I'm on the fence about purchasing a prius c, the only factor being that i read some other posts stating a common problem with rattle noise coming from the dashboard. I have a problem with rattle noises....can't ignore it! Especially in a new car. What's the buzz on this folks?
I've got lots (maybe from the first year living in an apartment with brutal speed bumps?). Dealer improved it a little bit at my first maintenance appointment, but I generally have music loud enough that I don't notice it. I pretty much expected it with the cheap plastic interior.
I do have a slight rattle that has developed after 6,000 miles. I don't hear it if I'm playing music, so I'm not sure if it's consistent or not.
You talking 'bout me?! Actually - you may be on to something - my '97 Prizm rattles like you wouldn't believe. Some stuff is loose but I think some small change or screws or something fell into the dash vents years ago. I don't think I lost my marbles in the car. Now it shakes, rattles and buzzes. YMMV
I can solve your dash board rattle problem! Put about 2 tablespoons of ARMORALL in a dish. Open the Prinus C dash board door. With your finger, dip it into the dish and then start coating the inside door lip where it comes into contact with the dash with the ARMORALL. Also, coat the area of the dash where it comes in contact with the door when the door is closed. IMPORTANT - after the door and dash serfaces are coated with a film of ARMORALL solution do not wipe any excess solution from the panels. Let the ARMORALL film dry on the door and dash before closing the door. The thicker the layer of film the better. After a few hours close the door. The ARMORALL acts as a lubercator and stops sounds forming between the two surfaces... This solved my door noise problem. Hope it works for you...
i get a slight rattle from my glove box, possibly another area near the windshield, but it's nothing major. music at a low/moderate level overpowers any dash noise.
right, so I wasn't sure if I had a dash rattle or not, because usually the radio is on...but I drove for the past 3 days with no music and I am glad to report, no rattle.
I had a persistent soft rattle that sounded like it was coming from the dash area. Looked there, pulled the glove box off, taped a wire, and padded where the glove box meets the dash board, padded my right hand mud flap, all to no good effect. Just a few days ago I pushed the shotgun seat forward and reclined the seat back all the way, and VOILA!. The next day looked under the seat. There are three electrical connectors that control the airbag and sensor. They are surprisingly rickety by design. double side taping a 1.5 inch foam pad on top of them between them and the seat bottom did the trick. I LOVE conquering rattles. This same commentary is going on its own thread here too . . .
I hate cars that have rattles. My car had a slight rattle in the dash when new, but went away. I think some of the plastic dash parts have to settle in. Also outside temp plays a part in the amount of rattles. Hot days no rattles. Cold mornings more likely to have rattles. But over all not anything to annoy me when driving.
There's a Toyota Safety Bulletin (or something official like that) out about that dash noise for some models. I think it's only the earlier ones. Regardless, the fixes mentioned here should work for anything that pops up. I've noticed a slight rattle a few times, but that's probably in fairly weather-specific conditions, and it seems to have gone away over time.
