Rattles, squeaks, and other annoying noises that a new car shouldn’t have!

[usrdjl]

First 2018 AWD GT1 was perfect for two years. Not a squeak rattle groan moan….just get up and go. Was a tank in the winter on multiple trips between Chicago and mid-Michigan.
Bought a 2020 RWD GT1 upon moving to TX (trim lines swapped the heated steering wheel for AC seats….important in TX do it doesn’t smell like bbq when you sit down wearing shorts). Within 6 months had a random wind noise/rattle that’s highly distracting—but only at freeway speed when the wind is blowing the right direction. Have taken it in multiple times and it’s the same story: *never* happens when in the shop, is quiet as a church mouse….until I leave. I even drove it with a service rep and couldn’t get it to rattle.

** rattle seems to come from driver’s window area

 

[Aarvix]

Seems to be a bunch of those handle issues on Facebook recently, I'm guessing there was a quality issue with whatever supplier makes those. A lot of the boys on the door card are fused together instead of fastened. Maybe the tool wasn't hot enough for a few batches.

Shouldn't be too hard to fix.

 

[vipeboy2000]

** rattle seems to come from driver’s window area

Is it from the window or more b pillar area? A lot of those rattles are from the rocker panel clips not being properly inserted under the car from what I've seen posted .. it seems related to if the car had puddle lights port or dealer installed , they don't push the clips in all the way and the noise travels up the b pillar and sounds like it's coming from up there near the door or window area ...

 

[usrdjl]

Thanks for the heads up! I’ll have em check it out this week….hopefully the fourth (fifth?) time in will be the charm

 

[Aloneinthefog1]

The only problem I've had and it's more of a minor annoyance than it is a problem is the hatch occasionally thuds on bumpy roads, from what I'm understanding it's a known problem with stingers so I'm planning on getting it fixed next oil change

 

[DTD]

The only problem I've had and it's more of a minor annoyance than it is a problem is the hatch occasionally thuds on bumpy roads, from what I'm understanding it's a known problem with stingers so I'm planning on getting it fixed next oil change

Do these known problems ever get fixed permanently. I have read about squeaks and rattles since day one. For a 40 to 50K car that is pretty bad. I just don't understand why Kia doesn't fix these known problems or is it a design issue or lack of build quality control.

 

[vipeboy2000]

Do these known problems ever get fixed permanently. I have read about squeaks and rattles since day one. For a 40 to 50K car that is pretty bad. I just don't understand why Kia doesn't fix these known problems or is it a design issue or lack of build quality control.

I think it's both .. design and quality issue .. the large hatchback opening lends itself to be more sensitive to tiny quality issues of fitment .. which is why some have no issues some have tiny issues resolved by adding a single washer and some don't seem to be able to get rid of it at all.. a coworker with an s5 sport back also cannot seem to get rid of the hatch thunk over bumps .. our 540 wagon rear hatch is solid and never rattled or thunks over bumps but our newer 525 wagon hatch has always had an annoying rattle and almost buffeting feel and noise over bumps .. no amount of adjustment has gotten rid of it ..

 

[DTD]

I think it's both .. design and quality issue .. the large hatchback opening lends itself to be more sensitive to tiny quality issues of fitment .. which is why some have no issues some have tiny issues resolved by adding a single washer and some don't seem to be able to get rid of it at all.. a coworker with an s5 sport back also cannot seem to get rid of the hatch thunk over bumps .. our 540 wagon rear hatch is solid and never rattled or thunks over bumps but our newer 525 wagon hatch has always had an annoying rattle and almost buffeting feel and noise over bumps .. no amount of adjustment has gotten rid of it ..

Nice response. Doesn't really give the buyers confidence but it seems the problem isn't just Kia's problem, I personally have not been a fan of hatchbacks as just the design makes the overall noise level go up since they wheel wells are in the driving compartment and not the trunk.

 

[vipeboy2000]

Nice response. Doesn't really give the buyers confidence but it seems the problem isn't just Kia's problem, I personally have not been a fan of hatchbacks as just the design makes the overall noise level go up since they wheel wells are in the driving compartment and not the trunk.

Yea, the hatchback wagon design definitely is inherently louder because the rear noises are kinda amplified due to the missing solid deck .. we deal with it since we like the practicality and looks of hatch backs and wagons more though .. all that said , I definitely see less people publicly complain about those specific noises on the Audi bmw forums .. whether that's because a lot of those people aren't having the issue vs their dealer being better and just being able to fix them better I don't know .. but I do know that they have those annoyances too ..

