Loud pop noise from roof
Loud pop noise from roof
Today I entered a steep driveway at an angle so I don't scrape the bumper and a loud pop noise came from the roof. Later I left and I re-entered the same driveway at an angle, and the loud noise happened again! It's got to be from the car flexing but what the hell 
.
Has this happened to anybody? This was an issue with my 2011 Camry around 15k miles and they said the welds in the roof were loose and had to add insulation, but I hope this is not the case with a brand new car. I just got it and haven't even hit a 100 miles... btw 2014 IS 250 F Sport.
. Has this happened to anybody? This was an issue with my 2011 Camry around 15k miles and they said the welds in the roof were loose and had to add insulation, but I hope this is not the case with a brand new car. I just got it and haven't even hit a 100 miles... btw 2014 IS 250 F Sport.
Driver
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 141
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Yes, the popping sound from the rear of the roof also happen to my car during the first few times entering my steep driveway at an angle. Over seven months, I've heard the noise two or three times. The noise will go away, and I've experienced the popping noise in my BMW as well. I don't feel that you will hear this noise on a routine basis. My IS has only experienced the roof pop a few times. They are making cars with stiffer more rigid body designs, so I believe the popping sounds are from slight flexing of the body panels.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: SE
It could be the noise comes from the sunroof.
My last IS had sunroof and I hear this noise every time I entered and left my driveway. Thats why my current IS doesn't have a sunroof. It is rock solid, no noise at all, and more headroom.
My last IS had sunroof and I hear this noise every time I entered and left my driveway. Thats why my current IS doesn't have a sunroof. It is rock solid, no noise at all, and more headroom.
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: none
haha it happened to me once driving on a free way.the sound of the pop shocked the hell out of me too.
so i got out of the car and you know what happened? saw a splash of slime and it belongs to some insect which i presume landed pretty hard right on the moonroof giving that pop sound. double-checked to see if it was rock or anything but its not, no scratches and such.
so i got out of the car and you know what happened? saw a splash of slime and it belongs to some insect which i presume landed pretty hard right on the moonroof giving that pop sound. double-checked to see if it was rock or anything but its not, no scratches and such.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 248
Likes: 1
From: TX
I had this happen to me as well, probably 3-4 times, always when going over a semi-steep transition at an angle. It was all within the first 2 months of owning the car, though. I haven't heard it since.
Driver
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
From: TX
There is a TSB for this issue. (I have noticed this once or twice.)
According to the TSB, the sunroof nuts are effectively not tight enough to resist movement when the body of the car is in a great deal of torsion. So when the car flexes, the sunroof chassis and roof are in a bind, and the loose bolts allow a little bit of slip which relaxes the bind (and you hear a POP). The fix is to drop the headliner (effectively strip down the interior -- all the pillar garnishes and many other parts have to be removed to drop headliner) and replace the nuts with a new nut and jamnut at 4 places. Early build ISs and 2013 GS's are affected.
I heard it the day I bought the car and one other time, but haven't heard it since. I don't really want the car taken apart, so unless it acts up more often, I'd rather just let it go. Houston is pretty flat.
According to the TSB, the sunroof nuts are effectively not tight enough to resist movement when the body of the car is in a great deal of torsion. So when the car flexes, the sunroof chassis and roof are in a bind, and the loose bolts allow a little bit of slip which relaxes the bind (and you hear a POP). The fix is to drop the headliner (effectively strip down the interior -- all the pillar garnishes and many other parts have to be removed to drop headliner) and replace the nuts with a new nut and jamnut at 4 places. Early build ISs and 2013 GS's are affected.
I heard it the day I bought the car and one other time, but haven't heard it since. I don't really want the car taken apart, so unless it acts up more often, I'd rather just let it go. Houston is pretty flat.
Trending Topics
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 150
From: East Coast
There is a TSB for this issue. (I have noticed this once or twice.)
According to the TSB, the sunroof nuts are effectively not tight enough to resist movement when the body of the car is in a great deal of torsion. So when the car flexes, the sunroof chassis and roof are in a bind, and the loose bolts allow a little bit of slip which relaxes the bind (and you hear a POP). The fix is to drop the headliner (effectively strip down the interior -- all the pillar garnishes and many other parts have to be removed to drop headliner) and replace the nuts with a new nut and jamnut at 4 places. Early build ISs and 2013 GS's are affected.
I heard it the day I bought the car and one other time, but haven't heard it since. I don't really want the car taken apart, so unless it acts up more often, I'd rather just let it go. Houston is pretty flat.
According to the TSB, the sunroof nuts are effectively not tight enough to resist movement when the body of the car is in a great deal of torsion. So when the car flexes, the sunroof chassis and roof are in a bind, and the loose bolts allow a little bit of slip which relaxes the bind (and you hear a POP). The fix is to drop the headliner (effectively strip down the interior -- all the pillar garnishes and many other parts have to be removed to drop headliner) and replace the nuts with a new nut and jamnut at 4 places. Early build ISs and 2013 GS's are affected.
I heard it the day I bought the car and one other time, but haven't heard it since. I don't really want the car taken apart, so unless it acts up more often, I'd rather just let it go. Houston is pretty flat.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
I guess you guys were right. It's like a "break-in" thing that happens at first and then goes away. I've gone into the same driveway the same way a few times and there is no noise. 
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,222
Likes: 4,220
From: Maryland
This happened on my 4GS right after I got it. It is a very rude sound LOL, I had somebody in the car with me and it scared the crap out of both of us. I fully expected to get out and find a big crease in the roof.
Its never happened since. There is a TSIB for the GS too, but it looks scary...I've skipped it.
Its never happened since. There is a TSIB for the GS too, but it looks scary...I've skipped it.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: ON
Has anyone had this happen recently on even newer vehicles? My 2015 IS350 does it all the time when the chassis bend, as in front suspension is loaded at different angle than rear and its supper loud. I always think someone threw something on my car.
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
My car did this a couple of times when brand new. It's just flexing. It will/should go away after a few times. Im assuming the welds and chasis break in and the noise stops....it happened on my old infiniti also. It does eventually go away
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SDUteFan
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
0
Aug 10, 2017 07:16 PM
03LX470
LX - 1st and 2nd Gen (1996-2007)
4
Mar 8, 2003 10:04 PM
