Hello, I’ve recently bought a 2019 AWD XLE and when i was on the test drive i noticed a humming from the rear. I guessed that it was a wheel bearing since it seemed to sound the same and change when turning and with speed. I replaced one rear wheel bearing without giving the wheel a good shake to feel for looseness because i was confident i knew the issue, but the noise hasn't gone away. Could it just be road noise? This is my first prius and didnt test drive any others so I dont have a baseline. Any other ideas what it could be? I plan on changing the transmission/dif fluid soon anyway.
Did you check the fluid level in the pumpkin and/or has it been ever checked or changed? This is neither here or there; but why did you buy it like that and not insist on them fixing that first? Has that car been in an accident before?
104k miles so far, I was thinking (hoping) that it could be the other side too; I will have to take a closer look. I should have mentioned that the tires are brand new so I dont think that would be the source. I haven’t checked the fluid yet, but thats a good idea to check/change. Am I reading the manual right that it takes ATF? As far as buying it with an issue, there aren't many used in my area and it was a reasonable price so I figured it was worth the hassle of tracking down the noise, especially since I was so sure it was the wheel bearing.
It might also be the AWD rear wheels electric motor. Don't know anything about the AWD version but I think it is AWD all the time. There might be some additional sounds associated with that.