Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Subaru Models > Impreza Forum

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-14-2012, 06:01 PM   #1
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default 2012 Impreza Rattle thread (and solutions...???)

so, maybe i'll be the only participant, but if not, this may be of help to some of us who can commiserate and perhaps, if we are fortunate enough, find solutions to our rattle problems.

i know these can theoretically be fixed by the dealer, but in my case, i'm doubtful of that being a solution, especially if and when the rattles are intermittent.

i've been probably overly repetitive in other threads about my rattle issues, but i now have four that i have had occur all intermittently although a couple of them are more regular than others.

it should be noted that unless noted, i could be totally wrong about the location of these rattles as sound can travel in weird ways in cars and one's perceived ability to locate sound can be tricky with all of the reflective surfaces.

1. rattle on the passenger side of car about same depth (distance from windshield) as head rest. i thought the headrest was rattling but the more i explore (trying different tilts and extension settings and holding it while driving) i'm now pretty sure it's not the head rest. my new hypothesis, which is hard to test without a passenger*, is that it may be the panel of the side airbag or the one below it. this is probably my most persistent rattle although it, like the others is generally better or nonexistent once the car is warm enough from sitting in the sun. i don't want to even consider touching the side airbag panel if that turns out to be the cause. i'd rather have a rattle than mess up the safety features of this car.

2. rattle from steering column area near the the knee airbag. i've reported on this elsewhere. i can make the rattle stop by pinching together the adjacent panel and this airbag panel so i know roughly where it is located, but i can't figure out exactly where something is rubbing within the panel. this is very intermittent. it used to only happen when the car was cool (again, defined by not being in the sun, and the ambient temp is below 70 oF), but now, the past couple of mornings, it has been nonexistent under those conditions, yet i heard it faintly after driving a while (it warmed up some) and then not there at all when the car is warm. i'm hoping and praying wishfully that this one may solve itself. this is my most annoying rattle, i think, because it is so near to me when i'm driving and has a really high paced (tap tap tap) very fast) type of sound and can almost sound a bit creaky in tone.

3. i have occasionally heard rattles, i'm pretty sure from the passenger tweeter cover on the dash. it's gone for now after i've pushed firmly down on that panel. i may play with it more once i get the tweeter upgrade ordered and have to install it. i'm guessing there is some excess play that could be mitigated by some felt dots or strip laid down in various places.

4. a really annoying rattle/buzz that i've only gotten on a few occasions: if i hit a really rough patch of road, something in the dash area just in front of me (the driver) buzzes and rattles pretty loudly. i've tried to grab and push everything in my vicinity, but it seems/sounds like it might be coming from within the dash. thankfully, it usually lasts only 20-30 seconds and i've had it happen 3-4 times in the 6 weeks of ownership, but this one would drive me nuts if it ever became regularly.

finally, someone mentioned before being able to tighten their rear latch. i think i've heard something on occasion back there when hitting the just the right bump. not really a big deal to me, but i wouldn't mind hearing about how that can be adjusted should i need to do so down the road.

so anyway, i know i'm probably nuts for bring this up, but i wanted to start a potentially helpful thread for some of us neurotic perfectionist types.

maybe it'll just become a coping group/thread...


* my wife thinks i'm insane (she's probably right) for focusing on rattles so she's not going to be much help in tracking these down for me.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Last edited by nubsub; 05-14-2012 at 07:06 PM.
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 05-14-2012, 06:40 PM   #2
Xarthan
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 312318
Join Date: Mar 2012
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Oregon
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Sport
ISM

Default

I'm also hearing some rattle on the tweeter panel. I also heard a buzz yesterday around the front mid-passenger side near the windshield. At first I thought I had got a bee or something, but it went away pretty fast. No clue what it was.
Xarthan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 07:07 PM   #3
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xarthan View Post
I'm also hearing some rattle on the tweeter panel. I also heard a buzz yesterday around the front mid-passenger side near the windshield. At first I thought I had got a bee or something, but it went away pretty fast. No clue what it was.
interesting...the buzzing sounds like something is resonating inside the dash. i can live with it as long as it doesn't become more frequent.

