Clicking Sound on Regen Braking

So I never noticed this sound before, until a couple of weeks ago. Once in a while, when I slow down to a stop from about 15-0 mph, it would make a clicking sound until the car stops. This would happen more when the ICE is warmed up, and only when the car is using the regen braking. I tried putting it in neutral to see if the sound was still there when I was using the mechanical brakes and it did not have any sounds. I searched and saw a few people having other clicking sounds but it's not quite what I am experiencing. I took it to the dealer before and tried to address it but they said it was normal. I believed them at the time but I kept thinking about it and I don't remember that sound being there when I first got the car. Also, the sound isn't always there 100% of the time, it's more intermittent. Anyone have any idea what it could be?

Thanks,
Simon

 

It's a series of click click click. Sometimes when I have the window down and drive down an alleyway at low speeds and slightly brake, the sound echoes and is more discernible. When the windows are up and radio is off, the sound is loud enough so that I can notice inside the cabin as well.

 

I have had the mechanic sit with me regarding another concern, but not this one in particular. I will have to give them a call tomorrow and see if I can schedule a time for me to come in and have them come on a drive with me. Every time I drive my car, it always worries me when I hear that clicking sound.

 

Yes, this is exactly what my car sounds like and I'm glad I found someone else that is experiencing the same thing. I'm scheduled tomorrow to go on a ride with a tech. However, driving today, I noticed the sound is less noticeable. It's definitely still there, but is not as loud as it was last week. I'm worried that when I drive with them tomorrow, that they won't be able to hear the sound. Have you tried bringing them on a ride with you? I left the car with them to do themselves last time but of course they said they said it was normal and I have a feeling they couldn't replicate the sound.

It's hard for me to think it's normal when I didn't notice this sound there when I first got the car, nor do I hear it on any other 4th gens slowing down when I'm standing on the street. I'm at almost 30k miles and I would think if this was something normal, I would have heard it a long time ago, and also I would expect it to happen every time I slow down and also the same loudness, not intermittently.

 

Yes I know for sure the sound is more apparent when the car is warmed up so I'll have to go for a bit of a drive before I stop in the dealership. It really annoys me too as I'm always questioning if there's something wrong with my car. I'll definitely come back and report what I get from the dealer. It happens in my car regardless of my steering position and only when it's regen as well. If you happen to go to a different dealership, please report back too.

 

So I just went on a drive with a tech and he was able to hear the sound I was pointing out and he says I'll need to leave my car there for them to figure out what's going on. He says the car is too new to know exactly what it is but will let me know as soon as they find out what it is.

 

Unfortunately, they don't give out loaners at this dealership. They shuttled me home I have to borrow my brother's 3rd gen at home to go to work later. I hope they find out what's going on and don't just tell me nothing is wrong and give it back with no explanation.

 

I was waiting to hear an official report. Since yesterday, they spent more time driving the car around to figure out where the noise was coming from. They said they swapped the wheel bearings in the front and also tried switching the brake components to see if there was any change (even though I told them it only happened during regen braking). They decided that they would try to change the front axle as they said other vehicles that gave similar symptoms had the same problem and replacing the axle fixed the issue. I then asked them, if it was the axle, wouldn't the sound always be there regardless of braking? They said that during braking is when the axle is put under the most stress and can cause it to click like that, so they will try replacing it. The part is on order and won't be in until tomorrow for replacement. My only concern with this is that if it truly is the axle, and only makes that sound during braking, then I believe it should have the same sound even with the mechanical brakes being used and not the regen...

Anyway, they said they will replace it and see if the issue goes away.

They actually just called me today and allowed me to get a rental car through enterprise. They apparently don't have loaner vehicles through toyota or the dealership. I just came back with a dodge dart, I'm already missing my prius