Rattle in the dash (a minor yet major annoyance)

[nitsujle]

I have a dash rattle in cold weather that I think is from the windshield pins.

In summer, it's replaced by a hot weather rattle that sounds like maybe a cable connector hitting plastic. For some reason it's worse when going uphill and on asphalt-over-concrete paving. Every expansion joint in the road rattles like crazy! And my town is full of this type of road surface.

The dealer wants to pull the dash to find and try to fix the hot weather rattle. I fear they might not find it, and introduce new rattles. So I crank up the music.

Other than the rattles and software updates, my '23 Hybrid has been trouble-free.

I just bought mine a few weeks ago, so haven’t experienced any cold weather yet. Not looking forward to it at this rate…

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[Ford Motor Company]

‘24 Lariat EB FX4 & Tow Pack; ~1600mi. I’ve got the rattle akin to a loose wire harness in the center dash, only “knocks” going over bumps. I removed the center speaker and felt around with no luck finding anything loose, but will likely try again soon. I was hopeful it was the harness for the speaker, but I removed the speaker and went for a test drive and it was still there. I can also confirm there is a foam piece down in the crevasse between the dash and windshield that came from the factory. Similar to the DIY strip people are doing. Not visible when driving, you’ve gotta stick your head over the dash and peer down.

Hello, Justin. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to see how I can assist you with this rattle concern.

 

[marspickup]

Sorry for the necro, but does anyone have any updates to this? I have a '23 Hybrid xlt, my "rattle" sounds like a creak like a wooden ship on the high seas, coming from somewhere vaguely inside the dash; it's hard to triangulate. I hear it below about 60 degrees F, though humidity tends to mask it a bit, but not completely. It only takes slight undulations in the road to trigger the noise, though bigger bumps trigger it as well.

Went on a ride-along with the Ford dealer tech to make sure they heard it this time (this is the 3rd time I've brought it in to identify and fix the rattle). The tech said he heard it, though he thought it was coming more from the steering column which I disagreed with.

But when they were done and I got the car back, they said that Ford technical support (I had opened a ticket) had told them there's an engine tick noise at idle that's totally normal. Like, what? The tech heard the rattle on our ride-along, and it only occurs when moving. Definitely not an engine sound at a stop at idle... Disappointed that they are trying to pass this along as the explanation, seems intellectually dishonest since I know the tech heard it. I was told they opened the dash, tightened things up where they could, and that everything looks normal.

I know at some point last year this same dealer applied the TSB that was supposed to fix the noise (don't have the number handy), but that did not work.

I'm really frustrated, I know it's an inexpensive car, but a constant rattle since day one is not acceptable.

 

[bgn]

Sorry for the necro, but does anyone have any updates to this? I have a '23 Hybrid xlt, my "rattle" sounds like a creak like a wooden ship on the high seas, coming from somewhere vaguely inside the dash; it's hard to triangulate. I hear it below about 60 degrees F, though humidity tends to mask it a bit, but not completely. It only takes slight undulations in the road to trigger the noise, though bigger bumps trigger it as well.

Went on a ride-along with the Ford dealer tech to make sure they heard it this time (this is the 3rd time I've brought it in to identify and fix the rattle). The tech said he heard it, though he thought it was coming more from the steering column which I disagreed with.

But when they were done and I got the car back, they said that Ford technical support (I had opened a ticket) had told them there's an engine tick noise at idle that's totally normal. Like, what? The tech heard the rattle on our ride-along, and it only occurs when moving. Definitely not an engine sound at a stop at idle... Disappointed that they are trying to pass this along as the explanation, seems intellectually dishonest since I know the tech heard it. I was told they opened the dash, tightened things up where they could, and that everything looks normal.

I know at some point last year this same dealer applied the TSB that was supposed to fix the noise (don't have the number handy), but that did not work.

I'm really frustrated, I know it's an inexpensive car, but a constant rattle since day one is not acceptable.

Pull on the black windshield defrost vent on the driver side. That stops it on mine. I've found no real fix for my 22, even with doing the TSB myself.

Ford support is just gaslighting you. It's not the high pressure fuel pump they're alluding to.

 

[imboden013]

Sorry for the necro, but does anyone have any updates to this? I have a '23 Hybrid xlt, my "rattle" sounds like a creak like a wooden ship on the high seas, coming from somewhere vaguely inside the dash; it's hard to triangulate. I hear it below about 60 degrees F, though humidity tends to mask it a bit, but not completely. It only takes slight undulations in the road to trigger the noise, though bigger bumps trigger it as well.

Went on a ride-along with the Ford dealer tech to make sure they heard it this time (this is the 3rd time I've brought it in to identify and fix the rattle). The tech said he heard it, though he thought it was coming more from the steering column which I disagreed with.

