FYI, in the Panoramic Sunroof Started Leaking thread, STLLEXUS, in post #37, wrote that his dealer fixed his creaky pano roof by removing some bolts and putting Locktite on them. He also mentioned that another ES was in the dealer's shop for the same issue.
I also dimly recall seeing another post on loose panoramic roof bolts in the 2019 or 2020 timeframe, but I can't readily find it to provide a link to it.
Perhaps, the loose or improperly torqued panoramic glass roof assembly bolts problems of a few of the 2019/2020 ESs have cropped up again.
Yeah this kinda seems like what is happening. A bunch of complaints from owners of 2025 with the same issue. Our car has a whopping 60 miles on it, but Im thinking the cold weather isn't helping things. Drove it today and it was "warm" out (45) and it still made the snap/crackle/pop.
I think the bolts need to be loosened, removed, loctite added, then put back in and torqued in the service manual specified order, to the service manual specified torque.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arrowrock
I saw this post last night. I copied the repair order and showed it to my service advisor when I went in for the rear camera recall fix today. He claimed he knew nothing about the issue. He looked on his computer for an official Lexus document about it and said he did not see one. He offered to make another appointment for their shop to check my vehicle. I only hear the noise in cold weather, starting last month, and do not recall hearing it last winter. We are having a heat wave in northern Indiana (56 deg. F today) and I did not hear the noise today. Maybe when it gets cold again and the noise is back, I will let them check it out. I am much more bothered by the wind noise I hear every time I drive it than the little cracking noise when I drive in and out of my driveway. I asked them to fix the wind noise last July for my 12-month service. They heard the noise and did nothing about it.
I was curious about that 08231-00801 noise kit, also called a "rattle kit." I found a good description here, but see it is just generic sound deadening material that depends on the tech knowing how and where to apply it:
The interior rattle kit thing, I believe they use the black felt as a sort of "insulator" between the brackets and frame, so if the bolts do loosen, you dont hear metal on metal...you'll hear metal moving across felt which is much less obvious and "harsh" than the brackets dragging across metal. I believe this is what Car Care Nut alluded to when he mentioned Toyota not providing the parts he knows will fix the issue...simply something to insulate between the brackets and frame they bolt to.
As far as wind noise...I dont hear much but Ive also not used the sunroof. I know there is a factory spec for the height of the sunroof/pano glass vs the rest of the roof and the windshield, so maybe it can be adjusted out.
Figured I'd give an update. I dropped my car off at the dealer on Dec 11. Service consultant laughed when I expressed concern about getting the car back in a week before I went out of town for the holidays, "I think a week is plenty of time to fix some roof noises."
Cue ominous music.
They didn't even look at the car until the day I went out of town. There was a flurry of activity in the app (doors open alerts, hood open alerts, odometer going up, etc) over two days and then...nothing. I called and got told the tech wanted to evaluate in colder weather, so was waiting a couple days. Another week after that, right after Christmas (still out of town), I called and got no answer, so left a message. Perhaps coincidentally, the next day there was another flurry of activity in the app and again the next. I got a message, "dropped headliner, torqued some bolts, should be ready to go when you get back." I called and get told, "oh wait, the pops are no longer there, but now there's a squeak." To be fair, this was better than previous treatment where they just gave my car back and let me find out for myself how they'd made it worse. "The tech is sending a message to a Lexus engineer for further ideas. We should hear back soon."
Now it's over a week since then and the car has not been touched since. I can see in the locator in the app that it's parked outside and not inside the shop, and have gotten no alerts and the odometer and range have not changed. But...I did get a message that they're going to try to drop the headliner again and re-torque some bolts again and...hope it works this time?? Sigh. No clue when that will actually happen, of course.
So, all told, it's been 26 days, going on 27. They've done stuff to the car on four of those days. Yes, Christmas and New Year's occurred over that time, but c'mon. It appears they charge $70/day for the loaner, presumably back to Lexus, and from what I've heard warranty work reimburses lower than retail work, so I have a guess as to why things progress as slowly as they do: collect easy free money on the loaner charge and only do the minimum work so corporate doesn't squawk.
I have no clue what condition my car will be in when it is finally returned, or what noises/rattles/etc will now be present. I actually was expecting to get a call with a diagnosis before they tried anything and if I heard, "drop the headliner" was actually probably going to tell them not to bother and just live with some pops while flexing the body turning onto driveways. But, they just barged on ahead.
