Power tailgate making a moaning/groaning sound
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 19
From: Washington DC
Power tailgate making a moaning/groaning sound
Anyone have this problem? It happens both on opening and closing. The sound lasts a second or two; very loud and annoying. Dealer wants me to bring the RDX in to diagnosis aka they have no idea and will tear my RDX up and find nothing until Acura issues a TSB. From what I can see is that all the trim pieces in the rear have to be removed to get to the tail gate motor and gears. Also looks like the headliner needs to come down. I’m sure they can get all the pieces out, but will they be able to put them back to original condition!? I’m not a happy camper right now.
P.S. Yes, I know I spelled tailgate wrong.
P.S. Yes, I know I spelled tailgate wrong.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 569
Likes: 225
From: Southwestern Pennsylvania
My tailgate makes a slight groaning sound; not loud.
As I will be getting a new tailgate due to a rear end collision, I'm hoping the new one will be quieter.
Maybe it's a lubrication issue?
As I will be getting a new tailgate due to a rear end collision, I'm hoping the new one will be quieter.
Maybe it's a lubrication issue?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
If I can take apart my wife’s crv tailgate to install a new camera then I’m sure the dealer can handle taking sort the cars for this and installing remote starters and want not. It’s their job and as a customer they owe it to you to do it right. Even if acuranissies a tsb tomorrow the dealer is still going to do the same thing so your option is to wait for the bulletin and it’s done one time or take it now and potentially have to repeat if they can’t find the fault. It may be cheap or weak motors being used. I hope not! But that’s the most likely reason for noisy gates.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 19
From: Washington DC
Sorry to hear about your REC. I told the service manager I want it fixed right the first time; that’s why I was reluctant to be a guinea pig and have him “look” at it. I am half deaf and I can hear the sound from 10’ away. My RDX should not have shipped from the plant as the sound has been there all along. My bad for trusting the tech doing the pre-delivery inspection too. I also told the service manager no WD-40 to try to “fix” it, but I’m sure that’s what they’ll do first.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 569
Likes: 225
From: Southwestern Pennsylvania
This tailgate is not metal but, what they call resin (plastic by another name). The inner and outer skins are molded together. They can't open it up, only remove a small inner panel to get at the mechanicals.
Maybe lubricating the upper hinge mechanism will solve the problem
Maybe lubricating the upper hinge mechanism will solve the problem
Forum Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 1,400
From: Chicago NW Burbs
This issue was covered in the 2019 Acura RDX ONEpack Update #2.
The cause of the noise is currently under investigation.
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...3-18-a-970758/
The cause of the noise is currently under investigation.
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...3-18-a-970758/
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Cruisin'
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Bedford, Nova Scotia
Ditto here. Didn't hear it at dealership during final inspection but did hear it at home. I wonder if it depends on the incline of the vehicle? My driveway is sloped. Will check and advise.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 28
Me too...
...started noticing it last week. But, I won't worry about it unless it grows louder/harsher.
I'm more bothered that it operates differently from my 2013 RDX; it fights me if I try to open or close it manually, you really have to use the power buttons. I only used power open/close about 10 times during 6 years with the old one, it is not a feature I care about, and pulling the hatch manually up or down has been a hard habit to break. I've finally learned to just press the button, let go, and stand back.
I'm more bothered that it operates differently from my 2013 RDX; it fights me if I try to open or close it manually, you really have to use the power buttons. I only used power open/close about 10 times during 6 years with the old one, it is not a feature I care about, and pulling the hatch manually up or down has been a hard habit to break. I've finally learned to just press the button, let go, and stand back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 262
I'm more bothered that it operates differently from my 2013 RDX; it fights me if I try to open or close it manually, you really have to use the power buttons. I only used power open/close about 10 times during 6 years with the old one, it is not a feature I care about, and pulling the hatch manually up or down has been a hard habit to break. I've finally learned to just press the button, let go, and stand back.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 111
From: Ontario
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1,093
From: Sugar Land, TX
The Advance has the foot sensor, it is quite handy for when you have your hands full to just sweep your foot under the bumper for the hatch to open or close
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
...started noticing it last week. But, I won't worry about it unless it grows louder/harsher.
I'm more bothered that it operates differently from my 2013 RDX; it fights me if I try to open or close it manually, you really have to use the power buttons. I only used power open/close about 10 times during 6 years with the old one, it is not a feature I care about, and pulling the hatch manually up or down has been a hard habit to break. I've finally learned to just press the button, let go, and stand back.