But when they were done and I got the car back, they said that Ford technical support (I had opened a ticket) had told them there's an engine tick noise at idle that's totally normal. Like, what? The tech heard the rattle on our ride-along, and it only occurs when moving. Definitely not an engine sound at a stop at idle... Disappointed that they are trying to pass this along as the explanation, seems intellectually dishonest since I know the tech heard it. I was told they opened the dash, tightened things up where they could, and that everything looks normal.

I know at some point last year this same dealer applied the TSB that was supposed to fix the noise (don't have the number handy), but that did not work.

I'm really frustrated, I know it's an inexpensive car, but a constant rattle since day one is not acceptable.

All the mavericks have noise hear and there. I’ve owned 4 mavericks a 22,23,24 and 25 all had dash noise. It’s all that plastic, especially noticeable during cold weather. Dealer went in and tightened up everything on my 24 and it’s better but still makes noise when on bumpy roads.

 

[abcinv]

Pull on the black windshield defrost vent on the driver side. That stops it on mine. I've found no real fix for my 22, even with doing the TSB myself.

Ford support is just gaslighting you. It's not the high pressure fuel pump they're alluding to.

My rattle came from here as well. Pull on the defrost vent over the cluster and the rattle stops.

I cut a small thin piece of black cardboard (like a 12 pack Dr Pepper box), wrapped it in mylar and tucked it between the forward and aft position of the defrost vent. So it kinda curves over the defrost vent and tucks in between the dash and the vent plastic. Took care of the rattle and its barely noticeable.

This will do for a bit.

I can take a pic this weekend if anyone is interested,

 

[MavChris]

I'm at 3 years and 37,000 miles with my truck. I have had a rattle underneath the steering column for years. At first started when cold outside, but now pretty much year round. Sounds like there is a wiring harness plug resting on the backside of the plastic trim piece and when you hit a bump the plug taps the back plastic trim piece. (I don't think there is actually a wiring harness plug there, but trying to describe the rattling sound). There is a seam where the two pieces of plastic meet. Pressing a bit on either side of the seam makes the rattle stop. Its annoying, however not bad enough to start pulling things apart. Just curious to see if anyone else has had the same rattle!?

 

[imboden013]

I'm at 3 years and 37,000 miles with my truck. I have had a rattle underneath the steering column for years. At first started when cold outside, but now pretty much year round. Sounds like there is a wiring harness plug resting on the backside of the plastic trim piece and when you hit a bump the plug taps the back plastic trim piece. (I don't think there is actually a wiring harness plug there, but trying to describe the rattling sound). There is a seam where the two pieces of plastic meet. Pressing a bit on either side of the seam makes the rattle stop. Its annoying, however not bad enough to start pulling things apart. Just curious to see if anyone else has had the same rattle!?

Yep, that’s how mine sounded dealer tightened up everything it’s a lot better.

 

[bgn]

My rattle came from here as well. Pull on the defrost vent over the cluster and the rattle stops.

I cut a small thin piece of black cardboard (like a 12 pack Dr Pepper box), wrapped it in mylar and tucked it between the forward and aft position of the defrost vent. So it kinda curves over the defrost vent and tucks in between the dash and the vent plastic. Took care of the rattle and its barely noticeable.

This will do for a bit.

I can take a pic this weekend if anyone is interested,

That would be great to see. Thank you.

 

[marspickup]

My rattle came from here as well. Pull on the defrost vent over the cluster and the rattle stops.

I cut a small thin piece of black cardboard (like a 12 pack Dr Pepper box), wrapped it in mylar and tucked it between the forward and aft position of the defrost vent. So it kinda curves over the defrost vent and tucks in between the dash and the vent plastic. Took care of the rattle and its barely noticeable.

This will do for a bit.

I can take a pic this weekend if anyone is interested,

I tried applying pressure in different directions for each vent, but that didn't seem to make a difference. I also did my best to slide in pieces of thick folded paper into various panel seams, including in the windshield vents, but likewise that did not make a difference either.

Glad it worked out for you though!

 

[Carlitos_92]

Sorry for the necro, but does anyone have any updates to this? I have a '23 Hybrid xlt, my "rattle" sounds like a creak like a wooden ship on the high seas, coming from somewhere vaguely inside the dash; it's hard to triangulate. I hear it below about 60 degrees F, though humidity tends to mask it a bit, but not completely. It only takes slight undulations in the road to trigger the noise, though bigger bumps trigger it as well.

Went on a ride-along with the Ford dealer tech to make sure they heard it this time (this is the 3rd time I've brought it in to identify and fix the rattle). The tech said he heard it, though he thought it was coming more from the steering column which I disagreed with.

