Im now hearing a squeak / rubbing plasticky kind of squeak that I think is coming from the rear hatch/rear seat area? Has anyone had a squeak or noticed what could cause that? I don't have any cargo back there and the rear seats are locked into place. It's driving me nuts!
Could it be the 4th gen rear shock tower? There was some TSB about a bolt or nut coming loose, not long after 4th gen release. But maybe that's only earlier years, it's resolved now??
Same issue but was able to solve it. I just purchased my 2021 Prime a few weeks ago. A few days after I had the same issue with the squeaking rubbing plastic noise. Took it back to the dealer and they fixed the issue in 25 minutes. At first I thought it was the rear deck lid because it's carbon fiber and after that I thought it was the rear strut tower. Both of these were not the issue. Technician verified. It ended up being the latch for the rear seat / passenger side. With some felt wrapped around the latch the seat locking mechanism cannot rattle. Problem solved. Try this and let me know if it worked for you too.
I will try this! To be sure, you mean the latch where the seat actually locks against the frame of the car, correct? Not the seat buckle latch. I sure hope this is it! Thanks so much for sharing
It's easy enough to figure out if the rear seat latch is making the squeaking rubbing noise. Fold the seats down and see if it stops. My 2017 has done that noise since it was new. Doesn't do it with the seat folded down. It hasn't bothered me enough to do anything about it,
I thought it was the tailgate too. So I grabbed a small bungee cord and left the rear hatch open just a little bit so nothing was rubbing. With the bungee cord holding the deck lid I drove around and still heard the noise. Prior to that I grabbed about 20 pieces of foam and tape them to various areas around the deck lid but that didn't work either. I never would have thought that it would be something so simple as the seat. Originally it sounded like it was coming from behind the seat. Somewhere inside the area between the rear passenger seat and the right rear tail light. Hopefully it works for you. If not at least you can narrow things down even more. Good luck!
That’s what I thought ^^ Though originally I thought it was the license plate rattling against the trunk, thought it was loose. So I secured it super tight and the sound continued. I don’t remember hearing it for the first year or so of having the car (bought new w/ 28 miles on it, 2020 model) - but now, especially if you have the stereo off, it’s extremely annoying - especially on the highway, and it’s embarrassing when I have passengers bc it makes the car sound like it’s cheap or something. No one says anything but it’s just .. ugh. I haven’t needed to drive it the last few days but next time I do I’ll try your method and report back.
I completely know what you're saying about it bring embarrassing. I had passengers and I thought oh great my new car is already making noises. What a let down. Once it was fixed I was feeling good again about my purchase.
Haha yeah. It’s non stop on the highway but seems to quiet down or stop when going slower. I had friends in the car after I told them how great the Prime is, we go somewhere and I kept wanting to turn the stereo up higher but couldn’t because they were talking, and I know they heard that darn rattle
2017 prius prime squeak and creaking noise from rear left side of car | PriusChat Check out my toyota service center report. It may be of help.
Turns out the seats were not squeaking, though I sure appreciate the advice. The tonneau cover was to blame, I noticed today that when you extend the cover fully and lock it in place covering your cargo, the car is silent. Squeak gone. Yay.
