Regenerative Braking Crunching Noise

If you've driven a hybrid before, as you say you have, I'm sure you know that the sound your car is making is not normal. How about making a recording of the sound on your phone, posting it to YouTube, and referencing it in this thread? Another Prime owner might recognize the sound and be able to tell you what is wrong. (I believe you need 5 posts in this forum in order to attach a file to this thread, otherwise I would suggest adding a file containing the recording here.)

 

Good idea, @davecook89t.

Yeah, but they can get in a commercial airliner and sit the same distance from you.

 

You don't say explicitly, but I'm assuming you hear this sound when braking to slow down? If so, a "crunching sound" is typically caused by rust on the brake rotors. You can typically see a reddish coating on the rotors instead of the bright metal surface. It happens when the rotors get wet and then sit allowing the rust to form. Do you ever park the car outside where a lawn sprinkler hits the tires? This will scrape off by using the brakes. It could also be something abrasive on the brake pads or rotors. Since you don't trust your Toyota dealer, take it to an independent mechanic for a brake inspection.

 

You should not be hearing crunching sounds in your 2020 Prime. It needs looking into as it may be slipping clutch in the transaxle and or brake system problems. Leave it with your dealer and get it repaired!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

We still don't know what your are describing as "crunching" noise. Does it happen only when brake pedal is depressed firmly (frictional braking)? Or does it happen at very light pedal depression when regenerative brake is working? Does it happen every time or just sometimes? How frequently? Does your brake work? What have your dealer looked at and did onto the brake and said what? Dealers will not do anything unless then can replicate the problem you experienced while the car is in their hand.

As far as lemon law is concerned, I will leave it to someone from CA, or someone who is more knowledgeable in consumer laws. The laws are different from state to state, but in most states, the law only covers substantial impairment due to manufactures defect. It is up to you to demonstrate how your vehicle has been substantially impaired.

 

Could the crunching noise be the low speed noise the car makes from a speaker. Mine sounds like the brakes grinding when you are driving really slow and the engine isn't on.