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2011 prius = the rattle machine

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by airgas1998, Mar 10, 2011.

  1. 26nm

    26nm IC Desgin Engineer

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Silicon Valley, CA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My 2010 rattles a little in the morning when it is cold, but it stops after the cabin gets warm. I learn to accept it since it gives me good MPG. Think MPG to get mine off those rattles. It is not too bad here since I live in California and weather is warm. I wonder how the rattle would be at -20C in Alaska. Anyone lives in subzero area care to comment?
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I've heard one-or-two rattles from somewhere in the dash, but very minor and intermittent, with our 2010. We've had a slew of Hondas and am finding the Prius pretty good in this regard.

    That's not to dismiss your allegation though. All I can think is that you've got a rattle lemon. See if you can get a drive with a dealership mechanic?
     
  3. Sneezy

    Sneezy Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    IV
    My wife's 2010 is quiet. Mine is a rattle trap. I even went as far as emptying the glove box, center console and arm rest. Still rattles. It's worse when it's cold. My wife even commented on how mine rattles. I've just been to busy to take it back to the dealer.

    I just don't expect a 27K car to rattle like this. My POS HHR was quieter.....

    And the ABS suck.
     
  4. leo l

    leo l New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    I've had my 2011 Prius for a month and I have yet to hear any rattles. It's amazing quiet. As I live in Thailand, mine was manufactured in Thailand (and for other right hand drive markets). In some ways, its quieter than our Benz.

    Leo
     
  5. TonyWilkey

    TonyWilkey Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    II
    I've had my 2010 for 16 months and 12K miles. I don't have any rattles.

    Maybe I got lucky?


    Tony
     
  6. airgas1998

    airgas1998 New Member

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    your situation precisely fits what i'm going through to a tee.
     
  7. PriusII

    PriusII Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    I've driving my new 2011 for about 2 weeks now and so far so good...no rattles. My 2011 was built in December 2010.
     
  8. mmcdonal

    mmcdonal Active Member

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    Vehicle:
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    I have the same commute profile, and have driven it in very hot and very cold conditions, and I have not heard any rattles either.
     
  9. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    I think the fact some people say they don't notice it and others are very upset is the roads. Sometimes i can drive 500 miles and not notice any rattles. Then i will find a road that has bumps just right i hear all kinds of rattles. I think all of are cars are close to the same it's just the roads we are on.
     
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  10. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

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    Might the term "rattle" be misleading or oversimplified? Rattles, squeeks ,creesk, and a vibration "buzz" could all be different sounds. To me a "rattle" sounds like loose metal on metal banging together, like a loose suspension component striking another .... my 1941 Ford rattled!! A "squeek" is like the sound a dry, rubber bushings makes, like a spring entending, then compressing (squeek, squeek). A "creek" occurs when driving at a skew angle over an uneven dip in the road, and the coachwork twist. What I hear most often, is a vibration "buzz." It occurs on roads that are finished with gravel pressed into an asphalt slurry. It has less to do with bumps and pot holes, and more to do with a highly textured surface. Smooth asphalt is obviously the best.
     
  11. luchinis

    luchinis Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    No rattles with my 2011
     
  12. Papagoose

    Papagoose New Member

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    Location:
    Cedartown, GA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    My 2011 just rolled past 4000 miles this week, so it's still new, but so far not a single off noise to be heard.
     
  13. airgas1998

    airgas1998 New Member

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    i must state that it is significantly better on smooth roads. ie;asphalt or a great stretch of concrete. however, w/ my pothole, bumps,ruts and everthing in between roads. the car sounds like it's falling apart. i can't wait to see if the warmer weather subsides the noises. ironically the first prius we test drove immediately made the flying bridge creeky noise. we decided on barcelona red- test drove it and didn't have any issues until the next day.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it must be very frustrating to have gotten one of the rattlesnakes when so many more fortunate people got the nice quiet cabins.
     
  15. airgas1998

    airgas1998 New Member

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    it seems to always be this way with my auto purchases. somebody must be telling me something.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    bicycle?
     
  17. Prius0947

    Prius0947 New Member

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    I have a 2011 Prius III and the car is rock solid. No rattles what-so-.ever. Perhaps your car was built on a Monday (sorry had to say it). Rattles are covered under the factory warranty for a period of time. Have you asked the dealer to fix them?
     
  18. katiesdad7

    katiesdad7 Member

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    Location:
    Stuart, FL
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have a 2011 III with the sun roof. I purchased it in Jan. There is some rattle/noise coming from the sun roof. You can't hear it much when you close the sun shade. I'll have them fix it when it goes in for the 1st oil change. THe car now has about 4k on it and I get 49.5 MPG.

    On a plus note the JBL system is AWSOME.
     
  19. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    I think alot of it has to do with speed and the road your on. I have been up your way and around ashville and i didn't hear anything. In Charlotte on a few of the roads i get rattles but it's only on the same roads at lower speeds. I never hear anything on the highway or interstate.
     
  20. airgas1998

    airgas1998 New Member

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    "Perhaps your car was built on a Monday" quote

    i might by that in a american plant, but not in Japan.