Rattles - Anyone Got One?

[Blacky]

Hi All

Had a rattle in the drivers door or seat belt pillar since the car was nearly new, it is an annoying little tick, tick somewhere by my ear and it is driving me crazy.

Took the car to the dealer sometime ago but Murphy's law it would not make the noise when the tech was in the car.

Anyhow, dropped the car in yesterday and said you have it for the day and fix the problem.

Picked the car up and they said they replace the seat belt adjust as this has been a problem before and done some insulation work on the dash.

WELL, nothing they didn't fix it and to make things worse I now have a rattle from the dash that wasn't there before!

It really makes me wonder if I just got a free car wash and vacuum and nothing else!

So more of my time wasting going back to have the problem looked and and hopeflly ficked.

Anyone else have small rattles?

[Lexus Nerd]

Discussions on rattles feature prominently in these forums. When everything else works so reliably and quietly, cabin rattles become one's main bugbear.

Lexus service centres shouldn't think you're asking for too much if you bring your car in and get them to try and fix it. I've read stories from around the world where they'll hold on to them for days to try and finally remove rattles and squeaks. After having one rattle removed from a brand new IS, my suggestion is:

- Before going to the service centre, find a road near the service centre where you can reproduce the problem. Murphy's Law is also the reason for the presence of many smooth roads near the service shops!

- After arriving at the service centre but before leaving the car with them, get the tech to sit in the passenger's seat while you drive directly to the road where you can reproduce the problem. (Of course, if he can't hear it from the passenger's seat, he'll need to drive.)

One more thing: if it sounds like ticking and not creaking, and they've already tried lubricating the seals on your door, consider the winder motor in the door. I've never heard of it being a problem in a Lexus, but I did once have the problem in a Camry.

[Agent86]

I disagree with a few parts of your post....but hey that's what a forum is for.

Sorry to sound harsh but I don't mean it to be. When I re-read my post through it read harsh but thats not what I had in my mind while typing. So please don't take it that way Lexus Nerd as I can see you are trying to be helpful...as am I.

Discussions on rattles feature prominently in these forums.

"Prominent" (Meaning) Immediately noticeable; conspicuous.

Hardly what I'd call the level of discussions about rattles in new Lexus on this forum.

I've read stories from around the world where they'll hold on to them for days to try and finally remove rattles and squeaks.

Thats what they are...STORIES....you need to read different stuff???

After having one rattle removed .

Your one rattle is most likely completely different to his. Something to consider before suggesting a course of action that will most likely be a waste of his time.

consider the winder motor in the door. I've never heard of it being a problem in a Lexus.

Then why suggest it???

Serriously take the car back to Lexus util your happy is the best advice.

[ilv1004s]

I disagree with a few parts of your post....but hey that's what a forum is for.

Sorry to sound harsh but I don't mean it to be. When I re-read my post through it read harsh but thats not what I had in my mind while typing. So please don't take it that way Lexus Nerd as I can see you are trying to be helpful...as am I.

Discussions on rattles feature prominently in these forums.

"Prominent" (Meaning) Immediately noticeable; conspicuous.

Hardly what I'd call the level of discussions about rattles in new Lexus on this forum.

I've read stories from around the world where they'll hold on to them for days to try and finally remove rattles and squeaks.

Thats what they are...STORIES....you need to read different stuff???

After having one rattle removed .

Your one rattle is most likely completely different to his. Something to consider before suggesting a course of action that will most likely be a waste of his time.

consider the winder motor in the door. I've never heard of it being a problem in a Lexus.

Then why suggest it???

Serriously take the car back to Lexus util your happy is the best advice.

sigh... relax..

usually lexus is pretty good

when i had my rattle problems in my 250

i just took it back to them

and told them it's coming from the centre console and they ended up replacing the clips in it

and rattles fixed

also the few rattles from the front centre speaker area but seem to go away after the air warms up

like physically inside air temp

[t-lexus]

Hi All

Had a rattle in the drivers door or seat belt pillar since the car was nearly new, it is an annoying little tick, tick somewhere by my ear and it is driving me crazy.

Took the car to the dealer sometime ago but Murphy's law it would not make the noise when the tech was in the car.

Anyhow, dropped the car in yesterday and said you have it for the day and fix the problem.

