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2015 Prius IV brake noises

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Indy317, Mar 18, 2024.

  1. Indy317

    Indy317 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2018
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    Location:
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two Eco
    Had the pads/rotors replaced in October at the dealership. Had 90,000 on original. In December noticed a squeaking sound when turning slowly and applying the brake. Then noticed a hard braking noise that is difficult to explain but was noticeable. Would compare it to very hard squeeze on the brakes. Took it back to dealership in January and they replaced the pads/rotors again. Double checking lines and said no issues. Drove off with no issues. Now a couple months later both sounds have returned. First time dealing with brakes on a Prius so trying to figure out if this is normal for new brakes or if there is underlying problem.
     
    #1 Indy317, Mar 18, 2024
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Going back to the earliest generations of Prius, the car has always made such little use of the brakes that they can quickly develop a thin layer of rust in damp weather, which will then make awful scraping/screeching sounds and can feel grabby.

    There is a very simple treatment: just shift to Neutral before stopping, two or three times. By the third time, the brakes are usually smooth and quiet again. (The car can't do regen in Neutral, so that forces enough use of the brakes to scrape the rust off.)

    You just do that every time the brakes sound that way after a damp weather spell. Becomes second nature.

    I'm sorry to say that Toyota dealers often seem to know nothing about this, and will happily soak you for hundreds of dollars in brake repairs every time it happens, if you haven't learned about it from someplace like PriusChat.

    Here's an old post where another dealer was up to the same shenanigans.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Mar 18, 2024
  3. Indy317

    Indy317 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2018
    7
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    Location:
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two Eco
    Awesome. Thank you
     
    #3 Indy317, Mar 18, 2024
  4. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2019
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    Location:
    Sanford NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The pads also work in reverse....
     
    #4 bettergolf, Mar 18, 2024
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    24,035
    15,630
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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    o_O that seems to be anybody's first mention of reverse in the whole thread.

    Also, the pads work in Canada.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Mar 18, 2024
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