Clicking Sound on Regen Braking

I recently dealt with this. After reading through all of the threads here, I downloaded the TSB from 2018 and brought it in to the dealership. They’re replacing my axle tomorrow

 

It's great that the dealer is willing to do it. Please keep us posted on how it turns out after you've driven it a few thousand miles. All the reports I remember seeing said the sound quickly returned after replacing the axle.

 

so far so good, I’ve driven about 50 miles and honestly the drive even feels smoother. I’ll update after 1k

 

I'm close to San Diego -- can you pls tell me who your dealer is? Maybe I can get out there. Did they charge anything to diagnose the noise? Thanks for letting us know!

 

hey! It’s the Toyota dealer in Poway. I’m pretty sure the one in escondido would be fine too. Just come in with the TSB in hand (or on your phone), and describe your problem to them. My original tech wrote me off initially because a)my wheels aren’t stock, so they blamed it on the 18” rims “echoing” a “regular Prius noise” LOL and b)honestly, because I’m a girl. If you insist the noise APPEARED rather than came with the car, and again, bring the TSB - you should be fine! My car is running so much better after the repair, I swear my mpg went up too
Good luck! If you need other tips, lmk

 

Never mind, I found it.


iPhone ?

 

Wow! I had the TSB, and the dealer still wouldn't look at my car without paying $165 up front to diagnose. Also, the dealer said that the TSB is obsolete, which it is, and they would not honor the original TSB. Getting a dealer to help is random at best, but I like your optimism. I'll try Toyota of Poway when I can arrange it.

"Tips?" Sure! I'll take all the tips you're willing to provide!

 

hey! So it’s been a bit of time, and at least 1K miles. Still sounds great!

 

Anyone with a 2020 Prius with regen clicking sounds?

 

My 2017 Prius Prime was fixed under warranty last May. Service Bulletin TSB015718 is obsolete since 2019. The dealer couldn't refer to this bulletin and instead decided that this was an isolated case specific to my vehicle, which was not true because the bulletin clearly says that part number 43420-47040 has problem and that is the exact part they replaced in my Primus Prime. They also told me that the part number is the same but it is an updated version. It was so difficult to get them agree to replace it because mine had very very faint sound. I had to use professional quality microphone to record the noise, show it to them via headphones, and “teach” them how to find the noise at a specific steering angle. If I hadn’t done that they’d simply refuse to fix it because “it’s not loud enough to be heard.” The mechanic said that the old part has a tiny gap between the axle spline and the wheel hub, the gap widens over time and makes the the noise. As far as why the problem appears so quickly there’s no explanation. My theory is that many Prius drivers like using the “B” function when exiting freeway. The regenerative braking puts a lot of strain on the axle. That’s why they wear out so quickly.

 

Somewhat predictably I’m having these same issues... Dealer charged me a diagnostic fee on my 2017 prime and said “everything was normal” on the printout but recommended a caliper service. I’m quite frustrated at Toyota right now.

 

@Mendel Leisk recommends regularly cleaning & lubing the brake caliper pins to insure brakes do not drag.

 

Every 3~4 years. Use Sil-Glyde Brake Lubricant for this (looks like Vaseline). Also clean pads/shims and apply thin coat of anti-seize, to all contact zones*, between pads, shims and calipers. Use Permatex ((silver) Anti-seize for this.

* trick to get the anti-seize just where needed: apply to the smaller of the two pieces that will be in contact.

 

They should apply the diagnostic fee to the caliper service. I doubt it's the brakes making the noise though -- there's a whole TSB (although obsolete) about the problem.

 

I have this issue in my 21 Prius Prime with 200 miles on it.

 

When I took my wife's 2017 in to get it checked, they couldn't find anything wrong. Then they drove a new, unsold Prius and it made the same noise.

 

Yes. I test drove a 2022 PP that made the same noise.
I am reading online that someone was about to fix the noise by adding wd40 / silicone to the brake light switch.

I am working on finding out how to do this, and will report back.

 

You can try it, but I doubt it'll help. It does it when you coast, too; not just braking.

 

My (new to me) 2016 European spec Gen4 has the clicking on the left (drivers) side.

I thought (before finding this thread) that it was just part of the car's design...

Then, after reading this, I tried the shift to Neutral... Bang, no more noise.

I will see what I can do with the used-car warranty!

 

Not me - coasting = no noise.

For me: Only when going slow and fairly light foot on the brakes. Seems worse since I first posted months ago.