rjwebster

I have a 2019 ES350 UL that has rear door panels that are constantly creaking. It sounds like the plastic in the panel is expanding and contracting, like squeezing an empty plastic drink bottle, which makes sense considering it's usually at its worst after getting into a hot car and turning the AC on. The dealership has tried fixing it twice by adding more insulation in the door but it keeps coming back. They even replaced the panels and the dealership acknowledged that the sound was still there. I'm wondering if the plastic in the door for the rear door shades is cheaper than on previous models perhaps? I otherwise love the car and it's my 4th Lexus, but the sound of constant crackling and popping from the rear doors is driving me insane and not something I would have expected from Lexus. Anyone else have a similar issue?

95bat

Nothing like that in mine. I'm not sure what you can do other than keep working with the dealership to get it fixed. It sounds like they're being helpful so far, just need to narrow down what is making that noise.

bc6152

We're experiencing a heat wave here in Pennsylvania. Been in the 90's for about a week. Used the Lexus today and it must have been 150F inside the car even with the windows cracked open. No noises from doors or anything else. Quiet as can be.... I'd do what 95bat says and continue to work with the dealer.

rjwebster

Thanks. I'm glad it sounds like an isolated experience and not something more widespread. Gives me hope it'll eventually get worked out.

LeeCen

Have you been able to fix this annoying issue?
I have a similar issue with my ES350 UL.
I'm in Houston and it's really hot here.
I think the noise is from the two rear door shade area. It happens when AC is turned on high; when driving on uneven ground; when driving through conjunction area on the highway and sometimes when making a turn.

aygriffith

Every car I've ever had with rear door window shades had issues with them rattling occasionally. It was always worse if I left them down, so they almost always were all the way up.

My 19 ESh is first car in the last 3 cars I've had that I didn't have them. Really would have preferred the UL model, but they were hard to come by in TX in an acceptable color when I leased mine. Ended up finding a Luxury model with every option added to it so I was only missing the side window shades and whatever the UL suspension changes are.

rjwebster

After the 4th visit to the dealership (where they also confirmed the noise) they called in a regional Lexus specialist. It's like 95% fixed and I'm on the fence of just trying to get used to it, which doesn't sit well when making the monthly payments, or send back again. It's been in the dealership more than with me at this point

The issue was they had just been putting extra sound insulation in the rear doors but the regional specialist took out the actual shade unit box and wrapped it up with a ton of sound insulation. My gut intuition is that in the redesign Lexus went with a cheaper part with cheaper plastic that doesn't respond to thermal changes well. I'll post the actual note made by the specialist when I get a chance so perhaps you can show to your dealer if you want.

rjwebster

I had them up for a while and it was a little better, but since they're not power operated I would always have to make sure to let them down at night or otherwise have a massive blindspot over my shoulders. I am close to just asking if they can swap in the Luxury door panels without the shade and be done with it.

LeeCen

It will be great if you can post the note.
Today is my 2nd visit to the dealership for the creaking sound. The first time they only put isolation in the rear right door and do nothing for the left door, which leaves me an "uneven" creaking noise...
I guess after receive your notes, I can go to my dealership for the third visit and hope to solve the problem...

Hifiman1

Sounds like your have to learn to deal with it. That's like!

SultanES35

The rear door creaking noise on UL models is normal due to side window curtains. it happens in the most luxury vehicle with rear door window curtains.

lesz

Just for perspective, I have a 2017 UL ES, and there is not a hint of a creaking sound, rattle, chatter, or any other noise that comes from the rear side window shades. So, if Lexus could keep the rear side window shades quiet on a Generation 6 ES, there is no reason why the same shouldn't be true with the Generation 7 ES.

SultanES35

Sometimes it happens because of the difference in design and due to the use of different materials.

terryakhan

Picked up mu 2019 UL ES two days ago and this creaking is the first thing I heard as I drove off my dealership and all my curtains were in the down position. Later on that day placed the curtains in the up position without any change.
The second is the ML music system, there are a few post about this already.
Will post after dealer looks at these things.

rjwebster

Sorry it took a sec to get around to posting it.