in a new vehicle ,I cannot believe that there has not been a fix for this problem yet, what, toyota can not figure out what is wrong , how stupid can they be . I have bought 4 new toyotas in the past 25 years but I will say this, if there is not a fix by the summer I will be selling my V and not buying another toyota , they will lose me as a loyal customer and am sure will loss many more .

 

I hope I am not shooting myself in the foot for saying this, but our sound actually went away. Between my last post and now, the car now has 8.5K on the odo.

 

Mine really comes and goes, too. Seems to be more prevalent in humid, "warmer" (20 degrees) weather, and goes away when it gets down near zero.

 

It is there whether I have a passenger in the car or I am driving it alone.

 

It happened to us tonight. Car had been parked for less than an hour while we were having dinner. Temp was 55 deg. No moisture. We just rolled over 10K on the odometer. Definitely not going away.

 

Issue still with me approaching 15k miles on my 2012 V. Per my service manager's suggestion (Prestige Toyota, Mahwah, NJ), contacted Toyota experience center @ 800-331-4331. All they did was call the service manager, who downplayed the issue with the same response: it's not a safety issue, we don't have a fix. When I said this appeared to be a wear issue and I was concerned about pre-mature parts replacement, he said if so, that I could bring it up then. Not a good response. The fact this is a known problem evident for more than a year in almost every corner of the country, this is not good performance. I'll follow DocDragon above who has raised it to NCDS. This is appalling.

 

David,

Keep us updated how your arbitration goes. I think we need to put pressure on Toyota!

My arbitration process so far has been pretty easy. E-mail communication with my case worker at the NCDS has been straight-forward with very prompt communication. There was just a lot of paper work to collect, which I scanned and then forwarded to her.

DD

 

Hi All:

I have had the same problem only I have narrowed it down pretty well. I live near Sacramento, CA. and our January mornings have been mostly in the mid to high 20s in the morning (before 8-9 A.M.). Since I have a 50-foot driveway and park on the LEFT SIDE of the driveway, up near my residence (when not garaged), I back down a bit and then TURN RIGHT a little so I can become centered leaving the driveway. During the past three weeks with the freezing temps in the morning, I have heard the "groan" when TURNING RIGHT to center my car in the driveway before backing fully out in the street. Never heard it before the colder weather presented itself and the "groan," after a short RIGHT TURN in the driveway moving forward, disappears. Have never heard it after leaving my residence. If this persists in warmer weather, I will also visit my Toyota dealer, which is very hospitable to all of its customers. A pleasure to visit during vehicle maintenance and inspections. Hope this helps.

Just thought of something I left out. If I back out of my driveway WITHOUT SLIGHTLY TURNING RIGHT to center the vehicle, the "groan" is not heard. This may point to a "steering" problem.

Jack

 

CORRECTION...........CORRECTION. In my first post, I said I thought the "groan" was a steering problem. IT IS NOT.......It sounded today when I applied the BRAKES gently after realigning my vehicle in my driveway. When I stated I thought it was a steering problem, I probably ALSO gently applied my brakes simultaneously.

This morning, NO TURN, just gently applying the BRAKES. Temperature was about 34 degrees. BUT, it also happened around 10:00 A.M. when the temperature was 47 degrees. Not long, but definitely heard the same noise as has been experienced during early mornings when the temperatures were slightly below freezing.

I have read most of the posts on this thread and it seems like it has been over a year since the problem was reported to Toyota, case numbers have been assigned to owners, corporate has tried to offer a "fix" and numerous other variables have arisen, but still no DEFINITE solution to our problem. This worries me as I have been a loyal, Toyota customer for the last 8 years (purchasing 3 NEW VEHICLES in that period of time). I continue to hope that something will surface soon to resolve this problem.

Jack

 

Jack,

My recommendation is that you take a video of your noise as evidence. Then let your dealer repair your problem. If they cannot fix it, you may consider going through the Lemon Law process. The Lemon Law here in WA State requires 4 repair attempts -- I don't know how it works for you in CA. You paid good money for your Trim Level 5 Prius V, so it's reasonable to expect a *new* car without obvious flaws!

I bought 2 Toyotas in the last 10 years without any issues, too, so this experience with my Prius V is a big bummer...

DD

 

My situation mirrors yours to a "t". Toyota claims they have a fix which will be available in a few weeks, not a safety hazard etc. etc. I have asked for them to repurchase also. My case is set for arbitration on February 5, 2013. Will let you know the outcome.

 

Hello DD,
My situation mirrors yours to a "t". Toyota claims they have a fix which will be available in a few weeks, not a safety hazard etc. etc. I have asked for them to repurchase also. My case is set for arbitration on February 5, 2013. I hope they notify me of their decision the same day. Will let you know the outcome.
Robert

 

Well that's just great, as of today my V suffers from the same affliction.
That noise is hard on the ears, awful!

 

I'd get a new dude...

 

I've had the same noise, started after 20k service (Nov '12), seems to occur only in certain weather conditions, cold and damp. The theory of brake dust seems possible, as it fits my symptoms, goes away within first minute or so. Actually haven't heard in a couple weeks, and it's been cold but dry. Not overly concerned, as problems go I consider it a minor annoyance.

 

We have the same problem with our 8 month old V. It has about 20,000 miles on it now. The groaning started this summer on Cape Cod when the car had about 5,000 miles on it. It only happens from a cold start and can be very loud. It happens in all conditions, wet and dry, warm and cold (live in CT). Have complained in the past and the dealer is clueless. Can't get it to do at the shop. I'll have to record it and keep my eye on this blog. First Toyota and not impressed at all.

 

Update: Took my 2012 v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) for 15k service and reported noise. This is what's written on the service report: "This is a known issue by Toyota and is under investigation. A repair/field fix will be released shortly once parts become available. No current fix at this time. Will inform customer once a TSP is out and available." Service manager could not give a time frame for "shortly." Said something about some shims or something. We've heard this story before. Otherwise, 15k and all is well. 42 mpg over that entire distance.

 

Not really... look around and you will see the problem in various parts of the country. I'm from New Jersey.