Gen 3 Dashboard rattles & creaks

Thank you Greg that looks very helpful, I think I'll get the pdf download. But I agree it looks a bit much for me tackle to also.

 

The problem is that both dash speaker grills and speakers must come out. Then there's the sunload sensor. Both side vents come out. The cover plates for the start button and the one on the other side get pulled out. Then the lower box is removed (no biggie) but then the upper glove box must also be extracted. Then you are looking at removing the passenger side air bag assembly (no thanks!!). Once all that is out, you need to locate the screws holding on the top dash plate. Then you apparently lift up then pull forward to get the dash out. Now you can at least see what might be making all that noise underneath. My guess is techs line it with foam rubber and make sure nothing can make a rattle. I would hope they would do a driving test to be sure.

One member was told it's about a four hour job just to get the dash apart! No wonder dealers don't want to do this! I hope this would be covered under warranty. If anyone can confirm, please let us know.

 

One major issue that contributes to more noises after attempting something like this, is the fact that those tabs are designed for a single use, so after undoing them and then reinserting them, they don't have as tight a fit as originally. Some higher end manufacturers use replaceable metal clips, but Toyota appears to use non-replaceable plastic connectors.

 

Actually, I've pulled the left and right vents in several attempts to quiet noises. The clips shown are not the same as "body buttons". Yes, those tend to weaken once extracted. These clips can be extracted from their holders and will nicely "snap" back into place. I always put a bit of silicon on the clips so future extractions are easier. Add to that, silicon will silence any creaking that rubbing plastic parts can do, especially in colder situations. I thinks most of Toyota's problems are so many plastic seams that make direct raw contact with each other. Had they used felt or more foam rubber, this "ticking and creaking" problem could be abated.

I should add here that once I've quieted a vent noise, other noises become apparent. I'm ready to have Toyota take a look (if it's covered by the standard warranty).

 

Just got the car back. Tech added foam strips at the dash connection points behind the HSI, and along the windshield and small triangle windows. He pulled the spoiler and reinstalled it with foam strips. He also added insulation along the center console. No broken clips.

This tech says he's pulled apart many Prius gen III dashes. There tons of these cars in San Francisco. I looked closely and didn't notice any damage from his work. Everything looks seamless.

The drive home was very quiet. I was surprised because the roads here are awful. There is a small click over extremely nasty potholes/imperfections, otherwise all is silent. The tech says this click is from the glovebox assembly, which he feels is a flawed design. Every Prius he's had in there has this click. Others on here have been successful in quieting it. He offered to take apart the glovebox and troubleshoot it; I'll save it for later.

Work was covered under warranty. I'll go back for more if necessary. No offense to stream, but imo opting not to make Toyota take on the cost of repairs and troubleshooting (thereby making them aware of the problem and establishing a track record of repairs on the vehicle) is a mistake. If they make it worse, they have to make it better.

During the warranty period, it's all on them.

That said, I'm lucky to have a very responsive dealership/service center. We bring a Scion tc to these guys, and they've been excellent.

 

erikl, thanks for the encouragement. I hope to find a dealer here that will do the same work as you described. How long have you owned your Prius? I'm 9 months into mine so I hope I still have warranty on this issue. I will present to "them" (a cooperative dealer) the TSB you supplied here.

 

This thread is really discouraging.... I bought my car in Sept 2009 and I cannot believe the newer cars are still having issues. How could Toyota here in Torrance be so clueless? The roads are bumpy all over socal -- I would think they would have been solving these issues by now!

There is this one stretch of a road near me that is completely ripped up from the recent rains, and when I drive over it sounds like I have 100 different rattles. Over normal driving it's just the usual..... center arm rest/shifter area and passenger upper dashboard.

I'm glad the JBL Stereo is so good ..... but driving around with passengers is embarrassing. I am not kidding here, but two cars ago I had a 1989 Toyota Corolla GT-S. I sold the car with 225k miles on the odometer in 2001 and the Prius has more rattles than that car did.

 

I've got a few rattles when the temperature is low but now that my anxiety meds are at work, I just turn up the radio and basically don't give a ****. When you buy the first year revamped model of any car -- expect some issues. I made this purchase with that in mind. May put some thin padding around the glove box door if it gets bad but not having my dash pulled for sure.

 

erikl - check out this thread I started some weeks ago on the very problem your tech described:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...18-cause-lower-glove-box-rattle-revealed.html

I will have to say that I took a big chance on separating the front glove box panel from the body to get at the rattling mechanism inside, but that noise is gone. I did solve that one. Unfortunately, as one gets solved, others become apparent so my next step is to contact a dealer about your TSB.

 

Thanks phoenixgreg. I might print that thread out and bring it to the tech. Re: the tsb, just know that it is a general tsb for clicking in Toyota vehicles, not specific to the gen3 Prius. That is to say, it isn't an automatic fix. The tech will still have to troubleshoot. He should go with you on a test drive before and after the work is completed. If you're concerned, it might be a good idea to ask your service guys if they have experience disassembling these dashes.

Re: your earlier question, I've had this car for 6 months.

 

I highly doubt that individual dealerships analyze the roads in their area and think about the affect on the cars they sell. They aren't about to proactively do any work on a Prius. It's all on the factory and the designers to resolve fit and finish issues. The dealers of course get stuck with the customer service piece of the equation and have to fix things as they are reported.

The best (perhaps the only) way to get the attention of Toyo corporate and exec mgmt is to have lots of media coverage about an issue. Sad to say but negative publicity motivates an executive like nothing else because it gets the attention of the big bosses and stockholders.

For instance, one campaign on Facebook that generates thousands of hits and comments and gets people to join the page will make news. You could start a page and call it: "TOYOTA - FIX the squeaks and rattles in your 3gen cars!" Get thousands to sign up and make sure to send a copy to the Prius execs.

 

Actually, a good idea!

 

A Facebook campaign is what got Betty White to be approached to host SNL (and then agree to do it). A lot of attention is paid to social networks by corp execs now.

Also you could create a Twitter page and send out messages in addition to Facebook.

People do have the powah! You just have to know how to leverage your voice.

 

I don't have the work order in front of me so I'm not sure how long it actually took, but they kep the car overnite. I requested a courtesy car but they don't offer them at this dealership.

 

erikl - Our car's creaks and rattles are minor now, but in case they get worse, may I ask which dealership worked on your car? Also, how long would this these problems be covered under warranty?

 

I guess we're still waiting for some real world reports about the latest cars off the line; Toyota claim the creaks and rattles have been resolved with 2011 model year improvements/modifications

 

Hey Greener, we use SF Toyota on Van Ness. The people there are on top of things and extremely efficient. The tech who pulled my dash was Anthony, he's great. They have a sister shop on Geary but we've never been.

I'd imagine these problems are covered for the duration of the standard warranty: "36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Covers repairs and adjustments to correct defects in materials or workmanship of parts supplied by Toyota. Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are an exception to the rule, only getting covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles." Someone correct me if this is wrong!

 

Thanks erikl. We have been using the sister SF Toyota on Geary. All the past work has been routine. The creaks and rattle might take "the extra mile" to resolve should we need that, so your info is very helpful. Much appreciation!