Picked the car up and they said they replace the seat belt adjust as this has been a problem before and done some insulation work on the dash.

WELL, nothing they didn't fix it and to make things worse I now have a rattle from the dash that wasn't there before!

It really makes me wonder if I just got a free car wash and vacuum and nothing else!

So more of my time wasting going back to have the problem looked and and hopeflly ficked.

Anyone else have small rattles?

i have rattles with my car too.. so bloody annoying for a lexus..the dealer tried to fixed it (so they told me) but it seem worse.. some time there is so much rattles that i though my mazda 3 was a better car..

if you managed to get your rattles fixed, please let me know too

[Blacky]

This is the point the sales person talks about how quite these cars are (except the exhaust and intake of course ) and yes they can be quiet but if you have a rattle, it is a rattle and it is annoying.

In my case especially so as it is right by my right hand ear not on the other side of the car or in the boot, TBH I think there was a couple of other rattles but because they are not so close or consistent I have not been thinking about the.

The other point is I took the car into the dear with specific instructions about the rattle and where it was and how it was generated, leaving the car there for the day with no pressure for pick up for the day, even telling them I will pick up on the next day if necessary. The sales guys said he will call me at 4 pm to tell me what is going on, and surprise, surprise he calls at 4 pm and tells me the car is ready.

When I got there he went through all the points the tech went through and what tyhe fixed, saying that all that was done has been acknowledge as potential problems and they have fixes. He "honestly" told me that the seatbelt adjusted was a recognised potential issue. I asked him did the tech hear the rattle and fix it, he reiterated that the seat belt adjuster was a problem. I told him that I had tried touching this when rattling and it made no difference but I said I presume the tech knows what he / she is on about.

I drive out of the dealer and within 25 metres of the door I thought I heard the rattle, so I made happy thoughts for myself for a little while hoping it was just paranoia but it wasn't two corners and driving through the Melbourne CB (Where the dealer is) the rattle was still there. So within 10 min of leaving the dealer I was back on the phone, telling them they had not done their job.

Yes a rattle is annoying but the most annoying point is I dropped the car in to be fixed and it is like I got a free car wash for my trouble!

[dis-lex-sic]

Blacky rattles can be a tricky thing to eliminate for a techn.

They may have to try several possible fixes on different potential rattle culprits. So give them another go but ring and ask for the service manager and explain it to him, not the sales exec. Don't go off at him as he may not even know of your problem yet. By contacting the service manager and involving him I think you will get a better result, especially as it is their second attempt.

If you still don't have any luck let me know and I will PM you some details to help you out.

Cheers

dis-lex-sic

[Blacky]

Blacky rattles can be a tricky thing to eliminate for a techn.

They may have to try several possible fixes on different potential rattle culprits. So give them another go but ring and ask for the service manager and explain it to him, not the sales exec. Don't go off at him as he may not even know of your problem yet. By contacting the service manager and involving him I think you will get a better result, especially as it is their second attempt.

If you still don't have any luck let me know and I will PM you some details to help you out.

Cheers

dis-lex-sic

All cool here and thanks for your comments and suggestions, will take this onboard when I call to book in again.

The real issue for me is the problem was still there when I immediately left the dealer but the service person made out that everything was good and they went above the normal in their service, plus to add insult to injury I think they may have made another rattle / squeak.

Anyhow, I will see how I go this week and see if anything settles down.

[Lexster]

Hi All

Had a rattle in the drivers door or seat belt pillar since the car was nearly new, it is an annoying little tick, tick somewhere by my ear and it is driving me crazy.

Took the car to the dealer sometime ago but Murphy's law it would not make the noise when the tech was in the car.

Anyhow, dropped the car in yesterday and said you have it for the day and fix the problem.

Picked the car up and they said they replace the seat belt adjust as this has been a problem before and done some insulation work on the dash.

WELL, nothing they didn't fix it and to make things worse I now have a rattle from the dash that wasn't there before!

It really makes me wonder if I just got a free car wash and vacuum and nothing else!

So more of my time wasting going back to have the problem looked and and hopeflly ficked.

Anyone else have small rattles?

I have a rattle exactly like yours!! Wow I am not alone. Its a nice car with great performance but this rattle is driving me crazy.

