Tracking down interior rattles

Riser

New member
It appears that my passenger seat is vibrating and causing a chattering type noise in the cabin. If I move the seat in a different position, it does not make as much noise. Anyone have any ideas? If I put pressure on the seat back, it stops making noise as well. The passenger seat visibly vibrates!

Also, when going over large bumps, I am hearing a noise I have never heard before. It almost sounded like the spare jack clunking around, but it is secure. I thought maybe spare tire, but when I try to move it, that too is secure.
 
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Tuck the passenger seatbelt clip in well, that will rattle against the column.

Make sure your cargo tray is secure.
 
Also, when going over large bumps, I am hearing a noise I have never heard before. It almost sounded like the spare jack clunking around, but it is secure. I thought maybe spare tire, but when I try to move it, that too is secure.

Do you have a trailer hitch receiver installed? If so, it is most likely that.
 
I have quite a few interior rattles, squeaks as well. They drive me nuts. One is coming from the dash, around the location of the stereo. The Passenger side seat belt rattles against the door pillar when no one is sitting there. It sucks when everything is plastic for the interior.

Riser, There is a jack in the rear side compartment, maybe you can check that and make sure that is secure. If you have any type of cargo in the back, check that as well. Anything and everything inside the truck can make rattles, clunks, etc if not properly secured. Heck, I go nuts with the noises that come from the little plastic ring on water bottles. I have to either get rid of the bottle or take off the cap and remove that little plastic ring and put the cap back on.
 
I can tell you that it definitely is not the seat belt or the rear cargo tray. I just verified both of those things are secure and went for another drive. The chatter is still coming from passenger seat area and if I hit a bump, I get a noise in the rear (sounds like its coming from driver's side rear area)
 
Do you have a trailer hitch receiver installed? If so, it is most likely that.

I have the factory receiver. I tried moving it with my foot, but it doesn't make the noise. I guess it could still be this. Weird thing is that it didn't do it until this week (truck is 2 weeks old)
 
I have quite a few interior rattles, squeaks as well. They drive me nuts. One is coming from the dash, around the location of the stereo. The Passenger side seat belt rattles against the door pillar when no one is sitting there. It sucks when everything is plastic for the interior.

Riser, There is a jack in the rear side compartment, maybe you can check that and make sure that is secure. If you have any type of cargo in the back, check that as well. Anything and everything inside the truck can make rattles, clunks, etc if not properly secured. Heck, I go nuts with the noises that come from the little plastic ring on water bottles. I have to either get rid of the bottle or take off the cap and remove that little plastic ring and put the cap back on.

I did verify the jack was secure, but I will double check. Thanks for all the suggestions guys and keep them coming definitely lol. I want this rattle gone
 
rattles are the worst. i was scratching my head trying to figure out a rattle that seemed to be coming from the pass side rear seat the other day... yesterday, driving at speed down a bumpy, curvy backroad, utter silence. :shrug:

hope you can track down yours.
 
I did verify the jack was secure, but I will double check. Thanks for all the suggestions guys and keep them coming definitely lol. I want this rattle gone

I think some folks were mentioning their rear wiper blade rattles, however I've only noticed this when closing one of the doors. In fact, I haven't noticed it recently.

As for other rattles, I've never owned a more solid vehicle than this 4Runner. For all the plastic parts in the cockpit, you would think there would be more rattles. I was getting the vibration near the dash (like others), and realized it was my sunglasses in the sunglass holder.

By the way, I'm up over 10k miles and still no rattles.
 
Ok, the noise from the rear was actually my daughter's car seat latch :toilet3:


The noise from the passenger area is definitely the passenger seat! If I put forward pressure on the back part of the seat, it does not chatter. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing the seat to make a slight chattering noise?
 
Well the passenger seat noise is GONE. I gave my Dad a ride today for a few miles. When he got out, I never heard it again. It is the first passenger I have ever had in my car. Does that have something to do with it? Strange
I have read on here several times, that sometimes the rattles resolve themselves. I think this one did and I hope it never comes back.

The car is quiet again. Thanks everyone
 
Check to make sure you don't have sunglasses stored overhead and save the embarassing moment at the dealer....

The trails don't have a upper storage compartment. I'll take out everything from the glove box and see if the noise is still there. I really think it's something behind the stereo panel. I wouldn't take it to the dealer, they would look at me like I'm stupid and then most likely they would drive it and either the noise will stop or the guy will be hard of hearing then they will tag me as a crazy customer that hears things. Lol

Riser, glad your problem has been fixed.
 
iDRiVaT4R,

My experience with dealers with regards to rattles, is that they either never find them, or they make them worst by trying to find them. I don't think I'd ever take a car to any dealer for this, so I'm with you there.

Anyway, the passenger seat rattle has returned but it is not as bad. I'm going to have people sit in my passenger seat over the next week in hopes that it disappears.
 
I found the rattle! In case anyone gets it:

On the rails the passenger seat slides on, there are plastic covers on each end. 2 of my plastic covers were very loose for some reason. I cut up some black cloth and shoved it under the cover. The noise is completely gone.
 
Rattle under passenger side dash when in gear and at idle, especially when AC compressor kicks on.

Driver side seatbelt buckle squeaks. WTF?

Both are very bothersome when radio is off, as is the wet shoe brake sound.

Toyota, C'mon Man!
 
rattles

I am still getting rattles on my 2010 4R LTM from under the glove box I know it start when I have the heater turn on high it's a clicking sound and it doesnt happen all the time mostly when the truck is cold it like a plastic on plastic tapping I think it's that blower motor thing under the glove box! asside from that there is nothing else! but if anyone else has this rattle and figures please it out please post the fix.
 
4wd lever

I sometimes stick small things (receipts, dunkin donuts gift cards, etc.) around the soft leather cover of the 4WD lever. That thing vibrates during normal driving, and I usually forget that so I'm constantly searching for a rattle/vibration somewhere near the passenger seat until I remember.

Also, can anyone tell me if this is normal: I used 4WD quite a bit this winter with all the snow storms as well as when we went skiing in VT. It seems that now, whenever I start the car up, I hear a small clicking noise that sounds like it's coming from the transmission when I move it into drive or reverse. Don't think it started to happen until I really used the 4wd a lot, and now it's happening every time I start the car.
 
Rattles

FlyNavy thats it the ac compressor!!! if you find a fix let us know it's been driving me crazy since I bought my 4R once I get that fix my truck is perfect:banana:
 

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