I've rolled 240K on the 2012 Prius V. The issue is an air type noise which comes and goes when on the brakes at stoplights. I don't believe it is connected to a brake motor. It is like a puff air noise or something not to loud perhaps a bit like a seal. No lights have come on. My take is that it is the accumulator and that the ABS has to be replaced. I've also read to swap the brake fluid first that there may be bubbles. Has anyone purchased the ABS used or can they reccommend a site where I can buy? I appreciate any input.
A brake fluid flush has been known to clear up a brake booster problem if you get the dealer's $150 Techstream driven version. For one or two days and then it returns. If you buy a used booster it is almost guaranteed not to work, either because it is the wrong part number or it has also failed. Verification by donor car vin compared to your car's part found by vin is about the only way to know if a used part is correct. A v's brake booster is different than a hatchback even though the housing numbers are the same. In addition there are two different part numbers for a 2012 v. I would buy from an online Toyota dealer, ideally during a periodic sale although online prices are almost always 25% less than the local dealer's walk in price. With that said, I would verify what you are hearing directly under the hood. I probably would not buy the parts unless you get the code(s).
Part of the advice is to determine where it's coming from. May require one person at the wheel and another under the hood with an auto stethoscope. Review this video carefully to help diagnose and to understand the job. It's a big one. Pine Hollow Diagnostics Prius Brakes FAIL
I now have the codes. I can't imagine that I'd be covered under phase 2 of what you posted. The car has 240,000 miles. It sure seems like a challenging job. I'm at a bit of a crossroad, I have yet to replace the hybrid battery in the car. While there is some new paint and a new engine, I feel like the suspension could be wearing thin and the front seat is leaking yellow material. I love the car though. It's been a good one.
The engine was replaced for $3000 with a re-build engine at 195K. I also put a cat guard on the car then.
Except for the engine, brake booster and soon the hv battery. Apparently the interior was not used "by a little old lady from Pasadena". If you have revised pistons and rings in that rebuilt engine it might be worth $2500 now for a brake booster and another $2500 for an oem battery a year from now. As always it depends on your finances. A good replacement might be a 22 Rav4 hybrid with factory lithium battery, bms and advanced safety systems. But that might mean $750 monthly payments or a good chunk out of the savings account. The v will have to go at some point but a quality rebuilt engine which is not burning oil should go ten years. Suspension issues might be simple sway bars. Your choice.
