Clicking Noise Behind Dash?

Hello,

I just purchased a new 2022 Toyota Prius in the XLE trim and a very attractive Wind Chill Pearl color. I love it, it's so efficient, surprisingly spacious, and easy to drive.

Now, only 1 week ago, I started hearing a clicking sound, almost like a fuse clicking very loudly. This only happens when accelerating or braking (it's one loud click when accelerating and getting to around 20 mph, and a few clicks when decelerating), and there is no rattling sound nor does the sound happen when sitting still. I did check that it wasn't anything loose in the car, and I tried this both with the CC on and off and the radio on and off.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I'll take it to the service in the coming weeks, but I just want to make sure it's not anything common or expected (though I certainly do not think so)

Thanks for your help!

 

EDIT: Took it to the dealer and was basically told the usual "the car does that" but I'm really not convinced the clicking should be happening. Just recently it started doing it more and more frequently when braking and rarely when accelerating but either way it is very loud and very obnoxious so I'm going to take it into the same dealer in the next few weeks and ask kindly for them to look through it for me.

Again if anyone has experienced this, especially if you think this is normal, please let me know!

 

Yes it definitely sounds like a relay or some sort of electrical clicking and it happens at least once and pretty loudly when accelerating, then a couple of times while decelerating. However it does happen every cycle of accelerating and braking. I have had other hybrid cars in the past and these sounds have never occurred before, and it is pretty much impossible to drown out the sound with the radio.
I will upload a video later today or tomorrow showcasing the sounds.

 

So when accelerating you can hear it pretty clearly at the 2 and 8 second mark (both are two different instances of accelerating), then when decelerating you can hear it at the 20 and 23 second mark (both are the same instance of decelerating.

Let me know what you think!

 

Do you know if they’re supposed to be this loud? I have never had it on any of my past cars, hybrid or otherwise.

 

It can be heard over the engine accelerating and even through the radio and the clicking happens every. single. time. and sometimes multiple clicks when I'm accelerating or braking. If it's not normal, what would be the fix for it?
I will be taking it to the dealership again in a couple of weeks, so it would be nice to come in with some idea of where to start.

 

It has been happening even at low speeds (such as when maneuvering to park at home) so I want to say it may not be a loose object? it also never happens when reversing and even when accelerating or braking briskly or softly the noise is made. I am not sure what it is but I will do all I can to have the dealer actually take a look at it before I reach out to the salespeople (Who were much more willing to help me out) or Toyota customer service.

 

Took it to the service shop over the weekend and got told basically the same thing. That it is just a noise that happens. In this case I rode with the assistant service manager, and he told me that it sounded like the brake actuator that is accommodating, whenever I’m accelerating or braking. He also told me a story of how when he was a shuttle driver he heard a similar noise on an older Prius, but that was much louder. They offered to diagnose it (which would likely include a tear down of the dash) for $219 (even if they found nothing) but I declined it for the time being. It’s still ongoing, but at least nothing is wrong with the car, the electronics, or how it handles. I will likely be following up with them on the first service in four months and just pay the diagnosis fee.

No, knowing what it is, has anyone else experience, similar, clicking regarding the brake actuator? If so, is this something that can be remedied somehow?

Thanks again everyone for all of your input I really appreciate it!

 

I see! My only gripe is it’s very loud. Like it can sometimes be heard over the radio and it is unlike any noise I’ve heard in any other hybrid car I’ve owned. The dealer told me he heard something similar on a much older Prius…but this one has <2000 miles! Sigh…Perhaps one day I’ll get used to it but for now it is pretty obnoxious.

 

Huge Update: After making a case with Toyota, talking to the service manager, and about 10 days in the shop, I finally got the issue resolved. I believe it had something to do with the radiator, but I am yet to hear back from the service advisors about what the cause was. Regardless, it's something that definitely was NOT supposed to be happening and I am glad I was able to resolve it under warranty.

Thanks, everyone for all your help!