Rattle Over Bumps

AlanDL · October 17, 2015

Having sorted out the number plate rattle, and reduced the pressure in the tyres (was at 38psi when bought, have reduced it to 32 as says in the handbook), the car feels a bit more refined. However, there is still a small rattling when going over bumps in the road. I cannot find anything in the cabin (including seat belt buckles and other fittings) that would make a noise, and the audio isn't on so not subwoofer; in any case seems to come from nearside rear. Is it just me being over sensitive, has anyone else had similar? Any suggestions please?

Martin J · October 17, 2015

I had a minor trim rattle from the interior plastic surround to the tailgate window, above the window. Some folded paper between trim and glass effected a temporary fix, and the dealership did a permanent fix, presumably with felt. It hasn't come back.

DJP · October 18, 2015

I have an intermittent rattle/creak from the area above the passenger sun visor. If I close the pano roof it goes away. That's not quite the solution I'm looking for!

AlanDL · October 19, 2015

Thanks for the suggestion about the trim. I tapped the trim around the tailgate window, and on the left the vertical section holding the widget that holds the parcel shelf overlaps at the top with the top horizontal section. Where these two sections of trim overlap there is definitely movement. I have inserted a bit of card between them and the "rattle" seems to have stopped. If this continues to be ok I will ask for a more permanent fix from the dealer next time I am in.

PQuist · November 3, 2015

Suprised Lexus still haven't learnt lessons from the 05 GS and IS. One main reason why I stepped away

rayaans · November 3, 2015

Suprised Lexus still haven't learnt lessons from the 05 GS and IS. One main reason why I stepped away

Its not like Lexus is the only manufacturer with rattles though. Every single premium brand has rattles in it including Merc, BMW and Audi. Even Porsche has them so its just luck as to what you get.

For example, the Audi A7 I drove for a while had rattles coming from the speaker - the worst thing about it though was the huge thunk it used to make when going over bumps - not exactly good for a car that hit £60k fully loaded.

My R8 had rattles somewhere in the dash too - granted I bought it second hand but it only had 10k miles on it. Got rid of it after various problems with rattles, MMI freezing, gearbox blew up etc etc

sexylexy27 · November 12, 2015

I located my rattle to the dvd screen on the nearside rear , this was due to it not located in the holder properly or is it possible the parcel shelf is not located in its slot properly as unusually you slot in and then pull towards you to lock in position .

AlanDL · November 14, 2015

An update since starting this thread. I
really like the car, but I am annoyed that I am plagued by two rattles. One is
the plastic above the centre console vents, which vibrates after some time of
driving. This was "fixed" when the car went in a couple of weeks ago
to resolve the other rattle. However the plastic trim is vibrating again, and
doesn't sit right, so it will have to be refixed. The second rattle from the
back was not detected on that visit, but it remains. Having taken out
everything from the boot (spare wheel and all) and taped the trim everywhere, I
am convinced that the rattle is the middle rear seat belt mechanism: it looks
like it is anchored on the nearside rear pillar, and I can make it noisy when I
brake or going over bumps. Yanking the seatbelt also makes a more metallic
noise than the other seatbelts, and the noise is coming from the same area that
my wife identified when sitting in the back. Knowing the source of the noise is
reassuring, but fixing it will probably involve lots of work removing the trim
and ceiling liner. Anyway it's going in in a week's time so hopefully
everything will be resolved finally. I will post this update on the other
thread I started.

LEXUS-MARQUE · November 25, 2015

Hi Alan

Did you ever get your rattles sorted?

AlanDL · November 29, 2015

Just this week I have managed to get everything sorted. The rattle from the rear turned out to be a slightly misaligned bracket holding the rear centre seat belt reel, which is situated around head height in the rear pillar. Apparently as the car flexed it slightly moved and made the metallic noise I could hear. They have also repacked the centre console area around the display screen to stop any further vibrations from that. I think when the heat from the heater built up it slightly distorted the plastic. Anyway, both rattles are things of the past hopefully.

LEXUS-MARQUE · December 2, 2015

Good to hear they got it sorted for you Alan, there is nothing worse than a rattle - it can drive you mad and detract from the enjoyment of the vehicle.

Peace and quiet returned :)

Goggy · December 2, 2015

Good to hear they got it sorted for you Alan, there is nothing worse than a rattle - it can drive you mad and detract from the enjoyment of the vehicle.

Peace and quiet returned :)

True, a rattle can do your head in. Glad they sorted it out.

Martin J · July 8, 2016

After 2000 rattle-free miles around Spain, my NX developed an annoying little tizz on return to the UK's blissfully smooth tarmac, emanating from the rear interior. Luckily this turned out to be nothing more than the well-documented issue of contact between the top of the stowed rear centre armrest and the central head restraint. As a short term fix raising the centre head restraint by 1 or 2 cm banishes it. Pondering a longer-term solution involving some felt on the underside of the head restraint. Anyone else had this?

rayaans · July 8, 2016

11 minutes ago, Martin J said:

After 2000 rattle-free miles around Spain, my NX developed an annoying little tizz on return to the UK's blissfully smooth tarmac, emanating from the rear interior. Luckily this turned out to be nothing more than the well-documented issue of contact between the top of the stowed rear centre armrest and the central head restraint. As a short term fix raising the centre head restraint by 1 or 2 cm banishes it. Pondering a longer-term solution involving some felt on the underside of the head restraint. Anyone else had this?

Not heard of that one but you reckon it's the leather on leather that's causing the noise or the leather on plastic?