 

[Aloneinthefog1]

Yea, the hatchback wagon design definitely is inherently louder because the rear noises are kinda amplified due to the missing solid deck .. we deal with it since we like the practicality and looks of hatch backs and wagons more though .. all that said , I definitely see less people publicly complain about those specific noises on the Audi bmw forums .. whether that's because a lot of those people aren't having the issue vs their dealer being better and just being able to fix them better I don't know .. but I do know that they have those annoyances too ..

Like grandad used to always say " if it's got wheels or tits it's gonna give you problems"

 

[derek0609]

They replied pretty fast to fix the problem but i guess stuff happens.

Just had this same issue with my driver's door, what did the dealer do to fix it?

 

[usrdjl]

Is it from the window or more b pillar area? A lot of those rattles are from the rocker panel clips not being properly inserted under the car from what I've seen posted .. it seems related to if the car had puddle lights port or dealer installed , they don't push the clips in all the way and the noise travels up the b pillar and sounds like it's coming from up there near the door or window area ...

In the shop right now (actually had brake issues too….FYI on 2020 GTs with the big Brembos, the rotors are too large to be resurfaced so if you get a brake pulse/shudder from them be prepared to shell out $500 for materials/labor).

OF COURSE they say two test drives without the rattle. Quoted your recommendation & told them to take the darn thing on a freeway joy ride to see if they can identify and to check the rocker panel clips no matter what the results of the joyride are.

 

[NS_Stinger]

I've got all kinds of sounds (creaks and stuff) while I'm driving down bumpy roads on my 2018 GT. I find it's worse or better depending on the temperature outside. For the most part a little music or the windows down is enough to drown it out, but it's definitely the most annoying part about the car for me. Honestly I can live with it, it would feel more upscale if the sounds weren't there but if the brakes and the sounds are the worst this car throws at me I'm a happy camper.

 

[usrdjl]

I've got all kinds of sounds (creaks and stuff) while I'm driving down bumpy roads on my 2018 GT. I find it's worse or better depending on the temperature outside. For the most part a little music or the windows down is enough to drown it out, but it's definitely the most annoying part about the car for me. Honestly I can live with it, it would feel more upscale if the sounds weren't there but if the brakes and the sounds are the worst this car throws at me I'm a happy camper.

Oh yeah don’t get me wrong, there’s a reason this is my second one lol. The brakes were a surprise and inability to resurface due to size seemed worthy of sharing as an FYI.

The rattle I’m experiencing, on the other hand, is maddening—particularly given repeated service visits to have the issue addressed and being consistently told it can’t be duplicated.
This time they’re keeping it overnight for rotor delivery tomorrow am and then taking it for more joyrides to hopefully identify the rattle. They’re also checking the rocker panel clips mentioned above.

 

[vipeboy2000]

just rode in a coworkers s5 sportback this week and was surprised at how noisy the pillarless windows are, lots and lots of high pitched squeaks...

 

[Robilar]

Took my car into the dealership today. The rattle above the driver side door beside sunroof is driving me nuts.

They have to keep it overnight as they have to take out most of the ceiling. Warranty covered though. Mind you they gave me a kia soul that actually requires a key to start (and its a 2022). I spent about 5 minutes looking for the push start. First car I've owned in almost a decade that needs a key

 

[Robilar]

just rode in a coworkers s5 sportback this week and was surprised at how noisy the pillarless windows are, lots and lots of high pitched squeaks...

My girlfriend's CLA250 has frameless windows as well and I've noticed the same thing when driving it. They look nice but you lose a lot of rigidity in the door without the window frames.

 

[Robilar]

Got the car back, rattle fixed! The service manager told me he had 3 other stingers with a rattle in the same spot, one of the sunroof tracks. At least its an easily addressable issue.

 

[JSolo]

Brand new car (as in the sig). On certain roads I hear a faint rattle on the left side of the driver's seat. I'm pretty sure it's coming from the seat belt pivot (that allows you to set seat belt height). Almost tempted to put a drop of hot glue in there.

 

[MartinUK]

Thanks for the heads up! I’ll have em check it out this week….hopefully the fourth (fifth?) time in will be the charm

Rattle I had for ages in the dash and one near driver side pillar RHD was actually under the car, took ages to find.
Get under the car and give those plastic panels a slap, if they rattle unbolt, 10mm & empty all the loose stones off and replace, job done. That was caused by driving on a temporary road surface and all the loose bits of stone found their way up there, some stuck to the panel with tar and the faster you drive the louder they vibrate. The 2nd one was all the bolts were loose anyway & for some reason one of the bolts 2 washers was missing causing the single washer to jump around causing the dash rattle, replaced washer and cured. Don't know if the dealer removed them for some service work and never tightened the bolts properly but both my rattles are now gone.