Squealing noise at slow speeds

[SFM]

I've been having this problem for some time now, but it doesn't happen every time. It mostly happens at slow speeds around 1-12 mph (20 km/h) and goes away when going over 12 mph. I haven't had a chance to record the sound because it happens at random times and in situations where I cannot use my phone. The noise is like two metal pieces scraping against each other, and the sound goes faster or slower depending on how fast I'm driving. I'm going to take it to the dealer in the next couple of days, but I thought I might get an idea of the problem by posting it here.

Brake pads were also replaced 10k miles ago.

Edit: I managed to record the noise

 

[MerlintheMad]

AC on? You can test the 1-2 gear by pulling the paddle shifter into 2nd, then back into 1st as you idle at slow speed.

 

[SFM]

AC on? You can test the 1-2 gear by pulling the paddle shifter into 2nd, then back into 1st as you idle at slow speed.

Yes, the AC was on every time it happened. I’m going to try shifting between gears the next time it happens to see if it will stay in the 2nd gear.

 

[MerlintheMad]

And turn the AC off, of course.

 

[SFM]

And turn the AC off, of course.

The AC is on as long as I'm in the car. In my country, it's not possible to stay for longer than 30 seconds before starting to sweat and being uncomfortable when the AC is off, which is why I said the AC was on every time it happened because it never gets turned off. I didn't mean that the sound doesn't occur when the AC is off to clear any confusion. But when the sound occurs again, I will try turning it off.

 

[MerlintheMad]

But when the sound occurs again, I will try turning it off.

You said that the squealing only happens at slow speeds, so I am assuming mainly when you start up and haven't driven off yet; you're backing out or something similarly slow. If the AC is off at that time and no squealing, that would indicate a correlation. This is just something to eliminate: I don't expect the AC to be the cause, but you won't know for certain what the squealing is NOT caused by unless you eliminate all other potential causes.

 

[SFM]

You said that the squealing only happens at slow speeds, so I am assuming mainly when you start up and haven't driven off yet; you're backing out or something similarly slow. If the AC is off at that time and no squealing, that would indicate a correlation. This is just something to eliminate: I don't expect the AC to be the cause, but you won't know for certain what the squealing is NOT caused by unless you eliminate all other potential causes.

I found out what's 99% causing the issue - the brakes. I managed to record a video of the sound, and it's much louder when the brake pedal isn't pressed at all. But when it's pressed, the sound stays, and it's quieter, as heard in the video. I also assume the noise stays even at higher speeds but isn't audible. The rotors might be warped? At least now I know what to tell the dealer.

Here's the video:

 

[MerlintheMad]

The rotors might be warped?

Rotors don't warp out of true. But the caliper(s) might not be retracting all the way; and pushing them in reduces the sound because of increased pressure. I bet that where you live brakes get filthy with blown dust/sand.

I don't hear any "squealing", not even soft, in your video; might be beyond my damaged hearing range?

 

[SFM]

Rotors don't warp out of true. But the caliper(s) might not be retracting all the way; and pushing them in reduces the sound because of increased pressure. I bet that where you live brakes get filthy with blown dust/sand.

I don't hear any "squealing", not even soft, in your video; might be beyond my damaged hearing range?

For you, no weird sounds are coming from the car in the video at all? I'm not sure if that kind of sound is called squealing or not, but the noise is a high-frequency sound. It might also be the calipers. And yeah, it gets pretty dusty sometimes with sand blown everywhere. Metals tend to rust very fast as well. I will have the dealer check them out. Thanks for the help!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yeah, no sound above the low movement (background) sound, for me.

 

[ShannonC]

Sounds like brakes to me. Try a couple of high speed sudden stops and it may go away.

 

[SFM]

Update: I took it to the dealer, and they replaced all four rotors under warranty. The rotors would've cost me 800 USD if the warranty didn't cover it.

 

[Nasscar]

Did they say what could have caused the problem with the rotors.

 

[SFM]

Did they say what could have caused the problem with the rotors.

I haven’t asked them what was the problem and they haven’t told me. I completely forgot to ask them what was the problem

At least it’s fixed now. I might also give them a call to ask what was the problem.