I go out of town again next week. Any bets on whether my car is returned by then? And how many additional problems it will now have? I'll lay odds .
Further updates will be provided as events warrant.
Another update. If you had "nothing would be fixed despite having the car an entire additional week" you win!
They looked at the car exactly one day (Friday, to be exact). Then, nothing, no work, no contact. So this morning I called and got told:
1) They redid the same repair--pull down headliner and re-torque bolts--but nothing has changed still making the noise (presumably, the new "squeak" noise and not the pop, but they weren't specific)
2) They will be calling the field engineer "in the next couple hours" for thoughts and ideas
3) No idea when it will be ready
Last week, I had sent them the above-mentioned service order about digging into the sub-assembly. They said they'd look into it. But my experience with these guys is nothing one person says has any effect on anyone else. It's a disorganized poop-show over there.
I am going out of town for three weeks starting tomorrow. They get my car and $70/day passive income from the loaner for another 23 days (on top of the 33 they've now had it). I'm not going to think about my car one bit, just enjoy my vacation and then see how things are when I return. My only hope might be that Lexus starts inquiring about this super-long repair job and then actually gets someone who knows something on the case. I'll find out in 23 days. Will update then.
Another update. If you had "nothing would be fixed despite having the car an entire additional week" you win!
They looked at the car exactly one day (Friday, to be exact). Then, nothing, no work, no contact. So this morning I called and got told:
1) They redid the same repair--pull down headliner and re-torque bolts--but nothing has changed still making the noise (presumably, the new "squeak" noise and not the pop, but they weren't specific)
2) They will be calling the field engineer "in the next couple hours" for thoughts and ideas
3) No idea when it will be ready
Last week, I had sent them the above-mentioned service order about digging into the sub-assembly. They said they'd look into it. But my experience with these guys is nothing one person says has any effect on anyone else. It's a disorganized poop-show over there.
I am going out of town for three weeks starting tomorrow. They get my car and $70/day passive income from the loaner for another 23 days (on top of the 33 they've now had it). I'm not going to think about my car one bit, just enjoy my vacation and then see how things are when I return. My only hope might be that Lexus starts inquiring about this super-long repair job and then actually gets someone who knows something on the case. I'll find out in 23 days. Will update then.
Yeesh, good luck!
I really do think something is up with newer copies of these vehicles. The FB group(s) seem to have more complaints about 2025 pano roofs than any others. Not sure if they changed parts, design, process or what but it sure looks like they are coming from the factory undertightened, tightened in the wrong pattern, or both, and perhaps they need some shims or insulators between the mounting areas.
I still have no idea what dealer to use that I trust to actually perform any work and not mess up our brand new interior...Im still seriously pondering doing this myself.
I really do think something is up with newer copies of these vehicles. The FB group(s) seem to have more complaints about 2025 pano roofs than any others. Not sure if they changed parts, design, process or what but it sure looks like they are coming from the factory undertightened, tightened in the wrong pattern, or both, and perhaps they need some shims or insulators between the mounting areas.
I still have no idea what dealer to use that I trust to actually perform any work and not mess up our brand new interior...Im still seriously pondering doing this myself.
given dealership hiring practices your options are probably:
1) you figure out for the first time how to do the repair on a car that you care about.
2) some random bozo who was just given a Lexus name tag last week figures out for the first time how to do the repair on a car that he does not care about.
Another update. If you had "nothing would be fixed despite having the car an entire additional week" you win!
They looked at the car exactly one day (Friday, to be exact). Then, nothing, no work, no contact. So this morning I called and got told:
1) They redid the same repair--pull down headliner and re-torque bolts--but nothing has changed still making the noise (presumably, the new "squeak" noise and not the pop, but they weren't specific)
2) They will be calling the field engineer "in the next couple hours" for thoughts and ideas
3) No idea when it will be ready
Last week, I had sent them the above-mentioned service order about digging into the sub-assembly. They said they'd look into it. But my experience with these guys is nothing one person says has any effect on anyone else. It's a disorganized poop-show over there.
I am going out of town for three weeks starting tomorrow. They get my car and $70/day passive income from the loaner for another 23 days (on top of the 33 they've now had it). I'm not going to think about my car one bit, just enjoy my vacation and then see how things are when I return. My only hope might be that Lexus starts inquiring about this super-long repair job and then actually gets someone who knows something on the case. I'll find out in 23 days. Will update then.
