Continuous rattling noise A3 8Y Sportback (dashboard rattle?)

[G86]

Hi everyone, since December 2021 I have a new Audi A3 8Y Sportback Advanced 35 TFSI S-Tronic MHEV and since March/April 2022 (so since a few months) I have a very disturbing rattling noise that presumably comes from the passenger side of the dashboard.
I also have the feeling that the rattling noise is more persistent when it is hot outside. Also, I only hear this when I drive straight or when I steer to the right. When I steer to the left, the rattling noise is completely gone.
I have attached a sound clip: you hear the rattle noise continuously for 30 seconds. Is there anyone who has an idea of the reason and the solution?
Because I first find out before going to the dealer who may prefer to be deaf to solve the problem.
The Audi currently has 15,000 km on the odometer.
Thank you!
Downloadlink (.mov audiofile coming from other forum - sorry): https://www.audiworld.com/forums/at...board-rattle-audi-a3-ratelgeluid-20220718.mov

 

[Bob.Bal]

is there already a solution?

 

[G86]

is there already a solution?

No, I am still searching for a solution and reason of the rattle.

 

[KXL]

I heard similar sounds on my two previous cars so cannot comment which it is. The sound is like trim pressing on trim. On a Seat Leon, they solved it by removing and re-tightening the A-pillar trim. On the Volvo V40, it was the ticket holder rubbing against the windscreen, more noticeable on warmer days or after the car has been parked in the sun, I put some white-tac for that one. Guessing you are not based in UK (where it's very cold now), plus we do not have Advance trim level here (only Technik, Sport, S-Line, Edition 1, Vorsprung). Either that, perhaps re-arrange what's in the glove box, and see if it solves? I once drove and listened with my glove box open just to rule that out.

 

[G86]

I heard similar sounds on my two previous cars so cannot comment which it is. The sound is like trim pressing on trim. On a Seat Leon, they solved it by removing and re-tightening the A-pillar trim. On the Volvo V40, it was the ticket holder rubbing against the windscreen, more noticeable on warmer days or after the car has been parked in the sun, I put some white-tac for that one. Guessing you are not based in UK (where it's very cold now), plus we do not have Advance trim level here (only Technik, Sport, S-Line, Edition 1, Vorsprung). Either that, perhaps re-arrange what's in the glove box, and see if it solves? I once drove and listened with my glove box open just to rule that out.

Thanks for your feedback!
I live in Belgium and it is also cold here at the moment. So at the moment I hardly hear the rattling sound.
I myself think it comes from the front right, but my girlfriend (passenger in front) says she hears it from the back left. That is very strange.
I've driven around without luggage several times, so nothing in my glove box (also open) or in the boot. The car as it comes from the factory with me as the only extra in the car.

 

[KXL]

Thanks for your feedback!
I live in Belgium and it is also cold here at the moment. So at the moment I hardly hear the rattling sound.
I myself think it comes from the front right, but my girlfriend (passenger in front) says she hears it from the back left. That is very strange.
I've driven around without luggage several times, so nothing in my glove box (also open) or in the boot. The car as it comes from the factory with me as the only extra in the car.

Location of sound in a car can be misleading. Maybe when the sound is back, try driving with rear armrest down, seats folded, sealtbelts (in rear) stowed or any combination. Else get your GF (now I know this i tricky, I've spent a while to convince mine to) sit in the back and press parts of the seats or area to see if the sound stops when pressed. Sometimes in the heat when trim or fabric expands it does so just enough to rub against something. My previous Seat Leon (a while back) was the rattle master. Been to the workshop 4 times to fix, A pillar rattle, instrument panel rattle, door rattle. The latter they decided it was best to take the entire door trim off, and put a expanding foam noodle thingi, and that really stopped the rattle and even made the sound system better! All under warranty.

