I would like to create a thread where we can post information on identifying the cause and providing a solution to common rattles in the MKVI Jetta. I'll keep the first post up to date as an index to individual posts describing the cause and/or solution to each problem.
Fender subwoofer, rear deck Cause - Rear plastic deck vibrates Solution - Tennis ball under rear deck
Windsheild/dash at high speed Cause 1 - Loose plastic rain/splashguard Solution 1 - Make sure the tabs that hold it down are secure Cause 2 - Leaf in rain/splashguard drain rattling in wind Solution 2 - Keep rain/splashguard free of leaves/debris
Trunk rattle when going over bumps Cause - Spare tire not secured Solution - Secure spare tire
Trunk rattle Cause - Rear seat release cable Solution - Wrap and secure cable
Snapping/cracking from instrument panel Cause 1 - Missing screw in dash from factory Solution 1 - Dealer installed missing screw Cause 2 - Squeaky trim Solution 2 - Add styrofoam
"Rustling leaves" when accelerating Cause - Needs holding rod clip from dealer Solution - Have dealer fix More Info - Thread detailing this issue
Driver or passenger door rattles (multiple) Cause 1 - LED security light cylinder plastic housing Solution 1 - Foam tape (Full thread)
No cause 2 found -
No solution 2 found -
Seems there is no single cause or solution to these rattles. Suggested dynamat or other soundproofing
Snapping/cracking, head unit area Cause - HU frame makes contact with HVAC frame Solution - Felt pads (Full how-to)
One owner had his entire HU replaced
Creaking Dead Pedal Cause - None found Solution - None found
Starting this because I dug into a few of these rattles and I'm starting to find the causes. I'm going to attempt to fix as many as i can and want to share this info.
Anyone who wants to add info, please do and I'll keep the thread up to date.
The windshield one was caused by a not-so-secure plastic rain/splashguard underneath the hood along the bottom of the windshield. Make sure the tabs that hold it down are interchanging where they secure to the side of the engine bay. There should be no play of movement when you try to jiggle it around. I'm trying on figure on how (and what) to wedge something along the sides of it to make it more secure. Once I fiddled with this and made it as secure as I could the rattle immediately went away. A few weeks later I heard it start to come back. I immediately readjusted the splashguard and the sound went right away.
Thanks. I figured this out today as well. I'm going to take some pictures and figure out how to insulate the plastic part that goes up into the A pillar, as that seems to be the flimsiest part that moves the most.
Not from the head unit nope.. But I did get rattle from the trunk. Was it the spare tire? Nope. Was it the cable that is connected to the pull switch that releases the rear seats? YEP. Solution: Moved the cables around and tightly secured them with some tape.(Temp fix)
I had the snapping / cracking noise coming from the instrument panel. The very annoying noise seemed be caused by the instrument panel plexi-glass moving ever-so-slightly. I took my Jetta the dealer to see if they could fix it. Turns out there is a known issue with a missing screw somewhere in the instrument panel / dash. The dealer installed the missing screw and the noise is gone. The repair was free.
I have a 147TSI (australian model) and it had the infamous "wastegate rattle" found on the AE888 (2.0l) engine. Dropped it off the dealer and had a clip fitted in. Rattle gone!
this isn't so much of a rattle, but a huge issue with the headliner meeting C Pillar area at the back of the car.
Any of you like to ride with the windows down?
If so, open the back door and look at either c pillar and the headliner immediately next to it... Is it sagging?
My Jetta 6 is doing this, and I am getting a replacement car of equal value through Mediation/Arbitration. They have done 3 Different Headliners and 5 Different C Pillars, just to find out the C pillar needs more clips ENGINEERED into it, and the Headliner needs to be reworked by the engineers too.... Which will put me at a grand total of about 8 trips once all said and done to get this issue resolved. I've been six times already, and the 7th they said will be for "test fit" and then a final install.
Just beware the headliner and c pillars are not strong enough to hold up over time. I was the only one that called in, but when the VW Rep came out to look at my car, he said that he has seen it on just about every Jetta 6 Model from 2011 and now 2012. But no one has had as much issue with parts not fitting as mine, or they haven't bothered.
Could you post some pics please? Would be nice to have them to compare, most of the roads here are so bad that one tends to ignore most such things especially soft rattles and the like. Thanks.
Cannot post pics, but it is an easy find, open up the rear doors, look at where the c pillar touches the headliner, if everything is up and inside the rubber seal, then you are good, but I'm willing to bet that there is gap, and an ever growing gap at that.
I have been to the dealer 6 times for this problem, and received TWO NEW Headliners, and 5 NEW C Pillars, and this picture was taken 6 HOURS after I got it back the last time (which it was fine when I got it at the dealer) after the Service REP looked it over.
