Dash and Door Panel Rattling Issue

[Nimda]

Purchased a new 2014 LT 1.8L Hatch a little under a month ago and after about 800 miles I've been getting a lot of rattling from the plastic paneling on the dash as well as the front driver and passenger side doors. Has anyone had any issues with the quality/noise of the plastics?

While I realize this is a sub $20k car and not a $70k Vette I feel the this is a little abnormal for a brand new vehicle. If I go over a road that's even the slightest off-set or bumpy I'm going to hear it in the plastics. The car cracks all over and sounds very cheap to me. Is everyone else's ride very quiet and smooth?

Already have had the car at the dealers service department a couple of times and plan on returning again to try and resolve this issue.

 

[$ub$onic]

Mine had a similar rattle. Behind the handle is a cap, that is what was rattling on mine

 

[Natesriv]

I've a wicked rattle/popping sound coming from my rear suspension area...numerous teardowns & checks and I've found nothing!

But your problems sound like something not fully put together right at the factory. I wonder if they could remove both door panels and drive the car, see if there's still a noise.....

Also, what is your temp right now? If it's super cold...strange noises happen when you get down really cold in temps...stuff shrinks and panel gaps widen & such...

 

[ColonelPanic]

I noticed a rattle/vibration coming from the driver's door panel on the Sonic less than 30 seconds into the test drive. Unfortunately it sounded very familiar - I've heard this same rattle on many various GM products over the years and never managed to resolve it. Aside from a temporary fix of pushing on the door panel and keeping it held in.

I don't hear it now. If it is still there, I'm fairly confident more rattles will be introduced if I have someone attempt to fix it. :sadbanana:

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hi Nimda,

Sorry to hear about this issue on your new sonic. Please send me a private message if you want me to create a case for you and work with your dealership to try and get this issue resolved. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Nimda]

Thanks for the responses first of all. As far as the temperature goes, I'm in southern AZ. Probably one of the few places in the country not experiencing the deep freeze. The rattles from the panels and dash are subtle but definitely something that will irritate me as the times goes on.

I called my salesman and he said he he's going to do everything in his power to make things right. I have an appointment with him tomorrow evening and he said he going to get the service manager involved. I'll make sure to mention any suggestions tomorrow that some of you have and have already said. What I told them I'd like to do is compare it to another brand new Sonic on the sales lot. If that one doesn't rattle then we'll know there's definitely something wrong.

Other than this noise issue my 5 speed Sonic has been nothing but joy. So I really hope things work out. I'll keep you all posted after my visit tomorrow.

 

[Nimda]

A little update for any of those following this thread. Met up with my salesman for a ride along, and he basically said the noise doesn't sound anything out of the ordinary when you go over some uneven pavement. As requested, he pulled up another new Sonic to compare it to and both cars honestly sound the same. Mine I thought sounded a little louder but that could be because I'm conditioned to think so.

Anyway, the dealer basically told me they will do anything they can to make me 100% satisfied. They even offered to replace basically all the dash/door paneling if that will give me peace of mind. The manager said if it were his car he wouldn't do anything because replacing the paneling could cause more gaps and rattles. So I just stuck with his advice. I'll put some more miles on the car and see if it's just a little break in time that the car needs.

None the less, I'm pretty impressed with Chevrolet's service in the fact that they really will do anything to keep their customers happy.