2024 Lexus GX 550 - Hood Flutter (1 Viewer)

[Jabber]

2024 Lexus GX 550 - Hood Flutter

Lexus Technical Service Information Bulletin
L-SB-0013-25 issued February 7, 2025
Abnormal Hood Fluttering and/or Vibration While Driving 25 mph or Higher
Applies to 2024 GX 550 Made at Tahara with Drivetrain V35AFTS and VINs of JTJTBCDX#R5020717

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This can be found on;
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) website
Click Recalls from the drop down menu and in the field [ VIN or Year Make Model ] type 2024 Lexus GX 550

As of today (April 19, 2025), there are 0 Recalls, 0 Investigations, 3 Complaints and 31 Manufacturer Communications. If you click the 31, you will see the communications that have been issued by Lexus. One of which is the Hood Flutter. You can download the Lexus Technical Service Information Bulletin, but frankly, by the time this has been issued you shouldn't be getting the dealer "could not duplicate customer concern, no repair done" response anymore.

If you see something, say something!

Those of us that jumped early because the GX looked so darn good have had an uphill battle to get things fixed on this first model year. Early on, it is hard to even get issues acknowledged, let alone fixed. I took a Lexus technician for a drive on the highway in January when I couldn't take it anymore, just to show him how bad the "flutter" really was. That hood did its exotic belly dance for him and he couldn't take his wide eyes off of her. The tech video taped it and acknowledged that it didn't seem right. My contention had been that it is a real safety issue because it was impossible not to stare at it when it's dancing.

Complaints roll into dealers. If there isn't a bulletin on the issue then it's likely to be given back to you with the dreaded "could not duplicate issue" response. The same issue has to pile up in front of the dealers for quite a will before the complaints capture the attention of Lexus corporate. The issue complaints have to pile up enough at corporate before the work begins to figure out what to do. When Lexus finds a solution, they issue a bulletin.

My 2024 GX 550 OT + was repaired in mid January of 2025. The bulletin was issued February 7, 2025. I know there are others that had the hood flutter repaired before mine and I am thankful for things like this forum that facilitate owner discussions. The forum helped me realized that I was not crazy and I was not alone. The system is designed to drown the voice of individual complainers. If something is really not right, then we must use our collective voice to make change.

Please complete the poll on this issue.

 

[Bluegill]

As I mentioned in another thread, the dealer did "the fix" - they had a body shop blob the additional mastic between my outer hood skin and the inner bracing structure. It certainly lessened the flutter but it's still there. If I bought my truck today and hood fluttered like it does now (with "the fix"), I would take it to the dealer and call it a problem.

 

[Jabber]

As I mentioned in another thread, the dealer did "the fix" - they had a body shop blob the additional mastic between my outer hood skin and the inner bracing structure. It certainly lessened the flutter but it's still there. If I bought my truck today and hood fluttered like it does now (with "the fix"), I would take it to the dealer and call it a problem.

You and I are on the same page. My hood flutter fix was done in January. I watched it over an 1800 mile highway drive a week later (where I picked up 3 star cracks in the windshield - my next topic). The hood flutter was a lot better, but in my opinion, is still not great. The issue is 2 fold (imo). The first was the hood skin wasn't glued well to the hood frame on the earlier production 2024 GX's. The second is that the hood skin metal gauge is just too thin. That's a problem that maybe they fix on future production but they are not likely to go back to fix the delivered vehicles. I just got mine back from its 10000 mile service (mine is at 12K now) and had them note in the service record that my experience in 7K miles since the hood flutter fix was completed is that it is a lot better but still not that great.

 

[JP-GX550-2024]

Here is the link to report to the NTSB.

Report a Safety Problem | NHTSA

File a complaint with NHTSA if you experienced a vehicle, tire, car seat or equipment safety problem that could be a safety defect.

www.nhtsa.gov

 

[incognito.gx]

Facebook users claiming issues with the Hood TSB. Dealer says hasn’t heard of issues. I already had it glued at around 1k (much better but not perfect). Waffling on whether to do the full fix. One user claims VIN takes a hit

 

[ToyCruiser]

Well, they had my hood off for my 5k. Now I have dents in my PPF and even a little tweak in the hood. They ordered the parts and wanted to keep the vehicle until August!! Yeah, fuck that noise, not driving an rx instead of my baby for three months.
I also had them look at a rattle in The driver side door that I only heard when the music was turned up. Turns out when the dealership I bought it from Fife Tacoma Washington did the window tint. They broke a few of the door clips and never said a peep. I will be asking them to replace the ppf on the hood when they do the flutter TSB. Apparently the parts, whatever parts those are, are on back order. And my brakes won't be ready for the fix until late this year or early next year. Hopefully by then they have the software update baked and ready to load because my transmission is driving me crazy.

 

[incognito.gx]

Drove a brand new 2025 OT+ today - hood flutter still present

 

[S SUBERI]

Funny thing, I took mine in today for one year maintenance and asked about the breaks and the hood flutter. They said that as far as the hood flutter is concerned it is a well known problem and the only fix is to replace the hood. That means new hood and they said the work will be done by their body shop and they will replace the PPF that is on the existing hood. They said they have to recreate the problem which is questionable to me. Since this is a well known problem why do they have to recreate the problem?

