really bad rattles

[LandCruiser]

I am no stranger to Toyota rattles, I have owned several Land Cruisers with several unique rattles within the interior.

...but I have to take exception that my 2013 TE with about 20k miles has 4 unique rattles. There's one from the back, probably the cargo tray, there's one from near the sunroof, there's one from the left front dashboard, and a really loud one from near the center console.

Dealers really told me that there's no real fix for this rather than re-tightening EVERY damn screw in the interior and there's no guarantee this will fix anything.

I like the truck, but I hope that this doesn't reflect bad QC.

 

[eddiebx]

Sunroof rattle, I think it's just the way Toyota designed their POS sunroof, my old car had the same exact rattle noise and even after they "fixed" it, it came back. This rattle developed practically right off the showroom floor for me in my 4runner. For me it is the most prominent when the sunroof is tilted open...but still there in other positions.

Trunk rattle...have you checked your spare tire tool pouch? I know the top is strapped on with a rubber band to the body, but the bottom flops around freely.

Do what I do, turn up the music real loud, problem solved :bigok:

 

[FatTiresRollin]

I have about 35k on my 2011 SR5. I just started noticing the rattle in the front left dash...almost sounds like the windshield? I doubt there is really anything I can do about it, so I have just been trying to ignore it. Thankfully, I do not have any of the other rattles you speak of. I am sure it is only a matter of time though.

 

[-JD-]

I have the sunroof rattle, it seems to come and go.

never had a problem with the slide out tray rattling, but my liftgate does rattle/squeak. Same issue as some of my past 4runners. Simple fix is to wrap the latch on the bottom with electrical tape. This also applies if your rear seats squeak/rattle. Electrical tape around the piece they latch onto and it went away.

I also had an upper left dash/ lower windshield squeak/rattle that drove me insane for months. I was finally able to locate a TSB for the windshield retainer clips. They cut off a piece of them and so far the noise hasn't returned.

 

[Zeder]

Front Left Dash - Check the plastic shield inside the front/driver wheel well. There is a plastic liner that stops debris from entering the engine bay. The press-in plastic clips don't work very well at holding this thing in place. The liner would flapping in the wind. I thought for sure that it was the windshield or something behind the dash on the left side.
Just right turn steering lock and take a look. It will take you 2 seconds. I think there are three clips that hold the liner. The centre one let go on my T4R.
Z

 

[Mick1]

I second checking the fender liner plastic piece.

Now that my tires are quieter I was able to find the rattle I've had for some time. The paint is actually worn off under the plastic because it moves so much. Have not fixed it yet.

Saw some tacoma owners used stainless bolt and lock washer. I know at least one of the holes can reach the backside to put on a nut. Not sure of others yet.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

My rattle (creek, pop etc) sounds like its coming from the dashboard, but its most defiantly the windshield. Now that its cold, it happens almost constantly. Kinda sucks, and will be having the dealership look into it for the second time.

 

[2013Trail]

With close to 6K miles on my TE, my sunroof is nice and quiet, closed or open. I don't hear any noises from my cargo area either. However, my driver's door makes a hollow rattling noise when I close it--kind of like a half full plastic water bottle banging around inside it--and the plastic creaks when I pull on the interior door handle. Once closed it doesn't make any noises.

When I take it in for the 10,000 mile service I'm going to ask them to check out the driver side door--I think something wasn't assembled completely. All the other doors are okay.

Of course, I haven't used my TE offroad too much to date. Once I get my skid plates, sliders, and new tires, it will be a different story and I'm certain plenty of rattles will start appearing after that. Offroading has a tendency to cause those things to happen.

 

[LandCruiser]

Ok, so I took the entire cargo tray apart, lubed the rails with lithium grease and torqued the damn thing together with red loctite. That seemed to shut it up. Center console rattle was a penny the 4Runner managed to eat.

The windshield/front fender well squeak is still there and annoying as hell--can't seem to track down the source of that one. The sunroof only seems to rattle when open.

2/4 ain't bad.

 

[eddiebx]

With close to 6K miles on my TE, my sunroof is nice and quiet, closed or open. I don't hear any noises from my cargo area either. However, my driver's door makes a hollow rattling noise when I close it--kind of like a half full plastic water bottle banging around inside it--and the plastic creaks when I pull on the interior door handle. Once closed it doesn't make any noises.

When I take it in for the 10,000 mile service I'm going to ask them to check out the driver side door--I think something wasn't assembled completely. All the other doors are okay.

Of course, I haven't used my TE offroad too much to date. Once I get my skid plates, sliders, and new tires, it will be a different story and I'm certain plenty of rattles will start appearing after that. Offroading has a tendency to cause those things to happen.

Could you try this for me when you have a chance...tilt the sunroof up and with the shade open, then drive over some sharp bumps (I don't quite know how to phrase this but, basically not a smooth gradual bump like a speed bump), it does not have to be big at all, but just has to be enough to make it jolt. I notice this is what causes mine to make a quick rattling noise while going over the bumps.

