Help identify this sound?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Joebass, Nov 17, 2025 at 11:07 AM.

  1. Joebass

    Joebass New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks in advance here!
    I have had several Prius over the last 15 years and love them. I've never had to do anything beyond scheduled maintenance but also never kept one beyond 180000 miles. However, I'm looking at 220k on my 2012 and yesterday I got in the car and the traction, brake, check engine, abs and exclamation lights are all on. I had to drive across town and it ran fine, but the hybrid battery indicated did not seem to ever get above halfway, and from watching the screen, seems like the regenerative brakes are perhaps not working. And it's making the noise in this linked video here whether the gas engine is running or not.



    Some quick research seems like that's perhaps pointing to the brake actuator, looking for some confirmation, and advice from the community on whether that's right or other diagnoses before I try to find an honest, reasonable and capable hybrid mechanic in Brooklyn. Speaking of which, I'm a newbie on the forum, but are there resource lists for recommended mechanics by region?

    with appreciation,

    -Joe
     
    #1 Joebass, Nov 17, 2025 at 11:07 AM
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    The warning lights store error codes that point to the problem... You can buy an OBD2 reader to connect car to your phone to use apps like Dr. Prius App or you can buy a cheap Mini-VCI dongle which comes with Toyota Techstream that you can run on an old laptop. Or see the link in my signature about checking the warning light via the blink codes.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Nov 17, 2025 at 9:39 PM
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    III
    If you have warning lights, that means there are trouble codes that should be read. The trouble codes with help to determine what the problem is. You or a mechanic needs to use a scanner to read the trouble codes.
     
    #3 Brian1954, Nov 17, 2025 at 9:42 PM
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