Rattling near my right ear since new. Manufacturing defect. Def not the seatbelt mechanism, reduced rattling intensity when window was open a bit.

Last count had 50 rattles from that door within 25kms, sort of spoils the "luxury" feel doesn't it?

Dealer lubricated something in the driver's door and it went away for few days, then came back with a combo rattle/tick like it is loose or about to come loose over potholes, rough road etc

I turn up the stereo to drown out the rattle, makes me feel better after spending so much on new car.

Is your ISF a current 2012 model too? I got mine last December. I have read so many reviews saying the isf is built like a tank with no rattles and squeaks but this has not been my experience.

Had this problem before in a Subaru, which turned out to be a problem with the window actuator/motor which they fixed first go.

Frankly as the problem is compounding over time, I don't know if they can ever fix it satisfactorily, unless they replace the entire door? (unlikely)

And it takes few weeks to book in for the problem to be seen to.

Let us know if yours is sorted out! Good luck

[Blacky]

Yes, you are right the problem becomes more annoying the longer it goes on without fixing.

I have maybe 4 rattles / squeaks / noises in my car.

The one by the drivers ear is the most annoying, this can be at 20 km/h or 100 km /hr and sometimes is just constant so is extremely annoying.

There is another really unusual one coming from the roof, this is not a rattle but a squeak or vibration that only occurs at speed 100 km/hr.

I have another rattle in the glovebox area and then I think there is something similar to the drivers side on the passengers side, but as I don't sit over there I don't know exactly.

Anyhow, the dealer tells me that they have escalated this to a specialist from Lexus Sydney and he is in Melbourne this week and I don't need my car this week, so I am going to leave at the dealer for the week and see if they can fix the problems once and for all!

So time will tell, they have 7 days to find and fix the problems, TBH finding I don't think will be an issue. Sometimes the rattle by the drivers ear can sometimes go but it always comes back so I am sure it will appear in 7 days.

Mine is a 2010 and you are right because the car is so quite elsewhere the rattles and noise so exposed.

Oh well, fingers crossed it does not end up another free car wash :P

[Lexo]

Speaking of rattles/squeaks, I get this squeaking sound coming from the left rear of my RXh and I haven't been able to trace where it is coming from, and since the interior is well insulated, this squeaking is starting to annoy me coz I don't always have music/radio on. I was at my lexus dealership yesterday to change my unlock sequence to single-stage and got the tech to look at it. After a short drive around the block, he said the noise was caused by the rubber seal in the rear hatch so he lubricated the seals on all doors as well as the centre armrest but the noise is still there.

[ilv1004s]

new rattle developed

sunroof

2009 ISF

[ISF_Starlight_Black]

I had interior vibration sound coming from the rear shelving just under the rear window. I got this fixed today.

2011 ISF

[Lexo]

I finally got to the bottom of the squeaking sound in mine. It turns out the sound was a combination of the rubber seal (which is now lubricated) in the tailgate and the cargo blind, so even after the rubber seal was lubricated, the squeaking can still be heard as I left the dealership. To my surprise, it stopped when I had the blind extended out before leaving work on Monday and voila..no squeakings!!!. Just shows it takes a bit of detective work on both parties.

[Blacky]

Sent an email to the dealer today and it sounds like the specialist has at least heard the rattles in my car, so that is a good start.

I guess I will find out when I pick the car up next week.

Can't say they didn't have enough time to fix any issues LOL

Fingers crossed anyhow ;)

[elmarko]

Have said it before... big wheels + stiff suspension = rattles over time. My ex-boss' 335 had some horrendous rattles not long after delivery so this is not just an ISx50, IS F, Lexus issue

Funny thing is I think I have the same annoying 'ticking' noise you describe - seems to be at the top of the drivers' door. I'm almost certain if you press the tips of your fingers in between the door frame and the rubber seal it goes away but cant see that any of these components are loose. IAt one stage I thought it was the grab handle but this seems well damped. Ultimately I've learned to ignore this one

Can't ignore the plastic sounding clunk I'm getting form driver's door/B pillar when I turn right and the rattle coming from the drivers rear door - so car booked in Monday

[Blacky]

I did try the fingers in the seal thing, but this did not resolve the issue.

Anyhow only a day or so before I get home and pick the car up.

