This should be much easier to diagnose than the irritating rattle - the catch for the center console is busted. Not sure how it happened, but I noticed it today. It will catch and lock if you slide the console closed, but only if you ram it shut, and if you open it, the release looked tilted 45 degrees.

Question: What does the plastic around the parking brake sound like to you when you poke it with your fingers? I noticed a loud "snap!" sound two days ago when i pulled up the parking brake, and upon further inspection I'm not sure if I broke the plastic. It sounds sort of like those pop-tops that you get off of Snapple bottles.

 

just got mine replaced under warranty. Simple.

 

my car goes in friday for the same thing i think i actually caused the problem by putting too many cds in the rear tray

 

I've had mine replaced 4 times

 

If you give a slight push forward as you press the button to undo the latch, you'll never have a problem. In my experience.