if you try pushing on your tweeter panels, you may find some "play" with them. my driver side one is snug, but the passenger one had some "give" to it.
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 07:34 PM   #4
IMPREZA 2012
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 318422
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: Montreal Canada
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Limited
White

Default

I have a small rattle in the rear hatch when i go over a bump. Otherwise i don't have any other rattle yet.
IMPREZA 2012 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 08:13 PM   #5
carlvr87
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 311179
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Philadelphia
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Limited
Dark Gray Metallic

Default

Surprisingly I haven't developed any rattles yet. I'm away on vacation in detroit and some of the roads out here are horrible and I still don't hear anything*knock on wood*.
carlvr87 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 08:29 PM   #6
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by carlvr87
Surprisingly I haven't developed any rattles yet. I'm away on vacation in detroit and some of the roads out here are horrible and I still don't hear anything*knock on wood*.
How many miles are on your car? (I'm at 1200ish)

I'm jealous

I think my rattles being intermittent is a mixed blessing. Because they are intermittent that makes them hard to track down and consider bringing to a dealer. On the other hand, because they are intermittent, there are times I can just enjoy the car and not fixate on the rattles.

Beyond the rattles, I really like the car.
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 08:45 PM   #7
carlvr87
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 311179
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Philadelphia
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Limited
Dark Gray Metallic

Default

I'm sitting at 1,358. Left home with 620. By the time I get home Wednesday night I expect to have about 2,100-2,200.

The way some of the roads are here, if I'm going to get any rattles they will certainly start here.

Before I had my 2011 Outback, I had a 2011 Sonata and that car had horrible rattles and it drove me crazy. I'm really surprised that I haven't heard anything in my car yet. My uncle is thinking of trading his 2000 Neon with 130k and he is more than likely going for a 12 hatch Premium with the 5spd. Hopefully he gets a decent car. So far I don't really have any complaints about this car(which is surprising for me since I'm very picky).
carlvr87 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 10:52 PM   #8
make_light
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 317017
Join Date: Apr 2012
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza CVT
Dark Gray Metallic

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nubsub View Post
4. a really annoying rattle/buzz that i've only gotten on a few occasions: if i hit a really rough patch of road, something in the dash area just in front of me (the driver) buzzes and rattles pretty loudly. i've tried to grab and push everything in my vicinity, but it seems/sounds like it might be coming from within the dash. thankfully, it usually lasts only 20-30 seconds and i've had it happen 3-4 times in the 6 weeks of ownership, but this one would drive me nuts if it ever became regularly.
Ughh I have this exact same thing (well most of the ones you mentioned, actually). But this one in particular, when it hits, it is crazy. Like a quarter being tossed around somewhere in the dash.

Also, are you sure it's not the passenger headrest rattling? Mine rattles like crazy and when I hold my hand on it to steady it, the rattling stops. I managed to work a position on the drivers headrest that is both comfortable for me and inhibits rattling, but no luck with the passenger side.
make_light is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 10:54 PM   #9
subiTWO
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 273054
Join Date: Feb 2011
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza CVT HB

Default

My headrest rattles over certain types of bumps. It's set furthest away from my head, lowest spring tension, and jostles forward a bit.
subiTWO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 11:27 PM   #10
jr0bb5
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 315353
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: MA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Sp Prem
5MT OBP/DGM

Default

Ugh... my rattles started only a couple of hundred miles after I got the car. I think I've heard about 4 or 5 different rattles/buzzes that are mostly intermittent. The loudest and most annoying is right in front of me in the dash somewhere. It mostly occurs when driving over really rough road. It almost sound like it's the hard plastic pieces around the time/temp display, but I think it's coming from inside the dash. All the of the outer trim seems solid and tight.

Have heard other rattles/buzzing coming from what seems like the driver's side tweeter cover, passenger's side door, glove box and somewhere just behind my left ear... maybe the b-pillar trim? Oh, and once in a while I hear something from the rear hatch, but that might just be my plate rattling.
jr0bb5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 12:14 AM   #11
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by make_light

Ughh I have this exact same thing (well most of the ones you mentioned, actually). But this one in particular, when it hits, it is crazy. Like a quarter being tossed around somewhere in the dash.

