CARspec had a 2010 Prius in the shop today, the owner concerned about noise from his Prius’s brakes at all speeds. After confirming the noise with a test drive, the technician pulled off the wheels and inspected the brakes. The rear left outer pad had worn metal to metal, but only on outside edge and only on the outside pad.  All other pads had 50% of their life remaining.

This is a common concern on 2010-2012 Prius and 2012 Prius V – the rear disc brake pads are more likely to apply unevenly and rotate in the fitment kit due to rust buildup.  This results in a brake pad that only applies at one edge, eventually digging into the rotor:

Prius Rear Brake Pad

Prius Rear Brake Pad

The solution is to install updated brake pads, shims, fitment kit, and (due to the large amount of rust making them unservicable) new rear rotors.  CARspec uses pads originally designed for the Lexus CT200h, an approved replacement part to help prevent this condition:

Prius and CT200h pads

Prius and CT200h pads

Routinely inspecting your brakes as part of each 5,000 mile service (in conjunction with an oil change and tire rotation) can help catch this issue before it grinds into the rotors.  This will save you money in the long run, as servicing the rotors before they are damaged by a worn pad is cheaper than replacing them after.

As Eden Prairie and Chanhassen’s independent Toyota and Lexus service and repair shop, let us help you avoid this issue by offering routine maintenance at a low price point.  If you have a Prius or Prius V with brake noise or are in need of maintenance, call us today!