2012 Prius v Groaning Noise

Jeuan,

As mentioned above, the noise does not pose a safety concern and therefore, Toyota is not obliged to initiate a recall. Yes, it would be a matter of good customer service to send every Prius V driver a notice that if they hear a hooting noise from their cars a fix would be available, but I guess keeping up the profit margins for Toyota's shareholders has a higher priority.

It's been 2+ months now since the fix on my Prius was done, and I have heard the hooting noice only once: after the breaks were wet from a car wash. But that was the only occasion. Hence, I'm very happy with the result. I assume your Prius is still under warranty and therefore, you should let your dealer know about a fix for the break issue. You can even send him a link to this discussion. Yes, it is embarrassing to drive around in a new car that makes unwanted special sound effects...

Good luck!

DD

 

Thanks DD and I just hope our dealer here would be as responsive and helpful as yours . Just for the records I will keep updating my post here - I didn't know about this forum before and I am thankful for all the resources here.

Cheers!

 

Just combining threads

Brake groan | PriusChat




iPhone ?

 

I received Toyota Owners Intersection invite. Will share the disappointment on the groan noise when I can. Here's the link:

Toyota Owners' Intersection



iPhone ?

 

Hopefully the link works. Had a feeling this morning that she would make some noise so I video taped.

iPhone ?

 

More video

In reading all the problems Prius v owners have experienced, especially the absence of a fix, I'm hesitant to take the vehicle in until Toyota acknowledges & pushes a fix to its dealers for the problem.

Most of what I have read is dealers haven't fixed the problem & in some cases made matters worse.




iPhone ?

 

From South Alabama, we are having the exact same problems with a 2012 Prius V with 17K miles on it. Our temp is in the 80s and the groaning starts out when we first take off and quits within 100 yards. We are getting the same run-around from our Toyota dealer. Groaning seems to be getting progressively worse/louder.

 

Had another visit to the dealer yesterday (15K mile service)...pushed them in the issue again and got the standard response "Toyota is aware of the problem, but currently there is no fix."

Sure feels like Toyota is hoping this problem will just go away on its own.

 

Yes they do. You're not just satisfied with their answer. Ask yourself this, does it groan all the time after it has warmed up or after the a few application of the brakes in the morning?

You don't hear it as much because your other vehicles is not as quiet as the PriusV when you press on the brakes first thing in the morning. Plus their engine noise mask the sound of the brake groan.

 

The problem here is that you guys are making a problem of a normal functioning vehicle and specifically a normal working brake system of a vehicle. Your previous vehicle does the same thing. No more no less.

 

ImeanGreen-

If you actually had this problem yourself or heard it yourself you would most definitely not classify it as a normal working brake system. And no, none of my previous vehicles EVER made that noise. It's not the fact that the Prius is that much quieter than another vehicle. It is not just some general brake noise that you hear on every car even if you would like to believe that. This is a problem whether you want to believe it or not.

With that said, (knock on wood) I haven't had the groaning noise since late last fall/beginning of winter (give or take 5000 miles) Thank God! And still no groaning as of 12,000 miles. It was beyond annoying to hear that obnoxious sound coming from a new car. In my case it started after 900 miles or so, and only when it was damp/moisture in the air. It also only lasted a for a few hundred feet.

I took my car into the dealership only to have them tell me it was rust on the rotors, and they removed it on car with a lathe, no problem all fixed they said! I picked it up less than an hour later (in the rain/mist) and low and behold the groan was back. Walked back in and had them drive it to see if they could hear it again, which he could. He said he'd be back in a minute took it around back and came back within 2 minutes. It's all fixed, no more groan. My question was what did you do to 'fix' it: nothing just drove it and it stopped. Wow, what a genius fix, since when I dropped it off I even told them it usually only lasts a few hundred feet at a time. Thankfully, It lasted for only a few thousand miles more.

I figured I would ask the dealer to look at it again at my 5000 mile service, but thankfully it had somehow stopped groaning by that time in December. I have no idea what actually caused it to stop groaning, if the hard freeze of winter helped or not. I just know I'm very thankful it finally stopped.

Good luck to everyone else out there still having is problem.

 

This isn't a "problem". It's an "annoying" sound to some but not to others. It is a symptom or an after effect when the brake pads rub against the rotor first thing in the morning. Never happens after it warms up. Look, I have 2 Priuses and it happens on both vehicles and not just 2 Priuses but "ALL" prius models. Why does this happen to all the Prius line models? Because it is "NORMAL" to have this on all the Prius line model first thing in the morning. My hunch is, Toyota will never make any corrections other than telling you it has moisture/rust in the rotors. Will you or Toyota be able to prevent moisture, corrosion and rust in your car's rotors? I don't think so. That groan noise will always come and go.

Same to you likewise if you believe it is a problem. There will always be people in either side of the aisle. If it were truly a problem, there will also be a mechanical problem. But there is no mechanical problem. It is purely an annoying sound.

You just pointed out the main problem.

Does it not tell you about a pattern here? Moisture, rain, rust and corrosion in the rotors? Sound disappears after the dealership took the rust off your rotors. The Dealer told you so about the rust but you refused to believe it.

