I personally am not trying to smear Lexus's reputation, but with all honesty, the RX's main problem lies in the very poor wind reduction, and it's causing me a lot of pain. I really don't feel that interested in letting the techs at Lexus check out this problem. All I need to know is where exactly the noise coming from? I bought 3 meters of foam tapes that are used to insulate some openings in mid-size RC air planes preventing wind from intruding and I thought it might work on my RX, but where shall put them? Any ideas?

 

Update on this wind noise problem that's been a torn on my side.

I basically stumbled into where the noise is coming from. On the driver side window, I hear wind rustling/whirling noise from the bottom of window while the window is completely rolled up. If I roll down the window just a smidge, say 1mm, the noise is gone!!! Roll it back up, and the noise is back.

This is easily reproduced in the morning while it's still relatively cold outside. Once the car has been out in the sun, it's no longer easy to reproduce this problem. Must have to do with the seals expanding when it warms up.

Now I can't wait until I bring this back to the dealer. I need to wait for it to get cold around here in N. California first. That should happen in a few more weeks!

 

I also figured out the source of the wind noise, and that's the rear pillars of the front windows, both of them. I noticed that when I lowerd down the windows, air was causing a great buff like noise when it's hitting the pillars. When I raise up the windows, the sound is still audible. All I need to do is find a way to open those pillars and install the insulation foamies. Hopefully it'll work.

 

I have an early build (04/09) 2010 RX350. The wind noise at 60 MPH+ was substantial enough to cause me to wonder if something was amiss. There was no air leakage, too much noise compared to how quiet the rest of the car was. I took it into the Lexus dealer to be checked out. They called me back the next day and said that the wind noise level was normal. If I had not had a 2012 RX350 loaner that was substantially quieter I probably would have taken them for their word. I protested and they offered to do a ride-a long with me about this and another mechanical rattle issue they told me didn't exist either. Before going in I did my homework and found a TSB issued for early build RX350 models that had poor acoustic glass quality. The TSB recommended that the dealer replace both front windows with updated acoustic glass. After reminding him about the TSB, sure enough the tech confessed that the wind noise was more than usual and offered to replace the glass. It's now much quieter!

p.s. the mechanical rattle turned out to be a bad steering column. I'm glad I pursued both issues further!

 

This drives me nuts! It's amazing how often people hear "it's normal", or "it's within specification" as the first response. Especially when it's for something like excessive wind noise. Passenger comfort and an isolated passenger environment is supposed to be a Lexus focus. Isn't that why they even HAVE acoustic glass in the first place?

I'm just glad you had the will to not accept their answer, and found the resources to determine the cause. How many others would have just been unhappy with their purchase because of a lazy service department?

Well done!

 

I have a 2010 that I purchased two years ago. It's an early 2010 that does not have the double pane acoustic glass. Do you think this is covered under my CPO warranty as I have noticed high wind noise at highway speeds.
Thanks much

 

hammer, I believe there is a TSB out for that and they replace it with acoustic glass. Just tell the dealer about your problem and they should be able to fix it for you.

 

My RX is the quietest vehicle I ever had. I have a 2012 AWD.I thought the 19" wheels would be noisy,glad I had the Dealer swap the Dunlops for the Michelins. I also don't have roof cross bars.