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Plastic noise near driver left knee

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by danwrite, Jul 24, 2016.

  1. danwrite

    danwrite New Member

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    All passengers in my 2016 Three Touring notice some intermittent plastic noise near the driver left knee. Just a few squeezes sometimes. Definitely not electronic (braking or others). Feels like dashboard plastic noise.

    Sometimes a strong pat on the plastic in that region suppresses it.

    Anyone had similar experience ? Thanks.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! does it happen at any particular time, acceleration, speed, bumps, turns, braking, etc.?
     
  3. danwrite

    danwrite New Member

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    Not really.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    so,it's all the time, or intermittently?
     
  5. danwrite

    danwrite New Member

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    Indeed intermittent as mentioned in the post. It's not that frequent, but I definitely had it a few times every time I had a 2hr highway smooth drive.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is that the door panel, or in front of it?
     
  7. danwrite

    danwrite New Member

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    near the driver left knee, near the steering wheel adjustments, NOT on driver side door.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there were a lot of complaints about dash squeaking noises on the early gen 3's. it's usually where to surfaces meet, like the left end and the side panel. i would let the dealer sort it out under warranty. it probably invokes removing the dash and adding material between the mating surfaces.
     
  9. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Welcome, dan. There's been a couple threads about squeaks/rattles in the dash area; or under the dash; or in the door panel. I believe the guys had a simple fix with some sticky foam tape?
     
  10. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    White heater vent
     
  11. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I heard two odd unusual sounds in my Prius this morning. I want to wait and see if I hear it again, before I comment further.
     
  12. WeiW

    WeiW Junior Member

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    Had my 2016 Prius for 10 days now. Heard similar intermittent plastic noise as well but at different spot. Mine was at passenger side. I think it was one of the plastic panels on the door. I pressed down firmly on each of the parts on the passenger doors, which seems to be doing the trick. Haven't heard it for a couple days.

    Now I just need to figure out the inconsistent vibration on the brake pedal when car is stop with my foot on the brake. It is always when battery is around 2 to 3 bars. I didn't expect to feel that strong vibration when the engine is charging the battery, certainly not with inconsistency.It might be the white heater vent that has been mentioned in the forum. Going to my one month free inspection in a few weeks to get it checked out.
     
  13. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Wei, I felt some vibration for the first time tonight. I was stuck in a long drive-thru line getting coffee. My lights were on, and the radio, and the AC. The battery went down to 3 bars. The engine kicked on, rather loudly, and I did feel some vibration but it wasn't very strong. I think it's normal? (And the battery went right back up to full when I started driving.)
     
  14. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    I think we're experiencing some of the tradeoffs of buying some of the first gen 4s. First model year cars are always the worst put together ones. At least nothing's broken. I've had an annoying rattling sound in the right rear passenger side c-pillar. I'm going to get it fixed when I get an oil change.
     
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  15. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I've been pretty lucky. I think the "unusual" sounds that I have heard, were just the normal hybrid/electrical/pump sounds. I don't have any annoying rattling sounds anywhere in the dash or doors. No water spots in the headlights. Windows seem to fit tight. Body integrity seems solid. It's great when I come upon one of the few smooth roads, my Prius gets very quiet! :) It's wonderful.

    When the engine kicked on last night (and races and vibrates) to recharge the hybrid battery, it kind of startled me because I was sitting still at the time. But it only lasted a few seconds. It was another good "learning moment", and now I will know what to expect in the future.
     
  16. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

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    Are you sure it's not just your knee making the noise?:D

    Mine make strange noises more than they used to.:(
     
  17. danwrite

    danwrite New Member

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    Thank you all. No, it's not just my knee... Four pairs of ears confirmed the intermittent noise. Will ask the dealer next time I visit.
     
  18. basemulot

    basemulot New Member

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    I have the same sound, check this plate and hold it when the sound appear. This plate vibrate with an other piece.
     

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  19. Anastaceyrose

    Anastaceyrose Member

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    image.png
    I was just on the Toyota Owners website and found this comment to a question about a rattle....might be worth trying.
     
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  20. Autoist

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    And what's their fix?