2017 Corolla Belt Squeaking noise CVT

#1
I’ve noticed after driving about 15 minutes and I’m idling at say a fast food drive thru I notice a squealing noise coming from my CVT. I know this is my CVT because when I pull into my house I have some sit in my car while in drive while I discovered the source of the noise. It is indeed coming from the CVT. Has anyone else experienced this issue, gone to a dealership and figured out the cause? My Corolla has 53k miles on it. This is the first I’m noticing of this noise. It’s had the “recall” performed on the CVT software already.
 

delrey

New Member
#2
My car does a whining (like a supercharger whine) 15-20 mph. It's more prominent while coasting. My car is 2017 with 37k miles. I bought mine certified so I have the 12 month / 12000 mile warranty. I took it in a couple of weeks ago and they told me it's normal. I had to drive the car with the mechanic as he couldn't hear it when he drove but I was able to create the noise. The car drives normally and it had the 'recall' update right before I bought it. I am concerned about it but not sure what to do other than try another dealer but I'm afraid I'll have a similar experience. Let us know if you find anything out.
 
#3
My car does a whining (like a supercharger whine) 15-20 mph. It's more prominent while coasting. My car is 2017 with 37k miles. I bought mine certified so I have the 12 month / 12000 mile warranty. I took it in a couple of weeks ago and they told me it's normal. I had to drive the car with the mechanic as he couldn't hear it when he drove but I was able to create the noise. The car drives normally and it had the 'recall' update right before I bought it. I am concerned about it but not sure what to do other than try another dealer but I'm afraid I'll have a similar experience. Let us know if you find anything out.
I know what you’re talking about and that’s actually normal noise for a CVT I assure you (buddy is a master mechanic and I asked him.) He said CVTs are just louder than your traditional transmission. Although, the noise I’m referring to is more like a noise you’d hear from a serpentine Belt’s bearing going bad. Haven’t asked my buddy about the noise I’m currently worried about. I guess I could describe it as more of a whistle? It only happens when I’m idling in drive or parked. I’m worried that it’s the CVT’s pulley going bad and I’m nearing the 60k mark. Didn’t get the extended warranty either because I’m so confident in my Toyota (I’ve gone through 4 Toyota’s one only having a major issue at 320K miles.) this is my first CVT as well so I’m unsure if this whistling noise is normal? A good note to this is that this noise only begins to occur once the engine has warmed up to its optimal temperature. Meaning it doesn’t happen when I just start my car or go to the gas station down the road really quick.
 
#4
the noise I’m referring to is more like a noise you’d hear from a serpentine Belt’s bearing going bad. [...]. I’m worried that it’s the CVT’s pulley going bad
My car does a whining (like a supercharger whine) 15-20 mph. It's more prominent while coasting.
Yes, the decelerating whistling noise (aka as “flying saucer” or “jet engine” effect :p ) is normal for CVTs. A squealing/whistling noise at normal operation temperature, granted it’s new, not something that was always there but got suddenly noticed (cars sound different with the reverberating effect along a wall at drive-thru…) may require an elimination process.

Pulleys and belt, despite popular belief, aren’t the first suspects and if they go, it’s almost always the result of an underlying problem, not the cause. Among which: valve body and fluid. So the first steps would be to know if the car computer is giving some error code. Then assess the condition/level of the fluid (and maybe change it anyway) and have the valve body checked.
 
#5
Yes, the decelerating whistling noise (aka as “flying saucer” or “jet engine” effect :p ) is normal for CVTs. A squealing/whistling noise at normal operation temperature, granted it’s new, not something that was always there but got suddenly noticed (cars sound different with the reverberating effect along a wall at drive-thru…) may require an elimination process.

Pulleys and belt, despite popular belief, aren’t the first suspects and if they go, it’s almost always the result of an underlying problem, not the cause. Among which: valve body and fluid. So the first steps would be to know if the car computer is giving some error code. Then assess the condition/level of the fluid (and maybe change it anyway) and have the valve body checked.
Have you been made aware of any of this generations corollas CVTs going bad? Excluding the hatchbacks. Going to pull out my reader today and see if I can grab any codes. Will keep this post updated.
 
#7
Have you been made aware of any of this generations corollas CVTs going bad?
No more than the inevitable odd unit of any car component. At least not many transpired through forums and statistics (TrueDelta, Consumer Reports). And the Aisin-Toyota K313 in our Corollas have been around for quite a time (5 years in NA but 8 years worldwide).

Firmware may vary according to areas but even after the second version of the service campaign (JSD) in NA, which provided for a better evaluation of the valve body, there hasn’t been many reports of its replacement.

In other brands, aside from recalls for the Corolla HB and Honda Civic regarding very specific batches with specific date of production with a defective part, most problems come from fluid contamination by scrap metal or heat, including the infamous Jatco-Nissan either because of poor material and/or firmware (with the notorious exception of Schaefer-Audi, poorly engineered). But, again, that is not to say that no odd unit may exist.
 
#8
No more than the inevitable odd unit of any car component. At least not many transpired through forums and statistics (TrueDelta, Consumer Reports). And the Aisin-Toyota K313 in our Corollas have been around for quite a time (5 years in NA but 8 years worldwide).

Firmware may vary according to areas but even after the second version of the service campaign (JSD) in NA, which provided for a better evaluation of the valve body, there hasn’t been many reports of its replacement.

In other brands, aside from recalls for the Corolla HB and Honda Civic regarding very specific batches with specific date of production with a defective part, most problems come from fluid contamination by scrap metal or heat, including the infamous Jatco-Nissan either because of poor material and/or firmware (with the notorious exception of Schaefer-Audi, poorly engineered). But, again, that is not to say that no odd unit may exist.
Good to know. Scanned the car, no codes whatsoever. I’m going to post a video later of the sound I’m describing for anyone who may come across this thread having similar issues.
 
#9
Good to know. Scanned the car, no codes whatsoever. I’m going to post a video later of the sound I’m describing for anyone who may come across this thread having similar issues.
Any more updates on this, RadCorolla? Got a 2018 LE and just want to stay on top of things.

Tks.

Br.
 
#10
Any more updates on this, RadCorolla? Got a 2018 LE and just want to stay on top of things.

Tks.

Br.
No update yet. I have an appointment with the dealer at the beginning of September. I’ve been traveling on business for the past month so I haven’t had time to get this checked out. The noise is indeed from the transmission. I will let you know what measures the dealer takes. I am having them look over that as well as a creaking noise coming from the front end suspension when hitting a bump, or getting out of the car while on a slight incline. I’ll update this post then! :)
 
#11
No update yet. I have an appointment with the dealer at the beginning of September. I’ve been traveling on business for the past month so I haven’t had time to get this checked out. The noise is indeed from the transmission. I will let you know what measures the dealer takes. I am having them look over that as well as a creaking noise coming from the front end suspension when hitting a bump, or getting out of the car while on a slight incline. I’ll update this post then! :)
Much appreciated! If you have time, maybe a video/recording of the noise you are hearing? Will be a good reference for me to know what to listen for.

Thanks RadCorolla!

Br.
 
#13
Update:

Worn struts, my cars mileage is average for struts to be replaced. Not as bad as I was anticipating. The squealing belt is still in question and I'm 4k miles under 60k. I have another technician appointment coming up at my local dealership next week. Will update about this when I go in.
 
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