Gen 3 Dashboard rattles & creaks

[L8rnr]

My Prius 3 with 4500 miles seems to be finding ways to agravate me with an assortment of dashboard noises whenever I ride over anything other than completely smooth roads. I cannot seem to locate them no matter what I do. Dropped tire pressure to 34 Lb. The thought of my dealership dismantling my dash.... Anyone have any similar experience? Help...!

[PriMPG]

Yep, my Prius IV has the same annoying rattles and creaks with less than 3000 miles. The dashboard creaks all the time whenever I return to the car after it being left out in the hot sun all day at work. It's sad that a car that costs nearly 30k can't have a more solid interior. Unfortunately I'm sure this is due to the need to keep the weight down to achieve MPG's.

I honestly don't think there is much a dealer would do except have your car all day and say they couldn't hear anything. Typical dealer BS whenever you have a rattle.

[MikeDS]

Seems to be a common issue...several threads on here about it. I'm also disappointed...when I bought a toyota I thought I was buying from a company where fit and finish was a big thing...mine creaks and rattles like mad with 1400 miles...

[spiderman]

Every vehicle I have ever own has rattled, squeaked, etc. My dash also rattles. Seems to be more pronounced in the cool temps.
Oh well.

[Felt]

Fortunately, my G3 IV is pleasantly quiet. I just hope that it continues. While I have not done it yet with the G3, with past vehicles I have routinely tightened screws and bolts. Rattles can be so difficult to find. I also have a 2006 Dodge 2500 PU and I was absolutely certain the passenger window was rattling ... to the extent that I spoke to a glass company about taking the interior panel off and trying to solve the rattle. Then, I noticed a visible bolt that holds the outside mirror was so loose I could turn it with my hand. I tighted it, and the rattle is completely gone.

Also, I try not to drive down gravel, wash-board roads.

Good luck.

[MikeDS]

I live in Los Angeles which has the roads of a third world country. Every rattle, squeak, and creak comes out here....

[djasonw]

I would imagine that any car over time will develop rattles and squeaks. I have to say, my 2004 (73k miles) does have a few dash rattles when driving over very rough road surfaces. I fixed it. Didn't cost anything! I merely raised the volume of the radio.

Side note. I've noticed that German cars in general (I've had the three major ones) seem
to be much tighter and resistant to squeaks and rattles.

[bob brown]

I'm sorry to hear of this issue. My 2004, (only has 45,000 mi.), is as squeak and rattle free as the day I took it home. Perhaps the much higher rate of production as compared to when mine was built has brought down quality? I hope not, as I am still waiting for my 2010 to arrive.

[tumbleweed]

My '05 Prius was squeak and rattle free, unfortunately not true of this one. The center console lid rattles and I have been "fixing" it for 3 weeks now. There is something on the passenger's side that rattles and I can't find it, and something toward the back. This is the worst car for interior rattles I have seen since my '98 Honda Accord and everything in that car rattled.

As Spiderman said it's worse when it gets cool, just wait till winter. My experience has been dealers are of little value when it comes to finding and fixing these kinds of problems, I'll just keep looking or learn to like loud music.

[renpriv]

Originally Posted by djasonw

ISide note. I've noticed that German cars in general (I've had the three major ones) seem
to be much tighter and resistant to squeaks and rattles.

I agree with that. I've had my A3 Sportback from new and 2 1/2 years later it's still rattle free very solid feeling.

The T4 I test drove rattled like an old tea trolley and that only had 700 miles on it. It was because of that I did not go ahead with my purchase. Build quality & ride are at the top of my priority list.

It is such a shame, really great technology spolit by poor cabin build