I have about 3k on my 05 TL and I'm having the Dash vibation, along with a vibration in the rear which I can NOT isolate...Ive touched everything near the rear window while driving and the damn noise is not going away. On top of this when I have my moon roof on TILT, that makes a nerve wrecking noise as well.
Basically Im listening to a symphony of rattles, and I need to turn up the radio crazily loud to fade them away. There is no way I can duplicate the dash noise for the dealer when i take it in, because it is only audible and annoying at 2-3 am in those quiet drives home...


HELP anyone else having to cope with so much rattling in these cars?

I had 2 other rattling problems which I had fixed at 1k miles...the center console around the shifter was squeeky and the side passenger door compartment rattled...they replaced teh compartment and fixed the shifter holder...

I have no idea if I am going to have to bring this car in every day for a new rattling problem!

 

My car developed a bunch of rattles few months ago, yesterday I got a new one coming from center console.To be honest with you I am fed up with Acura quality therefore the only cure for me for all rattles is to get rid of this car asap.

 

My first 04 TL, VIN range 39xxx, had rattles. My second TL, VIN range 69xxx, also has rattles.

 

I have a 2004 Aspec that is currently in the dealer for the second time to fix a rattle coming from the back window area. They say it is caused by the seat belts but everytime I hit a bump it "chirps". I think the TL is the best Acura I have owned and I have had an RL, Legends, and CL but none of the previous Acuras have had the rattles I have experienced with this car. The loaner car the dealer gave me a TSX seems to be much tighter than the TL. It's a shame this is a great car but Acura needs to address either the material or assemble process to eliminate the rattle problems you hear about on this board.

 

I now officially hate my new TL. I have this whinning noise that comes under the hood (power steering pump, belt tensioner both replaced), rattles in the glove box and dash, warped rotors that I had to fight with Acura to replace, dismissive and stupid service managers. I know lots of folks get yelled at here for ragging on the TL, but I have now had it. The car sucks.

New IS comes out in October....I will never own another acura again....

 

I've owned several Acura's over the years and only had 1 rattle in my 2002TLS which I fixed myself with a piece of felt. I can understand why you're fed up with Acura...rattles drive me crazy and if my car had even one rattle...it would be history. Good luck with the IS.

 

My TL is not even a month old, and I already took it back to the dealer twice with a rattle/squeaking noise in the dash. Picked up the car today for the second time after a week at the dealer, the noise was there just like before! I was ready to cry. Since the day I got it, I only drove it for 2 weeks alternating with loaner cars (which DID NOT have a rattle!)
I asked the dealer if it was a common problem, I was the first one he said. I thought lucky me!!! Liar!
Before I found this site I was going to demand to replace the car if it has a defect, now I see it is useless and I should wait to hear more rattlessoon!
Anyone had any luck getting the dealer to take care of it???

 

i feel bad for the lexus service dept.

 

Weird,you know me arse RATTLES when I have beans.It starts out as a VIBRATION, then leaves BUTT-PRINTS in me seat.
Sorry I couldn't resist.
CJB

 

So I finally went to the dealer today and they fixed my 3 problems ( I think...I havent gotten the car back yet)...I was supposed to get a loaner car and had reserved it from a week in advance, but after the rep asked me for my license and proof of insurance he quickly said: "Im sorry I cant give you a loaner car, you have to be atleast 23"...(I am 21).

Anyway so he said he would get me a rental and they sent me to enterprise....so last time I was there I got a Focus (horrible car), this time they were all outa compact cars and guess what y'all? I got upgraded to soccer mom status...I got a MINI VAN!

Anyway, I hope that when I finally get my car back tomorrow it will be ok and rattle free...The tech that sat in my car told me that there are a lot of rattles that I wouldnt be able to duplicate bc during the day when the inside of the car becomes hot and everything expands, it tends to rattle less, where as at night (When I do hear all the rattles), it is cold and quiet and I can hear everything...

Anyway I have a very sharp ear and the faintest noise annoys me...does anyone know that if I have to take in my car a couple times for rattles if I can exercise my lemon law rights? I have had the shifter sprayed with silicon spray twice so far (including today)...if this happens again do you think I lemon it? I was told 3 times is the law for the same problem.

 

Don't count on lemon lawing a car for a rattle or two. If you wanted complete silence, you should have went to Lexus from the get-go.

