Metallic Rattle/Crackling In B-Pillar? (1 Viewer)

[AlonzoFields]

Has anyone else out there with a 24’/25’ GX550 or LC250 experiencing a metallic rattle in this B-Pillar? It sounds like a weld has failed or something and very minute. At first I thought it was something loose in the door, but the more I drive, the more I can hear it in my left ear. It seems to be happening when it’s hot and being in direct sunlight, rather than during cold mornings. It’s a tough to replicate with my dealer, but I’d like to know if anyone in the GX community has any ideas here. Greatly appreciated

 

[rrk]

Yup going through the same issue. Brought it up multiple times but they were only able to replicate the issue once and they put foam tap saying they fixed it but never did fix it. I’m at the dealership now tryna get this figured out since I’ve been living with this for 11k miles. Probably gonna escalate this issue to corporate if they can’t replicate or fix it

 

[FJMainiac]

I have a very noticeable rattle in the area. I would not describe it as metallic, might be different than what yours is. I can stop it when I press on the seatbelt up/down adjustment button when I travel over bumpy roads, so I'm pretty sure that is the source of my noise.

 

[AlonzoFields]

Yup going through the same issue. Brought it up multiple times but they were only able to replicate the issue once and they put foam tap saying they fixed it but never did fix it. I’m at the dealership now tryna get this figured out since I’ve been living with this for 11k miles. Probably gonna escalate this issue to corporate if they can’t replicate or fix it

That’s wild, I can’t believe that this is becoming a common issue. I’ve got my 10k service coming up, so I’m hoping that bring it up yet again, but please let us know what feedback they give you at your dealership.

 

[rrk]

That’s wild, I can’t believe that this is becoming a common issue. I’ve got my 10k service coming up, so I’m hoping that bring it up yet again, but please let us know what feedback they give you at your dealership.

Little update. Haven’t drove to check. They took it apart and said the spot welds look fine. Another forum in here mentioned it so told them to take a look at it.

But I did some digging in the lc250 form and some guy added videos showing that it’s coming from the bottom of the b pillar and it sounds exactly like it. If the noise is still persistence dealer said bring it back and escalate it. I will show them the lc250 forum too and have them take a look at the section.

Rattle in driver's B pillar (2024 LC)

Question, in a attempt to help.......... Is it the plastic gear thingy that's making the racket? If so could you put some lithium grease in there to stop the rattle? or Place a thin bevil spring in there to take up the slack? It sounds like BBs rattling around in there or at least mine did...

www.landcruiserforum.com

 

[AlonzoFields]

Thanks! I just watched those videos from the LC Forum and that seems a lot louder than what I'm experiencing. My noise sounds like glass crackling/metal tapping over uneven roads or bumps. When I close my door, it has a very similar sound, but South County Lexus told me that the rattle on the door is "normal", because they also showed me that it's like that on another GX that they had in for service.

Once I schedule my 10k in a week or 2, I am going to bring up the added insulation and show them the LC video to see if they can get this resolved. Let us know if their 2nd attempt on yours holds up. @rrk

 

[rrk]

Thanks! I just watched those videos from the LC Forum and that seems a lot louder than what I'm experiencing. My noise sounds like glass crackling/metal tapping over uneven roads or bumps. When I close my door, it has a very similar sound, but South County Lexus told me that the rattle on the door is "normal", because they also showed me that it's like that on another GX that they had in for service.

Once I schedule my 10k in a week or 2, I am going to bring up the added insulation and show them the LC video to see if they can get this resolved. Let us know if their 2nd attempt on yours holds up. @rrk

Yeah mine is the same metallic clicking noise like metal on metal noise whenever I go over bumps or uneven roads. Could be door could be b pillar who knows what the actual root cause is. I hope u get it figured out! Post updates !

 

[3rdCoastGX]

Same exact issue on the passenger side B-pillar. Dropped off at the dealership yesterday (to investigate, along with 5K mile service), and will post an update.

I told them I didn't want it back until the issue was resolved.

 

[rrk]

Same exact issue on the passenger side B-pillar. Dropped off at the dealership yesterday (to investigate, along with 5K mile service), and will post an update.

I told them I didn't want it back until the issue was resolved.

I told them the same thing, but they will put miles on ur car and abuse ur car since nobody is respectful with peoples property these days. They put like 10 miles on my car trying to “replicate this issue. “ they had technicians, service advisors, and manager take it for a joy ride claiming they can’t replicate but as soon as I hopped back in the car I could hear it. My most recent visit didn’t fix the issue so next time the next step is to escalate it. They said they will park the car next time and I will come back the next day and personally drive the vehicle in the morning with a technician sitting in the backseat with her head next to the bpillar.

 

[3rdCoastGX]

Received back 1.5 weeks / 45miles later - they confirmed it was two loose body panels in the C-pillar that were vibrating against each other. The service summary states they "lowered the headliner, insulated the C-pillar frame, and the noise went away". According to the service adviser, it took them more than 1 attempt to eliminate the noise. Either way - it's fixed. Will report back if it comes back.

