2011 prius = the rattle machine

Wait a minute...hold the phone...Airgas has $32.5 in his 2011 Prius II? (Airgas ID says it's a Prius II) OMG...I assume that includes 12 years of interest! You know, maybe Airgas and the PriusCchatters are both right. PCers say the car is great (I agree), and AirGas might really be saying that he hears his finance numbers rattling around the dash!

Okay, seriously as potential shortages and oil prices increase, the Prius will continue to ride with added-value. So whether you pay $22K or $32K, Prius depreciation is slowing down. Now that's a good thing for all Prius owners regardless of price.

 

Have a 2011 - only about 600 miles on it so far but no rattles whatsoever. Definitely a tight. not cushy, ride feel - but I think I'm liking that!

 

Re: "prius" a true work of build quality crap!!

First time in my life with a new car not even a year old and already thinking of getting rid of it!!! I will have to burn more gas but Toyota has to be the worst car out there!! my boss has a Hyundai for 3 years already we do carpooling and the car is rock solid, the 2010 Prius looks like the instruments are from the '80 back to the future era and the rattles are only silenced by a good heavy metal music!!!

SHAME ON YOU TOYOTA!!

 

Re: "prius" a true work of build quality crap!!

Maybe you should have waited before buying a "new model year" car. They are notorious for having problems. Usually by the next new model year (late) they have fixed many of the problems. I avoided all of the problems associated with the 2004 Prius by purchasing a late year 2005.

 

If AG really owes $32,500 on a II I think I see what has happened. AG pulls into dealer, salesmen look out and laugh while saying "watch this, go get that junker from the back..."

 

Re: "prius" a true work of build quality crap!!

I hear you Man !! I knew that when I was getting into the first year of a full redesign model!! but my 2003 accord had 130K+ miles and didn't have a choice. I fell in love with the Prius concept!! I also read like 5 years ago that Toyota was the first automaker who got an engineering and design method that ensures 99% error free cars I don't know what happened! I have so many Toyoheads in the office telling me the best car in the market!! I'm guessing having that high of expectation made me currently been disappointed with the car....

Probably I will use it until 2013 refresh and trade in! mean while I will raise the music volume and save gas!

But wait I heard in the forum people complaining about the 2011 rattling too?? there is hope for 2012 at least?

 

Re: "prius" a true work of build quality crap!!

And I hear you. I wanted a 2010 sooooo bad after Toyota flew us all out to Detroit for the unveiling. It was so cool and all the new features plus better gas mileage had me drooling. So I can totally understand.

 

I have a 2011 III with around 1300 miles and it solid, tight as a fishes butt, and that is water tight....................I do hear the ocasional creak from the bridge but it is seldom, seems to be linked to cold temps.

 

i still got no rattles 45000km

 

Interesting thread here. So is he a troll or not? (i dont think he is.) Only thing worse than having a rattletrap car is people telling you you dont have one. They guy cant sell it without taking a bath so that's bad advice.

I was a fanatic about these things - i tracked the cargo ships coming into the west coast before they got here in 2010! But now, i'm looking at the 2012 Focuses - coming in right now too.

Toyota -- please fix this thing -- i still want one! (they are sweat little cars!)

dave t.
cincinati

 

I don't think people are doubting that the folks have a vehicle that has rattles to them. However, the issues seem to be either hit or miss. I think the fit n finish could be a little better for the car, but at what point do you stop and decide that it's satisfactory? Yes, the hard ecoplastics aren't exactly "vibration absorbing" they also aren't typically constant rattle traps, either. I would be more surprised that something isn't a little loose, a piece of plastic, etc got caught up in the area and that's what is causing the rattling on most of these. My car doesn't rattle, unless I'm driving over rough road. That doesn't bother me, though, as most cars make a lot more noise driving over rough roads - I feel they've gotten worse over the last 2 years here due to harsher winters and the recession putting a halt to some maintenance.

 

We're looking at purchasing a 2011 Prius soon. Someone mentioned that the rattling was occurring with cars built at a certain plant. I couldn't find a thread on this. Can someone elaborate on which facility to avoid? Also, when test driving, is there something I can do that will reveal whether the Prius I'm driving has this rattle? It sounds like it's occurring on a minority of vehicles.

