1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius Rattles

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Prius Guy 2016, Feb 27, 2017.

  1. Prius Guy 2016

    Prius Guy 2016 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2016
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I am having a lot of rattling come from my rear spoiler and also the front brakes when going over Botts' Dots (raised pavement markers/road reflectors). I have a 2016 Prius Two and have not been able to find any current Service Bulletins for this brake rattle, however, after researching, I was able to find a service bulletin from 2011 for the exact same issue. T-SB-0136-11. It appears to be due to the brakes rattling because I noticed when I go over these same bumps with my brakes slightly depressed, it wont do it, so I know it's something loose. I made an appointment to drop my car off and will mention this service bulletin, but I'm thinking they won't fix it since there isn't a current bulletin out.

    In regards to my rear spoiler, I've put pieces of foam underneath the spoiler (between the body of the car) and it still rattles. So I don't know how to fix that either. It's sad because I had a 2013 Kia Soul with over 60k miles and not one issue or rattle on that car but a car with less than 5k miles on it should not have these issues.

    Anyone else experiencing any of this yet?
     
  2. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2009
    2,173
    1,311
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
  3. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I had rattles in the rear end, due to loose bolts on the struts. Tightening them down tookcare of it. There is a TSB out for this issue. Don't know about the brakes, sometimes they seem to make a little noise after you first start the car when first tapping the brake. Seems normal. But I do have a number of rattling sounds in the front end of the cabin I'm working on eliminating.
     
  4. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    1,391
    543
    0
    Location:
    Santa Monica, Ca. 90405
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    In my experience with a gen 3, I found out that higher tire pressures generate more rattles.
     
    RCO likes this.
  5. MHB

    MHB New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    20
    16
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Mine had a rattle somewhere under the steering wheel. My brake pedal also made a similar rattle when I barely depressed it or tapped the brakes - it felt kind of "loose" for lack of a better term.

    The dealership told me it was due to a loose vent down below the steering wheel on the driver's side. I noticed it just after the purchase which put a damper on my excitement but I took it in under warranty and they were able to fix it without having to take the dash apart.
     
    RCO and alanclarkeau like this.
  6. narf

    narf Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2005
    611
    44
    4
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Yup, My rear spoiler is rattling, there is something buzzing under the dash too. The dealer told me they have to replace the spoiler to fix the problem and have ordered one. I'm a bit annoyed because the new spoiler comes unpainted and they need to paint the spoiler, hoping they do a decent job of it. Kind of wishing I'd just tried to fix it myself like I did on my 2008 Prius.
     
    RCO likes this.
  7. narf

    narf Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2005
    611
    44
    4
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I just looked into the under dash buzz. It's one of those sounds that can sound like it's coming from anywhere because the sound bounces off the glass, but it was in fact coming from under the driver side dash. It happens more when the car is cold, and sometimes if you tap the brake pedal you can trigger it. Sound familiar?
    Anyway, I think it is being caused by the lower heater duct above the driver's left foot. It's easy to get to, I removed the lower dash cover (2 screws and a snap) just to see it better, but you might be able to get at it without taking anything off. I placed some thick rubber tape between the blades of the duct and so far so good. Airduct.jpg
     
    RCO, jtg61 and thatoneraccoon like this.
  8. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Yep, that's the source of the documented dashboard buzz.. I stopped the noise by stuffing toweling between the panel and the heating ducts. my dealer said they could not replicate the sound, so the rags are still stuffed in there.

    I have no idea what you are talking about wrt your unpainted spoiler.
     
  9. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Door panel buzzing, around the window. Stops if I crack the window and close it again, and then bang on the door panel. Anyone else have this issue?
     
    thatoneraccoon likes this.
  10. thatoneraccoon

    thatoneraccoon Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    201
    146
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    yep both doors and the dash
     
  11. jtg61

    jtg61 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2016
    46
    43
    0
    Location:
    Ocala FL
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thank you for this. I was experiencing the same buzzing sound. At first I thought it was the music playing through the left speaker near the window but then it thought I heard it under the steering wheel. It only happens occasionally at certain speeds or road vibration harmonics. It can get pretty annoying, like a bee buzzing under the dash. I didn't expect this from a tight fit-and-finish Toyota. Thanks for the fix.
     
  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The Prime has it too?
     
  13. thatoneraccoon

    thatoneraccoon Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    201
    146
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Unfortunately mine does, not sure about other primers

    I've been thinking when I have time and it's nicer out, I'm going to get under the dash to see if I can find it and fix it. That one bothers me the most. Hopefully as easy as others here

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    RCO likes this.
  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks.
    I didn't think you had Gen 4 Liftback too.
     
    thatoneraccoon likes this.
  15. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2016
    758
    387
    0
    Location:
    Sausalito
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    I despise car rattles.
    In for all the tips and tricks of this thread.
     
    RCO and thatoneraccoon like this.
  16. IAPrius

    IAPrius Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2016
    120
    140
    1
    Location:
    West Des Moines, IA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    My Gen 4 had a rattle in the hatch at low speeds. Took it to two dealers and the second one realized that those two little black rubber cylinder pads by the "hand grabber" in the hatch can be moved to adjust how the hatch rests when closed. He said the hatch was secure but those pads weren't positioned to be quite as tight as they can be. So he adjusted their positioning to prevent the hatch from moving. No more noise!
     
    tucatz, RCO, jtg61 and 1 other person like this.
  17. PHDRPH

    PHDRPH Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    25
    17
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Good dealer great find


    iPhone ?
     
    RCO likes this.
  18. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    628
    552
    0
    Location:
    Ma, USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    Three

    On the gen 4 and on the prime, if you open the door (on either side) there is a trianglish panel that pulls out easily.
    Gives a good view of behind the dash. A looooot easier than going from under.

    Pull outward toward the outside of the car from the part on the panel closest from the interior.
    The panel part closest to the firewall has tabs and will pull straight out, after you unsnap the snaps.

    They pull in and out easy.

    jp
     
    jtg61, RCO and thatoneraccoon like this.
  19. thatoneraccoon

    thatoneraccoon Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2017
    201
    146
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Awesome! thanks for this info

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    RCO likes this.
  20. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Thanks, I'm going to wrap duct tape around the heater duct outlet where it's buzzing. I would like to stop the door panel buzz, and quiet the VPNS (low speed spaceship noisemaker) with duct tape. There are two speakers under the hood; anyone know which one is the VPNS?