[snic]

I have a '16 Volt LT. Lately I've noticed a rattle or knocking coming from the rear of the car. It's particularly pronounced when going over a bumpy road. I've removed everything from the cargo compartment, made sure all the items under the floor panel are secure (pump, battery, etc), and made sure the charger stowage compartment is empty, but none of that helped.

I rode in the rear seat while someone else drove. After I removed the floor panel, the rattle became particularly distinct, but I still couldn't see any obvious cause. So, it's clearly coming from somewhere below, but I can't tell whether it's inside or outside.

I'm taking it to the dealer soon for something else and will ask them to look at it, but if anyone has any ideas for other things to check, I'd love to hear them.

 

[mpmoore1979]

Have them check out this bulletin for the rear axle.

#15-NA-058: Squeak, Squawk, Creak or Popping Noise Originating from Rear Axle - (Aug 18, 2016)

 

[snic]

Have them check out this bulletin for the rear axle.

#15-NA-058: Squeak, Squawk, Creak or Popping Noise Originating from Rear Axle - (Aug 18, 2016)

Thanks. People getting relief from this bulletin report a creaking or rubbing sound (as if something needs lubrication). The sound I hear is more of a rattle or a knock, as if something is loose and banging where it shouldn't. But we'll see what the dealer says.

 

[rcuz]

I had a rattle coming from the hatch area. Took two visits to get fixed. The tech I rode around with the last time was great. He lay down in the back while I drove around a bumpy parking lot. He determined that the hatch was not securely latching and was bouncing around a bit. He later told me he had to take off the back panels and adjust the latch. I am not sure what he did; for all I know it's spit and duct tape, but whatever he did, it's worked thus far.

Best,
Rick

 

[snic]

He determined that the hatch was not securely latching and was bouncing around a bit.

Huh. I don't suppose you noticed anything up with the hatch? Like that it felt loose even after you slammed it?

I'll try wiggling it after work today.

 

[rcuz]

Huh. I don't suppose you noticed anything up with the hatch? Like that it felt loose even after you slammed it?

I'll try wiggling it after work today.

No, I couldn't see anything, but when I was driving with the tech he pushed against the hatch and it stopped rattling. So that's how he figured out it wasn't catching properly.

Best,
Rick

 

[chevyman142000]

I have the same thing going on and it is driving me nuts. It is only on really rough roads, which there are a lot of this time of year. Let me/us know if you find a solution!

 

[USe-car]

I've got a rattle in the back, too. But, my rattle is coming from the right rear seat belt. This seat belt mounts in the upper ceiling area behind a plastic panel above the right rear door. If I pull the belt hard enough to engage the locking mechanism, the noise subsides for a few days but then returns.

 

[snic]

No, I couldn't see anything, but when I was driving with the tech he pushed against the hatch and it stopped rattling. So that's how he figured out it wasn't catching properly.

But, my rattle is coming from the right rear seat belt.

My hatch seems pretty secure (no movement when I try to jiggle it), and also the noise is pretty clearly coming from somewhere below the floor of the hatch because it gets louder when I remove the floor panel. The hatch latching mechanism is above that, so it's hard to see how it could be the cause. That also goes for the seat belt - but I'll give that a try, too.

 

[Redline]

Add me to the list as well. Only happens on rough roads -- initially thought we had not shut the hatch completely. Still trying to figure out the source...

 

[rcuz]

My hatch seems pretty secure (no movement when I try to jiggle it), and also the noise is pretty clearly coming from somewhere below the floor of the hatch because it gets louder when I remove the floor panel. The hatch latching mechanism is above that, so it's hard to see how it could be the cause. That also goes for the seat belt - but I'll give that a try, too.

I wasn't able to see any movement of the hatch either. The only way you will be able to test out the problem I had is to have someone lying in the back. Find a parking lot with bumps so you can consistently replicate the rattle. Then have your buddy push against the hatch in different areas to see if the rattling stops.

Best,
Rick

 

[chevyman142000]

I was able to resolve my rattle by about 90%. I got in the back of the car with the hatch shut. I then pushed up on the glass with my shoulder/back and could hear the sound. I thought it was weird that I could move it from inside, but if I pulled up on it from the outside it did not move. I then opened the hatch and unscrewed the rubber stoppers as much as possible until it wouldn't fully close any more. Driving to work this morning was the quietest it has been in a long time! I still plan to ask them to look at it when it goes in on Wednesday to see if they can adjust the latch or something.

 

[quirkySquirt]

So you're saying you prevented the hatch from closing fully via the rubber stops? Your theory is before the rubber stop adjustment, the sound was likely coming from the hatch banging against the Volt somehow?

Fits in with the experiences of rcuz earlier in this thread. Wonder if your dealer will do the same hatch adjustment as rcuz had.

 

[rcuz]

So you're saying you prevented the hatch from closing fully via the rubber stops? Your theory is before the rubber stop adjustment, the sound was likely coming from the hatch banging against the Volt somehow?

Fits in with the experiences of rcuz earlier in this thread. Wonder if your dealer will do the same hatch adjustment as rcuz had.

Maybe that would have helped. I didn't try it (considered it but didn't try). The tech had to remove the panels of the hatch and do something there. It was more than just adjusting the rubber stoppers.

Best,
Rick

 

[snic]

OP here. I took the car in to the dealer. The guy who drove it didn't hear the rattle. However, they noticed that the components for the emergency tire inflation kit (the pump and some cylindrical thing) weren't in their bag. This is odd, because I'd already taken the car in for the recall in which, if I remember correctly, one or both of these items was missing. Anyway, they put the components in the bag and screwed them down tight, and now the rattle is pretty much gone. Odd, because I had wiggled those components and couldn't get them to move. (I wondered what the empty bag was for, but didn't connect the dots and realize that the components were supposed to go in there...)

I still hear a very faint rattle, but it's probably something else. Part of the problem is that the car is so dang quiet, it's too easy to hear normal noises distinctly and conclude that they're due to some problem!

 

[chevyman142000]

Yes, I adjusted the rubber stops out until the hatch wouldn't close. Then screwed them in a bit so that it would close. Now I don't hear the rattle as much, just a little. My hope is that they can tighten it up so that I don't have to have the stops unscrewed so much. I'll let you guys know what they do.

 

[I'mElectric]

I have the same thump. To me it sounds like a loose shock absorber but I haven't had a chance to look. I'll also research the hatch theory. Thanks for your insight.

 

[chevyman142000]

Quick update. Just picked up my car. My drive home from the dealership is about 1 mile on brand new pavement so I can't tell you if they fixed it or not. I will know on my drive to work tomorrow though. The notes on the invoice say that they adjusted the latch though. I'll update you guys tomorrow!

 

[Andy00778]

I had a rattle coming from the back end of my G2, felt like it was from the wheel well or the axle area. After reading this thread I adjusted the bumpers on the hatch and it has improved 80% so far. Willl play with the adjustment further. The noise location was so deceiving, glad someone figured it out

 

[Dizle]

I have a rattle over bumps, sounds more like a “click” to me. I adjusted the stoppers to no end and it was still there. Finally tightened the assembly that the stoppers are screwed in to (needs a torx bit) and that mostly fixed it! Although the screws seems to come loose after a few days. Might get some blue locktite on them