Will see if they have done anything

[Blacky]

Update on the rattles / squeaks.

Left the car with the dealer for a week while OS and came back with all this we did this, we did that etc.

End result nothing changed rattle still there and it is giving me the SH&*S!!!!!

See what the service manager wants to do now.

On the doors seals, maybe I will try masking the door seals up and see if the noise goes away.

[ISF_Starlight_Black]

Update on the rattles / squeaks.

Left the car with the dealer for a week while OS and came back with all this we did this, we did that etc.

End result nothing changed rattle still there and it is giving me the SH&*S!!!!!

See what the service manager wants to do now.

On the doors seals, maybe I will try masking the door seals up and see if the noise goes away.

Blacky

I really do feel for you. Which dealer are your bringing your car to? Have you thought about trying a different service centre? What do they say each time you bring youe car back and say it's not fixed?

Do you actually go on a test drive with the mechanic so that they are aware of the problems. If they can hear it, then you're not going mad and in theory they should action it..

Having your car for 1 week and being able to fix the car to your satisfaction is not a good thing.

Think it's time to dry an alternate service centre.

[Blacky]

Yes, very frustrating and I would have thought 7 days was long enough to at least fix the problem or say it is unfixable.

When I left the car last time, they acknowledge the rattle by the drivers ear, glove box and passenger but did not hear the odd sound from the roof.

They are telling me they are using a Lexus Aust. tech from Sydney to help resolve the problem.

anyhow one last go I guess, will be putting the car in on Tuesday so will post again how I go.

[Lexster]

Yes, very frustrating and I would have thought 7 days was long enough to at least fix the problem or say it is unfixable.

When I left the car last time, they acknowledge the rattle by the drivers ear, glove box and passenger but did not hear the odd sound from the roof.

They are telling me they are using a Lexus Aust. tech from Sydney to help resolve the problem.

anyhow one last go I guess, will be putting the car in on Tuesday so will post again how I go.

Is the rattle sorted?

[Blacky]

Hey Lexster

Unfortunately I have to say no!

It is better but it is not fixed.

At this point in time I have given up on fixing it, as I want to drive the car not keep driving it to the dealer.

As I say the main rattle, the one by by ear is still there at times but no where near as often as before.

It could be the cooler weather that has slowed it, which by my thinking might point to seals squeaking.

I have the first service coming up in a short time so maybe I will get them to look at it again then.

[ilv1004s]

My sunroof is not officially pissing me off

rattles when it's closed now

booked in for warranty

also asked to get my gearbox reprogramed (some times the gears dont shift up and hold revs)

[Lexster]

Hey Lexster

Unfortunately I have to say no!

It is better but it is not fixed.

At this point in time I have given up on fixing it, as I want to drive the car not keep driving it to the dealer.

As I say the main rattle, the one by by ear is still there at times but no where near as often as before.

It could be the cooler weather that has slowed it, which by my thinking might point to seals squeaking.

I have the first service coming up in a short time so maybe I will get them to look at it again then.

I'll leave mine until the first service too. The rattle near the ear reduced after seals were lubricated, and now the ticking is very mild and intermittent, but there since day one, but now over rough roads/speed humps there is a chaffing sound- it sounds like defective door seals like you said. perhaps the door seal does not conform to the window when fully closed, or the window is bent with more or less curve than it should have and does not conform to the door seal.

There is no noise when window half open.

I wonder why Lexus can pass a vehicle through quality control with a rattle when new.

Am tempted to disassemble and check the door myself, my guess is that it needs new door seals, or a new window.

Might push Lexus to replace the seals.

I will mentally block out the sound for now and just enjoy the car until service. I don't want to sound too whingy, as other than this rattle the car is a blast to drive. will keep you updated

[ISF_Starlight_Black]

I have another niggling rattle/vibration sound coming from the drivers side.. It always seems to surface when driving on roughish roads.

Went to the dealer this morning and got the mechanic to come for a test drive. It took about 10 mins of driving before he could hear anything. He was extremely nice to take the time to drive a bit longer. He seems to think that this vibration sound is coming from behind the dash.

This same guy fixed the vibrating sound coming from the rear shelf of the vehicle 1.5 months ago.

Im just hoping he will fix this annoying issue.

I have it scheduled to be worked on next tuesday..