Auris oil pressure warning and engine noise

Sounds nasty. I had something similar with my Auris (petrol engine though), and those noises are never good. First thing, what's the oil level like? Is it within the normal range? When was the last oil change, and what viscosity oil did you use? Also, have you checked the oil filter to see if it's clogged? A blockage there could also cause low oil pressure. Don't drive it until you've investigated further, or you could be looking at serious engine damage. Engine bearings don't like low oil pressure, believe me!

Thanks for the quick response. The oil level is normal, and the last oil change was about 8000 km ago, using the recommended 5W-30 oil. I haven't checked the oil filter yet, but I will. When you say 'something similar,' was it also the oil pump, or something else entirely?

In my case it was the oil pump indeed. The symptoms sound very similar, especially the noises along with the oil pressure light. Given your mileage and the hybrid engine (different stresses compared to mine), a failing oil pump is definitely a strong possibility. Checking the oil filter is a good first step, but honestly, with those noises, I'd strongly recommend getting it to a workshop ASAP for a proper diagnosis. Running it with low oil pressure can destroy the engine in short order.

Thanks for confirming. I appreciate the advice. I took it to a workshop, and it turned out to be a defective oil pump, as suspected. The repair cost came to 755€, which is painful but better than a complete engine rebuild. Hopefully, this resolves the issue for good.