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Gen 4 Steering Wheel In-dash Squeak on bumpy ride

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Chitty Chitty Prius, Feb 8, 2024.

  1. Chitty Chitty Prius

    Chitty Chitty Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southern Cal
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    In my 2020 Prius a mildly bumpy ride produces a squeaky noise somewhere in the dash behind the steering wheel. Quite annoying. Sounds like a little bird is in there. I can mitigate it by pushing forward on the bottom of the steering wheel or pushing forward on the top of the steering wheel, both of which actions eliminate the squeak. But of course that's not a practical way to drive. Any idea what's causing the squeaky rattle?
     
  2. Chitty Chitty Prius

    Chitty Chitty Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2022
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    Location:
    Southern Cal
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Update - I took the car to my local Toyota dealer, confident they could diagnose and fix the squeak, and after agreeing to pay a flat $198.00 "diagnostic fee" I left the car with them. The result? They spent the 1-hour of diagnostic time but were unable to figure it out. The service tech called me and said in order to figure it out they would have to take the dash apart, which would cost me in the neighborhood of $1,200 minimum. Which is one more reason NOT to take your Toyota to a dealer for service. I'm going to write a $198.00 check and what I'll get for it is a piece of paper that, in effect, says "we don't know what's causing your squeak - but thanks for your money".
     
  3. sylvaing

    sylvaing Active Member

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    2017 Prius Prime
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    Plug-in Base
    See this. It's a rattle, not a squeak but shows how easy the top of the dash is easy to take apart. Maybe you can hunt it down yourself.

     
    Chitty Chitty Prius likes this.
  4. Chitty Chitty Prius

    Chitty Chitty Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
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    2020 Prius
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    LE
    Thanks very much!
     
    sylvaing likes this.
  5. Chitty Chitty Prius

    Chitty Chitty Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2022
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    Location:
    Southern Cal
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Epilogue - the service manager at my Toyota dealership waived all charges, and rightly so. His rationale: If we can't give you a diagnostic answer then we shouldn't charge you. That's doing the right thing, in my book.
    The squeak is not a rattle associated with the GPS antenna module shown in this video. Yes, it is caused by riding over even mildly bumpy surfaces at speed, but the sound is not the same and the location is far to the left of where that antenna module is located. AND I am able to mitigate the squeak by pressing forward on the top or bottom of the steering wheel. The squeak is definitely associated with the steering column.
     
    FuelMiser likes this.
  6. ScienceForSeniors

    ScienceForSeniors New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2024
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    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    Hi chitty,
    Did you ever get this issue resolved? I recently bought a 2021 Prius Prime LE and it has a very similar problem. Thanks