[DocHalsey]

I’ve finally isolated a plastic cracking / rattling / sticking / clicking sound over bumps to where these two pieces of trim meet. You can recreate and temporarily exacerbate the problem by pushing on the vent side of the trim. Seems like that’s the piece that is flexing and making the noise when jutted against the larger dash trim.

Is it easy to slide out this vent assembly and try to wiggle it back into place? Has anyone successfully shut this noise up?

My mind goes to lining the gap with felt - but it almost feels like this is more of a very slight manufacturing tolerance discrepancy where the pieces are putting too much pressure on each other i.e. one of them is too large.

My life goal is to buy a reliable Japan-built car with no rattles. Only 5k miles on the clock and I’ve got the passenger seat rattle (dealership couldn’t solve), the windshield corner trim rattle (at least I can pop it off when it starts acting up, but no apparent solve), and the rear seats and/or hatch are now making noises over bumps. Maybe a Lexus next…

[zznalg]

Are rattles common in the current gen 4R? I'm just starting to research this vehicle and figured/hoped that all these kind of issues would be well worked out by now. I mean, the 5th gen came out in 2009? Thanks.

[manofsteele2003]

What's with all the rattle threads? I've had my 14 since new and I don't have any rattles. Maybe it's the post covid models?

[EC15.]

Originally Posted by DocHalsey

Is it easy to slide out this vent assembly and try to wiggle it back into place? Has anyone successfully shut this noise up?

I had the clicking sound from that area and took out the vent to line it. I used masking tape since that's all I had but the sound is gone.

You will have to remove the knee airbag and the glove box to get the vent out.
YouTube Start-X install for instructions and then pull the vent out.

I've taken it apart a few times. Not hard. Do not unplug the airbag without disharging the system. Just leave it plugged in but make sure it's well supported and not dangling while you work.

[EC15.]

Originally Posted by manofsteele2003

What's with all the rattle threads? I've had my 14 since new and I don't have any rattles. Maybe it's the post covid models?

My 15 was quiet except for squeaks from the right rear seat latch in the winter.
I was surprised when I heard clicking noises in the 22.

[rdruss]

Just so you know, I have an '03, 20 years old, and NO RATTLES!

[MJCIII]

What year is your t4r that you have the rattle. have a 2018 SR5, lifted, bigger tires and have no rattles at all. When did this start happening?

[Muskrat14]

Only rattle I have on the ‘15 is that so last guard thingy in wheel well.

Other than that, rock solid.


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[Lexington]

Originally Posted by zznalg

Are rattles common in the current gen 4R? I'm just starting to research this vehicle and figured/hoped that all these kind of issues would be well worked out by now. I mean, the 5th gen came out in 2009? Thanks.

I’ve been on this forum for a few years now and I rarely see this topic come up. That tells me that this is not a common problem. I personally haven’t had any issues with squeaking noises in my 4Runner.