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SteveTrek · 02-15-2010, 01:27 AM

Has anyone else had a problem with their dashboard issuing a kind of plastic-on-plastic rattle/squeak? It's kind of like something's a bit loose - and when the parts contract in the cold it's especially noticeable. It happens whenever I go over a bump, and with the stiffer SX suspension, that is a bit harsher and more frequent than I'm used to. New cars shouldn't squeak right off the lot.

Kia1109 · 02-15-2010, 03:08 AM

Yes, Yes, and YES! And several people were reporting the same rattle on another Kia Forte forum. The main culpit is the top of the center piece that houses the clock display. You can push on the top of that near the rear and duplicate the squeaking/rattle sound. Mine also has a similar but less irritating rattle at the far right corner of the dash, near the windshield. Same thing, I can push down on it and reproduce the noise. The other side(left corner of dash) is totaly quiet and more secure...no flexing.

I've found that when I run heat through the front vents and/or defroster, it activates the rattle. Must be that it heats up and expands or dries out, whatever. So I try and run the warm air through the floor vents only, but that's not something I should have to do.

Oh, and dry cold weather causes the rattle too...it's just that running the heat through there REALLY makes mine rattle.

Try putting some tiny shims in the back along the seam to tighten it down. I did and it has almost eliminated it. I used very small/thin nails(or thumb tacks) and clipped them to about 1/4" with a wire cutter before pushing them into the seam with a flat screwdriver blade. They barely go in because there's very little gap, but they will. Push them in with the screwdriver blade laid flat until they are flush with the dash. Be careful not to let it slip and scratch your dash though.

Good luck!

SteveTrek · 02-15-2010, 11:33 AM

Thanks! I'm going to give the dealership a chance first...but if they come up blank, I will try something similar to what you suggest. All it would take is a thin shim of felt or nylon between the plastic parts. Key would be finding out just how the dash parts go together - that way scratches can be avoided!

Kia1109 · 02-15-2010, 12:57 PM

I tried the dealer first and they said they couldn't duplicate the problem...surprise, surprise. I didn't want to try and pop out that insert for fear of breaking something. You'd need a Forte service manual to see proper procedure for removing it. And there's so little room for anything to fit in the tiny seam between the insert and the rest of the dash. I wanted to tighten it down, stop the squeaking movement. You'll never get felt or nylon in there without removing the whole piece, IMO.

Good luck!

Kenny C · 02-15-2010, 02:57 PM

Check out http://www.kiatechinfo.com . You'll have to register and install some outdated adobe viewer, but there is a lot of great info there.

SteveTrek · (This post was last modified: 02-16-2010 01:33 AM by SteveTrek.)

Already there, Kenny. Thanks. (Edit: Agreed - awesome motherload of info. Not sure if it's going to have the instructions I need, tho....but the dealer gets first crack at it anyway. Wink

)

Rekoup · 02-15-2010, 11:57 PM

I cant remember if ive mentioned it or not, but my squeak started after the front-end rattle & harshness. 2100 miles, cant get it to the dealer yet. I hate working 2nd shift > <

mathsmart · 02-17-2010, 07:47 PM

mine have some rattle close to the back seats (2010 koup sx) but I don't care of it now because its cold outside like -1 to -7 I still do not have any rattle issue on the dashboard mabye on the glove box a little but its ok for now remember its an econobox Tongue

mschiavoni · 02-17-2010, 09:15 PM

(02-17-2010 07:47 PM)mathsmart Wrote: mine have some rattle close to the back seats (2010 koup sx) but I don't care of it now because its cold outside like -1 to -7 I still do not have any rattle issue on the dashboard mabye on the glove box a little but its ok for now remember its an econobox

NO ITS NOT! ITS A HIGH CLASS LUXURY VEHICLE!!!
lol

SteveTrek · (This post was last modified: 02-17-2010 11:56 PM by SteveTrek.)

The Forte SX is actually a very reasonably priced "sporty" vehicle. Overall, the model is no slouch. Yes, it's less expensive than Honda, etc. That doesn't forgive inadequate craftsmanship or sloppy assembly.

The fact is not that "Kia is a cheap car." Their cars a priced competitively, even humbly. This is my first Kia. It reminds me very much of the two Hyundai's I've owned, both of which were excellent automobiles. It reflects a company that wants to raise expectations. Okay...mine are raised.

The real issue is that this is the first year of a new model, and regardless of whatever it brings forward from past models, the bodywork and interior are all new. So these are going to need adjustment. If Kia wishes to continue raising expectations, they will need to make those adjustments.

I am simply suffering the pangs of being an early adopter. Thems the breaks.

When my Forte is in the warm Tucson afternoon, it rocks. Nice and tight. So what's wrong is that the plastics fit a bit too loose where they snap together. Just a shade....and that can be fixed with a bit of fiddling, if one knows how to get the parts separated. A thin slice of nylon shim might fix the rattle nicely. Or...it's a fastener or two that's not torqued enough or otherwise properly fitted.

If I'm patient....it will eventually be nearly perfect. But no car ever is.