MCF

A VERY intermittent rattle/flutter coming from what appears to be the driver side dashboard above and behind far left vent. The car has been to the dealer two times for a total of 8 days to get it fixed. They thought it had something to do with the brake pedal and some bracket so they lubed it and tightened and insulated the area with felt. This did SEEM to make it less noticeable, but I am not really sure if whatever they did helped or not. The problem is that we can drive it for days and not hear a peep, and then for no reason hear it again, BUT it seem to be only the FIRST time you drive the car for the day. It has nothing to do with rather the road is rough or smooth as if it decides to do it, it will do it on a perfectly smooth road or a rough road. Also, if you are going very slow and tap the break and release it there is a 'click' sound from the brake pedal and the sound is very similar to the rattle/shutter we here. Again, this is very intermittent and usually only occurs (when it occurs) the first time the car is driven for the day.

Anyone have any thoughts?!?!? I called the dealer and they are stumped but said to bring it in again. I know this is probably the last time they will take the car without throwing their hands up in the air and say they have done everything they can.

ttoE550

I had the exact same rattle! (Or I think, anyway.) It even occurred exactly as you described -- first drive of the day, smooth road, rough road -- didn't matter -- or sometimes not at all. Cold day, hot day, whatever.

Took my car in, and a miracle occurred -- the tech drove my car, and heard it too! The tech pulled out my dashboard and put extra padding/insulation in, and I have not heard it since.

MCF

Car has been in the shop three times now for 3-5 days each visit for this rattle. Each time, "lubricated this, added felt to that....blah blah blah". It will be in the shop Monday morning for the 4th time to fix this irritating clicking sound. Quickly agreeing with what I was told before I bought this car.....two happy days when dealing with MB - the day you buy and the day you sell.

Texas993

I have it too. Since new. First repair attempt failed. I'll try again. I have located the source and wedged paper in there to make it stop. Near the headlight switch, between the rubber dash material and the wood trim.

MCF

It only does it in the morning or first time you drive the car in the day and doesn't do it every day??

Texas993

I was asked to send a pic of where I jammed paper. This morning I removed the paper and put in some velcro. I do plan to have it addressed at MB the next time the car is in for service.

I'm not sure if the rattle is at the spot where the velcro is located, or behind it somewhere. Shoving it in there helps. I had a 600+ mile drive in 115 degree weather earlier this summer and it was rattling like mad. Almost drove me mad.

Texas993

What the heck? My picture is upside down. It's fine on my computer, but gets flipped on the web posting. Oh well, not going to try and figure that one out.

PStanton

I also had a rattle, just like you said but it seemed to stop on its own. But it was definitely there for the first few months when I drove the car and it was irritating as hell.

MCF

Took the car back in again this morning. THANKFULLY it made the noise nice and loud during the test drive with the service advisor - she clearly heard it as well. The tech was also surprised. Maybe now it will get some attention, but my confidence level is very low.

MCF

Got car today after dealer having it for over 4 days. Within minutes of driving away sound presents itself again. I called service manager and he was pretty upset on how situation has been handled, especially since my service record I recieved today has a code on it that says nothing was done to the car while at the dealer. This is fn ridiculous. My service advisor says they are 'hesistant' to pull the dash. I couldn't fn believe it - it is a fn dash rattle. The service manager asked me to bring the car back again on Monday. Fn unreal. MB, Chevy, Lexus dealers...I am convinced they are all crooked. Anyone know a fair trade value for a 2011 E350 with a sticker of $59,000? It may end up on a Lexus (RX350) or BMW (X5) lot by end of the day tomorrow.

Texas993

MCF, that really sucks. Give them one more chance to fix it then move on to another dealer. You will fall back in love with the car once this issue is resolved. But I understand your frustration.

As you know, no car or service department is immune to these types of issues. I've had similar issues with Lexus, MB, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche and more. I suggest that to talk to the dealers General Manager. I did recently when our '11 GL350 was delivered to us with a non working camera. There was no sense of urgency until I talked to the GM - things got resolved quickly. And he and I have an ongoing dialogue about we are being treated as customers.

ttoE550

WTH? My SA pulled the dash without even asking me -- no hesitation. And as I mentioned before, my dealer added baffling and insulation, which stopped the rattle for me. I would have been hesitant had they asked me beforehand, but AFAIK there have been no problems caused by pulling my dash, except that some memory stuff was erased. Easy enough to restore it all.

MCF

I am SO hesitant to post this, but my annoying dash rattle appears to be resolved. It WAS the front left strut. The replace the front struts/shocks (both sides to make sure wear was equal in the long run) and I have had the car for 7 days now and have driven it every day and have yet to even remotely think i heard the clicking/ticking sound. Amazing that a problem from the front wheel can make it's way to sound like it's coming from the AC vent!!! Back to loving my Benz (it really is a love hate relationship).

SolidGranite

CONGRATS!! Pure bliss... Enjoy!

Mad Dawg 350

I have a similar rattle in the same place. In my car, it is only heard when after sitting out in the sun, the interior heats up and I first drive off. Once the interior cools down a few minutes later, all is good, no more rattle no matter how rough the road gets.

Every car that I've owned has had rattles, squeaks, creaks, etc in some form or another. Most I ignor, some I have fixed. I just have an understanding that no car is perfect, especially when our cars have low profile tires and sport suspension systems.