1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Odd whining noise related to brakes, new 2015 Prius Five

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by PetesPrius2015, Apr 4, 2015.

  1. PetesPrius2015

    PetesPrius2015 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    21
    8
    0
    Location:
    Benton City, WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Today as my wife was pulling into the garage I heard a fairly loud, intermittent "screech" or whine coming from under the hood. I had her turn off the car, then start it again -no noise. Then I had her back out and pull back in, heard the noise. "It happens when I press on the brakes" said she. I had her do so, and, sure enough, there it was. No noise when the pedal is depressed, but as soon as the pedal is let off, the noise cycles on for a few seconds and then stops. I figure it's some sort of brake booster pump going bad. I was quite crestfallen because we have only had the car for 2 weeks and like it so much. Anyone know what this is?
    Thanks!
     
  2. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2014
    1,243
    1,044
    1
    Location:
    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Does it happen under any conditions, or usually when it's wet? Mine squeal sometimes as I pull into a parking space if there's rain. If so, then I don't think that's anything to be concerned with.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    is it the vpns?
     
  4. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
    442
    3
    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Does it make the sound while standing still? If so and it's repeatable bring the car in and demonstrate it to the service writer.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,662
    38,207
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    When the car's been sitting some time, off, open the drivers door. Do you hear a whirring noise for a few seconds? Is your problem noise similar? The car invariably does this sound when you first open the drivers door, and then intermittently thereafter, as you're driving. It's pressurizing the brake hydraulics, somehow. Could be that?
     
  6. PetesPrius2015

    PetesPrius2015 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    21
    8
    0
    Location:
    Benton City, WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Thanks everyone who took the time to reply. The noise is certainly some kind of brake hydraulic pump as it only happens after the brake pedal is depressed and released. The plan is to take it to the dealer and get their take on it. I think it might be "normal" noise but inside our garage it almost sounds like grinding metal to me. Therefore my concern. I'll write back when I learn what they say.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    thanks for the update, all the best.(y)merged. btw, the o/m has a section on all the prius specialty noises.:)
     
    #7 bisco, Apr 6, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 6, 2015
  8. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    981
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    if the noise is of any concern, the OP should be able to replicate it, record it, and post the recording.
     
    #8 Former Member 68813, Apr 6, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2015
  9. PetesPrius2015

    PetesPrius2015 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    21
    8
    0
    Location:
    Benton City, WA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Updating topic 4/21/15: noise seems to have disappeared. Cannot reproduce the noise so I guess it fixed itself - or maybe it was paranoia on my part. Thanks all for taking the time to respond!