After 11 months with my ’25 NX 350h, it has developed significant rattles in both B-pillars. Lexus service has been working with me for a few months, waiting for a fix from Lexus. Here's what the TSB entails:

A TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) exists for 2024–2025 Lexus NX 250, 350, and 350h vehicles (produced in North America) regarding a tick or abnormal noise from the top of the B-pillar. The noise, heard from either side, is caused by weld slag on the B-pillar seatbelt anchor, requiring body shop repair.Key TSB/Repair Details:Cause: Weld slag between the top of the B-pillar and the seatbelt anchor.Fix: Inspection, potential welding/sealing, and reapplication of trim.Affected Models: 2024–2025 NX 250, 350, 350h (North American produced).Warranty: The repair is covered under the Lexus warranty, likely involving a sublet to a body shop.

I haven't scheduled this yet. I'm going to ask service for more details. I'm not thrilled.

 

My 25 Japan made one intermittently has a tick on driver side B Pillar upper side window roof area near grab handle. It seems to have gone away. Mine is a NX450h with pano roof.

 

I have the pano roof as well. I was told the pano roof has nothing to do with this issue. Strangely, the noise coming from the driver's side of my NX seems to also originate from the same area.
I'm picking up my NX today for another issue. I should have more clarification as to what this repair entails. But, from what I've already seen, it's extensive, involved and introduces the opportunity for so many things to go wrong.

 

What is the TSB number?

 

l-sb-0008-26

 

It could also be coming from the seatbelt. I occasionally hear the sound coming from the seatbelt attachment. Just like the user of this post.

 

I picked up my NX on Friday and my service advisor went into more depth with me on what will be performed to fix the b pillar rattles.

The rear doors, headliner, front seats, and b-pillar trim will all be removed. The exterior part of the b pillar would be cut out and repairs made internally to remove the slag that's causing the rattles. The b-pillars would then have to be welded back into place. The b-pillars would be sanded and painted-doors and other trim put back into place.
This sounds like a nightmare. The number of things that could go wrong during this repair are staggering.

I'm open to any recommendations or advice.

 

Post warranty I would try to drill a small hole and inject some goo to keep the slag rattling in the cavity locked. If it can really be proved it's from slag inside.
But it's not owner's decision to make under warranty.

You may find more crude repair procedures if you search online. Like this from Hyundai:
https://www.reddit.com/r/HyundaiSant..._the/#lightbox

Noisy B-pillars are quite common IMHO. But I guess not from slag inside most often.
I had some vibration buzz from mine, and could swear it's belt attachment on the B-pillar. But then a gentle press of rear door speaker grille eliminated it.

 

First off, get all correspondence from the dealer in writing. Have the work to be done laid out in detail for you.

The work that Lexus will do, should be done with extremely meticulous detail. Your work will receive a warranty with Lexus, I would ask for the details of this before hand. Know the details of the time frame (distance too possibly) for the warranty on the work, so that you can get back to them before it expires, if issues arise. Their procedures to be followed are ones that have been tested and carried out by the manufacturer in order to prevent any other items from being broken or weakened when removed and reinstalled. You won't find another shop willing and able to do this, simply because they don't have the information that the factory can provide for training and assistance. All these details of what procedures and testing (if required) are captured in the recall or TSB notice and the dealer will have access to Lexus repair database to use as well. I would be firm with your dealer to ensure that a well experienced senior master technician will be doing the work, all the work should be examined by you before acceptance of it's completion done to acceptable Lexus standards. As always people are people, some do good work, others not so much. People also make mistakes too. The tech will be under the gun to do all this within an approved amount of time by Lexus. Maybe ask if they've done of these jobs on another NX before too.

 

How bad is your rattle, that is some serious reconstruction the dealer is proposing to go, body work and repainting.

 

OMG! This is such a good news.
Lots of squeak and rattles in my 2024. 🫤

(although the fix is a bit scary)

 

I have a tentative schedule for my NX to go into the body shop in late June for the b pillar repair. But, I forgot to mention that I was originally told my vehicle would be in the body shop for 2 weeks. But, I received a phone call today that there's been some changes, and my vehicle will be in the body shop for 8 to 10 weeks. (!) I should have clarification after I talk to the master tech tomorrow. I know this dealership has performed this fix on only one other NX. I'm very interested in finding out what these changes are that exponentially increases the amount of time for repair.

 

 

Owner: my car has rattles
Lexus: No problem, we'll take your car for 2 or 3 months, cut it into pieces and weld it all back together for you.
Owner: Ummm, bye!

I think I would attempt every possible fix myself before I let Lexus cut part of my roof off. I do have the occasional minor buzz from the seat belt adjustor, I'm going to try what Amigo did.

 

This is the part of dealer repairs I really don't get. And my 'Spidey Senses' go up when a timeline that long is quoted especially if all the work would be done at their dealer owned body shop, I assume. First off anyone will contest the longer you drag something out the worst off you're going to be in re-installing everything. I mean I have visions of the guy going 'now where did this thing go again? and how did it fit into that?' I would be taking pictures. I know there's paint, which is 3 days almost always for that. You prep, clean, clean, clean so no debris and mask up everything. Paint, dry, check for booboos, touch up if needed. Install everything in reverse order. Does the shop close down in the summer? 8-10 weeks, that's 2 1/2 months or 400 hours of work! I've watched the Car Care Nut completely remove a highlander roof panel and replace the pano roof's rubber seal and put everything back in a day to day and a halve of labour. Take note of the mileage when you bring it in, and check it when you pick up. If the shop's had to prioritize work they should put you in a que and when they're ready to do all the work continuously at one time, then you bring it in.