I cannot find the rattles, noises coming from somewhere in the back. They start the minute I back out of the driveway.

Any hints or suggestions what it can be?

 

Cargo cover most likely. Fix is to 'push' the cover hold buttons down (will not retract in that position). If that doesn't work, suggest you either open up the tire well and check for loose jack, jack handle or other tools or parts that may be floating about or take it back to dealer for warranty fix.

 

I had a similar problem - mine only happened when the cargo cover was set to retract when the trunk lid opens. The dealer had to replace both rear side rails (where the cargo cover rides) and the 2 tabs on the trunk that push the tabs that release the lid. All parts have to be 2009 parts (they finally got it right in 2009) - if they mix and match (like my dealer did at first) they'll never get rid of the problem.

If you're not under warranty - you may be able to fix it yourself by putting some type of stick on tape ( I used the soft side of a roll of hook and loop fastner) on the tabs on the trunk lid. You'll have to replace them now and then but it will stop the rattle.

Also - be sure your rear seats and center console are locked into place - that also causes a rattle.

 

Are you sure it's coming from the back?

I've been driven to distraction by a recurring rattle from the back, or so I thought. I asked a much younger person with much better ears to sit in the back seat while I drove around. He said the rattle was coming from the front. A couple of weeks later, he had to drive me home after a medical testing procedure - he said the rattle was coming from the back. To me, sometimes it appears to be coming from the front, but most of the time from the back. Irritating.

Because going to my dealer is a 3-hour round trip, I don't pop in occasionally, but I did see them recently to have the evaporator core replaced (TSIB AC9009) so I told them about the rattle. When they removed the dash to replace the core, they also insulated the area. Got the car home - still rattles.

It sounds almost as if there's a loose nut or bolt somewhere that occasionally gets lodged/dislodged because the rattle will disappear at times only to reappear as a result of running over a sharp bump in the road. Is yours like that?

Without the rattle, the car is a joy to drive.
With the rattle, I'm ready to sell it and buy a Venza.

 

The window blind can be set to automatically retract when the back hatch is open? News to me! How do you do THAT?

 

If the tonneau is set unlocked, when you open the tailgate, the tonneau will retract automatically.

 

My 2007 had a rattle in the rear cargo area. I took it to the dealer and they said this is a "Known problem" that has two possible solutions:

1. The center arm rest on the rear seat was not in the locked position. Pull back hard to secure.

2. The locks (catches) for the cargo cover will rattle against the rear door. There is a small glue-on fabric cushion on the rear door itself, that wears thin over time. The solution was to push the cargo cover locks in and away from contact with the rear door. The down side is that every time you want to use the cargo cover itself you must release the locks to secure the cover. I later replaced the fabric cushions on the rear door with rubber cushions. This solved the rear cargo area rattle.

 

Rainbird -

If your rubber pads on the tabs keep coming off (and mine did), have your dealer replace the parts with the '09 parts. These were re-designed in '09 and don't use the stick on's anymore. They need to replace both the parts on the trunk lid AND the side rails at the same time.

 

Can you please post a picture of this area or repair? Thanks in advance.

 

Regarding my above request, since I posted, I folded all the back seats down to move furniture. While driving to pick the furniture up the rattles had stopped. It has to be the back seats. I do not use the cargo cover it's still in it's stow away place and I've checked all the compartments there and all is very tightly stored. Seats are back up and I've made sure they are locked and no more rattles, except for now the front seat headrest !!! Can't win.