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Spoiler Loose on 2010 Prius III -- Need Advice

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Beethovenite, Dec 15, 2012.

  1. Beethovenite

    Beethovenite Junior Member

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    I started hearing a light rattling noise when I drive faster than 30-40 MPH and I realized today that it might be my spoiler. Every time I close any of the doors, I hear the rattling noise. When I hold down onto the spoiler, there is no rattling noise during the closing of the doors. It's also somewhat loose. When I rock it back and forth it MOVES. Has anyone had this problem before? Is this something I can take to the dealer or should I just take it to an independent body shop? Nothing wrong with the car, I just think the spoiler is slightly loose... thoughts?
     
    #1 Beethovenite, Dec 15, 2012
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what's the mileage, is it covered under 3/36 or is there a one year/12000 miles on the body? i would take it to dealer if warranty.
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 15, 2012
  3. Beethovenite

    Beethovenite Junior Member

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    They said warranty doesn't cover "cosmetic" and normal "Wear and tear". I'll take into the dealer today unless someone responds and has a better idea!
     
    #3 Beethovenite, Dec 15, 2012
  4. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    My dealer replaced mine because it was loose. It was covered under the 36k warranty.
     
    #4 adamace1, Dec 15, 2012
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  5. Beethovenite

    Beethovenite Junior Member

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    I just passed 36k last week... sitting around 36,500... :(
     
    #5 Beethovenite, Dec 16, 2012
  6. exbauer

    exbauer Active Member

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    Did you use the spoiler to shut the hatch? That might have been the culprit for a loose spoiler. You are suppose to grab the inside of the hatch with the 2 handles and close it with that. I always close the hatch and don't let others do it since I don't want a loose spoiler.
     
    #6 exbauer, Dec 20, 2012
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  7. Me Here

    Me Here Member

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    I'm trying to picture what the inside of my trunk looks like. Have you checked to see if you can access any screws? I know the Prius has an interesting spoiler on it, but surely it's not just pressed on there. Look around the sides and see if you see screw cap covers and such. Keep in mind I'm not staring at a 2010 nor have I experienced this problem, but I have had other loose body parts over the span of my car ownership and usually it was fixed with a phillips.
     
    #7 Me Here, Dec 20, 2012
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If the warranty is expired or for whatever reason you try for yourself:

    There are studs in the underside of the spoiler, they go through holes in the hatch and get tightened down with nuts on the underside. Those nuts can get loose; tightening them up a bit might solve the problem. OTOH, the studs themselves might have worked loose where they're embedded/bonded on the spoiler.

    Getting the spoiler off to inspect will take maybe an hour. You need to remove several plastic panels on the inside of the hatch to get at the fasteners: it a combination of clips and the aforementioned studs. It took me some time to puzzle out the dissasemble. You just need to be patient and methodical.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Dec 20, 2012
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  9. Me Here

    Me Here Member

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    If what Mendel says is true, which it seems very logical and if the screws are indeed the problem it sounds like any shop could fix it and usually mechanics charge about $40-$60 an hour.
     
    #9 Me Here, Dec 20, 2012
  10. jsfabb

    jsfabb Active Member

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    I would still try and take it in under warranty. It's not like this happened overnight! Let's see if Toyota takes the high road on this one. Tell them that you are an active member of PC and have started a thread on this. If they are on the fence it may sway them.
     
    #10 jsfabb, Dec 21, 2012
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