I'm more bothered that it operates differently from my 2013 RDX; it fights me if I try to open or close it manually, you really have to use the power buttons. I only used power open/close about 10 times during 6 years with the old one, it is not a feature I care about, and pulling the hatch manually up or down has been a hard habit to break. I've finally learned to just press the button, let go, and stand back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 262
I wonder if the noise is a result of people forcing it open and closed manually versus using the power. My wife has a crv and it’s not powered. We HATE it. Probably the only thing we don’t like about her car. Having come from a sedan, I don’t know any differently - power is so nice and easy. I wish the aspec had the foot sensor through.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 853
Likes: 147
I wonder if the noise is a result of people forcing it open and closed manually versus using the power. My wife has a crv and it’s not powered. We HATE it. Probably the only thing we don’t like about her car. Having come from a sedan, I don’t know any differently - power is so nice and easy. I wish the aspec had the foot sensor through.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 39
From: DFW
The dry spray lubricant has stopped the moaning tailgate. It just took it a few more opening/closings for the lubricant to coat everything I guess.
Easy fix, no big deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 853
Likes: 147
Was that a dealer service recommendation or you are just handy? 
i would def keep a can of that stuff around as I think it’s just a temporary fix. Since it mentioned in the Service one video, Acura should have an official word
i would def keep a can of that stuff around as I think it’s just a temporary fix. Since it mentioned in the Service one video, Acura should have an official word
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 39
From: DFW
if I can keep my vehicles out of dealerships, I consider that a win. I usually find and fix at least one squeak, rattle etc on a new vehicle. Double sided 3M tape and dry lube used sparingly are surprisingly effective and most "fixes" seem to last.
Cruisin'
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 24
Likes: 9
From: Westerville, OH
Creaking Tailgate
The tailgate developed a creak while opening and closing within the first 1,000 miles. My attempt to spray lube in the hinge area did not fix the problem. After the dealership inspected, they discovered that three parts need replaced. One of which is on back order. The service advisor mentioned the parts where fairly sophisticated and expensive but of course covered under warranty.
Hopefully other first year and early production problems don't surface.
EDventure
Hopefully other first year and early production problems don't surface.
EDventure
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 60
From: TN
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
just two - baby ducks. One on open and one on close. Both when the gate was fully open, so the noise is when the gate is near the “top” position. I’m going to try to set the height a few inches below max and see if that makes a difference.
It’s hot today and I was parked in the sun. Wonder if something is expanding with heat.
It’s hot today and I was parked in the sun. Wonder if something is expanding with heat.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 19
From: Washington DC
I wonder if the noise is a result of people forcing it open and closed manually versus using the power. My wife has a crv and it’s not powered. We HATE it. Probably the only thing we don’t like about her car. Having come from a sedan, I don’t know any differently - power is so nice and easy. I wish the aspec had the foot sensor through.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 377
Likes: 26
We took one off the lot for an extended test drive that had this issue, and it had less than 50 miles on it. It’s a slight design flaw/fit-finish issue from the factory.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 853
Likes: 147
I'm sure they will adopt one of the field engineer's fix, perhaps even narrow it down further to minimal part replacement. Part of the first year model pains... This one seems to be less painful than the infotainment system reboots/crashes.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 99
Stopped by my dealer to have mine looked at. They had a corporate rep come visit the dealership to look at my RDX. The plan is to replace the springs in the hinges. Was told they are manufacturing new springs, they are on backorder, and will replace when they get them in.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: SATX
Same issue with mine (right at the apex of opening/closing is when the rubbing can be heard)... Only 200 miles on it so far, due to the back order on the new springs, it'll have been at the dealership for about a week. Not too bad. If it weren't torn apart right now, I'd just ask to pick the car back up until the parts come in as we have a 2018 RDX loaner right now that (when compared to the 3G) seems dated. Plus they fixed a door ding for me while they have it so I'm not complaining.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
Same issue with mine (right at the apex of opening/closing is when the rubbing can be heard)... Only 200 miles on it so far, due to the back order on the new springs, it'll have been at the dealership for about a week. Not too bad. If it weren't torn apart right now, I'd just ask to pick the car back up until the parts come in as we have a 2018 RDX loaner right now that (when compared to the 3G) seems dated. Plus they fixed a door ding for me while they have it so I'm not complaining.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 569
Likes: 225
From: Southwestern Pennsylvania
Acura is taking a long time to issue a formal TSB.
I have a new tailgate and it groans just like the original.
I wonder how many expensive spring replacements they will make before they say it's 'normal operation' or hit it with Honda's universal cure, Shin-Etsu grease?
I have a new tailgate and it groans just like the original.
I wonder how many expensive spring replacements they will make before they say it's 'normal operation' or hit it with Honda's universal cure, Shin-Etsu grease?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
Acura is taking a long time to issue a formal TSB.
I have a new tailgate and it groans just like the original.
I wonder how many expensive spring replacements they will make before they say it's 'normal operation' or hit it with Honda's universal cure, Shin-Etsu grease?
I have a new tailgate and it groans just like the original.
I wonder how many expensive spring replacements they will make before they say it's 'normal operation' or hit it with Honda's universal cure, Shin-Etsu grease?
i think they have overtightened hinges or something. It sounds like something is binding. Metal on metal to me.