Well, there are two seat issues that have come up in the element. First, there was a problem where the seats "rocked" as if they were a little loose and would make a clicking noise from the base. The second (which I personally have experienced) is where there is a clicking coming from the middle of the seat-back. THis is more of something you feel than something that you hear though, and it gets annoying. We actually had half of the driver's seat replaced, but it came back and now we are used to it. There are do it yourself how-tos on both of these topics. Just do a search for "seat rock" and "seat click" or something like that and you should find it. Hopefully that helps, if not, the dealer may be able to find the source.

 

rattle supposedly fixed

Dealer just called. It was loose wiring at the bottom of the seat. They insulated it. Have yet to see whether it worked.

J.

 

2007 rattle box

Well, the insulation worked. Now one can hear the other rattling in the back better. First, that 2007 passenger front seat belt rattles like crazy while not in use (so I buckle it in). Then the right back seat belt is also noisy. Third, the right, removable plastic panel by the right back seat rattles and, fourth, the dashboard started rattling over bumps. What a piece of garbage that Element is.

 

What a piece of garbage that Element is.

Somewhere there is a Toyota with your name on it.

 

Volkswagen!

 

This is not an acura, a BMW, or a lexus, it is a barebones 20K honda utility car. Don't expect 30 mpg, 100% quiet ride, and no rattles.

 

Chris,
I think you are right with the winter noises. Today, at +9C, I took the E along Crowchild to Tuscany, where an experienced, Mercedes-driving friend joined me to check the vehicle out. We drove around in harsh terrain and the E was as quiet as a mouse. The only very small sound came from the passenger's side frontal air bag area, but only during constant, extreme bumpiness...but in this case the driving noise was much louder than that noise so it did not matter. The E has now 600 km down and hence the suspension is becoming a bit softer.

 

I think the cold weather makes a hugh difference with the E interior as I have noticed more "noises" from the vehicle when its cold outside verses when it warms up and alot of the weird noises disappear.

 

Fix did not last

Well, the fix was good for 60 kms and the same rattle returned. We are not talking of a subtle one, but a really obvious one. The official cause of this rattle, according to the service report, was the wiring loom rattling against frame under trim pieces. The correction was to remove the floor panel trim pieces, checked all clips, and foam taped problem area.

Q:

What trim pieces are they talking about? the black plastic pieces at the bottom of the frame underneath the doors (see my avatar above)?