But when they were done and I got the car back, they said that Ford technical support (I had opened a ticket) had told them there's an engine tick noise at idle that's totally normal. Like, what? The tech heard the rattle on our ride-along, and it only occurs when moving. Definitely not an engine sound at a stop at idle... Disappointed that they are trying to pass this along as the explanation, seems intellectually dishonest since I know the tech heard it. I was told they opened the dash, tightened things up where they could, and that everything looks normal.

I know at some point last year this same dealer applied the TSB that was supposed to fix the noise (don't have the number handy), but that did not work.

I'm really frustrated, I know it's an inexpensive car, but a constant rattle since day one is not acceptable.

Scroll down, and one of these is bound to have a solution as applied by one of our forum members...

 

[marspickup]

Scroll down, and one of these is bound to have a solution as applied by one of our forum members...

I looked at these and I have some notes on things to try, with little confidence anything will work

1. Push on passenger vent and/or panel below
   1. I have pushed in a lot of spots on the front console / dash, but can't recall if I've done this, I'll have to try
2. Pressing on the dash, speaker grill and A-pillar seems to reduce it for a bit.
   1. Have tried pushing on speaker grills, I presume I pushed on the A pillar but I'll try that again as I don't recall.
3. Pressing on the lower left of the windshield by the dash makes the rattle go away.
   1. I've seen people report they can make a creak occur by pushing on the windshield; I have tried this but was not able to replicate that. I don't know that I pushed on the lower left, so I'll try that but I would guess that the location is vehicle dependent, and how well that particular windshield was installed in the factory that day.
4. The rubber seal has to go on the outside of the A pillar cover, check that.
   1. I'll have to check this.
5. Windshield guide posts, plastic, somehow rubbing.
   1. I took a look at the passenger-side post. I guess I'm unclear what it's rubbing against for those people for whom cutting it off (or getting a replacement windshield) worked to stop the creak. I pushed on it a bit, it doesn't seem to budge at all. I don't think it's long enough for the tip to touch the head liner, so the only thing would be touching on the at the base of the post on the side, against the guide hole in the sheet metal. I could not cut it below the sheet metal, so I gave up on that.

Question for people who had success by removing the windshield post guides: when you heard the sound, did it sound like it was coming from inside the center console somewhere, or did the sound originate above the A pillar, where the posts are located?

There are so many possible sources for rattles and creaks that have been documented but customers, but only one official TSB that does not address all of them. Makes it hard to figure this out.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Picked mine up after the windshield was reseated. No squeak. Thanks to all of the folks who helped me in helping Ford minimize its warranty related costs.

Barring any new issues with the squeak, I will do a more detailed post or thread about my 18-19 dealer visits over 11 months and $600-700 in my money pissed away on car rentals and Lyfts.

Did they cut the pins off before the windshield was resealed?

 

[bgn]

Did they cut the pins off before the windshield was resealed?

I did not look.

 

[bgn]

I looked at these and I have some notes on things to try, with little confidence anything will work

1. Push on passenger vent and/or panel below
   1. I have pushed in a lot of spots on the front console / dash, but can't recall if I've done this, I'll have to try
2. Pressing on the dash, speaker grill and A-pillar seems to reduce it for a bit.
   1. Have tried pushing on speaker grills, I presume I pushed on the A pillar but I'll try that again as I don't recall.
3. Pressing on the lower left of the windshield by the dash makes the rattle go away.
   1. I've seen people report they can make a creak occur by pushing on the windshield; I have tried this but was not able to replicate that. I don't know that I pushed on the lower left, so I'll try that but I would guess that the location is vehicle dependent, and how well that particular windshield was installed in the factory that day.
4. The rubber seal has to go on the outside of the A pillar cover, check that.
   1. I'll have to check this.
5. Windshield guide posts, plastic, somehow rubbing.
   1. I took a look at the passenger-side post. I guess I'm unclear what it's rubbing against for those people for whom cutting it off (or getting a replacement windshield) worked to stop the creak. I pushed on it a bit, it doesn't seem to budge at all. I don't think it's long enough for the tip to touch the head liner, so the only thing would be touching on the at the base of the post on the side, against the guide hole in the sheet metal. I could not cut it below the sheet metal, so I gave up on that.

Question for people who had success by removing the windshield post guides: when you heard the sound, did it sound like it was coming from inside the center console somewhere, or did the sound originate above the A pillar, where the posts are located?

There are so many possible sources for rattles and creaks that have been documented but customers, but only one official TSB that does not address all of them. Makes it hard to figure this out.

The windshield alignment pin issue sounded more like ticking. Got worse with lower temps.

The rumble over rough roads sounds like plastic rubbing on plastic. For me, pulling the black driver side windshield defroster vent fixes it but the TSB has not.

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