I have an A0 and I have squeaks and rattles. Problem areas are center console, dash on passengers side, over by the passengers seat exact position unknown, and a few other minor ones. Also had 5 bolts from under the car that were either left out or not tightened and fell out. Must have been Friday afternoon or Monday morning, just like Detroit.
Have a "0" in mine, and very non substantial issues with rattles. I have fixed anything with simple Adhesive Felt. Fit and Finish great and MPG right up there at 52 MPG.
I think another area that needs to be looked at is if any modifications have been undertaken on the cars that are rattling.
The only mods I have done are sticking little pieces of felt in the cracks to try and stop the rattles. I have installed a ScanGaugeII but that doesn't really count as a modification. I also replaced the bolts that had fallen out.
A0, with what seem like glove compartment rattles and less annoying center console creaks. No modifications to date.
Great response thus far. It would be interesting to hear from more "05" owners. The "05" build location looks suspicious? With cold weather coming, I suspect that every car will have a few more issues, as rubber moldings and mounts get hard and lubricants become stiff. My previous car was an Acura RSX .... and it had creaks in the Winter. I used a silicone spray to soften the door moldings and other body contact points. The silicone also prevented the door seals from freezing when I washed the car in below freezing weather. The felt strips are a great idea .... fortunately, thus far I have no problem areas that need such attention. Keep the thoughts coming. We may not have found the solution ... but if I were buying, I think I would examine the serial number before signing on the contract.
Silicone spray does work good on a lot of squeaks and you can spray it in little cracks and around hinges etc. I have also noticed that it, the brand I have anyway, doesn't seem to stain the upholstery if you get some over spray.
Mine has a ZERO (0) after the A in the VIN number and I wouldn't call it rattles anymore... its more like dozens of rodents trapped inside the doors and dashboard trying to get out... creativeguy, you are indeed very creative, while I believe rattles aggravate during the winter, there is no excuse for rattles in car priced like the Prius... last time I remember listening to bad rattles inside a car before my Prius was a long time ago when I would go fishing with my Dad in a 1660's VW beetle...
My 2010 Prius IV was built in August, has a "0" plant code and has zero squeaks and rattles after 2 months and 2,000 miles.
I have a 0, purchased in July, 4000 miles total. The first couple of months were in retrospect blissfully quiet, the last two months severely irritating rattles have developed from the center console. The rattles seemed to start lower down in the console but now they emanate primarily from near the air vents at the top of the console. If I press the plastic parts at the base of the vent down hard I can reduce, but not eliminate the rattle.
Mine's a 0, delivery July 31st with almost 5k miles. Clicks and creaks from the passenger side dash. In the summer it was quiet, but as it got colder the noises started. After it warms up it usually goes away.
I had the same rattle and thought it was the vents. Turns out (in my car at least) that the lower glove box where the latches are that lock the lid were rattling. I put paper towel pieces over each latch and closed the glove box on them. No sounds since. Not an elegant fix but the rattles are gone! Try it and see....
I have an A-0, built in September. No rattles. The only noise that seems off is a very high-pitched squeal that has been mentioned on several threads. I'll have the dealership check it out the next time I'm in.
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately it doesn't fix it for me, the rattling is independent of anything I try with the glovebox.
I think I fixed the one that was bothering me the most (it has been 2 days, so I think it is for real). That does not mean I'm happy with the car interior now... I still think it has a cheap and poorly built interior, totally unacceptable for a car of its price, because there are at least 3-4 more rattles that show up and irritate me in different frequencies. Anyway, about the big rattle I think I fixed: I thought it was coming from the passenger front door, it was an odd one because it was present when driving in the highway or when pulling back from my garage, very loud and irritating, I was about to shot that darn door until I had to move the front seat forward a little bit and that appear to have fixed it! So, it looks like it was coming from the rails under the passenger front seat, not the door.
I'd be curious to know how many folks who hear rattling also ride solo in the vehicle. I brought my Prius II to the dealer today and drove with the shop foreman. He acknowledged noises, but only after I moved to the back seat and he drove. When I drove and he sat in the passenger seat many of the rattles were inaudible. In any event, he secured the heater blower cover at the base of the glove box and tightened the seat belt anchor. He had no fix to offer for the center armrest rattle. I e-mailed Toyota about the problem; they opened a case and said they'd call me.