So I have a 2016 ES350, and I don't know if I noticed it more recently, but I've been hearing more and more creaks in my car when I turn it on. Granted, it's going from hot --> cold as the AC turns on in this heat (24C/75F outside today). However, it is sort of annoying hearing a little creak once in a while while operating the vehicle.

My car has the wooden trim, and when I press on the front passenger and driver's wooden trim, I can hear the creak.

Is there an issue with how the trim is on my door and that I should take it in (car is under warranty still, so does that mean it should be covered?), or is this normal operation?

 

Sometimes that piece of trim has small tabs that pop into another piece of trim and just came loose/popped out. Try pushing on the area and see if it pops back into place and the noise stops. A tab may have broken off and is causing the noise as well. Sometimes a piece of foam (pipe insulation) will quieten the noise down.

 

Creaks and rattles are covered. I had one on my 2013 in my center console. My dealer corrected it. They used a little felt between two pieces and it has never come back.