Taking out the rust in the rotors after a few stops. You yourself answered it a few times below.

 

Sorry, I see now this is just semantics to you. While this is not a "problem" to you but possibly just an "annoying" sound to some but not others is just a game of semantics. Call it what you want, but it's still an 'issue' to alot of people - just not you. To me it's a problem, especially when people a block away turn their heads looking to see what is making such an horrible sound coming down the street in the morning. Is it a problem that is going to cause the brakes not to work- probably not, is it going to kill me- probably not, but still a problem nonetheless.

I'm glad you have 2 Priuses, this is my first, so I can't comment on "ALL" prius models as you apparently can. Although in a previous comment you also said

"The problem here is that you guys are making a problem of a normal functioning vehicle and specifically a normal working brake system of a vehicle. Your previous vehicle does the same thing. No more no less."

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/2012-prius-v-groaning-noise.101928/page-10#ixzz2WlwjsLtR​

I beg to differ. NONE of my previous vehicles EVER made this noise. I know what normal functioning brakes sound like, this isn't it. I'm not being overly sensitive to some average brake sounds. When you can hear it from a block away groaning/squealing (whatever you want to call it - semantics) it is not normal. I feel very sorry for your neighbors if both of your Priuses make this sound every morning, but glad it doesn't bother you.

Again, since this is my first Prius I can't comment on ALL Prius models having this issue. But it is not "NORMAL" no matter if you type it in capital letters or not. I haven't read about this specific issue with other Prius models. Will Toyota be able to prevent moisture, corrosion and rust - No. But they can probably figure out how to prevent this noise on the Prius v, will they- with enough complaints its possible, but who know if it will actually happen.

On my specific car it was only the back passenger tire making the noise, which is similar to a number of other people having the same issue. If it is just moisture, corrosion and rust- which appears to be the culprit- then why was this noise coming from only that tire and not all tires if this is just NORMAL? And why have I never had this issue with any previous vehicle I've ever owned? I've had/seen rust on the rotors on all my vehicles to some extent or another, and they never made this noise. Even now, I have some rust on the rotors of my Prius v, but I haven't heard this noise since back in December. So if it's a NORMAL sound that happens every day, why haven't I heard this since December? Because it's not NORMAL.

Again, I think we are talking semantics, I guess it depends on what you consider a 'problem' - apparently it has to be mechanical for it to be a 'problem'. Will this issue result in dead people because of the noise- probably not. As you said it's purely an annoying sound to some - well, technically something is rubbing together to make that annoying sound, so over time it may turn into a mechanical 'problem'.

Will they fix it- hopefully, but I'm not holding my breath.

I agree with the 'pattern' of moisture/rain causing rust and or corrosion on the rotors - it's the most likely culprit but its not the only player contributing to this problem. In my case, and many others, its only on the back passenger tire, why? What is specific about that tire causing this problem? Why not all of the tires if it's just rust? Since all the rotors should have some rust. Is moisture collecting and rusting differently on the other three tires?

Another interesting note, the noise started after about 900 miles on my car, again as with many others, not from day one. Is there some type of coating that wore off on the rotors, different formulation on the brake pads, something changing within that first 1000 mile or so? General break in on the car over the first thousand miles? There was plenty of rain/moisture during that time with no noise coming from that back brake. So this NORMAL brake sound (that you say is always there) wasn't present during this time.


When I picked up my car at the dealer - the sound was still there - it did not DISAPPEAR after the dealership took the rust off of my rotors with the lathe. I refused to believe that they fixed it, not that rust had some role to play in the problem- big difference. Thank you though for generalizing about what I believe.

Thank you, I do understand that using the brakes takes the rust off the rotor after a few stops, and why the sound probably disappears. I guess I could have been a little more specific in my language, sorry for that. What I should have said is: What did you do to FIX the problem so it wouldn't return in an hour or the next day? Rather than a temporary 'fix' that did nothing to prevent this problem from reoccurring and therefore did nothing to actually 'fix' the root problem causing this noise.


Thankfully, (very thankfully) my car hasn't made this noise since December. I don't know what finally caused it to stop (at less than 5000 miles) so I unfortunately can't really help anyone on here. I didn't do anything specifically to fix it, just happened to stop when winter arrived and I haven't heard the noise since and I'm at 12,000 miles (knock on wood).

Since this noise is NORMAL, then does that mean my car is now broken because it doesn't make this sound?



it usually only lasts a few hundred feet at a time. Thankfully, It lasted for only a few thousand miles more.

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/2012-prius-v-groaning-noise.101928/page-10#ixzz2WlwjsLtR​

Again, sorry for not being more specific with my above comment. The noise usually only lasts for a few hundred feet at a time in the morning when I first start driving. Thankfully, I no longer have this problem. The problem in the mornings only lasted between August (900 miles) and December (about 5000 miles on my odometer). So between 5000 miles and 12,000 miles I have not heard this noise again. I hope that clarifies my intention for that sentence.



Sorry to everyone who currently still has this problem, I hope they can come up with a working solution to this soon.