 

I have a console rattle, or more like creaking on uneven roads and only when it is sunny and warm. Seems like it is coming from the shifter area or above, but I can't pinpoint it. Just got the car back from the dealer today, and it is still doing it. They replaced the upper console compartment but that wasn't it.
I did notice today while driving around if I wedge my hand between the seat cushion and the console it stops. Not sure if that is because I am keeping the console from moving or if there is something inside that moves or creaks when it gets cold. (like from the air conditioning duct that goes to the back of the console) It really frustrates me because every drive turns into a hunt for the noise, and I can't enjoy the car. Not sure if this is the same noise?

 

My rattles come and go. Some more often then others.

The one that bothers me the most however is the one coming from the drivers door/window. It seems like the rattle is next to my ear but I cannot pin point it.

I read some posts a while back about this rattle but I have not had the time yet to do the research to try to fix it.
For those of you who think Lexus is free of rattles I say you better do your homework prior to making a purchase.

 

You guys made my decision to NOT buy a TL this weekend a little easier. I loved the way the car looked (SSM/Ebony w/Navi) and drove but rattles and squeeks drive me crazy. In fact I traded in an '03 S2000 for a new one just because there was a front suspension squeek that they could not fix. And the car I was thinking of trading on the TL was my wife's Lexus ES300 which has 1 little dash rattle when it is very cold out and truthfully THAT drives me crazy too! But it sounds like the TL has a plethora of rattles and squeeks and I can't tolerate that. BTW I traded an '01 CL Type S on the Lexus 2 years ago. The CL never had a rattle (but did loose a tranny @ 25K). Frankly I'd take an occasional tranny replacement over the daily irritation of listening to a symphony of rattles and squeeks.

 

I renamed my handle to a more appropriate one. I still cannot find the rattle package option on my window sticker. Nor can I find the CEL/malfunction light option package. This car is a POS and no one can deny it. I have about 7 or 8 distinct rattles since new. The CEL light has come on since new. All these problems at less than 5000 miles of ownership. Dealer tries to fix but there is no hope. I'll be speaking with an Acura rep soon.

 

I concur.

 

I don't think a tranny replacement is all that great either. Honda transmissions don't seem quite as well desinged as Toyota. Honda is a little bit better on the styling but Toyota and Lexus is coming up with better stuff. Don't know if recently there was an issue with this particular Acura model because of stiffness of the chassis. I've driven a 2002 BMW 3 series and I tend to like the suspension dynamics better. It did have some seatbelt rattling from the passenger front seat though. But I guess nothing is perfect in this world. I bought my 2005 TL early this year because Consumer Reports gave it a high rating. That's a good place to help base your decision but always go with what you personally like. Don't rely totally on what the critics say are good. Sometimes they miss stuff. I'm a bit surprised that the test driver did not indicate rattle issues in the car along with a myriad of material issues such as ash color dash (I have a black interior) after wiping it with nothing but water, and the sensitive ABS when braking on rough roads and going over speed bumps. Other than that, I'll just drive this machine for what it's worth or can't stand it anymore, and then just trade it in and get another machine. Vote with your dollars. Sooner or later, the manufacturers will get the message. Poor products will be discontinued. That's why it's nice to have a forum to voice experiences for the better good of all.

 

Yes I have that annoying rattle coming from the driver door/window...at first I thought it was the side mirror, but I was wrong. It is driving me nuts and I think I will take it in AGAIN (this is the 4th time for rattles), and just tell the guy I dont care if you replace the door...fix it, im going nuts.

Let me know if you find out the reason, though

Thanks

 

Yup....I've got that rattle too. I'm on the fifth visit to the dealer to fix this and have been told by their service manager that it's "not fixable" as "they all do that".

Needless to say I've spoken to Acura "Customer Care" and they're "Looking into this" for me. I've resigned myself to being rid of a car I fell in love with because I can't handle the squeak and rattle accompaniment on my journey to and from work every day.

Yes, I know that all cars develop these, but Acura just seems to do a bloody shoddy job following up and fixing them. Never again will I pay a premium for a posh Honda.

 

I agree that a 'premium' product should NOT have so many rattle complaints. Acura markets to discerning buyers, and should not dismiss rattles. Do you remember the craze car manufacturers went through about how thier auto's doors made a solid 'thunk' when closed? Acura missed the rattle issue big time. NO vehicle touted as 'precision engineering' should exhibit such blatent assembly shortcommings. I had an Isuzu SUV that bounced down the road with NO rattles.

