2011 prius = the rattle machine

That's why I named mine "Rattles".

 

The car, by design, is exceptional. Space utilization, mileage, feature set are all nice. Having owned the 2007 provided a point of reference. By comparison, every aspect of the 2011 is worse except for mileage.

I have owned a few Toyotas and every one has been exceptional. Until the 2011 Prius, I held confidence that Toyota held quality to a high standard. My new Prius is absolutely horrible! As much as I enjoy driving, I avoid driving this car. It's that bad. This car should have never passed QA!

I guess there is something to old adage that misery loves company. Perhaps taken a little out of context but I do feel a bit better I am not the only one who got stung by Toyota.

Toyota seems to be doing the opposite of what has bolstered Hyundai's reputation of recent years. Given recent safety and quality issues, I would have a very difficult time recommending or buying another Toyota. A friend purchased a Ford Fusion Hybrid after test driving a Prius. He was shocked I purchased the Prius assuming I had test driven other hybrids. I hadn't based on my satisfaction with the 07. Though you give up mileage, for me, the added comfort, handling, performance and the enjoyment of hitting the road in the Fusion would easily make up for the additional 10 mpg you get with the Prius. The Hyundai Sonata is exceptional but dealers around the Bay Area were selling every one they had for $5K over MSRP. Bottom line, I was sold on the Prius. Okay, starting to rant, sorry.

 

I have just purchased a 2011 built in may 2011. Pretty much quiet, except for some creaking over rough roads. I have never had much luck with rattles. My Acura RSX rattled very badly from just about every part of the dash. My Altima rattled, my ford contour rattled. The good thing about the ford was that once something rattled a short time later the offending part fell off. So i guess i have low expectations. So far happy with getting 57 mpg on the first tank and looks like this tank will be close to 60 mpg.....thats pretty amazing.

 

Has anyone who installed chassis braces on their Gen III gotten rid of squeaks & rattles because of reducing chassis flex? I know the bone stock Prius chassis flexes a lot from driving experience. I suspect some or all of the loose chassis issues would be cured with good chassis bracing.

Mike

 

My 2010 rattled like crazy in winter and summer.

 

1200 miles on my 2011 and I haven't heard any sounds other than the engine starting or music on my radio. Quietest car I've ever owned so far.

 

We have a 2011 IV with 3k+ miles on it. The only 'rattle' comes from the center bridge and it is more of a click that I have isolated to the up holder and/or hinged cover near where the bridge joins the armrest assembly. I can hold my hand on it and it goes away. Haven't taken it in to the dealer as I think I can do it myself with less time and hassle. I have the tires about 2 lbs above factory pressure and the ride is decent and mileage combined city/highway is mid 48 mpg to low 49 mpg - pretty much as advertised - in Eco mode. My wife loves the car, it is nimble in tight spots and the leather makes her feel like she has a more expensive car. She prefers her Prius to my '06 BMW 530i [30 mpg using premium fuel]. It costs her roughly half as much to go the same distance as it does me. Don't kid yourself - the BMW has a creak here and groan there and the dealers are pompous SOB's.

 

My 2011 also has about 3000 miles on it, and I thought this week that I'd fallen victim to a rattling car. For three days I poked around, looking for junk in the door pocket, under the seat, in the glove boxes, etc. as the sound seemed to come from the front passenger door. My son said it was coming from the back seat area, so I looked there, too. It rattled when the right tires hit a bump, not the left. Then I noticed a power cord to something my hubby had left in the tray under the bridge. After I tossed that into the seat, the noise stopped. Yay!!

The Prius is at least as quiet as the 2006 Avalon, and I am still happy with both. However, if it ever starts to sound like my 1971 Ford Torino, then I'll be having some serious words with Toyota.

 

Uhhhh...it certainly isn't a troll post. Do a search for Gen 3 rattles; there are many complaints, including mine. Toyota has not done enough NVH engineering on this vehicle. The "bridge" needs attention as it is certainly one of the biggest noise makers, particularly in package V models.

 

Would love to read a review of before/after!

 

Guess i'm lucky or deaf mine is quiet.

 

Prius's rattles are easy to find and esay to fix, even by yourself.
Only thing you need is a pack of self-adhesive pad from IKEA (99 cents or something).
I fixed all the rattles (rear hatch, "bridge",glove box and rear seat)

I will post the process after I take the photos.

 

My 2011 has zero rattles up until the 1500 mile mark. Then the rattles started to develop. Right now, after 3400 miles, I have counted 3 rattles.

Send me a PM, I am your area a lot. I would be interested in doing a comparison. I am curious how bad yours is compared to my 2011. I have about 3 rattles on mine after 3400 miles but the suspension feels like it is very unrefined.

 

Hey Man please do!! post the pics and procedure!!

I have rattles from rear sits, front speakers (top of dashboard) dashboard near center air vents and center console / bridge! the new rattles I got are around the ceiling handles!

Thanks!
Please let us know!

 

Mine is at the dealer for the 8th time for noises. THey gave me a loaner Prius. That one is as solid as a rock. Not a peep. It was almost erie to drive it and not hear anything. They swear they will fix it this time. Tech support has told them to remove the small window to get at some stuff. We will see.

 

I can't be as optimistic as you, I think some of them are easy to find and fix but some of them are next to impossible to find and very difficult to fix. Some owners have gone as far as removing the dash and all of the interior panels. Take a look at some posts and topics by Phoenixgreg.

I have had a lot of the interior plastic off, door panels out, front seats out, under body covers off, etc. I still have a lot of rattles and have decided to live with some of them after two years, it's either that of sell the car.

Anxious to see your photos, you may have found some the rest of us have not.

 

Posted! I hope it can help you.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...attles-99-cents-neat-version.html#post1370796

 

i must be lucky.. I have a 2011 with just over 5000 miles and no rattles! And my car is lowered and has rims.. so you would think my car would be prone to more rattles..

 

As I have said mine is in for the 8th time. I said that one of the many rattles/noises are coming from what I feel is the back doors. He repeatedly asked me if it was the back hatch. He must know something like your photos suggest.

Most of mine are coming from the dash/center console area.