We just got a 2012 EX-L V6 coupe and it has a rattle coming from what sounded like the rear deck / speaker area, but I found what's actually making the noise. It's coming from a rubber brick up in the body of the trunk, near the trunk light.

The brick can move around, and if I push up on it (towards the rear window) it totally makes the rattle noise.

What is this thing? It looks like it's being protected by some kind of metal rollcage?

 

It's called a rear parcel shelf dynamic damper (specific to the coupes). The rear shelf has to be remove to tighten the two bolts that hold it on.

You are probably still under warranty, so let the dealer fix it.

 

i agree with redbull-1. if you just got it, take it back to the dealer and have them fix it. doing anything to your car if it is under warranty can void the warranty and on a brand new car you don't want to do that.

 

Good call folks...That was something Ive never heard of...

 

Much appreciated redbull, thanks for the info. I could probably wedge something in there but sounds like that would defeat the purpose of the damper.

Hopefully my local dealer will give it a courtesy fix. We just got this Accord last week from another dealership 2.5 hours out of town, traded up on the drive home from vacation. Love the car but this rattle has gotta go.

Edit: Upon further research it sounds like our new Accord may be suffering from TSB 03-018 "rattle from rear shelf" which directs mechanics to install a couple of washers to the damper housing.

 

well if you have only had the car for a week they better fix it free of charge because you bought it that way, and with that TSB that should be something that's covered under warranty i would think. GOOD LUCK, hope all turns out good for you.

 

TSB 03-018 was applicable to the 2003 Accord 4-door and 2-door (7th generation Accord), your 2012 Accord (8th generation Accord) damper is a different part number. The damper on your car is specific to the coupe (2-door). But, they probably can add the washers or some blue thread locker (e.g., blue loctite) to keep it from loosening too easily.

You can see TSB 03-018 here which was for the 2003 Accord:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/accord/x03-018e.pdf

The car is under the 3-year/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty. You can go to any Honda dealership and they will fix things under warranty, not just the one you purchased it from.

 

Thanks again redbull.

Took it to the dealer today and pointed them in the direction of the damper. They drove it around to verify, agreed it was the damper. May not be 03-018 exactly, but seems like the same issue is going on with my 8th gen, so go figure. They went in there and I believe ran the damper's mounting screws through some foam tape. Rattle is gone!

Work was covered by warranty so I'm a happy camper.

 

Sounds good.

Just fyi: Even if you didn't buy any extended warranty, you also have the 5-year/60,000 miles power train warranty on top of the 3-year/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty.