Ok, the tap has become a clunk and definitely from the rear. Checked the RAV4 forums and found this specific TSB.

REAR SUSPENSION
Date Reported
DECEMBER 20, 2013
NHTSA Reference
#10054813
TSB Reference
#TSB-0187-13
Description: TOYOTA: THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE HEARD COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE AND ONE OR BOTH REAR STABILIZER LINKS ARE DAMAGED. MODEL 2006-2012 RAV4. *PE

 

To conclude my problem listed on the previous page, the high pitch sound keeps returning. However, while driving home yesterday I decided to shut my HVAC fan off (as the sound remained after the radio was turned off), and as the fan shut off, the sound went away. Turned the fan back up (to level 2), sound returned. Off, sound disappears. I then turned the fan up to its highest speed, the sound got loud and louder, then all of a sudden silent. I turned it back down to 2 and there is no noise.

Leads me to believe that something is funky in the blower fan.

 

After a day at the dealer the problem is fixed.

The morning was spent test driving the car with a Lexus tech. We pinpointed the noise to the drivers front wheel area.

I was then given a new Lexus NX 300h for the day while they went about degreasing and tightening the components of the front suspension.

By lunchtime they could still reproduce an occasional noise on bumpy roads.

So off came the sidesteps and sound deadening material was place between the braces and the side steps.

Finally, no more rattle, clunk or knocking.

Happy to return the very pleasant but underpowered 300h and get my fsport back.

As always exceptional work by the service dept.

 

Great news! Are you stating your sidesteps and the hardware holding it into the car's frame was the culprit? Can you point out where the sound deadening material was placed in a pic perhaps? I still have the occasional noise as you did but I don't have any side steps.

 

I took the NX to have 5,000 mile service. While there I asked them to look at the rattling coming from the rear of the car. They tighten the rear cargo cover, which they said was loose. It helped some but there is still a rattling sound coming from the back of the car when I drive over "unsmooth" pavement. Called my Adviser and the next step is to schedule a test drive with a technician.

 

That is the same repair they did with my ticking sound and it did not help. I do notice there is less sound when its cold, so I am waiting for it to constantly tick before I bring it in again. This was my second time.

 

The noises from the rear are multifactorial. There are 7 areas I have applied felt or adhesive rubber to dampen noises.

Lower the rear seats and remove both of the boot covers and you'll be surprised at the type of noises that eminate from the rear. In addition I'm trying to work out if the hatch latch is causing noise as there seems to be an area of wear on the latch and it was a problem I had on my RAV4.

This is not unique to Lexus as its inherit in the hatch type of design . The rear cavity acts as an acoustic magnifier for all the various noises.

I will get together a list and some photos for the repairs so far.

 

Ok so sites so far for rear rattles.
1. Rear wiper. Wiper rattles against tension spring. Small piece of adhesive on rear of inner wiper arm.
2. Interior trim to which the tonneu cover is attached by string. Very loose fit. Line edge with felt. Will return to Lexus for more permanent fix as these pieces are very ill fitting. Thanks to Lexus club UK for that one.
3. Rubber mat below the lower white foam insert upon which the space saver sits. Roll my eyes as there's enough room for a full size spare. After this fix the squeeking I thought was coming from the rear centre armrest disappeared
4. Padding to the foot of the rear bins. Each of the rear bins sit on slender elongated legs that have a half hearted amount of felt at the base. Looks like the guy that inserted these was half asleep or over the whole Kaizen thing.
5. The tow hook rattles hopelessly in its cubby hole. Wrap with felt.
6. The screw driver rattles in its cubby hole. Wrap with felt.
7. The thin piece of felt lining the cavity holding the jack near its end is inadequate to stop a rattle. Reline.
8.The passenger side rear bin (empty) had two inadequate clips holding it. It flexes and rubs against the top foam (grey) insert and against the rear plastic at the bottom of the hatch. This requires a surprising amount of felt to stop it tapping.

I'm also planning to line the whole floor back there with dynamat. They have used minimal insulation and it's mainly bare metal. Also as mentioned, keeping an eye on the rear hatch latch as there is an abrasion appearing on the latch. A problem point with Toyotas.

 

Great write-up miop4000. I am pretty sure my tick it the same one I hear each time. I guess I have some testing to do.

 

bought a new ns 200 I ... and find a great deal of road noise in a car of this class... Tyres geolander .. I have never heard of this brand could they be the problem ??

 

I have a rattling type noise above 40 mph and thanks to an earlier post in this thread I found the solution. At first I thought it came from the outside drivers side mirror,but the noise is more pronounced from the rear and wind direction has a big effect The culprit is a loose body underpanel that is under the drivers side door. Two plastic rivets that hold the panels are loose leaving too much play, a similar panel is on the passenger side as well. I'll have it taken care of at my 5K checkup.Thanks to the OP !!!

 

I have the 2015 NX200T and compared to my 2007 IS, it has more noise coming from the engine.(4 cyl turbo engine vs V6).

 

Sorry for reviving a old thread but I have updates to my issues.

Went on multiple test drives and even video recorded it until they believed us.

The rear seat rattling seems to go way when we have the rear armrest down. With the arm rest up the rear seat vibrates causing a squeaking noise. The dealer does not have a solution to this right now and suggest we leave the rear armrest down for now.

Also another new rattling noise popped up. It is coming from what the front passenger dash speaker area. The tech pushed on the dash heard the noise. We also heard it on a loaner NX as well. We where told to bring the NX back next week and they work on it.

 

Yeah, I've kept the armrest down for months now and it's fine: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/nx-...ml#post9276994

As for the speakers, I had the same thing and just added felt tape all along the plastic/metal contact points. No more squeak.

 

Wow I should have reviewed all the past posts more carefully. This is exactly that same rear arm rest issue I am having.

Though arm rest down is a temp solution.... I'd like to try and push my dealer for a permanent solution as a new $45k car should not rattle like that.