Good Luck.

 

Is that the groaning noise people complain about here? Hearing the groaning noise a block away? Are you serious?

Because majority of Prius owners think it is not a "problem" and that includes me. Again, there will always be Prius owners on either side of the aisle with regards to this issue

I'm no master mechanic. But ask yourself why it's gone. As far as I can tell based on your statements, you haven't done anything special to fix the problem other than bringing your car to the dealership and you were not satisfied with their resolution to the problem. As stated in my previous post, it will always come and go.

That we shall see. Obviously, your brake pads and rotors needed to be change over time when they wore out. That's normal.

Again, rust formation in the rotors cannot be controlled by you or Toyota. There is so many environmental factors beyond any human's can control. Again this will always come and go. When it is normal or mechanically sound, there is no fix.

Best of luck in finding a solution to this and share your findings in the future for others to know. Cheers.

 

I have a 2012 v with about 13000 miles and mine has been making the sound for many months. I, like most others took it to the dealer who couldn't replicate the sound and they had no knowledge of the problem. They suggested I call the Toyota owner help number which I did and after several minutes, they told me there was no known problem or fix but that I should ask for arbitration through the Toyota Dispute Settlement Program which I did. Arbitration is handled through the National Center for Dispute Settlement which requires the process to be complete in 40 days. It was scheduled at the dealer for last Monday between me, my local dealer service manager, an NCDS arbitrator and a Toyota company rep on the phone. On the Friday before, I got a call from from NCDS saying Toyota was offering to settle by giving me an extended warranty for up to 8 yrs. I checked but it doesn't cover wear items such as brakes and rotors so I told them it wasn't covering the likely cause of the noise so I'd go ahead with the arbitration. At the arbitration meeting, I told them my concern with the noise and though the brakes seemed to work fine, I wanted to be sure it was safe and that I wouldn't have a further repair problem down the road. The Toyota rep, on the phone, told me that many people had the problem, mostly in the Northwest where the weather is moist. She said the problem is caused by a new brake pad material that they found is moisture absorbent. She said the moisture is quickly dried out after running the car and using the brakes so the noise goes away. It certainly fits the symptoms we've seen. She has they have just started making new pads with a replacement material to fix the problem and will have a TSB after they build enough supply. She has arranged for a Toyota tech to come to my dealer on July 3 to replace my brake pads. I will provide more feedback on the results after that is complete. I find it amazing that Toyota had to go through this whole process before finally telling me and just as importantly, the dealer that they new of the problem and were working on a fix, rather than leaving all of us up the the air and frustrated.

 

In the Netherlands there is a fix for this problem. The rear disk break mounts are replaced. The part nummers are:
47822-47090 Mounting RR Disc Br Left
47821-47090 Mounting RR Disc Br Right

 

I am from Melbourne Australia, with a 7 months old 2012 Prius V. It is winter now in Australia and I definitely have this groaning noise problem early in the morning. It last for about 30 seconds when I drive out. Just had a service last week and the service centre said they "cleaned out the brakes" and I think it partially alleviates the problem but the sound is still there. The sound is definitely not normal, sounds like the brake pads have been completely worn, except it happens when I am moving forward and not stepping on the brakes!

I am so relieved to see that I am not the only one with this problem. I am organising myself to find another available car so that I can leave this Prius V overnight with the service centre. I have to get it done during winter for the Toyota technicians to verify the problem's existence!

Here's a video of the problem as shot from the outside. The sound is significantly louder outside.

 

OK, I've got to chime in here. In April of 2012, I bought my wife a new Prius and we decided to go with the "v". Shortly thereafter, we have been having the same exact, apparent break sounds, that has so many are discussing in this forum. We always hear it from a cold start, backing up, with a turn, and then gone within a block. around the time of our first oil change we took it to the dealer and left the vehicle overnight. They tested it the next morning and were able to easily replicate the sound. So, my dealership knows about it, Toyota knows about it, a lot of people know about it.

Here is where I would like to however point out two other facts. 1) This vehicle is a little quieter then the previous 08" Civic she had, but not by much. 2) I bought an 08" Prius in 2010 and have had absolutely no squeaking issues with the brakes as is the case with our brand new "v" and the 08" is even quieter then the 2012"v" because of the "Electronic Vehicle Warning Sound" added to it. Obviously there is a brake issue.

So, Toyota Corporate, you're reading this, tell us what you're going to do to help your customers continue enjoying the vehicles they love and at the same time feel safe driving them by giving us something here, other than "we know about it."

Thank you in advance for the quality customer service we've come to expect and appreciate from a quality brand we count on, happily come back to for vehicle purchases, and tell all those around us how we enjoy.

 

I also have a little noise on my 2013 V. The service person says they are aware of it since the V's first came out.

Mine does not make the sound as loud as the video, but them I am not on the outside of the car.

Mine usually only does it in the morning and that it.

 

My 2013 Prius V is doing the same thing. Took it in for its first service yesterday and the dealer is replacing the brakes. They didn't have all the parts so I have a free loaner car for the weekend.