They are now designing a new headliner and c pillars to solve this issue... problem is, it starts to sag more over time, and it got so bad you could fit your hand through that gap. Causing concern for Air Bag Deployment... basically instead of the airbag coming down, it would go between the headliner and roof, causing the headliner to slam into you.
PS: There is NO FIX until the engineering staff at VW fixes it.
I have a rattle coming from my headliner. The corners of the headliner meet the C-pillars fine, unlike the above quoted post, however the rear back of the headliner seems to be sagging a little, and isn't attached to the roof. I can slide my hand between the headliner and the top of the roof. If I tap on the headliner, it rattles a little, which I have been noticing when going over bumps. If I press the back of the headliner up against the roof, and tap the headliner, it doesn't rattle.
I am kicking myself because there is a recall for rear headliner clips, and I declined when it was at the dealer for the fuel line recall, because I didn't think it was an issue, and I didn't want them messing with my headliner, for fear they would make it worse...
I'm starting to get a buzzing or rattle or....i dont know what, honestly from the instrument cluster. i have a 1.5-2 hour commute and it doesnt start until the end... it almost sounds like an electrical buzzing..like a loose connection..or a spring? only happens on bumps...anyone else with something similar?
I believe this is caused by the instrument panel plexi-glass moving ever-so-slightly. Turns out there is a known issue with a missing screw somewhere in the instrument panel / dash. The dealer installed the missing screw and the noise is gone. The repair was free.
Hey guys, 2011 Jetta Sel with just over 5k miles. Been to the dealer once so far to have a rattle in sunroof/sunglass holder fixed, rattle behind the dash or navi unit, and a click from the headliner only when the sunroof was completely open. They did fix the rattle above the sunglass holder. They did fix the click noise when the sunroof was completely open, but now when opening the sunroof there is a loud squeek, so I'll have to take it back in to have that fixed. The rattle behind the dash/navi was not fixed as they said it was a normal sound, but when they put the navi back it's now a little crooked, like it doesn't sit flush as it did before. So I'll be taking it back in for that to be readjusted also. What should I tell them to look for as to the rattle/cracking sound I hear from behind the navi? Should I ask them to cover it with felt? And I am now hearing some rattles from both driver and passenger doors, what should I have them look for? I would like to tell them to take everything apart and line it all with the felt tape, would that be a ridiculous request? Thanks in advance guys.
it is, but isn't a ridiculous request. We all did buy the new MK6 Jetta with nothing but plastic parts on the inside.
That is why, when they asked me what I wanted to do about the Jetta under Lemon Law, I told them I want a Golf 4dr. As soon as one is located, I will be in a car with the soft touch panels for dash, and doors, and center console. Not going to get much rattles from something that is so tight fitting.
I have a very annoying rattle coming from my navigation unit in a 2011 Jetta Sel. I only hear the rattle when going over cracks in the road, not necesserally from speed bumps. When I press firm on the top left of the toucscreen unit/plastic that surrounds navi the rattle stops. I have tried using electrical tape to fill the gaps around the touchscreen and around the frame surrounding the touchscreen to no avail. I have been to the dealer twice now to fix various rattles and this seems to be the only one they can't fix. Also I never pin pointed where the rattle was coming from until after my last visit to the dealership. Should I go back in and show them the exact location of the rattle and that by pushing on the dash/touchscreen unit it stops the rattle? Should I possibly try going to a different dealership? Or do you have any DIY ideas for me? I cannot take apart my dash as I'm not that handy. Thanks for any tips and or advice.
Rattle heard on dash and wind noise on passenger side window
I just wanted to share my experience with my 2012 jetta tdi, I brought it to the dealer and they said that there was no noise so I went over and found out that they washed my car. I think this is their strategy to make all noise go away. So I figured it out myself.
The rattle on dash was caused buy the horn touching the body. The wind noise is cause by the black plastic at the bottom of the windshield. The right side has a gap while the left side is perfect. So simple remedy- silicone. My car is now noise and rattle free.
Don't rely on the dealers. Sometimes, you have to get your hands dirty.
I just wanted to share my experience with my 2012 jetta tdi, I brought it to the dealer and they said that there was no noise so I went over and found out that they washed my car. I think this is their strategy to make all noise go away. So I figured it out myself.
The rattle on dash was caused buy the horn touching the body. The wind noise is cause by the black plastic at the bottom of the windshield. The right side has a gap while the left side is perfect. So simple remedy- silicone. My car is now noise and rattle free.
Don't rely on the dealers. Sometimes, you have to get your hands dirty.
