Rattles - Fixed
My 2011 Insight base model has been rattle-free under mildly rough pavement until recently. But around the 13-14K miles mark it developed a rather annoying rattle from under the glove compartment. Luckily, I was able to quickly locate it and fix it. There is a black plastic cover under the glove compartment where the passenger feet would be. That was the source. The cover is attached with three pull-out fasteners on the side near the passenger space (just pull down to unclip) and has 2 protrusions on the other side (towards the front of the car).
The problem is poor design. Apparently, due to constant vibrations, the two protrusions have begun to wear off a tiny bit. And the two corresponding openings in the white plastic where the black cover attaches via the 2 protrusions also wear out a bit. The result is that the protrusions no longer fit snugly but there is a tiny space under and over them and they rattle at the slightest provocation.
Added some sponge foam on both of the protrusions, secured with a bit of electrical tape, and reinserted back in the openings. More secure fit and no rattle. Takes 10 minutes, no tools needed except scissors to cut the sponge and tape.
While there, I checked the driver side too. Sure enough, the similar looking black plastic panel there also rattles (a bit less than the passenger side). This panel has 2 clips on the right and a twist lock on the left so don't just pull the left side - turn the locking fastener 90 degrees first to release. There are again 2 protrusions in the front end that fit into white plastic near the firewall. Apply the same fix to the protrusions and the rattle is gone.
On the pass. side I could see grooves forming at the attachment points in question and white dust from the white plastic where it rubbed against the black plastic of the cover. So definitely a wear area that sooner or later will start rattling if you drive over poor roads often enough (like I do).
Wonder what's next, given the somewhat less than solid construction and rather high jitter due to the engine on/off and hard riding tires in this car...
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