Light Grinding Sound While Accelerating At Low Speeds

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jon Batchelor, Jul 7, 2026 at 12:19 PM.

  1. Jon Batchelor

    Jon Batchelor Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2025
    23
    3
    0
    Location:
    FL
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So water pump was replaced a few months ago, blower motor was replaced a couple of weeks ago (that one was actually almost as easy as expected!), a new set of tires about a month ago ... and unfortunately a new worry. Trying to see how worried I should be.

    Just recently started getting a mild grinding (or perhaps chittering) sound when accelerating at low speed. Seems to disappear at higher speeds. Hoping perhaps a problem with sticking brakes or something that *might* not be too worrying.

    But exactly once, had it at a time that brakes made no sense. I was at a stop light, the car was in gear, but I had the brake depressed (because red light). And it was doing the same grinding sound. I switched the car to N, and the sound stopped. Put it back into D and it was chittering again.

    But only at that one stop, not any other time I've stopped. So I'm kind of confused.

    Trying to figure out possible issues, while trying to earn enough money to make it in to the dealership and get things checked over.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    115,283
    52,759
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    can you get a recording? did it start right after the new tires?
     
  3. Jon Batchelor

    Jon Batchelor Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2025
    23
    3
    0
    Location:
    FL
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    No, it started very recently, within the last week, the tires were about the second week of June, the new blower motor was about the third week of June. The grinding sound only started within the last 4 or 5 days. A recording? I might be able to try, don't know how well my phone would do on recording it, though.
     
    bisco likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    115,283
    52,759
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how many miles on her?