Damn straight! Why should the tech spend hours and find rattles when he really won't get paid for it? Doesn't matter how good the warranty person is, Volkswagen just doesn't care about the worker bees in dealers and thinks they should do more work for less or no pay.
i have a metallic ringing noise but i have the 2.5 engine (no turbo)
is apparent after 2000 rpm
any thoughts on that metallic ringing ?
also got
- everytime windshield wipers are activated, there is a click coming from the instrument panel
- slight buzzing noise when recirculation is activated
- headunit snapping/cracking
I think I solved the Head unit/dash rattle by putting a layer of foam and felt pads between the radio and the hvac controls. I'm thinking the radio cage did not completely support the head unit and there was contact between the two. It's been a few days and the rattle is gone
I think I solved the Head unit/dash rattle by putting a layer of foam and felt pads between the radio and the hvac controls. I'm thinking the radio cage did not completely support the head unit and there was contact between the two. It's been a few days and the rattle is gone
how did you remove the headunit? dealer tech mentioned to just remove the trim and there are 4 torx screws...is this correct? any tricks to getting the trim off properly so it snaps back on perfectly?
The trim around the head unit and heater controls is just held in with clips, start at the bottom and give it a pull. Once you get a corner unclipped I would use a trim tool to pry off a section at a time. There are metal clips that hold it in place, they are durable but can break if you yank too hard. Once the trim is off there are 4 T20 torx screws holding the head unit in. Once you remove it nyou can just unclip the radio harness and antennas so that it will come out. I put a layer of foam under the radio and felt pads on the HVAC control. I also put some felt tape on the contact parts of the trim just to make sure. Be carful not to put too much padding in or the trim will not line up properly. good luck
The trim around the head unit and heater controls is just held in with clips, start at the bottom and give it a pull. Once you get a corner unclipped I would use a trim tool to pry off a section at a time. There are metal clips that hold it in place, they are durable but can break if you yank too hard. Once the trim is off there are 4 T20 torx screws holding the head unit in. Once you remove it nyou can just unclip the radio harness and antennas so that it will come out. I put a layer of foam under the radio and felt pads on the HVAC control. I also put some felt tape on the contact parts of the trim just to make sure. Be carful not to put too much padding in or the trim will not line up properly. good luck
What kind of felt pads and foam tape did you use? I see some online but the reviews are so varying its crazy.. will the adhesive need to be real sticky and stay that way or once its in, it wont matter because of the pressure? That seems to be the major complaint with some of the ones I am seeing. Links to the specific ones you used would be awesome The size also would be appreciated. Thickness etc.
I am a first time user to this site and was looking for assistance. I have a 2011 Jetta TDI with a 6 speed automatic DSG transmission. I have own the car for about a year now and just recently have noticed a noise coming from the front engine area, mostly on the centre to the passanger side. It sounds like someone is sawing with a hand held saw or a metal tube gliding against metal...almost like when you are using a super soaker...if that makes any sense?? It happeneds as soon as he car is turned on. I have been to the dealer couple times now for the same issue and they said they didnt hear anything. it wasnt until i got the tech to come to my car when i was leaving and listen for the sound.....he finally heard it and took it to the mechanic to have a listen.....i was told to come back so they can take a better look because when they 'originally' connected the car to get a diagnoses nothing was coming up. however they did mention that they had a 2012 Passat with the same noise. Can anyone help me or direct to to what the issue might be?? before I go back to the dealer to have them tell me its nothing....its getting very frustrating.
Does anyone have an annoying plastic on plastic squeak coming from the bottom of the instrument cluster?? This has been in my car since day 1 basically. The salesman had the radio so loud and wouldn't shut up so I missed it. If I press the section directly above the wheel it squeaks and EVERY TIME drive its constantly chirping at me. I asked to have it looked at and they said all cars have some rattles and squeaks and I shouldn't be so picky! I demanded they look at it at my month out check up. Any ideas? I want to get this done right the first time.
Side note: I also went to pick the car up at night and they managed to miss place the tow hook cover. Its black so I couldn't see it missing at the time, so I asked for one to be sent in and it took one month to get done and they made me install it. On top of all that, the cover doesn't match the paint correctly. I've had the car a month and I want to drive it through the showroom.
The rattle is the one with the missing screw that the dealer has to install I believe. See the first post in this thread for all the rattles and their solutions (so far) Mine will get the missing screw installed at the courtesy check when it comes time to do so. It rattles/squeaks everytime unless I put pressure on the trim piece around the steering wheel. Your dealer sounds like a shady one. VW has a survey for your vehicle they email you and in it, just list all the rattles and your dealers crappy nature and rant away about wanting to drive through the showroom floor because of it and they will probably call you and tell you they will have techs come in from VW and meet you at the dealership to check your car. They did that for my brother and he got some of the rattles fixed and a 100 dollar check in the mail a month or so later
Can someone on here check my VIN to see if any of these come up? PM me if you can?
Thanks
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ask a question
Ask a question
VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum
84.4M posts
1.5M members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to all Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!