Gen 3 Dashboard rattles & creaks

I'll be curious as to what Toyo did to eliminate the rattles & creaks since they did not redesign the car. My 2010 was mfg 10/10. I hope whatever improvements they made got into my model too.

 

HTMLSpinnr: Would you be going to Larry Miller Toyota for this (Peoria)? That's where I bought mine, but I'm much closer to Camelback Toyota and hope to "get lucky" and have them do it.

I now have that mid-body "creak" too. It sounds like it's outside the car somewhere. I get it when I go slowly over dips in parking lots, especially if there's some body-twist involved.

 

315 miles and the dash rattle/creak started this morning. HTML I am in Surprise, too. We should meet up sometime. Maybe we can plan a get together and meet Greg, too.

 

bretaz: did you get your Prius at Larry Miller?
Also, please feel free to join the social group here. One of our members is trying to coordinate a meeting sometime soon.

PriusChat Forums - Phoenix area Prius owners

 

Thanks for the link. I looked and searched but didn't find a Phoenix group.

I bought this one at Camelback, and have some good contacts that work there. I sent them an email to see if they have any experience with the GenIII rattles.

 

I just checked and you are in the group as our latest member - welcome! fmi will be coordinating a meeting soon so you can PM him, if you like.

UPDATE: I just got off the phone with Camelback Toyota. They were very nice and will work on my Prius this Monday. It could be an all-day fix so I will bring it in early. My service rep is named "West" and he said there were several techs qualified to do this diagnosis/repair. Stay tuned - I post back here how it went.

 

Only two weeks with my '11 and so far only the center console/armrest junction creak, but it's pretty darn loud. Putting a finger in between silences it completely so I'm going to push a wad of felt down there. Fingers crossed hard, knocking on much wood and garlic around neck to ward off new ones.

 

Gen 3 Center Console Rattles & Creaks - FIXED

I like other have been dealing with the center console creaks. I finally thought of something to check, and an easy fix. First I noticed when I took mine in for service, while waiting I walked around and checked all the 2011 models. All were unlocked, and one thing I noticed was the center armrest seemed much more stable. It couldn't be wiggled like mine.

I came home, opened the armrest, took everything out. There is a piece of removable carpet. I pulled it up and found four bolts. I took out my tools and found they were so loose, it took no pressure to unscrew. So I tightened them as much as possible. I them put everything back in the box. Then I pulled up the carpet under the center stack. There is one bolt same size, but angled. It too was super loose. Again I tightened it as far as it would go. Then put the carpet piece back in. It's held down with a piece of velcro.

I have been driving all day up to LA and back to Newport Beach. Not a creak at all any more. Fixed! The top piece arm rest still is a plastic piece of junk that can make a noise if touched, but for over a year the creaking that persisted in my Prius has vanished just by tightening the bolts. Periodically I will re-tighten if needed. That is if the creaking starts up again.

So I urge all of you to check these bolts. What is with Toyota not making sure these are as secure as possible. Pathetic, such an easy thing causing so much frustration for everyone. Give it a try and good luck!

 

What is disturbing is how loose are the other 5,000 bolts in the car? I took mine in today for the dash rattle - passenger side. I had it to them by 7 am. Got a call at noon and they wanted me to come down and ride with a tech to demonstrate the noise. I guess it was lucky I could get a ride back to the dealer, but really - 5 hours later and they are now looking at it? I'm sure they will have the car overnight and possibly all day tomorrow. I'm guessing warranty work takes the lowest priority. Hmmm...not too impressed right now.

 

Gen 3 Center Console Rattles & Creaks - FIXED

I also posted this in Gen 3 Dashboard rattles & creaks........

I like other have been dealing with the center console creaks. I finally thought of something to check, and an easy fix. First I noticed when I took mine in for service, while waiting I walked around and checked all the 2011 models. All were unlocked, and one thing I noticed was the center armrest seemed much more stable. It couldn't be wiggled like mine.

I came home, opened the armrest, took everything out. There is a piece of removable carpet. I pulled it up and found four bolts. I took out my tools and found they were so loose, it took no pressure to unscrew. So I tightened them as much as possible. I them put everything back in the box. Then I pulled up the carpet under the center stack. There is one bolt same size, but angled. It too was super loose. Again I tightened it as far as it would go. Then put the carpet piece back in. It's held down with a piece of velcro.

I have been driving all day up to LA and back to Newport Beach. Not a creak at all any more. Fixed! The top piece arm rest still is a plastic piece of junk that can make a noise if touched, but for over a year the creaking that persisted in my Prius has vanished just by tightening the bolts. Periodically I will re-tighten if needed. That is if the creaking starts up again.

So I urge all of you to check these bolts. What is with Toyota not making sure these are as secure as possible. Pathetic, such an easy thing causing so much frustration for everyone. Give it a try and good luck!

 

Hello peterkg1. I have lots of rattles from the dashboard too.

Went last week to the dealer, and they were able to fix one rattle. But now two more rattles have appeared.

Do you have any pic of the dashboard removal procedure? I still haven't seen any pic of that, even in this forum.

The dealer don't allow me to take pics while they are working on the car.

 

I Just tightened the four bolts in the center console (10 mm) and the one in the center tray area. The center tray one seemed like it would tighten forever but didn't seem stripped.

In the center console I noticed the bolt holes have some forward/back adjustment space. If I adjusted the console fully rearward would that stop it from touching the forward part of the console? I might try that a little later.

Thanks for the ideas.

Josh

 

I have not rattles from the dashboard area or glove box. Sorry.

 

Hi Josh,

I didn't move the center storage box in any direction. I just locked down the five bolts tight. Also the one under the center tray like you, I thought was going to strip. That was how loose it was. But it eventually tightened up too. Just tightening the five bolts stopped the creaking completely. I only had creaking in the center stack and armrest/box areas. I hope it worked for you too!

Peter

 

I'll turn a little more on the center bolt. I'm not sure if it helped but I see now that if I have to put some material inbetween the two components the four bolts in the console will make that job easier.

Thanks again.
J

 

Re: Gen 3 Center Console Rattles & Creaks - FIXED

Thanks for the tip Peterkg1. Checked mine today and all 5 you mentioned were loose, not finger tight but still not nearly snugged down either. Hope it fixes some of the center console rattle. I noticed that the arm rest box was already moved as far to the rear as it would go. The bolt under the center bridge thing was as others have described, took quite a few turns before it started to tighten.

 

Re: Gen 3 Center Console Rattles & Creaks - FIXED

Hi Tom,

Let us know if it worked for you. I am amazed. Now I love my Prius again.

Peter

 

Re: Gen 3 Center Console Rattles & Creaks - FIXED

Out of curiosity I just checked mine....All 5 screws were really tight, so either my dealer did that in prep, or the loose screw deal is hit-or-miss.
My own cure of stuffing dense foam down between the console and the bridge seems to be working pretty well despite overnight temps in the single digits as of late.
When things warm up a bit more I'll go in search of the bump/creak sound from the rear of the car......
Great work, Peter!

 

Re: Gen 3 Center Console Rattles & Creaks - FIXED

Hey Dan,

What do you think about the comments of loosening the bolts in the console box and moving it back away from the center stack? Then tightening the bolts again like Josh thought of? I'm not in the cold temps you are, so I understand you have that to deal with too.

Peter

 

Re: Gen 3 Center Console Rattles & Creaks - FIXED

Peter, I'm not too sure about that. It may need to be a fine balance of spacing; too loose and it may rattle-too tight and it may squeak.
That's why I think that a buffer, like felt or foam, between the bridge and the console, is a fairly effective solution.
I guess it's a matter of trying whichever works in your specific case.