Plug In Dash Rattle

Let me preface my post by admitting that rattles drive me insane. I sold my '07 Camry because the rattles were making me nuts and after adding at least 100 pounds of foam crammed into various crevices and a gallon of silicone lubricant I couldn't shut them up. That being said, after having owned three Toyotas I've found that after a few thousand miles they all rattle like an empty soda pop can half-full with gravel. That's just the way of the world with Toyotas.

 

this thread got me noticing some random creaks over rough pavement in the pip (radio off).
i recall the gen1 highlander hybrid felt near lexus with no creaks/rattles after years of driving.

wonder why toyota hasn't prioritized the little things like creaks/rattles/cheap tinny doors on the prius, supposedly their flagship hybrid.

 

Because it's a Toyota, not a Lexus?
Keep in mind…parts that don't make the cut for Lexus vehicles get used in Toyota vehicles because the standards are not as high. You get what you pay for, so to speak.

 

My roads are pretty smooth around here. Having read this thread, I was disappointed to note that when I went over a rough stretch of road that I did hear a bunch of rattling noise. My TUNDRA goes over that same stretch and far worse and is totally silent. In fact my 08 Tundra is amazingly tight I can go over speed bumps or rough and bumpy dirt roads with no rattles at all. Big contrast to my F150. My rattling in the pip seemed to come from the rear. It sounded like the roll-up hatch cover. Took that out and it proved to be most of the noise. Just knowing that gave some peace of mind. I like using the hatch cover so I put it back in but at least know the source of my noise . Any one else notice that source?

 

Anecdotally seems other Toyota models have less of these issues so perhaps the design pushing efficiency is not as robust for limiting cabin noise. IMO Toyota build quality is solid in general

 

The plastic used in Prius are plant based so it can easily recycle. Unfortunately, I think it is also easily scratchable.

Not sure if other Toyota and Lexus models use the same plant based plastic.

 

Another attempt to fix the trouble rattle.
Although rattle has dimished to a level where it's no longer loud, it was still agitating.
Brought the car in, test drove with the shop foreman. This time dealer decided to take the pillar between driver's door and rear passenger door apart and insert foam around plastic parts.
Didn't work, and I am near sure it's the sealant or weather strips.
Hopefully 3rd time will be the charm.

 

Good luck. Every Prius I've been in rattled... a lot. From the trunk, to the headliner and everything in between. The only exception was a Gen I Prius. I've pretty much attributed the rattle to using LRR tires and lots of plastic on the interior in the name of saving fuel. My PiP developed a rattle on the passenger side by the 2nd week of ownership. At 4 months ownership, it rattles as much if not more than my 06 Civic. Seems like very little sound deadening is used in the car.

 

Well, this is my 2nd PIPA and it has the dreaded dash rattle in the driver side corner by the triangle window. It's the same spot in my other PIPA. I'll be making an appointment to get it fixed. Maybe this is a problem with the 2012s and fixed in the 2013s hopefully? Any 2013 owners chime in?

 

Update on my situation.
3rd Trip, my rattle has been mitigated slightly but still lived. They have lubricated that area, but I was told this problem will come back since it was only temporary fix.
My service advisor has advised me to contact Toyota directly to get Regional Tech. to solve the problem.
Made the appointment few days later, met with Regional Tech., whom test drove the car.
R.T. (Regional Tech) acknowledged there was a rattle coming from the front driver's side, weather it's pillar or window.
Got a call back later in the day stating the problem has been addressed.
Found out it was just weather strip all this time, but was very happy that rattle was gone.
Permament rattle is now gone, car only has few rattles here and there but nothing permanent.
Very happy my purhasing dealer was very accomodating with the service process, and loaned me a car free of charge whenever it was there for this rattle issue.
I will most likely continue to patronage this dealership's service center even after Toyota Care's 25k miles plan. Heck they even gave me a free oil change for the future with no expiration date

 

So basically they replace the weather strip?

 

I had the same rattle on both sides of my PIP front doors.
Fixed with a piece of black electrical tape wedged under the weather strip.
Seems the weather strip is hard plastic and a bit undersized for the locking channel- which leads to rattling under certain (low speed) situations.

It's a shame we have to do this kind of stuff in 2013 when the old 60's and 70's vehicles didn't have these sort of issues with all the plastic.

 

the interior plastics are almost comical compared to lower priced Toyota models. i wonder if the calculated decision to go cheapo was for cost, weight, ....?

 

I thought the decision was to use bio-plastic. Not sure about cost but they were plant-based instead of petroleum-based plastic.

Sure hope next gen plant-based plastic is better.

 

Can you explain in more detail where you put the tape? Or a picture?
Thanks

Mike

 

interesting... i didn't recall this fact featured in their literature (and surely not from my sales guy!).

 

I just had the dealer fix my driver door window rattle by replacing the weather strip. At least that's what I think they said, it was loud at the bay where he was telling me but the rattle is gone for now. They also reported that they couldn't replicate the rattle from the front wheels over bumps (the brake pads in the calipers), but it's mysteriously much more muted now.

 

In the Plug In Advanced, the HUD trim panel may rattle. I stopped that rattled by wedging a piece of folded paper between the trim plate and the dash. I would use something darker like a piece of electrical tape instead.

 

man, doesn't get more hi-tech than that

 

I have a new 2014 Avalon Hybrid XLE Touring and it rattles too. I have a rattle in it somewhere that I can not find. Sounds like something rattling in a tin can. Does not do it all the time. May be a seat belt. Regardless of what it is I can't find it. I think all of these cars squeak and rattle. Get one stopped and another one pops up. Frustrating.