 

The only rattles in my 2011 are from the crap that I put in the car.
Each and every time I thought it was some car noise, I traced it back to some stuff I put in the vehicle myself.

 

I have a new 2011 with 6000 miles. I previously had a 2007 I loved. No rattles, rock solid ride without beating you up and what we have come to expect from Toyota.

I was pretty excited about the 2011. 4 years of refinements has to be good. I liked the new body style and the interior was fine for my tastes.

What a surprise! As much as I loved the 2007, I despise the 2011. I have made desperate attempts to like it. I have had several friends drive it and no one said they would consider buying one. Most felt the quality poor. The ride is very harsh. Seriously, my Ducati Hypermotard has a more comfortable ride. On a less than glassy smooth road the car screams of road noise. Even driving over flush mounted manhole covers causes the car to rattle. Mileage is great though, >50 mpg.

I bought this right after the Tsunami and wonder if Toyota tried to ramp production too fast compromising some QA. I paid up the a$& for it, $34,700 out the door for a package 4. I would have the felt the money well spent if the car wasn't such a POS. Navigation ETA for a 500 mile trip was off by 2 hours. My Garmin was spot on. Yes, I adjusted the estimated speeds specific to road type in setup. The seat heaters come on fine then cycle off but don't maintain a temperature and cannot be forced on. I asked Toyota to provide a simple theory of operation and they did not have a clue. Car has been aligned 3 times. Every time it goes onto the rack, readings indicate the alignment out of spec.

The car really feels like a piece of junk when driving. The entire chassis seems to shudder when I drive on a rough road. My Dodge 3500 dually Cummins with 160,000 miles rattles less than the brand new Prius. I know there are many of you who love their Prius and think guys like me are trolls just taking an opportunity to bash the Prius.

Here is my offer. I live 40 miles south of San Francisco and encourage anyone considering the purchase of a new Prius in my area to take mine for a test drive. If you are one of those who feel I am exaggerating the severity of the crappy ride and rattles, come take it for a drive promising you will post an honest assessment of the vehicle. If the 2011 were as nice as the 2007, I would be happy as a clam. I HATE this f'n car!

 

Hi Grady you are NOT ALONE! rattles, noises, plastics, etc..!!!

I feel the same way and also for me this is by far the worst piece of junk "quality wise" I have ever owned! can't wait to get rid of it! and my wife tells me all the time I told you ....

so don't feel bad you are not alone for now we save some money which at least the car does!

This is the first vehicle I had to join a forum to fix, learn and complain!! because making Toyota to fix their defects is like pulling teeth

 

Prius is not the most solid car. Mine does rattle during winter months and the dash squeaked when a coworker rode shotgun with me. It was bit embarrasing and shocking since this was a new observation and he was clearly interested about Prius.

But, to put in perspective, when I test drove a Honda Insight I was grossly disappointed. Talk about rattles! It shook and rattled like a soda can with the loud ICE going on and off. Wow, I couldn't believe Honda would actually produce such POS. Came away with better appreciation for Prius and sad reality check for Honda...

Overall thou, I do greatly appreciate the overall attributes of economy and ease of driving my Prius. Now, I do much enjoy driving it...

 

I too have the squeaks and creaks. I have had it in 4 times and just sent in the arbitration papers today. I must say that I do love this car. I am very happy with the ride. It handles like a mack truck but I didn't buy it for its sports cars handling. I love the fact that I get 50 mpg all the time. The JBL system is the best. The Nav could be better, like offer a 3D view. But I like the bluetooth and stuff. I love the center bridge. Slick design but since it connects the front to the bak it is prone to squeaks. I also think the paint job is fantastic. Much better than American cars. (this is my first Jap car) I question the quality of the seat fabric but will deal with that if it ever becomes an issue.

I have called Toyota and they are going to schedule a factory rep to look at it. When I have no clue. Toyota asked me what I want them to do and I said honor the warranty and fix my car. Duplicating the noises is not a problem and everyone at the dealership who has driven it can hear them. Its fixing them that is the problem. The tech just needs to spend the time necessary to isolate all the different parts form each other and do it right. But I understand they don't get paid to do that.

Would I buy another one? Probably. But I wouldn't accept delivery till every little squeak is gone.