Slow speed, going over bumps/rough road I hear a rattle or noise in the back area. It sounds like something is in the trunk and floppin' around, but there is nothing in the trunk.

I'm scared as hell because I just bought my car but never noticed this noise.

What could it be ? I looked around back there but couldn't find anything that would be making the noise besides maybe the spare tire, but I doubt that.

Any ideas ?

 

Start troubleshooting. If it seems like the spare, remove it for a day or so and see what happens.
Your description is pretty vague. What kind of noise (metal on metal, rubber chatter/squeaking, a solid thump)? Where specifically does it emanate (high/low, front/rear, left/right, inside/outside the cabin)? Have you done any work recently? I once had valve stems replaced and something must have broken off and fallen into the tire. I would hear it click a few times at low speed until centrifugal force held it in place and it stopped. Took me a couple days to put 2 and 2 together.

 

It's a rattle of clunk type noise from the rear of the vehicle. It's noticeable only when driving slowly over rougher roads. It almost sounds like something is clunking around in the trunk - but it really can NOT be the tire. I just bought this car so I'm somewhat freaking out about this.

 

I think this is your problem.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...eck+rattle+fix
Follow the DIY and it should be gone for good =)

 

It doesn't happen when listening to music though....but I'll give it a try

 

Did you try that fix out? Did it work? I also have the same thing as you. It's not music-related. Just driving.

 

I'm the proud owner of a new (to me) 2004 TL 6 speed. The first thing I noticed was a clunk from the rear while going over bumps. It turned out to be the rear sway bar bushings. Crawl under the rear of the car and grab the sway bar and shake it up and down. If you have a pry bar, use it to pry it up and down. If you hear the clunk, you found your problem. It's probably the cheapest and easiest thing you'll ever replace on your car.

 

no, no. The spare is under the floor of the trunk. If it came loose or any of the tools it comes with came loose, then that might be making your noise.

 

Something else to check is the muffler hangers. A broken or deteriorated one can allow the exhaust to bang around over bumps.

 

I have the same issue. Driving out of my neighborhood daily over street cracks, and it sounds like a muted "pop" or thump. I only seem to hear it when driving below 40mph. Annoying as hell - never had a car that made that sort of sound over minor bumps. I've reported it twice to the dealer and they said everything under there (rear suspension) was tight. I had one of their loaner cars - same year TL as mine - and it made the same exact sound, so I agree with others that it may be a characteristic of the car. Frustrating.