I just purchased 2009 Prius in June. I mentioned to Toyota that there was a noise coming from the driver side...perhaps the brake area. We test drove car again another day...no noise. I bought the car. Now the noise doesn't stop. And they say there is nothing to fix. It's part of a hybrid. To clarify...I am not speaking of the noise when it shifts from battery to engine. Not that. It seems to be coming from the brake/accelerator area. But now someone mentioned to check out the stability safety-steering system. I am at my wits end. Toyota has been useless in this whole process. They told me to turn up my radio. Unbelievable! Please...I know there are people out there who have or are experiencing this...please offer me some advice of how to get this problem corrected. I am also in touch with a lemon law attorney. Thank you!
This noise, could it be the hydraulic brake accumulator pump? A kind of ratchety-sound that last for one to a few seconds? Triggered most often when you hit some bumps in the road while braking? If so, that is normal.
What does it sound like, and when does it happen? It's most likely one of the several noises which are normal for a Prius and don't exist in a conventional drive car.