This might actually be a mostly positive update.
I went on vacation on Jan 14. So, in typical Lexus dealership fashion, they did nothing on my car until that date. Then intermittently over the next couple weeks some things were done. At one point, I got an email that they were ordering a new moonroof assembly--like, everything, including the glass. That actually came in quickly and over two days there was almost non-stop activity on my car. And then, late in the day on the 29th, I get the email: moonroof has been installed and noise no longer present. Putting car back together, will update you.
My skepticism went to high gear, but then a few days later, on Feb 3: "your vehicle is all done."
Well earlier today (technically, yesterday, as it's past midnight) I went to pick up my car, 56 days after I had dropped it off. They had completely detailed it. They had filled the tires. They'd filled the gas tank. My Iridium ES350 looked like a sparkling diamond in the cold winter sun.
"It looks great!" I said.
"You should have seen it before they put it back together," a laugh and a shake of the head.
It looked like a brand new car. I would have had no idea they dropped the headliner three times and ultimately replaced every bit of the pano moonroof assembly. There wasn't a smudge of dirt anywhere, or a wrinkle in any part of the cloth or leather. The car was beaming like it was destined to be a featured showroom car.
I was still damn skeptical.
I got in. I turned it on. The V6 purred to life. I took a deep breath. And I drove home.
Nothing. No noises whatsoever. I took turns, sometimes sharper than necessary. Nothing. Got on the highway. Nothing. I turned onto my driveway in the same way that had always created pops before. Nothing.
I let the car sit for a while and took it out again. Drove around town, got a burger. Opened the moonroof into vent mode to see if the new glass would rattle. Nothing. Opened it all the way, despite sub-freezing temperatures. Nothing. Came back. Up onto the driveway again. Absolutely nothing.
Ok it's only been 14 hours and 55 miles, so I recognize a lot could still surface. But lawdy, the moonroof popping might actually be fixed. And, as of yet, no new problems have surfaced.
It only took 56 days (ok, to be fair to the dealership, it was really 54 days until it was ready to go, the last two days were me coming back from vacation). But fingers are extra-crossed that I finally have the smooth, reliable, *quiet* vehicle I had paid for. No further updates to this post means all is good with the world.
One final thought: I swear the transmission is smoother than it was when I dropped it off. It is more immediately reactive when starting from a stop, and it is smoother at low speeds going around town. Is that possible? It's a '25 so I assume any software fix would have been included right from the factory. But could the dealer have done something? Maybe some sort of reset occurred at some point? Anyways, I'm really loving the car right now and can't wait to take it out again.
That's Great ! --- Be glad the creaking wasn't in the dash. They can't fix those. I had my 07 GS350 dash taken apart 3 times and the creaking would return within a couple weeks. Me and dozens of others on this forum. They never were able to fix anyone's dash. I was never so glad to get rid of any car in my life.
I went on vacation on Jan 14. So, in typical Lexus dealership fashion, they did nothing on my car until that date. Then intermittently over the next couple weeks some things were done. At one point, I got an email that they were ordering a new moonroof assembly--like, everything, including the glass. That actually came in quickly and over two days there was almost non-stop activity on my car. And then, late in the day on the 29th, I get the email: moonroof has been installed and noise no longer present. Putting car back together, will update you.
My skepticism went to high gear, but then a few days later, on Feb 3: "your vehicle is all done."
Well earlier today (technically, yesterday, as it's past midnight) I went to pick up my car, 56 days after I had dropped it off. They had completely detailed it. They had filled the tires. They'd filled the gas tank. My Iridium ES350 looked like a sparkling diamond in the cold winter sun.
"It looks great!" I said.
"You should have seen it before they put it back together," a laugh and a shake of the head.
It looked like a brand new car. I would have had no idea they dropped the headliner three times and ultimately replaced every bit of the pano moonroof assembly. There wasn't a smudge of dirt anywhere, or a wrinkle in any part of the cloth or leather. The car was beaming like it was destined to be a featured showroom car.
I was still damn skeptical.
I got in. I turned it on. The V6 purred to life. I took a deep breath. And I drove home.