 

[eddiebx]

I have the sunroof rattle, it seems to come and go.

never had a problem with the slide out tray rattling, but my liftgate does rattle/squeak. Same issue as some of my past 4runners. Simple fix is to wrap the latch on the bottom with electrical tape. This also applies if your rear seats squeak/rattle. Electrical tape around the piece they latch onto and it went away.

I also had an upper left dash/ lower windshield squeak/rattle that drove me insane for months. I was finally able to locate a TSB for the windshield retainer clips. They cut off a piece of them and so far the noise hasn't returned.

Have you tried cleaning those rubber bumper things (they are kind of like an triangular shaped ribbed thing that wraps around the tailgates edge when it is closed) that are on each side of the door? Maybe even hit it with a shot of some dry lube? I get the nastiest squeaks from there whenever there's dust build up on it.

 

[-JD-]

Have you tried cleaning those rubber bumper things (they are kind of like an triangular shaped ribbed thing that wraps around the tailgates edge when it is closed) that are on each side of the door? Maybe even hit it with a shot of some dry lube? I get the nastiest squeaks from there whenever there's dust build up on it.

Yep, but like I said I'm sure its the latch. Over time the electical tape gets worn away. I knew right away when it started squeaking again the other day that the tape must have come off and I was right. Replaced the tape and the squeak was gone again right away. Same thing with the rear seats. My 96 did the exact same thing with the seats and I used the same fix for both.

 

[eddiebx]

Yep, but like I said I'm sure its the latch. Over time the electical tape gets worn away. I knew right away when it started squeaking again the other day that the tape must have come off and I was right. Replaced the tape and the squeak was gone again right away. Same thing with the rear seats. My 96 did the exact same thing with the seats and I used the same fix for both.

Gotcha, I definitely need to try this trick out on the rear seats now that you mention it. I rarely have back seat passengers, but when I do, it's so freaking annoying hearing it squeak as they lean back and forth the entire ride long.

 

[Petromaniac]

Could you try this for me when you have a chance...tilt the sunroof up and with the shade open, then drive over some sharp bumps (I don't quite know how to phrase this but, basically not a smooth gradual bump like a speed bump), it does not have to be big at all, but just has to be enough to make it jolt. I notice this is what causes mine to make a quick rattling noise while going over the bumps.

My sunroof does the exact same thing and it bugs me. It seems to even happen on slightly rough highway. My "fix" has been to tilt all the way, then close slightly. I haven't investigated why that seems to work but I'm sure it just keeps pressure on the mechanism.

 

[Vtwinracersp2]

My rattle (creek, pop etc) sounds like its coming from the dashboard, but its most defiantly the windshield. Now that its cold, it happens almost constantly. Kinda sucks, and will be having the dealership look into it for the second time.

there is another good thread that is dedicated to noise/rattles on here that you guys should search for.

one thing that you can check is the power cable going to the auto dimming rear view mirror ( (cable located in the front, so you have to have to get your hands around the mirror). when it's cold, it gets stiff and can make a vibrating sound. i have to play around and move the cable sometimes.

 

[hamburglar210]

Ok, so I took the entire cargo tray apart, lubed the rails with lithium grease and torqued the damn thing together with red loctite. That seemed to shut it up. Center console rattle was a penny the 4Runner managed to eat.

The windshield/front fender well squeak is still there and annoying as hell--can't seem to track down the source of that one. The sunroof only seems to rattle when open.

2/4 ain't bad.

Little late to this party but if you haven't fixed it yet, my right driver-side rattle seems to be coming from the little black plastic piece on the outside of the windshield in the bottom corner. It's loose and if I quickly tap it with my finger I can perfectly replicate what I'm hearing from the inside. I think the only real fix is to remove it or (haven't tried this yet) super-gluing it to the window so the wind doesn't cause it to vibrate as much.

 

[4everunner]

Sometimes I have rattle coming out from passenger side corner. Its annoying but not to the point where i want to take dash apart I probably wait until it gets worse.
Little off topic but another noise I think I hear is the engine knock

 

[NoDak]

yeah i have a rattle from somewhere in the front passenger seat area that occurs when i go over expansion joints. it was loud today, but then again it is -11F temp this morning.

 

[Bluffin]

I am no stranger to Toyota rattles, I have owned several Land Cruisers with several unique rattles within the interior.

...but I have to take exception that my 2013 TE with about 20k miles has 4 unique rattles. There's one from the back, probably the cargo tray, there's one from near the sunroof, there's one from the left front dashboard, and a really loud one from near the center console.

Dealers really told me that there's no real fix for this rather than re-tightening EVERY damn screw in the interior and there's no guarantee this will fix anything.

I like the truck, but I hope that this doesn't reflect bad QC.

One fix for the sunroof rattle I found, was to close the inner headliner cover all the way and then open it about 1/4 of inch. It gets rid of my rattle.

Front left dash drives me crazy!

 

[hamburglar210]

I'm having a lot of trouble with my front passenger seat. That damn thing won't shut up. It visibly shakes over any bump in the road and has now started to squeak in addition to just rattling.

May have to tighten all the screws on it but I don't want to take it in because I'm sure Toyota will only make it worse.