What Causes the Rattling Noise in the Trunk When Driving Over Bumps?
3 Answers
The causes of rattling noise in the trunk when driving over bumps include: 1. Check if there are any items in the trunk that may vibrate or roll during driving, causing the noise; 2. Loose components in the trunk, such as the tail lock; 3. Loose connections in the chassis; 4. Damaged shock absorbers producing noise. Solutions include: organizing items in the trunk, ensuring the trunk door is properly closed, and tightening screws. It is advisable to maintain cleanliness in the car trunk regularly, avoiding storing flammable or explosive items, valuables, heavy objects, or perishable food. The fabric parts inside the trunk should be cleaned carefully—avoid washing directly with water. Instead, use multi-purpose foam for cleaning and a brush to remove dirt.
I had a similar issue with my own car before. When driving on bumpy roads, there was a rattling sound from the trunk. Later, I found out it was due to a loose trunk latch hook. This is quite common, especially in older models where the latch hook can shift over time. I suggest you ask a friend to help by shaking the trunk lid from outside while you sit inside to listen for the source of the sound. If the noise comes from the rear of the car, it's likely the latch hook. Adjusting it yourself is quite simple. Open the trunk to see the U-shaped latch, then use a wrench to loosen the fixing screws and slightly adjust its position. Of course, it's also worth checking if the spare tire mounting bolts are loose. Shake the spare tire by hand to see if it wobbles. If all else fails, it might be due to aging rear shock absorber mounts that need replacement, but this usually comes with other handling abnormalities.
Last week, I dealt with the exact same issue—the annoying rattling sound from the trunk over bumps is particularly irritating. There are three main suspects: 1) Unsecured items, like the warning triangle or tool kit under the trunk mat may be loose; 2) Check if the trunk lid's rubber stoppers (those small black blocks on both sides when the trunk is closed) are worn out—severe wear can cause slight lid movement; 3) It could be loose rear seat latches, especially if the second-row seats aren’t properly locked after folding them down, which can also create noise. The quickest fix is to empty the trunk completely and test drive. If the noise disappears, buy a cargo net to secure loose items. If it persists, visit a repair shop to pinpoint the source with a stethoscope—these minor fixes usually cost under 200 RMB.
