Hi PriusChat, As my username suggests, I have a rattling problem with my 2011 Prius and I was hoping you guys could help me out! Here are the quick facts: The rattling typically happens while going over bumps or driving on patchy roads. It happens when running over the "buttons" on the road. The noise is not related to RPM, or transition from battery to engine usage. If I had to describe the noise, I would call it a "plasticy" buzzing/ticking. It definitely sources from the driver side dashboard. Passengers cannot hear it well. This is a video of the rattling. I have tried pressing down on various panels, none seem to eliminate or dampen the sound completely. However! Smacking the light-gray panel below the "triangle window" use to temporarily reduce the noise. I've tried removing the same panel below the driver side "triangle window" because I thought the noise was coming from there but it persisted. I read on another rattle thread that the column supporting the roof (and bordering the triangle window) is the real culprit, but punching it only reduces the rattle sometimes. I've brought it into my local Toyota and they did a search for anything that could be rattling. They didn't help, and after they finished the center console was rattling too (which I've fixed). Any help would be greatly appreciated, please let me know if there's any more information I can give! Thanks guys! EDIT: Also, cold weather seems to worsen the symptoms. I should also state that sometimes I have little to no rattling, but on other trips there is no end to the rattling.
I'm struggling with a rattle I thought was coming from my driver side door. It seems to be coming from the dashboard. I pressed my toe up on the fuse block, and it stops. Today, I removed the bolt securing the fuse block to its support. Basically, if I gently shake it (bolt attached) I hear a tapping higher up in the dashboard. I can't see it, though. I pushed the fuse block so that it's mounting brace went BEHIND the place it screws in (normally, it's in front). I had to put the bolt in from the back to secure it. The extra 1/2 inch is repositions the fuse block seems to solve the problem. I will know later this week if the rattle does not come back. If so, I'll need a matching nut and washer so I can redo the mounting bolt as it should be. I'll post pics if it works out.
