I have a 2003 tl-s with navigation. Every once in a while the dash starts rattling. If i grab the top of the dash and the plastic under it (near the center air vent) it stops. As soon as i let go it starts making noise. Of course it never does it for the dealer. Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas to stop it, it's starting to drive me nuts!

 

I have a 2000-TL that has done the EXACT same thing since day one. Do a search on "dash" and "rattle", this has been discussed before, though no one has suggested a sure fix. I had taken it to the dealer once and they removed the bezel and attempted to double-sided foam all the contact points. All they accomplished was to make it very ugly having foam visible through the center vent, which I promptly had them remove. In either case, the noise never went away and I still have it to this day. It comes and goes with the temperature but I live with it.
I suppose if I was ambitious enough I'd take the bezel off myself and use GE silicone on every contact point myself.

If you insert a flat bladed screw driver between the bezel and dash right above the center vent the noise stops; It appears to be contact with the air duct and louver.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Yup, I had the same issue on my 02 TLS. I took out
the bezel and put some foam under the instrument
cluster. The rattle went a way for few months and
start to come back during winter. However, the rattle
is less noiser and I can live with that.

--william

 

me, too. i ve tried to take it to the dealer and will keep taking it back until it gets fixed. do you guys think that other car makers like mb, bmw or lexus has these issues?

 

I had a new 2001 MB ML320, which had a rattle in the dash along w/ 26 other warranty covered defects in the 1st year; trip computer failed three times, windows quit working, etc, etc.. They fixed the rattle. After complaining to the dealer and MB USA the dealer sold me a new 2002 ML 320 for $3k + the 2001 w/ 22k mi. I was not happy w/ the car but the dealer and MB USA were super!