New Steering Column Noise at 15k

rnr

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Anyone else catching a higher-pitched vibration type noise from the steering column. Have 15k miles on my 24 OT+ now and I’ve developed this new vibration/noise from that area. Super annoying with no stereo playing.
 
Anyone else catching a higher-pitched vibration type noise from the steering column. Have 15k miles on my 24 OT+ now and I’ve developed this new vibration/noise from that area. Super annoying with no stereo playing.
Wow, kinda crazy, and ive never had this happen until today. But we were driving and my steering wheel started to do exactly what you just described. I turned off the stereo and my wife could hear it from the passenger seat. I initially felt it first, and then turned the stereo off and could hear the buzzing sound. Did it for about 30 min and the went away. Researched it for a couple hrs earlier today and found nothing. And then just came across this…lol
 
Thanks, I guess I feel better? Misery loves company. Apparently I’m due for a service, so I’ll bring it up and report back.
 
So, an update on this noise. As my tires have worn out, and worn unevenly, the noise has gotten much worse. Video attached. So, I went in for my 20k service and played the video. Later I rec’d a call from the service tech saying the edges of my tires were scalloped and that was causing the noise. I told them, “no, the tires are not causing that, they are causing a slight vibration, and it’s causing the steering column to make that noise”. They wanted to sell me $1500 worth of new Toyos. BTW, that is for 4 new 4-ply toyos, when I can get the 10-ply for $1200 from my tire guy. The big issue is that a little uneven tire wear should not cause that crazy noise in the car. I called the tech back later and told him it was BS, and put that in my file. I told them you could not even run mud terrain tires on the car or it would make that crazy noise. Just cheap manufacturing. I’ve run mud tires that were completely worn out on my 2017 Land Cruiser and never had crazy noises. So, my experience with Lexus (first time) has been rough. Was told the hard down shifts were from the smart transmission learning and the crazy steering column noise is from a little uneven tire wear. I’ve had a lot of nice cars, and I’m quickly learning they are not the premium brand they are posing as. Guess I should replace my tires (OEM) every 15k miles to avoid horrible cockpit noises.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0438.mov
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BTW, car feels perfectly smooth driving, and there is not vibration or movement in the steering wheel, so the vibration the tires are creating is extremely subtle, yet unbearable noise.
 
Do you still have this issue?

I believe I may have the same issue on my 2024 OT+. But it sounds less rattle-y than yours. It’s noticeable around 55-65mph, and most noticeable on smooth roads.

It got really bad as my tires wore down around 10,000 miles. I replaced them with BFGoodrich KO3’s, and the sound got less loud but it still makes the sound.
 
Is it tires or not ? There is no way that noise inside the vanity is tire related . Much lower frequency than tires
 
The noise does not come from the tires. The tires (worn unevenly) are creating an ever so slight vibration which is causing the noise in the steering column. Update: So, as I mentioned, Lexus told me it was my tires, BS. So, I was determined this rig might not be for me. I put new tires on it (same as OEM except 10 ply), and drove it about a 1000 miles. I was on a road where the asphalt was being scraped off for resurfacing, so it was causing a vibration and the noise happened again on new tires. As I told them, it should not make any noise for vibrations that small. Would have never happened in the old Cruisers. Sold the car the next week. $77,500 with 22k miles, so not bad. Bought the new Armada Pro-4X. Completely different vehicle re size, etc.,, but feels like a 150k car compared the GX.
 
I’ve got the same steering column buzz now that my 24 OT+ has 25k+ miles on the OEM tires (which aren’t going to last much longer). Happens in the 50-70mph range, I think definitely tires start a vibration in the steering column. Can’t really get it to go away pressing on the plastic pieces or adjusting steering wheel. Something I can’t reach is shaking.

Plan on getting some videos and mentioning it to the dealer next service. Will provide update if anything comes of it.
 
Last edited:
Didn’t want to start a new thread but this started happening to my 2024.

Has anyone had a fix for the buzzing noise? I have a new set of Toyos (Non OEM) and it started about a month ago around 50mph.

I can already see where this will go if I take it in with aftermarket wheels.
 
Just a quick update - during tire rotation, it looked like the front tires had some additional wear on the outside of the tires. I am getting a 4-wheel alignment to see if perhaps that fixes the issue.
 
I had the same exact noise in my 24 overtrail with 28k miles. Was told it was the tires. Definitely not tire noise. I pushed back and they decided to “put extra insulation around the navigation screen”. Just got it back and so far no noise. They did rotate tires but same tires. Have them check the nav panel/screen. Seems to have fixed the noise
 
I just got new tires (Nitto Terra Grappler G3 275/75/18) and the noise went away for me. Just had it in for service and alignment with the new tires. My old OEM tires had the same outside wearing and they did need to adjust the front.

Didn’t have them check anything out for the noise because I now can’t replicate it but I mentioned it for the record in case it comes back.
 

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