 

[AlonzoFields]

This is getting a bit out of control. I had them remove the entire B-Pillar and my entire seatbelt mechanism to install additional insulation and as soon as I left the dealer, it started crackling again. It’s such a minor issue, but it’s driving me nuts. Almost to the point where I’m entertaining the idea of trading in the truck completely. $80k+ for a vehicle that feels poorly assembled is just absurd, imo.

Thanks for your update. I hope that it stays that way.

 

[3rdCoastGX]

Well, just as soon as I posted yesterday, I left work, and the noise came back on the drive home. The noise was not there on the drive to work yesterday, or this morning, but was very evident on the drive home. I can only surmise it has to do with the vehicle being hot (sat outside all day). I feel your frustration - it is absurd - lesson learned by me to never buy a first-year release vehicle, ever again. I called the dealer and they're delivering a loaner vehicle to my work to have another look at it. For what it's worth, I also have a squeaky armrest (center console) and the door panel where my knee makes contact when driving also 'clicks' when pressure is applied to it. I've owned MANY off road vehicles, from Jeeps, to 4runners, to Raptors...........never had quality issues like this. Very disappointed. Also entertaining the idea of trading in if this can't be remedied. Crazy.

 

[incognito.gx]

Well, just as soon as I posted yesterday, I left work, and the noise came back on the drive home. The noise was not there on the drive to work yesterday, or this morning, but was very evident on the drive home. I can only surmise it has to do with the vehicle being hot (sat outside all day). I feel your frustration - it is absurd - lesson learned by me to never buy a first-year release vehicle, ever again. I called the dealer and they're delivering a loaner vehicle to my work to have another look at it. For what it's worth, I also have a squeaky armrest (center console) and the door panel where my knee makes contact when driving also 'clicks' when pressure is applied to it. I've owned MANY off road vehicles, from Jeeps, to 4runners, to Raptors...........never had quality issues like this. Very disappointed. Also entertaining the idea of trading in if this can't be remedied. Crazy.

Update?

 

[3rdCoastGX]

Three weeks later and still in the shop. Should be ready early next week...

Part of the delay, according to the SA, was the regional field tech needing to weigh in on the diagnosis and repair plan. In short, lack of clearance between internal panels in the C-pillar area is causing the noise.

Getting clear information from the SA has been difficult - I was told they were checking all the weld points, working them over with a soft punch, installing insulation, and possibly even adding an additional spot weld (or multiple) which would be performed by their collision center. I was VERY surprised to hear additional welding (albeit just spot welds) was on the table. I didn't balk or question it but did confirm they'd document everything. My thoughts are that if the sound comes back, I have a serious case to take up with Lexus considering they modified the design intent of the vehicle by adding additional weld points. Not sure what my options would be at that point...

 

[incognito.gx]

Three weeks later and still in the shop. Should be ready early next week...

Part of the delay, according to the SA, was the regional field tech needing to weigh in on the diagnosis and repair plan. In short, lack of clearance between internal panels in the C-pillar area is causing the noise.

Getting clear information from the SA has been difficult - I was told they were checking all the weld points, working them over with a soft punch, installing insulation, and possibly even adding an additional spot weld (or multiple) which would be performed by their collision center. I was VERY surprised to hear additional welding (albeit just spot welds) was on the table. I didn't balk or question it but did confirm they'd document everything. My thoughts are that if the sound comes back, I have a serious case to take up with Lexus considering they modified the design intent of the vehicle by adding additional weld points. Not sure what my options would be at that point...

Wild man. God speed

 

[SFLGX]

I have it too. It’s the seatbelt tensioner. If you give the seatbelt a quick yank and hold it to make the tensioner lock the belt the noise stops.

 

[3rdCoastGX]

I have it too. It’s the seatbelt tensioner. If you give the seatbelt a quick yank and hold it to make the tensioner lock the belt the noise stops.

That has been investigated and ruled out sir. I’ll post a video here soon.

 

[SFLGX]

That has been investigated and ruled out sir. I’ll post a video here soon.

Hmm, at least for me that is the issue, seems like more than one thing going on. Hopefully yours comes back fixed and all their prodding doesn't make it worse.

 

[incognito.gx]

Mine sounds exactly like a loose license plate slapping against metal if that makes sense. Only problem is its not my plate

 

[AlonzoFields]

Update?

We finally have a fix. After 3 separate trips to Newport Lexus, 3 visits to Mission Viejo Lexus and miles of drive time with the shop foreman, they found the rattle and crackling sound in the drivers side door. The door panels on both the front and rear driver side were the culprits. They added felt tape behind each panel to stop them from rubbing on the metal of the door and the sounds are gone. No more B-pillar rattle or loose metal sounds and I couldn't be happier.