Also, are you sure it's not the passenger headrest rattling? Mine rattles like crazy and when I hold my hand on it to steady it, the rattling stops. I managed to work a position on the drivers headrest that is both comfortable for me and inhibits rattling, but no luck with the passenger side.
That unfortunately describes that buzz rattle to well: like a quarter spinning inside my dash.

I'm not 100% sure about the headrest, but if it is the cause, I haven't been able to stop it with my hand. I need to explore more.
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 12:17 AM   #12
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Suby Noobie
Ugh... my rattles started only a couple of hundred miles after I got the car. I think I've heard about 4 or 5 different rattles/buzzes that are mostly intermittent. The loudest and most annoying is right in front of me in the dash somewhere. It mostly occurs when driving over really rough road. It almost sound like it's the hard plastic pieces around the time/temp display, but I think it's coming from inside the dash. All the of the outer trim seems solid and tight.

Have heard other rattles/buzzing coming from what seems like the driver's side tweeter cover, passenger's side door, glove box and somewhere just behind my left ear... maybe the b-pillar trim? Oh, and once in a while I hear something from the rear hatch, but that might just be my plate rattling.
Me, too. I had no rattles the first 150 or so miles and then they began.

Ugh: now that you remind me: I too have a couple of times had a sound near the temp display.
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 02:22 PM   #13
Commander Keen
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 319157
Join Date: May 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 4DR 5MT

Default

I've used this to stop buzzing and rattling in other cars, but not the Impreza yet. It's clear and removable.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_152450-68-18...ductId=3051173
Commander Keen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 02:48 PM   #14
rexspeedworthy
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 26965
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Independence, KY
Vehicle:
2013 XV crosstrek
silver

Default

I have a hatch, when the seats are down, I get a "ball rolling in a paint can" sound when I stop or accelerate to fast. It did the same thing on my 08STI, I curretnly have 2011 wrx
rexspeedworthy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 05:19 PM   #15
PAO56
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304676
Join Date: Dec 2011
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Ltd 5DR
Deep Cherry Pearl

Default

wow, guess Im luck....almost 13K on my HB Limited...and not rattle one yet.....
PAO56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 05:44 PM   #16
TObject
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 320185
Join Date: May 2012
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i

Default

I got a 2012 Impreza 2.0i sedan.

There is something in between a rattle and a squeak coming from the driver door. If I push on the door trim panel close to the left top corner (area circled in red on the picture) the rattle-squeak goes away.

Has anybody fixed this one?

Yes, I know, the standard answer is, take it to the dealer. But I just enjoy working on my cars; I want to fix it myself.
TObject is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 08:23 PM   #17
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PAO56 View Post
wow, guess Im luck....almost 13K on my HB Limited...and not rattle one yet.....
you are very fortunate. i'm guessing you will be in the clear for a long time. in my experience by that number of miles, things have settled out and until the car gets appreciably older, you should be ok assuming you've encounter enough "typical roads."
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2012, 10:18 PM   #18
jr0bb5
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 315353
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: MA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Sp Prem
5MT OBP/DGM

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PAO56 View Post
wow, guess Im luck....almost 13K on my HB Limited...and not rattle one yet.....
That's great man! How are the roads where you drive? Most of the roads I drive on a daily basis are pretty rough. As a matter of fact, most of the roads in MA are craptastic. Not really surprised that I have as many rattles as I do.
jr0bb5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2012, 11:54 AM   #19
PAO56
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304676
Join Date: Dec 2011
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Ltd 5DR
Deep Cherry Pearl

Default

well some trips into DC and Bethesda MD where the construction and pot holes are bad...otherwise....roads arent bad....Im also very attentive to avoid road repair marks where I can...and not take others at full spd where it can be avoided......
PAO56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2012, 12:29 PM   #20
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default

it's amazing how much i can fixate on these rattles. i go from one moment enjoying the car, to a few seconds later, recognizing a rattle and wanting to squash it (and failing).

i still am puzzled by what i thought was the headrest rattle, but can't seem to stop it reliably by holding the head rest. maybe it's something inside the headrest. i could be the b pillar, but the headrest does seem to be the right area.

i did get that annoyingly loud dash board buzz/rattle (quarter spinning around) yesterday for an extended period on a rough patch of road...i really hope this one doesn't become regular -- of course, if it does, then i might have a chance to get it fixed at the dealer.

on flipside: still loving the car. am still beaming about the mileage i got yesterday (see the other thread)...whether 39 or 41 mpg, i'm impressed since i only have 1400 miles on the dial. then again, it will be interesting to see what i get if i don't pay as much attention to driving so tenderly and being speed conscious. hopefully, 35-36 would still be in the cards.
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2012, 01:19 PM   #21
79letour
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 302570
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: dear old dixie
Vehicle:
2013 XV
DGM!