Nothing. No noises whatsoever. I took turns, sometimes sharper than necessary. Nothing. Got on the highway. Nothing. I turned onto my driveway in the same way that had always created pops before. Nothing.
I let the car sit for a while and took it out again. Drove around town, got a burger. Opened the moonroof into vent mode to see if the new glass would rattle. Nothing. Opened it all the way, despite sub-freezing temperatures. Nothing. Came back. Up onto the driveway again. Absolutely nothing.
Ok it's only been 14 hours and 55 miles, so I recognize a lot could still surface. But lawdy, the moonroof popping might actually be fixed. And, as of yet, no new problems have surfaced.
It only took 56 days (ok, to be fair to the dealership, it was really 54 days until it was ready to go, the last two days were me coming back from vacation). But fingers are extra-crossed that I finally have the smooth, reliable, *quiet* vehicle I had paid for. No further updates to this post means all is good with the world.
One final thought: I swear the transmission is smoother than it was when I dropped it off. It is more immediately reactive when starting from a stop, and it is smoother at low speeds going around town. Is that possible? It's a '25 so I assume any software fix would have been included right from the factory. But could the dealer have done something? Maybe some sort of reset occurred at some point? Anyways, I'm really loving the car right now and can't wait to take it out again.
That's great to hear! (or...not hear )
Kinda worried it took replacing the whole moonroof, because I dont trust my dealers to do such a nice job as yours. I may just have to suck it up and have faith.
Kinda worried it took replacing the whole moonroof, because I dont trust my dealers to do such a nice job as yours. I may just have to suck it up and have faith.
I didn't really trust them either, but I didn't like the noises and so it felt like a free-roll. If the noises continued I'd be car shopping again anyways, so might as well let them take a stab at it.
Since noises have a tendency to reappear after a few days/weeks/months I'll be driving the next few months with bated breath. Fingers and toes crossed.
I didn't really trust them either, but I didn't like the noises and so it felt like a free-roll. If the noises continued I'd be car shopping again anyways, so might as well let them take a stab at it.
Since noises have a tendency to reappear after a few days/weeks/months I'll be driving the next few months with bated breath. Fingers and toes crossed.
Hopefully they stay away!
Over on the FB groups there were a couple people that got new pano roofs, and a few that just had the bolts tightened. So far none of them have reported the noises returning.
Kinda hoping for a TSB or something, at least give dealers a little guidance at how to fix it.
I didn't really trust them either, but I didn't like the noises and so it felt like a free-roll. If the noises continued I'd be car shopping again anyways, so might as well let them take a stab at it.
Since noises have a tendency to reappear after a few days/weeks/months I'll be driving the next few months with bated breath. Fingers and toes crossed.
Well the good news is, is that Lexus has been able able to fix this problem in 2025 models. And I, and others that own 2025 ES350 - UL have had no creaks or rattles. I probably have the same car as you do. Iridium color with the light beige interior.
Well the good news is, is that Lexus has been able able to fix this problem in 2025 models. And I, and others that own 2025 ES350 - UL have had no creaks or rattles. I probably have the same car as you do. Iridium color with the light beige interior.
There are plenty of 2025 owners (including myself) still experiencing this issue.
There are plenty of 2025 owners (including myself) still experiencing this issue.
There's a few.... But, I believe you said, you have not taken in to the dealer yet. Correct?
I took my 07 GS350 into the dealer at least a half dozen times over a period of a year, had the dash completely 'rebuilt' 3 times,
and they never did solve the problem. And there were at least a dozen owners on these very forums that had the same experience.
Just a thought but... on my Gen 6 there were plastic shims wedged in between the bottom of both "A" pilars and the dash as shown. The only reason I can think of for this is that there was a plastic "creak" originating in these areas. Maybe?
Just a thought but... on my Gen 6 there were plastic shims wedged in between the bottom of both "A" pilars and the dash as shown. The only reason I can think of for this is that there was a plastic "creak" originating in these areas. Maybe?
If you were referring to my 07 GS350 Dash Rattles, it was creaking all over the dash in many places..... A lot of the problem was where the windshield met the dash. The dealerships would fill these areas with many different sound deadening materials and literally start rebuilding the entire dash. It would quiet the area down for a month or so, and the creaking would stop in warm weather. Once it cold however, the creaking would return. Some of the people that lived in South Florida and other warm areas of the country did not have any problems.
.
)