As far as the brakes are concerned once again, well known problem and they will order the parts and replace when they come in. For now I'm ok with the plan. The hood flutter has not been a big problem but it is concerning when going through mountain passes into the wind and the hood begins to rattle. I think Lexus will eventually get it taken care of. Just a price we have to pay for being early buyers.

 

[ColoradoOutdoors]

possible bad data set: Shorter drivers who are peeking over the steering wheel and can't see the hood may report "no flutter."

 

[S SUBERI]

Just heard back from Lexus Carlsbad Service. Getting new brakes and a new hood has been ordered! I don't think they even tried to recreate the problem because these are known issues.

 

[Baba Ghanoush]

possible bad data set: Shorter drivers who are peeking over the steering wheel and can't see the hood may report "no flutter."

I'm 6'4" and feel like I can see over my steering wheel just fine. I do not have hood flutter.

 

[jclaffee]

possible bad data set: Shorter drivers who are peeking over the steering wheel and can't see the hood may report "no flutter."

You honestly think there's a significant number of people who can't see their hood when they're driving?

 

[Mike'sGX]

I'm only 5'10" and I can see my hood while driving. I have not noticed any hood flutter but I only have 36 miles on my GX OT+

 

[ColoradoOutdoors]

You honestly think there's a significant number of people who can't see their hood when they're driving?

Honestly a joke to be honest. Honestly sorry I offended.

 

[pirates712]

They said they have to recreate the problem which is questionable to me. Since this is a well known problem why do they have to recreate the problem?

That's standard diagnostic procedure (always verify the customer's concern) and also what TSBs tell the technicians to do:

1. If customer says the problem is X...
2. Perform Y diagnostic steps
3. If diagnostic steps show Z, then proceed with repair

I imagine that to get Toyota to pay for the repair, they have to show that they did the correct diagnostic steps. TCCN had a pretty good video recently explaining how TSBs work. The hood flutter issue might seem pretty straightforward, but I could imagine someone pulling the hood release instead of the fuel door release and then complaining about 'hood flutter'.

 

[S SUBERI]

That's standard diagnostic procedure (always verify the customer's concern) and also what TSBs tell the technicians to do:

1. If customer says the problem is X...
2. Perform Y diagnostic steps
3. If diagnostic steps show Z, then proceed with repair

I imagine that to get Toyota to pay for the repair, they have to show that they did the correct diagnostic steps. TCCN had a pretty good video recently explaining how TSBs work. The hood flutter issue might seem pretty straightforward, but I could imagine someone pulling the hood release instead of the fuel door release and then complaining about 'hood flutter'.

Thanks for the explanation. It was explained to me that originally it was just poor design. A fix was created but evidently was not effective., so they decided to just replace the hood. I think in this case, and my experience with my service department, there was no resistance to putting the new hood on order and getting it done. My concern is the same as when you have any body work done. Will the paint match? Will the PPF be properly applied and what about the ceramic coating I already had applied. In my final analysis I think the problem is bigger than the solution and I am going ahead with it.

 

[nartmot]

The part number for the 2024 hood is 53301-60820. The part number for the 2025 is the same. My concern would be that they go through all of that while you lose usage of your vehicle, and the problem still persists. Then what?

Many people have had their hoods fixed with the application of 3M automotive foam between the layers of the hood. There is a TSB for it, I believe. It is also pretty easy to DIY for about $100 in materials. I am thinking of going that route with my 2025 to avoid the hassle of going to the dealer and losing my truck for a few days. There is a small risk of applying too much foam and causing your hood to warp, though.

 

[S SUBERI]

The part number for the 2024 hood is 53301-60820. The part number for the 2025 is the same. My concern would be that they go through all of that while you lose usage of your vehicle, and the problem still persists. Then what?

Many people have had their hoods fixed with the application of 3M automotive foam between the layers of the hood. There is a TSB for it, I believe. It is also pretty easy to DIY for about $100 in materials. I am thinking of going that route with my 2025 to avoid the hassle of going to the dealer and losing my truck for a few days. There is a small risk of applying too much foam and causing your hood to warp, though.

As it turns out we are going to try the fix first before going the full "Monty" and ordering a new hood. I think that's worth a try. Thank you for your thoughtful concern and recommendation.

 

[lowrange44]

The part number for the 2024 hood is 53301-60820. The part number for the 2025 is the same. My concern would be that they go through all of that while you lose usage of your vehicle, and the problem still persists. Then what?

Many people have had their hoods fixed with the application of 3M automotive foam between the layers of the hood. There is a TSB for it, I believe. It is also pretty easy to DIY for about $100 in materials. I am thinking of going that route with my 2025 to avoid the hassle of going to the dealer and losing my truck for a few days. There is a small risk of applying too much foam and causing your hood to warp, though.

You beat me to it…. I was gonna look up the part numbers to see if there’s a difference. I have a ‘25 OT+ that is outside the TSB VIN # range with very slight hood flutter. I’m pretty sure it’s just because the aluminum is so thin. There are similar complaints in the LX and TX forums. My 2010 4Runner TE had similar hood flutter at highway speed.