Default

Woohoo! After a couple months with virtually no rain we have had two steady day of it! Humidity really seems to make my squeaky seat worse. Its loud today so I'm taking to the dealer right after work.
I also have various rattles and buzzes that start anytime the road is less than brand new. I am hoping the dealer takes care of me finally, I did get the old service mgr fired so that's a plus.
79letour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2012, 01:23 PM   #22
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 79letour View Post
Woohoo! After a couple months with virtually no rain we have had two steady day of it! Humidity really seems to make my squeaky seat worse. Its loud today so I'm taking to the dealer right after work.
I also have various rattles and buzzes that start anytime the road is less than brand new. I am hoping the dealer takes care of me finally, I did get the old service mgr fired so that's a plus.
please let us know if they have any fixes for your rattles and buzzes.

it's funny, as a reality check, i was driving my wife's prius the other day and it has quite a few buzzes and rattles.

i think what gets me going is that this is a brand new car and i want it to be "perfect." if i had been shopping for a used car, i wouldn't have any problems with a few intermittent rattles. (although as i type this, i think i would still do my best to track them down and "self remedy them" assuming i could find their source)
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2012, 02:17 PM   #23
79letour
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 302570
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: dear old dixie
Vehicle:
2013 XV
DGM!

Default

I think most of the rattles can be resolved. I owned a 91 crx and after lots of careful tweaking and dynamat it was rattle free and very pleasant to drive. I miss that car.
79letour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2012, 02:21 PM   #24
nubsub
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 313575
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza 2.0i HB

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 79letour View Post
I think most of the rattles can be resolved. I owned a 91 crx and after lots of careful tweaking and dynamat it was rattle free and very pleasant to drive. I miss that car.
i'm sure they can be resolved by enough diligence by both the dealer and owner.

i think if the noises are repeatable and persistent, then that makes it easier.

of course, if they were persistent, i'd be driven nuts by now and for sure have had the car at the dealer to look at them. for me, once i get up and going on the road for an extended period, they pretty much disappear except on some harsh roads.

then again, most of my time in the car so far has been for my 4.1mi commute each day so the "cold car" rattles in the morning are the not way i like to start my day.
nubsub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2012, 02:40 PM   #25
jr0bb5
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 315353
Join Date: Apr 2012
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: MA
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Sp Prem
5MT OBP/DGM

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 79letour
Woohoo! After a couple months with virtually no rain we have had two steady day of it! Humidity really seems to make my squeaky seat worse. Its loud today so I'm taking to the dealer right after work.
I also have various rattles and buzzes that start anytime the road is less than brand new. I am hoping the dealer takes care of me finally, I did get the old service mgr fired so that's a plus.
Welp, I just notice while getting into my car this afternoon that I also have the squeaky seat syndrome. Well, it actually sounds more like a moaning noise when I lean back on the upper part of the seat. Just another annoying noise to add to the collection lol
jr0bb5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2012 Impreza thread A_Pointy_Rock Impreza Forum 31925 03-10-2024 06:48 PM
('11-'14) 2012 Impreza Owners - MPG Thread! Rdizzle Impreza Forum 5689 11-26-2023 06:49 PM
2012 Impreza 2.0i Gas Mileage Thread Benchmark General Community 934 10-08-2013 02:49 PM
2012 Impreza cabin rattles Bsmitty5913 General Community 14 05-05-2012 09:52 PM
FS : Thule Baserack/locks/bike carriers. 08+ Imprezas (and others!) Redneck Ricer NESIC Private Classifieds 4 08-07-2011 11:07 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.