 

[yippitykip]

Hi everyone, since December 2021 I have a new Audi A3 8Y Sportback Advanced 35 TFSI S-Tronic MHEV and since March/April 2022 (so since a few months) I have a very disturbing rattling noise that presumably comes from the passenger side of the dashboard.
I also have the feeling that the rattling noise is more persistent when it is hot outside. Also, I only hear this when I drive straight or when I steer to the right. When I steer to the left, the rattling noise is completely gone.
I have attached a sound clip: you hear the rattle noise continuously for 30 seconds. Is there anyone who has an idea of the reason and the solution?
Because I first find out before going to the dealer who may prefer to be deaf to solve the problem.
The Audi currently has 15,000 km on the odometer.
Thank you!
Downloadlink (.mov audiofile coming from other forum - sorry): https://www.audiworld.com/forums/at...board-rattle-audi-a3-ratelgeluid-20220718.mov

Hey!
Ever find any resolution to the rattle?
I have an 8Y S3 and my rattle is IDENTICAL. Unable to pinpoint but it does sound like its coming from the passenger side dashboard.
Thank you!

 

[makelja]

I had same issue with my Passat. Got it solved with removing the "lids" from both ends of the dash and added some black felt on the parts which touch the dash.
Marked red on the picture.

 

[yippitykip]

Ah, I will definitely try that. Thank you!

 

[yippitykip]

I had same issue with my Passat. Got it solved with removing the "lids" from both ends of the dash and added some black felt on the parts which touch the dash.
Marked red on the picture.

Thank you for the idea. I did try exactly that yet the rattle remains. BUT, I think I may be closer to the source. As I was listening to the rattle this morning during my commute, I pushed in the ceiling panel and the rattle went away. Wonder if I put any felt in there that we may solve the issue.

 

[rafi12]

Thanks for your feedback!
I live in Belgium and it is also cold here at the moment. So at the moment I hardly hear the rattling sound.
I myself think it comes from the front right, but my girlfriend (passenger in front) says she hears it from the back left. That is very strange.
I've driven around without luggage several times, so nothing in my glove box (also open) or in the boot. The car as it comes from the factory with me as the only extra in the car.

Hello, did you manage to solve the problem? I have an audi a3 8y 35 tfsi there is the same sound when going through holes

 

[yippitykip]

BREAKTHROUGH:
My wife was able to pinpoint the noise as I was driving the other day!

When I very lightly tap on the left side of the panel above the mirror, I can recreate the noise. Not sure how I can resolve this though, afraid to take anything apart lol.

I’ve attached a link to my video. If you listen to this and then listen to the audio clip posted by G86, you can absolutely hear the similarities. It’s more of a creaking sound than a rattle.
Let me know any thoughts!

Video Jul 18 2023, 9 40 37 AM.mov

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[G86]

Hey everyone, the sound has not disappeared for me yet. It was not heard for a long time, but yesterday the sound was suddenly there again. And very loud. And only when driving straight ahead or steering to the right. Turning to the left stops the sound. I'm going to listen if it's coming from the top panel in the roof or from the sides of the dashboard. To date, I have not spoken to the dealer about this. Because they don't have time for that and they laugh at you anyway.

 

[G86]

BREAKTHROUGH:
My wife was able to pinpoint the noise as I was driving the other day!

When I very lightly tap on the left side of the panel above the mirror, I can recreate the noise. Not sure how I can resolve this though, afraid to take anything apart lol.

I’ve attached a link to my video. If you listen to this and then listen to the audio clip posted by G86, you can absolutely hear the similarities. It’s more of a creaking sound than a rattle.
Let me know any thoughts!

Video Jul 18 2023, 9 40 37 AM.mov

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Thanks for the tip. But for me this is not the reason of the problem/sound. Indeed, it is exactly the same sound.

 

[G86]

I had same issue with my Passat. Got it solved with removing the "lids" from both ends of the dash and added some black felt on the parts which touch the dash.
Marked red on the picture.

I will probably have to look for it here too because I always think it comes from the bottom right of the dashboard.
How do you get that side panel open without damaging it?

