2012 Prius V Groaning Noise

[AnnieS]

Below about 40 degrees our 2012 Prius V groans when it first moves in the morning, as if there's a break problem, but we're not using the break. It goes away very quickly. Does anyone have the same problem?

[Flyman]

Originally Posted by AnnieS

Below about 40 degrees our 2012 Prius V groans when it first moves in the morning, as if there's a break problem, but we're not using the break. It goes away very quickly. Does anyone have the same problem?

We live South of you in Packwood and we are having the same symptoms, it sounds like something hanging up or scraping as it rotates. I plan on asking about it when the first service is due unless it gets worse prior to that. The temperatures were in the 30's here for a couple of weeks but are now running from 43 to 50.
We have had the car since Halloween and it has a little over 1500 miles on it.

[MarathonMarty]

Very interesting. I live in Spokane and have owned my 'v' since early November. I also encountered the 'groan' when the temps dropped below 40, especially when it was also damp. I have taken the vehicle in to the dealer but, alas, the weather warmed up that day so when they test drove it there was no groan. I've also noticed that the 'groan' is rotational in nature ie. it isn't a steady continuous noise but is intermittent as you drive forward. Never has happened in reverse and usually stops within less than one city block, maximum. No brake pedal being applied during the groan and I agree it sounds like something rubbing for a short period of time before releasing or breaking loose. This evening it was 38 and very dry when I drove home after work. No 'groan' at all so I think moisture is also one of the ingredients. And we're all residents of Washington and we all bought our vehicles within the same time period. I'd be willing to bet they came over in the same shipment and that they were in the same production run. I'm not really worried about it but none-the-less, I think we should keep an eye on this.

[tonycan]

I've experienced the same problem. Took it into the dealer and they called in a field engineer. Did some work on the brakes, but the same noise continues. Car is scheduled to go back to dealer for the second time. Very annoying sound.

Just noticed every poster is from Washington state. Hmmmm.....

[thomcat]

Add mine to the pile - same groan, gone after a few blocks. Haven't had my first free checkup yet, so I can ask later this month.

[catgic]

Originally Posted by AnnieS

Below about 40 degrees our 2012 Prius V groans when it first moves in the morning, as if there's a break problem, but we're not using the break. It goes away very quickly. Does anyone have the same problem? Et Al… Flyman Member, MarathonMarty & Tonycan

AnnieS, Flyman Member, MarathonMarty, Tonycan & Thomcat – Load up your Vees and move from Washington to Florida. There are no groaning 2012 Prius v hybrids here in Margaritaville.

[tonycan]

Originally Posted by catgic

AnnieS, Flyman Member, MarathonMarty, Tonycan & Thomcat – Load up your Vees and move from Washington to Florida. There are no groaning 2012 Prius v hybrids here in Margaritaville.

Now I'm groaning!

[Priuswagon]

Originally Posted by tonycan

I've experienced the same problem. Took it into the dealer and they called in a field engineer. Did some work on the brakes, but the same noise continues. Car is scheduled to go back to dealer for the second time. Very annoying sound.

Just noticed every poster is from Washington state. Hmmmm.....

I hear it once in a while when I start up the car. It seems like when I turn a corner I thought it was a brake noise. Maybe it's from the steering I hear the sound when I turn every once in a while.

[Priuswagon]

Originally Posted by Flyman

We live South of you in Packwood and we are having the same symptoms, it sounds like something hanging up or scraping as it rotates. I plan on asking about it when the first service is due unless it gets worse prior to that. The temperatures were in the 30's here for a couple of weeks but are now running from 43 to 50.
We have had the car since Halloween and it has a little over 1500 miles on it.

My prius has 2700 miles on it and that sound comes and goes. I notice it when I turn after I turn the car on.

[Wuster]

Originally Posted by MarathonMarty

Very interesting. I live in Spokane and have owned my 'v' since early November. I also encountered the 'groan' when the temps dropped below 40...

Ahhh... Isn't that like 10 months out of the year in Spokane?

My wife's family is in Spokane, and when we visited in 2010, the high that week was like -4...

All kidding aside, could the "groan" be the Vehicle Proximity Notification System? It makes a grinding like noise at low speed (below 15 mph, I think) to let pedestrians know, so you can't sneak up on them.