Interior rattles MK3

[yeoH]

Hey guys. So I’ve been having quite a few rattles coming from interior dash, passenger seat, rear seat, and even spoiler. I’ve probably had my car at the dealership a total of 20 days now... with bringing the car in and out and the master tech and shop foreman looking for them. They’ve been now holding the car this past week trying to find the dash and passenger seat rattles. The extent of the rattles is enough to the point the dealer took the car in right away (able to reproduce easily). My golf R mk7.5 had the same deal with rattles. My Mercedes C63 had the same deal. Nothing on my three Lexuses.

Is this just a German thing? Volkswagen group? Anyone else have interior rattles fixed by dealer? Maybe can point me in some direction so I can offer some suggestions to dealer. They are still trying to pin point. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[SpideyTT!]

I haven't had any interior rattles whatsoever in my '19 TT RS.
The only issue was in the luggage compartment, and that turned out to be some loose items in the storage area under the floor.

[Thumper3]

I haven't had any interior rattles whatsoever in my '19 TT RS.
The only issue was in the luggage compartment, and that turned out to be some loose items in the storage area under the floor.

Same here, the inflation bottle squeaks on the styrofoam on occasion, usually music is loud enough I never hear it. lol

But yeah, no rattles I can speak to.

My Golf R though.....different story, it rattles and squeaks almost as bad as my 69 Camaro did. Of course I bought it used with 51k and it has PSS10s I leave at setting 8, so.....kinda to be expected.

[Dr_Watson]

Everything in the passenger compartment of my 2018 RS is perfectly fine.

[littleredwagen]

I haven't had any interior rattles whatsoever in my '19 TT RS.

Same here, and 2017 S3 had no issues as well nor my 2011 S4. I find once you take interiors apart rattles can surface if you aren’t careful putting back together

[John Sharif]

My 2016 TTS is rattle free. Same with my 10 year old A4 and previous Q7 too.

[yeoH]

I guess bad luck then. This is my first Audi. Dealer contacted me today and said they are now going to try replacing a bracket. Part won't arrive until Friday or Monday.

[Huey52]

My driver side outboard vent ring has a clearance issue when cold and therefore makes a buzzing sound, but as soon as the cabin is warm no noise.
The passenger side lift back bump stop needed my depth adjustment but thereafter fine.
Those have been my only noise issues on the Mk3 TT.

My allroad had a vibration noise from the passenger rear seat upper locking clasp but some felt tape around the bar resolved that one.

My A5 was noise free but had a water intrusion issue early on that was dealer-resolved by installation of a new roof rail-door drain.

There're always some things not quite right in mass produced vehicles, even luxury marques, but they can usually be resolved. Good luck.

[littleredwagen]

I guess bad luck then. This is my first Audi. Dealer contacted me today and said they are now going to try replacing a bracket. Part won't arrive until Friday or Monday.

One other thing. I had a rental Q5 on a road trip and there were several roads out west that when driving on the road the car would make rattle like sounds. Change road surface and it went away. Not saying this is your issue but it does happen

[yeoH]

Thanks for the replies. @littleredwagen So my car makes sounds like there is someone tapping a plastic rod on the firewall on any road condition 50+ mph. Usually these techs are trigger happy to say "cannot reproduce" but in my case... they took it in within 20 seconds saying that's definitely not right. There was also a tape sticking off and on sound that was actually the spoiler coming apart! They got that one resolved at least. So far, 31 days of ownership, 22 days at the dealer.

*edit*
So update. Got a call from dealer. They said the noise was on the passenger side heatshield hitting the subframe. They readjusted and said all noise is gone- picking car up tomorrow. Hope this is it.

*edit 2*
Update. Front rattle is gone. It was the heat shield. Spoiler has an obnoxious rattle / creak. I figured out where it coming from. They replaced the wrong part of the spoiler and also damaged that part.

Trunk doesn’t open!!! (There is no valet mode for this car. The button doesn’t work).

Wastegate or exhaust rattle at 2.1k rpm. Bringing car in on Tuesday. LET THIS END AUDI GODS!!

*edit 3*
Updated spoiler rattle is currently being worked on. Trunk fixed. Exhaust rattle being looked at- ordered awe exhaust so told them that if it’s the exhaust valve flaps- not to worry about it.

New rattle developed in rear passenger side interior they are working on. New rattle developed where if stopped while in drive, dash will rattle (sounds like heat shield they fixed prior developed another rattle).

I have mid pipes, catback, turbo elbow, wheels, full carbon intake, and ecu/tcu tune all waiting to be installed or arrive...
Trying really hard to be patient! *fingers crossed*

[TwistRate]

I have only one rattle and its the cover for the front center dash speaker. I don't know how to remove the cover or I would. I think some strategically placed glue dots would prevent the noise from happening.

Anyone know how to remove that center cover?

[yeoH]

As far as I know, a very thin plastic pry tool from looking at the pictures. My dealer removed side speaker using a plastic tool. If you are in warranty, I think finding a good dealer (yelp) and even more importantly, a great service advisor and shop foreman is key. I bought my dream car and still can’t enjoy it but my cool service advisor and shop foreman is the reason for keeping my sanity.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[2PT238]

Thanks yeoH for looping this issue here and the updates. I just took ownership of a 2019 TTS with 2800 miles on the 21st. I drove from the old home in SoCal to the new home in CenCal and over that period it has developed a buzz from what seems like the passenger dash area. Mine is specific to RPM and easy to reproduce, especially if the vehicle is at a stop. 1500-2000 and is constant. In Comfort mode this motor is often in that RPM range...like pulling through a parking lot...constant buzz.

Seems to be associated with exhaust resonance and I was thinking a heat shield might be the problem. Your #1 edit jives with my suspicion and I'll be sure to bring that outcome to the attention of my service agent.

[yeoH]

No problem 2pt238. Tell your service advisor that you think it's the heatshield that sits against the firewall on the passenger side (literally right behind the engine). There is a one-way "screw/ push pin" that holds the heat shield in place. There is a good chance that is not seated properly and you are hearing the heatshield buzzing. At those low RPM ranges, the engine moves the most so I can see that happening. Request a good service advisor and have the foreman look at it... most of the technicians will give you the bs of "cannot reproduce"... as if we are TRYING to waste time by bringing in our non-existent problems to the dealership...

[2PT238]

Update;

Just took it in this morning...Dealership called this afternoon and techs say they have isolated the source as a fuel line vibrating. They are escalating the issue up to Audi for guidance on how to address it. Interesting. I'll try and see if they have a 'campaign' or service bulletin alert on this or if mine is just an isolated bad boy.

That heat shield does look vulnerable...it's where my eye went right away when I popped the hood. We'll see.

As I read through the service paperwork from the prior owner he did try to address this buzz before my purchase at another dealership. They took the approach of a new down pipe...perhaps even to the Cat itself

[yeoH]

Honestly, after my experience, I refuse to buy another car unless I test drive it on bumpy roads, highway speeds, and hot temperatures. This will be my first and last Audi for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[2PT238]

The dealership fixed this one. They located the noise behind the 'right rear lower trim panel to find the fuel line coming from the fuel tank as the cause. Secured with a rubber grommet'.

Sounds like an isolated (my car) issue...maybe. This car also was part of the Fuel Tank Heat Shield Recall and had been serviced for this earlier. IMO, there is a chance that work performed in that general area inadvertently disrupted this section of fuel line and resulted in the buzz. Who knows, but it's tight now.