 

[JKP]

Now I have that kind of rattle too. I didn't link it to steering, it rather comes up when driving straight on semi-rough tarmac. I tried to push the grey plastic trim piece that goes under the screen and vents, can't say if that made the rattle go away since it wasn't that continuous, but at least it didn't come up while I was pushing the piece. I left the car to Audi today for another fix and also complained about this so hopefully they get it fixed too. It's become even more irritating than the trunk ehm... boot rattle which they should be now fixing in the first place.

 

[KXL]

Did anyone try repositioning the steering height/reach to see if that sound goes away?

 

[Ahmet1981]

Hi everyone,
this sound kills me. any experience? G86, the sound your mentioned is this?


youtube link:

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t3zBKJcLckM

 

[pitt692]

Hi everyone,
this sound kills me. any experience? G86, the sound your mentioned is this?


youtube link:

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t3zBKJcLckM

I noticed very similar sound on my 2024 A3 8Y. It comes from the left side of the dashboard. I took off the plastic fuse box cover and tried to locate the loose plastic or cable but no success so far. Did you fix it?

 

[JKP]

That's the same rattle I'm battling against but it's even lot worse in the video than in my car. The dealer's tried to kill it twice and the car's going in again this week. I still think it's somehow related to the hard plastic trim list since it seems to stop when I press it when the rattle starts. @Ahmet1981, have you tried to do that? I'd really like to get a confirmation if the trim list is the source, would be easier to get it fixed if it sure where the rattle comes. It should be easy to ensure when the rattle is so continuous as it sound in the video. In my car it's more like short random buzzes so you never know if it stopped by itself or because of me pushing the trim. Guess I have to ask the mechanic to take the trim piece off and then go to test drive to find out if it still sounds.

There should already be a solution from Audi, as it seems it's a common rattle.

 

[pitt692]

@JKP thanks for your feedback. I tried to press this grey plastic trim near Virtual Cockpit screen but at least for me it seems like it's not the source of the rattle. It's also not continuous in my case, it's noticeable especially when you drive on uneven/bumpy road, no matter if the combustion engine is on or off and also it's not related to the steering.
During the test drive I was trying to pinpoint every plastic/wire near the fuse box area, the ceiling panel mentioned in previous post, the steering column and all the levers but nothing stops the rattling sound.
I tried to record it, it's not perfect but you can hear it well from 0:18.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axK5JcKXonU

If you have any updates on this, please let us know.

 

[JKP]

Ok thanks. Hard to say about your video if it's the same rattle. It sounds a bit different, more like a loose wire to me. My first 8Y had a steering column wiring harness rattle that went away after they applied felt around it but yours might not be even that. But at least that just increased my concern that they won't get the rattle eliminated even now.

 

[gbernard]

All i could hear was a low whine from the drivers seat

 

[marshalld]

Hi everyone,
this sound kills me. any experience? G86, the sound your mentioned is this?

Yep - I've noticed this recently as well

Car has just over 4.5k miles on it. Seems to be audible around 60mph+ but I don't think it's constantly making the noise.
Doesn't seem related to road surface/type either.

Now I can hear it, it's annoying!

 

[J4mieB]

I had a rattle (plastic on plastic vibration) that sounded like it was from somewhere in the front… was pressing everywhere I could, until I read about that cabin cable recall (97HO) that Audi sent letters about. That lead me to the little compartment far under the passenger dash / footwell area and it rattled when I tapped It.
Put some foam pads on the recessed edge of the flap / lid that you snap back in place and it created a firmer seal and no rattles since… even in the cold weather.
Hope that helps and doesn’t hinder further.

 

[marshalld]

That lead me to the little compartment far under the passenger dash / footwell area and it rattled when I tapped It.
Put some foam pads on the recessed edge of the flap / lid that you snap back in place and it created a firmer seal and no rattles since… even in the cold weather.

Glad you've managed to solve it in your car.

Sadly, I can say with 100% certainty that's not the problem in mine. Because that panel is missing from my car, as per my post here!
Planning to drop into the supplying dealer about it this weekend.

 

[JKP]

I guess that's on the left side on LHD cars too and there seems to be no panel. Also the rattle source couldn't be there because it's coming from passenger side, as right side in my car.