That said, we have recently added a new Lexus GS and a new Avalon LTD to the family corral. I believe Toyota does assemble interiors better. However, these two 'Yota's are newer than my TL by a few months and they already exibit similar interior ticks, buzzes and occaisional rattles (the Lexus moreso). Being that the TL handles much tighter, with lower profile tires...I am becoming slightly more forgiving of the TL.....but only slightly.

 

i've had a rattle or two both come and go, i'm sure the 100 degree weather has had something to do with it, and i'm sure in the 10 degree winter days a new one will come and hopefully go.

but calling this car a complete POS is way outta line. i agree interior rattles can make even the nicest luxury car seem like a scion, but there isnt a car in this price range that looks as nice, and has as much to offer as the TL. the 4 door infinity doesnt look near as good in or out to me.

next step up for me would probably be a 5 series BMW, or maybe this new IS, but both will probably be $10,000 more for comparable power, size, look, features, etc.

if they can fix these rattle issues, this car would be about perfect.

I love my TL. everyday i see it, get in it, and drive it, i just cant stop smiling...

 

On another recent rattle repair visit, the dealer ran out of loaner cars so they sent me to Enterprise right across the street from them. I wound up with a Volvo S40.
And let me tell you, that car was SOLID!
Not one single rattle, click, tick, or odd noise anywhere within the interior........ even on bumpy uneven NYC streets!!!

Not that I'd buy a Volvo, but their assembly line quality and integrity has the Acura's 3rd gen TL beat....
HANDS DOWN !

 

I just want to clarify...I wasn't calling it a POS...I was calling it a posh Honda. In England (where I'm from originally ) Posh means "Fancy" or "Classy"....

So I wasn't dissing your, or my, car- manufacturer choice....just my own particular car's citrous-sy nature. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has these problems with the car (misery loves company after all!), but I wish I had one that didn't sound like a maraca...

 

Posh derives from Port - Out / Starboard- Home. A phrase used from Ocean Liner Travel to select staterooms facing south (sunward) on transatlantic crossings (prior to a/c and usually dreary sailings).

Now I never knew my Cruise Ship & Ocean Liner hobby would ever cross with my love for my TL.

My life is complete. Tea anyone?

 

lol he said maraca!

 

I have had my car for 3 weeks. I had my car serviced for pulling to the right, they fixed it by swapping my front tires , now my car pulls to the left.

Anyway, about two days ago I woke up and left for work when I closed my driver door I about sheeet, a horrible rattle sounded like I had something in my door pocket, but didnt. After opening and closing my door multiple times I couldnt place the sound, but it sounded really bad. Stopping about 30 minutes later to gas up, I closed my door and no rattle. I have no idea why this rattle started or why it stopped, no explination from what I can tell. But if it comes back they better not tell me it is unfixable. There is no way I could handle a rattle like that, was almost like the window or window regulator was just floating unattached in the door.

I still love the TL, but some issues worry my. I really can't tolerate piss poor quality.

 

I am trying to track down the same rattle before taking my car (a '05 TL 5AT SSM/Ebony No Nav purchased in June) back to the dealer.

I believe it is the window glass rattling inside the upper frame of the door. If I lower my window by the smallest amount, the noise goes away (enough so the glass doesn't hit the top of the door frame, but not so much that you get any material wind noise). I am hoping that tightening/re-aligning the window glass will fix the problem but I am going to take a closer look at the frame first

The other rattle I have is from either the glove box or more likely the front passenger door map pocket (it appears the rattle is eliminated or greatly reduced if I expand the map pocket to the first indentation). I am assuming it is behind the door panel because I didn't notice anything with the map pocket based on a cursory review. Any ideas on this rattle would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Bottom line on the third gen TL is that THE BUILD QUALITY SUCKS

the manufacturing solutions team charged with converting the factory from 2nd gen tl production to third gen TL production made a mess of the situation. there are numerous tolerances and misalignments in the vehicles.

Many have been fixed (rear doors sitting too high or low on very early 04 models) but many others have not been (trunk misalignment and lose or poorly installed components rattling against eachother).

It is not the factory's fault either, there are some hard working UAW workers evidenced by the flawless production of the Accords. Rather, major consulting work needs to go into pinpointing what manufacuring inefficiencies are causing these poor assembly issues.